The wind was up on a blustery morning in Twickenham but spirits were high as 85 intrepid adventurers and nine a little older and weather-worn elders prepared for a trip they will never forget: five days of adrenaline-rush activities in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, Bude, Cornwall.

The journey down the infamous A303 was as smooth as it could be, with a break for lunch and an afternoon viewing of Stuart Little 2 (a near miss for an Oscar in 2002) helping the time fly. Just after 3pm, our coaches pulled up, rooms were allocated and the children were split into eight activity groups for the week.

Tummies rumbled and dinner called. Today’s dinner was BBQ chicken followed by cake – yum.

Once the food had digested it was time for evening fun: movies in the cinema room, basketball outside, pool and karaoke. The highlight being Mr Harvey’s rendition of Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’ – let’s just say he didn’thit all the notes.

Thoroughly tired from the busy day, at 9pm the group settled down to hear how Mr Cadman’s eyebrows once migrated to his armpit and, more seriously, Reverend Donna’s reflection time. She spoke of a journey where we’d seen sun then rain then sun then rain. Life is full of its ups and downs; it’s important you notice these changes – changes in nature around us, changes to ourselves and those near us. If we notice this, we can act, adapt and make the changes we need to live happy lives.

Parents, the children are safe, happy and (almost) asleep.