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The Unit arrived at the drop off point in the late morning. Time, perhaps, to reflect on the efforts and generosity of so many people and organisations, that make this sort of fantastic activity possible. The staff and adult helpers, who give so much of their time for the kids. The parents, who have to juggle work and personal commitments to get the Cadets to and from so many activities; while balancing cadet activities against the overarching educational priority.

We must not forget the generosity of our donors and supporters, without whom we could not have done the France trip at a cost that could have been afforded by so many of the parents.

Photo: Cadets doing a cake raffle at the offices of Catlin, December 2012. Left to right: Leo Butler, Jess O’Sullivan, Alex Smith, Dominic Kennedy, Savior Onuorah and India Steel. 

The cadets rose extra early to make up for storm-lost time. Descending into the Gorge by the same path that they had ascended, they took to the water and continued down the Gorge, covering 12 miles. Nearly all of the cadets achieved the BCU Passport qualification.

Then it was time to pack up, say goodbye to the fantastic PGL staff and start the long overnight journey home.

Photo: The Gorge 

The cadets continued their descent of the Gorge, today they were supposed to cover eight miles. However the day was cut short by the most tremendous storm. In the words of our Commanding Officer, Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Paul Townsend: “Lightning could be seen striking the top of the gorge with an almighty clap echoing around the walls, this was then followed by a total down pour not been seen by anyone there before.”

The cadets were evacuated from the Gorge by means of a small, steep and slippery path. No one came to any harm on the 30 minute climb and it turned out to be a great, if unplanned, team building exercise.

Photo: Background, Teddy Janes and Jess O’Sullivan show how true Sea Cadets feel about getting wet. Foreground, Rosie Colquhoun (Enfield) and Dariusz Wozniak make a fashion statement.

Having settled into their new campsite, the Cadets started training for the British Canoe Union, Passport qualification in the amazingly picturesque Ardèche Gorge.

Photo: Getting familiar with the canoes

The Unit travelled by coach from Mimosa to the PGL camp at Segries, near Vallon Pont D’Arc in the Ardèche. The trip was broken with a few hours at a water park (not pictured).

Photo: Left to right- Martin Spensley, Mano Sivarajah (Enfield), Callum Naughton-O’Caoimh, Ashley Ul-Haq, ’JJ’ Leblebici, Savior Onuorah, Joe Alacorte, Dawid Wozniac, Ronnie Julienne, Zak Bartley and Teddy Janes.