Day 4
Day 4 – White water rafting
The morning of the 19th was met with mixed emotion from the John Hampden Tour Squad of 2010. This was arguably due to two factors; the horrendous jet-lag that most of the squad were encountering, and indeed the potential annoyance of the fellow squad member they were forced to stay with the previous night. For me the latter was a much more serious issue; the 11 hour time difference was the least of my problems when I awoke to see the somewhat unsavoury sight of Joshua Walton sprawled across the double bed on the other side of the room. All these problems, as appalling as they first seemed, immediately disappeared at the first sighting of a cooked breakfast, which at the time was being heavily violated by the Staff. With the brisk excitement of white water rafting in the minds of many of the squad, the plates were polished off quickly, and the bags were loaded onto the coach, ready for eventful day ahead.
The coach journey was somewhat varied, with certain squad members became agitated due to a lack of sleep, and indeed Mr. Green who was encountering the most horrific of back pain, and was ensuring that every single tour squad member was aware of his level of discomfort. For four of the tour members, the journey suddenly became far tenser; Josh Walton, James Wagstaff, Tom Fulford and myself had been elected the highly prestigious position of Tour Dobbies; which were elected by each member of staff to ensure their life on tour was made as easy as possible. Josh Walton had been given the traditionally harder job of the four, as he had to tend to the needs of Mr Edwards, a job which has sent many an aspiring squad member to an early grave. However this tense atmosphere was soon replaced with one of happiness and relief, as the four were given the appreciative nod they had been yearning for. Shortly after, the tour bus came to a halt, and the squad members disbanded for lunch, which for many consisted of a pie or sausage roll from the local bakery. What seemed to be a reletivly simple situation soon evolved into one of confusion for the tour members and the staff alike, as blind-side flanker Richard Pen acquired “Are those pies hot?”, this seemingly innocent question was labelled ludicrous and unbelieveable, as the pies in question were sitting in a oven (for this deservedly acquired the “Stupid Jumper).
With the squad in complete disarray over the earlier comment, and Richard seemingly being excluded due to his new clothing garment, the squad boarded the bus, and set sail for the White Water rafting.
The squad arrived to the sight of the ice cold river in which we would later be risking life and limb. Ounce booked in, we were given the wet suits, boots, and lifejackets which would later prove vital for many member of the squad, and indeed staff. The squad was separated into 3 boats, one of which was labelled the “Dream Team”, which included the staff (apart from Mr Green, whose back injury was proving far more sever than first expected), Josh Walton, Matthew Brown and James Allen. The seemingly close squad soon became very much the opposite, with members such as Josh Walton, James Wilson, Matthew Brown, Bradley Embury and Mr. Goodman, giving life and limb to ensure that multiple tour member went in for a swim, in a somewhat violent manor. The most notable of all these efforts came from the “Dream Team” who mounted a mutiny on the unexpecting Mr Edwards (the full after effect of this action I’m sure has not yet been seen, but I can safely say I fear for their lives). When finished, the squad was returned up river by a high speed boat, to get changed and attempt to regain some kind of feeling in our legs and arms. Ounce changed and filled with warm beverages, the squad resumed their seats in the bus, and were off to meet their billets. The excitement and anticipation was evident as the tour bus doors opened, and members of the tour squad were accepted with open arms into their chosen billeting families.
By James Wilson