We all thought it might rain, but it was OK. Nine explorers:
Alasdair, Amie, Benjamin, Eilish, JD, John Donaldson, Kerry,
Lewis and Thomas, and four adults, Pamela and Derek, Mairi
and Philippa, with Bruce as the expedition dog.
We started out from Samalaman Beach and walked up the road,
starting at the old boathouse and passing Samalaman House
at the top of the hill. We walked down the stream from the
old house to the shore and then along the high ground on the
old path, looking at the seat where Alasdair's great uncle
Graham used to sit. Eventually we reached the caves above
the old storm beach and we moved along the base of the old
cliffs looking at each cave in turn. Most of the caves had
been improved by the addition of stone walls but one was a
long narrow cleft and several explorers squeezed in and investigated
it. Eventually we reached the woods and walked through them
back to the car. There was still some time left so a second
foray was undertaken up the old track towards the High Gate.
Everyone examined an old rock shelter which had been built
up with rather rickety stone walls and we walked over an old
stone clapper bridge. We had hoped to reach the top of the
hill and examine the entrance to the old school building but
everyone got too tired and we came back, limiting our view
of the old school to a quick look from the lay-by at the top
of the hill.
All of the explorers were very tired and greatly appreciative
of the spare sandwiches kindly brought to us by the drama
group.John Dye
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