What a fantastic week in France! 6 staff accompanied 46 pupils to Argeles Sur Mer in the South of France for a watersports trip. The kids and the staff got stuck into it and enjoyed every minute. I may have come back a few pounds heavier from a week of croissants, baguettes, cheese and chocolate but I don't really care - it was all part of the fun! I kept a short diary of what we got up to each day - and of course managed to squeeze in some training too :-)
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| Breakfast al fresco at Bodega (and my oatcake delivery!) |
Saturday 31st May - Beautiful sunny day in Campbeltown so fitted in a 12 mile run at Ballochgair and a 15 mile cycle on the Southend Road as wanted to exhaust myself in the hope that I would fall asleep on the impending midnight bus journey to Prestwick Airport. Kicked off in the holiday spirit by eating breakfast al fresco on the decking. We also picked up the generous sponsor cheque from the Kintyre Club towards MOKRUN to help us plan for 2015 races. Stuart and I ended up having lunch at the Old Clubhouse whilst there - delicious!
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| Kintyre Club presentation to MOKRUN |
Sunday 1st June - We arrived at Taxo Les Pins, our home for the next week - a lovely campsite in Argeles with 3 swimming pools and comfortable caravans, we were happy. We spent the afternoon at the poolside, the kids and staff enjoying the sunshine (and the flumes!)
After dinner whilst the kids were at their planned activities, a few of us went a 6 mile run around the area to get our bearings and map out a 5k route for our 'race' on Tuesday.
We are definitely just big kids at heart!!
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| Watersports anyone? |
Monday 2nd June - Got up early to run 5 miles before wakening the kids at 7.45am for breakfast. We had hoped to find a park with outdoor fitness equipment but our bad French only lead us to an industrial estate! Between the staff we challenged ourselves to a 'challenge' of 25 reps of press-ups, tricep dips, crunches etc every day too, anything to work off our breakfast of pan au chocolat or croissants. We spent the day at a lovely sandy beach where we played volleyball, snorkeled and did some open water swimming.
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| 5k done. |
Tuesday 3rd June - A day of white water rafting in the Pyrenees - super fun and tiring. No time for naps as 4 of us ran a 5k time trial since CRC were doing this at home. At 6pm it was still very hot so this was not easy despite being a flat course. I unfortunately took a detour and lead poor Catriona the wrong way but we still turned at the 1.55 mile mark to take us back to the start for 3.1 miles in a relatively decent time. We rewarded ourselves to about 2kg of milka chocolate!!!
Wednesday 4th June - 5 mile run in am before heading to the beach again. This time we went to the main Argeles beach where the kids, and ourselves, took part in various watersport activities such as sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Swimming time before dinner, followed by a cheese and wine evening (for the staff!) from our tour reps. My only glass of wine on the trip was very much enjoyed but I loved all the cheese more, I just love food. I could get used to this lifestyle! The kids returned from their favourite activity - capturing the flag, they loved this. Will need to try to play this game during activities week at school.
Thursday 5th June - 6 mile run at 6am this morning, we were heading away early to Barcelona for the day! After a 3 hour bus journey we visited Nou Camp Stadium, Sagrada Famillia and Las Ramblas. The kids loved it and behaved so responsibly waiting in groups and being careful in such a built-up tourist area. Most of them did end up going to McDonalds for dinner but some of them tried some tapas and paella too, as did we, along with more chocolate - I can't resist!
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| Canyoning was a scary highlight |
Friday 6th June - 5 mile run at 7am, out a different route yet again, all flat. Beautiful sunny start to the day followed by my new routine of yoghurt, fruit, croissant and green tea. We all made our way to the man made canyoning park which was the highlight of the week for most of us. We had to jump down waterfalls, ravines and abseil down rock faces. A lot of people conquered their fears that day! After our usual French lunch of baguette or salad and fruit (as well as a wee cappucino for us staff) we then went 'tree-topping' - climbing and zip-wiring our way through various 20 feet high obstacles - this certainly wasn't a trip for someone with vertigo! As a treat for the pupils' excellent behaviour and their attitudes towards all the activities, we gave them extra swimming pool time when we returned 'home'. It stayed sunny all evening so we spent the rest of the night splashing about in the pool with the kids before a prizegiving back at our caravans. This is the life.
Saturday 7th June - one last 8 mile run at 6.30am, down to the beachfront and back, one last glimpse at the Mediterranean before our return home. I think everyone was pretty sad to leave the resort to be honest but it always feels great to get back home, nothing beats it!
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| The weather improved back at home for our arrival |
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