Monday
Monday morning started with an hour's coach journey to sunny Sennybridge in
Wales. On arrival we were greeted by the PTIs and shown our accommodation. We
were pleased to discover that the female block was actually better than Britannia
Block back in HMS Nelson, but unfortunately the lads weren't so lucky as they
had a five minute walk to get to the shower block. Once we had deposited our
kit in the rooms we all gathered in the lads accommodation for a brief of the
week to come, we were all absolutely horrified to discover 're -valley'
was at 0545 to be ready for PT at 0600 - YOU WHAT? All our hopes of a nice chilled
out week went straight out the window.
That evening there was transport provided for a run ashore into the nearest
town, Brecon. Luckily for us Brecon was sporting a Fun Fair, people went off
in different directions, well, it was either the pub or the Fair. At about 2100-2200
everyone was rolling into the pub and there were a few green faces to be seen!
Too much candyfloss I reckon.
Tuesday
Bright and early next morning we were up and running around the outskirts of
Sennybridge. Wales was definitely living up to its reputation of having far
too many sheep and more to the point far too many hills to run up and down!
After PT the day's activities commenced and people went off in their various
different groups. My group went off, with Cpl Kirby, to a nice big, cold lake
to thrash canoes around in. It was all going brilliantly until we had to capsize
and pull ourselves back out. It was then we discovered that our waterproofs
weren't really that waterproof. Never mind, we had plenty of time to dry out
in the afternoon as we cycled back to Brecon with Captain Revens. Again we were
cursing the Welsh hills on the way up and rejoicing on the way down! That evening
was spent in the local pubs where the local people were and one in particular
took a fancy to Musn Burton AKA Scottie and tried to... well I think that is
best left unsaid.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning we found ourselves, some of us more than others, running round and round and round a rather field as we discovered the unfortunate reality that 'it pays to be a winner'. Then again the groups split up into their various activities and my groups for the day was walking… nice eh? Think again! Rather than walking I, for one, was on my hands and knees crawling up mountains! Although the weather was fine and the views were stunning we were lucky as the group the previous day had ended up soaked through after 10 minutes and had visibility of about 30 metres. On Thursday evening, once again, there was transport available to go into Brecon to watch the football. After we had seen the highlights of Brecon on the Monday night it had been established that it was rather like Emmerdale and therefore Sennybridge seemed like the easier option. About half the troop ventured out to Brecon where they found the PDM (Lt Col Waterer) and the Corps Drum Major (WO1 Bridges) on a flying visit whilst the rest of us stayed in Sennybridge at the Aber Arms (many thanks to the staff for making us feel so welcome).
Thursday
Thursday morning started with a particularly hard PT session. We started doing the same circuit as Wednesday but were promptly told that we weren't putting the effort in so were taken for a run which was taken at an incredible pace and quite frankly we were what is commonly known as 'hanging out our hoop holes'. We were grateful that at the end of the run we were allowed or should I say told to paddle about in the river for 5 minutes, having to be soaked from head to foot before being allowed to get out! After a run like that it was well called for. Our group was thankful that our days activities were the ones that weren't too strenuous on the legs as everyone was aching in places we didn't know existed! We spent the morning pony trekking and laughing hysterically at their breaking wind, sad I know, but very funny! In the afternoon we found ourselves hanging on for dear life as we clambered up rock faces! Our last evening in Sennybridge was spent down the good old Aber Arms getting well and truly watered as there was no PT the following morning - RESULT!
Friday
A few of us were sporting some damed fine hangovers, big hurrahs go out to
Musn Burton who was sick! hee hee! and Musn Shawn who wasn't far behind!!
The morning passed quickly as we packed everything away and tidied up and by
1000 we were on our way home on a very silent coach apart from the hum of Zzzzzzzz's.
Everyone was catching up on the Z'ds! After all it was a very tiring week.
Bugler Ford