Expedition number 108 was one of the wettest ever, it rained
before we started, it rained all the time we were out and
it only let up after we reached the Pantry. I was amazed to
see so many volunteers on a day like that, sixteen explorers:
Abbie, Adrian, Alexander, Alexandria, Allan, Benjamin, James
Strachan, John Donaldson, Katie, Penny, Peter William, Rhiannan,
Sarah and Thomas; six adults: Ann, Craig, John Evans, Pamela,
Peter and Sandra and Brucie as the expedition wet dog.
Before we left the church, the explorers had a look at Wee
Tobermory's grave and heard a bit of his history, if you want
to know, you'll have to ask one of them, then it was into
the cars and off to Arivegaig where we got ourselves prepared
for the weather and set off across the bridge. Some of the
more thoughtful of us had good wet weather gear but others
just went out to get as wet as possible and were splashing
through the first puddles in their trainers and climbing up
to take a shower in a waterfall.
We had a quick look at the Gorten power station but it wasn't
running on that day, certainly not for lack of water. After
the second bridge we had a look in the tadpole pool but no
frogspawn to be seen. From there on it was a steady slog and
squelch along the path, noting such features as the site of
the old school. An attempt was made to locate the cave but
without success and nearly all of us arrived at the Singing
Sands, although nobody was singing on that day. However, a
beach is a beach and the young explorers ran down for a paddle
and one even managed a short swim before wolfing down a Tunnock's
wafer with the rest of us.
Shortly before everyone froze we were back marching up the
path again, and this time the cave was identified and visited,
even showing Wee Tobermory's cup and egg cup, although most
of the girls gave it a miss in their determination to reach
home.
After the cave it was downhill and the group became a bit
spread out as the front ones got their second wind. There
was a bit more paddling in the Gorten burn for one explorer
and then a brisk walk back to the car and the ever welcome
and welcoming Pantry.John Dye
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