Finally Day 1 is here and we are off to Columboola Environmental Centre.
For most of us it was an early start just getting to Uni, but well worth it and Cold...
Shirley and Tony call roll and we set of with 16 Students from a combination of all degrees, Ealry Childhood, Primary, Secondary and ofcourse not to forget the Wonderful Camera girl Belinda.
Our Wonderful bus driver is Andrew from Buslink!
Tony and Shirley load us on the bus and we are on the road by the assigned time of 7am.
We where making good time and everyone was watching the (G) rated movies provided by the Bus compnay for our enjoyment.
Toilet stop and breakfast / morning tea was the first stop on the Road this happened in a small town call Yarraman, nice and quiet town but a great Bakery on the main street and the toilets where easy to locate near the play ground and the main street. After a 10 min stop we piled back on the bus and continued to Chinchilla.
We arrive in Chinchilla about 12 noon drove past The Commerical Hotel / Motel, and continued to Columboola for lunch and the days activities. Thirty Minutes later we are here....
Arrived at Columboola right on lunch, Nick and Lawerance had preapred ( on the new BBQ) sausages, patties and vege patties. Everyone was Hungry for food and the opportunity to stretch our legs.
We had a quick intro from Mick the Principal of Columboola and he outlined the days programs which included High ropes and orienteering and this would lead us on to Dinner which we are going to cook ourselves and then on to the campfire for Damper.
High Ropes was awesome nearly everyone gave it a go (not I), Pictures are available but all of us had harnesses on and did something even spotting for those who didn't want to climb like me and then there was the pulling team which we all work really well together. Everyone should be really proud of their efforts you are all amazing people.
Orienteering was next on the program we headed off done the road got giving a bit of the history lesson, did you know Columboola was a WW2 US government Mustard Gas Dump there is even a bunker still in the area?
Orienteering is a great activity and is targeted to all age groups and all skill levels, some of us set out with a GPS and other did photo board orienteering, both where fun and everyone had fun. No one got lost which was wonderful.
Dinner was Burrito's which mince and all cooked on small camp burners which I think everyone is going out to buy as they found then really easy to use. After dinner we headed to the campfire to watch the damper cook and to reflect and to use a chance to ask questions of Julie who was on her very first day at Columboola as a teacher and Nick the Prinicpal about having camps and bring students to this location.
We left Columboola quiet tried and enlightened by the cooler weather, We got a taste for camping and some ideas to put in our toolboxes.
When we arrived at The Commerical Hotel/Motel it was nice to be off the bus and get to sit in the silence of the rooms we where assigned. Most of us drifted off to sleep after a lovely warm shower ready for a busy day in Chinchilla!
Nite all!!:)