In Barnswood, the rain falls on a Thursday.

Week One: arrived very early, the compensation for Manchester traffic was unnecessary. Coaches fulls of YPs didn’t arrive for several hours so we readied the tens. That was reasonably easy. Here was the daunting prospect of disruption caused  bad behaviour by some kids (from Oldham). As it turned out, only 3 boys were sent home this week compared with  dozens previously after online bullying of another lad.

It’s happened again; one of my ex-pupils from QM is one of the Facilitators. I last taught her ICT in 2017; I will look up what she got at home.

Axe Throwing. After shadowing another freelancer, I was assessed and cleared to run my own sessions. We used two sizes; Ravens and Angel axes (there is some doubt about these names, but that what I was told). Anyway, the shaft-handlem axes were harder to hit the target with (I and the wipies found). One of the girls however, missed most of the throws with the angel axes, and heyd had 3×3 throws. Then onto the heavy axes, he hit the first one. She was as amazed as I was! I said, “Somehow, I knew that would happen“. She was so thrilled and relieved after the initial disappointment. That was a fine moment.

There were other lovely kids, especially the girls (who made up 2/3 of the ‘Waves’.

Week two: was easier, perhaps it got used to it. If m step counter is a guide, walking is double my usual. It went from a typical 8,000 to 16 – 19,000. Anyway, I was happy to do the extra evening and overnight shifts. Tuesday totalled 16 hours. Other days were closer to 11h. I’d put this down to girls being more mature than boys at 16 and willing to engage in interesting conversations. They listen better than the boys so they learn quicker in the Activities. I mainly did axe throwing, fire building and orienteering with groups of 14 at a time. I didn’t like Shelter Building as much. Eah session was 1h 30m but that’s too long for Shelter.

Staff were better on week two. Las weeks, there were three who were shirkers. Others felt that they were doing extra to fill the shortfall. Also, I go to know he regulars.

Friday is packup day. The weather was better, it was warmer again. The morning started misty after yesterday’s relentless rain. Rain marred last Thursday too.