'Jog and Dip' - an Outward Bound tradition

We can see Loch Eil from the grounds of our accommodation. I decide to 'fire off' a few frames before the light fades. Ben Nevis can be seen looking back towards Fort William.

Later that afternoon, the Gordon Clan change into their swimming gear and jog gently down towards Loch Eil. After donning their life-jackets, it's time for a swim. This is an OB favourite. The water can only be described as cold and salty, but is a superb antidote to sitting on a coach. After the short swim back to shore, or climbing up the ladder back onto the jetty, it's time for a nice warm bath or shower...

Welcome to 'The Clan'

As we pass through Glen Coe, cloud replaces snow on the higher slopes. The rain, as they say, 'is horizontal'. The coach begins its descent to Fort William. As we get closer, I put in a call to Outward Bound Scotland to let them know that we are 'on schedule' and expect to arrive within the next fifteen to twenty minutes.

We are met at the front entrance to our accommodation by our Course Director, Richard Hill and our OB Instructors for the week, Ken, Dave, Caroline, Chris and John. They are eager to meet their students and within minutes have taken them (and their baggage) to The Barn. We check the upper deck of the coach. A pile of pages from a newspaper mark the spot in the aisle where a student has parted with the contents of his stomach - mainly fizzy pop, sweets, crisps and other wholesome, nourishing foodstuffs.

Later, we assemble in the Scott Room. The fifty-two (plus five members of EC staff) are divided into five 'Clans' (Bruce, Forbes, Morrison, Mcgreagor and Gordon) and accompany their OB Instructor on a tour of the site. Clan members are shown to their dorms. I am in Gordon Clan with Michael C, Cole M, Lucie C, Mitchell O, Christian G, Tomas A, Kelly McF, Thomas A, Jade K and Joe A.

I see from the timetable that Morrison, Mcgreagor and Gordon Clans start their expedition on Wednesday and will return to centre on Thursday afternoon.

The Journey...

Monday, 3 December 2007 - I arrive at the meeting point at 4.15 a.m. A queue has already formed. About twenty students, armed with suitcases and a variety of colourful bags of every size and description, await the arrival of Wrigley's 71 seater, keen to grab the best seats for the journey north to Loch Eil.

The coach arrives on time. Students rush forwards, abandoning their luggage close to the storage area before climbing aboard. So much for teamwork! The driver climbs into the storage area. A small number of conscientious, female students help to transfer 'baggage mountain' from pavement and road to the bowels of the coach, lifting and handing each piece to the driver who must be wondering whether the rear axle will support the combined weight of whatever has been packed inside the bags. Several hernia inducing bags later, the driver emerges to fill his lungs with the fresh morning air, rejoicing that the last bag has been stowed. But no; a late arrival with a large case provides a last-minute challenge to the TARDIS-like interior of the luggage store.

Meanwhile, a head-count takes place. Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty, fifty-one. There should be fifty-two. We must have missed one. A recount is demanded. Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty, fifty-one. Someone hasn't made it. Out with the registers - a roll-call reveals the identity of the missing student. A telephone call to the mobile number provided on the OB 'Enrolment Form' and EC 'Consent Form' doesn't help - the mobile is switched off. A second call - to the emergency contact number this time - proves fruitless. A home visit is required. I drive to the address. A press on the doorbell and a rattling of the letterbox provokes a response from inside. A curtain twitches on the first floor. Just when he thought it was safe to snuggle beneath the duvet, his worst nightmare is stood outside on the driveway, waving in his direction. Minutes later, after a short conversation, a packed bag is loaded into the boot of the car and we set off to meet up with the coach and fifty-one.

The coach makes two stops on the way to Loch Eil - at Gretna and Stirling Services. Students take on supplies - chocolate, sweets, fizzy-pop and anything else they consider edible. Although we will only be staying at OB for the week, after the Stirling stop, we have sufficient food and drink on board to last two months - possibly three, if we ration it out and eat sensibly!

Our driver, a veteran of the long haul, advises anyone that may experience travel sickness to sit downstairs. One we're off the motorway the coach tends to sway a little on the bends as we head towards Callander on the A84.

As our journey continues, we join the A82. This provides a photo-opportunity. The weather is fine, but clouds to the north threaten rain as we get closer to Glen Coe. By the time we pass the road to the Glencoe Ski Centre, it is raining heavily. This is not the last time that we will see our good friend the rain this week...

Mo Time!!!

Well, I have spent the last week as part of Clan Forbes: Tom P, Tom W, Sasha, Katie, Aaron, Sean, Mo, Jess, Abbie, Jake and Zubair - and can say I have truly had a great experience!!!

We have just recovered from an exhausting, 5 hour trek up the mountains and had the luxury of camping in gale force winds and torrential rain. Food was served a la ration supplies of rice & beans and dessert was apple pie and custard in a bag!! Evening entertainment consisted of Zubair's jokes and more of Zubair's jokes!! The rest of the entertainment shall remain on the mountain.

The morning hike back to base was one of good spirits and the team worked well. I think we really bonded as a group and although the expedition almost broke us, it set us in good stead for the rest of the week.

All I can say, is that it is has been an experience that was packed full of tantrums, traumas and most of all laughs! The team was fantastic and I have enjoyed being a member of the mighty Forbes!

Clare.

Clan Mcgreagor

Clan Mcgreagor had a very successful expedition. We stayed in a bothy - an 'abandoned' house in the middle of nowhere - for the night. Luckily no tents!

Everyone had a good time and most said they would do it again despite the wet feet and occasional foray into 'swamps'.

Everyone is very tired and looking forward to curry and comfy beds. Good experience all round, looking forward to the zip wire tomorrow!

Natasha

Hello from Outward Bound Scotland

My apologies...we have been a little lax keeping the blog updated...mainly technical difficulties. We have hundrends of images that we have gathered during the week and will probably make them available from our Flickr account in the next few days. We will also make the album available through this blog.

If you have tried to contact someone on their mobile, you will probably be aware by now that reception is not too good in this part of the world...although one or two students have managed to make and receive calls, many have not - although there are also two pay 'phones on centre here at Loch Eil.

Even if you have not been able to make contact, I can assure you that everyone is safe and well. Two 'clans' went out on expedition on Tuesday afternoon. They both returned on Wednesday afternoon. The remaining three 'clans' went out yesterday and returned this afternoon. All five clans got wet. Some managed to pitch their tents, others slept in mountain bothies.

On Monday, some clans participated in the traditional Outward Bound 'jog and dip' - a short swim in Loch Eil. I will post photographs as soon as I can.