This is Lydia aged 15. We went to her house for our tea last night & she had just returned from doing part of her bronze Duke of Edinburgh medal. This involved walking 20 miles with this back pack on holding 62kilos in weight... tent,stove, food etc. They had to cook two hot meals & pitch their tents & camp overnight. As it happened by the time they had got to their designated camp it was too dark to pitch the tents so they slept in a shed with no door. It was raining the whole time which made their rucksacks even heavier, I could hardly lift it off the floor !!
She was very tired & cold when she got back but on the whole enjoyed it & going on to do the next stage !!
The thing that alarmed me most was that there were 5 girls all similar age on their own the whole time & nobody checked up on them !! They weren't allowed to ring anyone( except I suppose in an emergency ) but the teachers could ring them but nobody did !!
It's not supposed to be easy mind !!! Very character forming !!!
She's a beauty, Pat and obviously a very "fit" young lady! Good for her to be able to do these things. The young today amaze me! You got a gorgeous photo here, Grandma!!
Good for her - I'm sure it will stand her in good stead for years ahead!
The things young people take on nowadays ......I take my hat off to them.
She is gorgeous! ....she has a bit of her grandad's smile I think!
@karenann@jmj Thank you both !! I take my hat off to these young people nowadays & there is so much pressure on them to get stuff on their CV's ! They seem to have to prove that they are good all rounders & can take responsibility & commitment !
that is crazy! better to hear AFTER how little they were attended to. But brava for her! I'm sure it will be terrifically character building. She is such a pretty girl! you are so lucky to have such great grandkids (and kids too I suppose :)))
Fabulous photo Pat - what a pretty girl she is. Our school does the Duke of Edinburgh walks as well. I must check whether our teacher rings the kids or not? I know the last walk they do, is quite an independent one as well. Glad she enjoyed herself. Ours often return tired, a little smelly but usually with big smiles on their faces. It's quite something to be proud of.
Lovely portrait - when I've been out walking, have occasionally bumped into groups doing this - knew it was a bit of a challenge but had no idea - well done her.
62 kilos??? She looks like she's done really well there - still smiling! I don't know how Adam will get on doing his - he's a bit of a towny but his school back must weigh about 50 kilos so he's had some practise!
great shot Pat, it's the sort of thing I would've loved to have done at 15 but I never had the opportunity (for some reasons the boys were allowed to do Dof E but not the girls!!) love the SC in this shot - nicely captured. it's a great thing to do
Pat , both my daughters did the DoE , they went as far as silvers ! It is rather alarming, I was a safety officer on all the trips .... (Peak District)....counting them in and out of each checkpoint on the treck !!!
A picture to be proud of and one for the family album:)
@phil_howcroft Thats interesting Phil but Lydia never said anything about people checking them in although they had to report in at certain places so I might be wrong , I will check on that !
wow thats quite an acheivement for a young person. She should be right in life if she has that much determination. Looks like her backpack would weigh as much as her.
The things young people take on nowadays ......I take my hat off to them.
She is gorgeous! ....she has a bit of her grandad's smile I think!
A picture to be proud of and one for the family album:)
Sorry to thank you en masse but I have been out all evening at a Lady Farmers do so as I have to be up early for breakfasts haven't much time . Lydia would be thrilled with all your words of encouragement ,thank you all so much for your comments !