After our final wake-up at Arete, it was time to pack up and make sure our rooms were neat and tidy. Once everything was sorted, we sat down together for our last meal—some classic beans on toast!
We then gathered with our instructor, Rod, to decide on our final activity of the trip. After a quick chat, we chose dry kayaking over the (much colder!) wet paddleboarding. Paddling in pairs across the stunning open water, we enjoyed in the beautiful views and picked up some great kayaking techniques—spinning, moving sideways, and rescuing floats like pros! Just like every other activity this week, we gave it our all and smashed it.
Lunch was enjoyed with a breathtaking view of the mountains, topped off with a final, well-earned hot chocolate. Afterwards, we returned to base to collect our bags before boarding the coach for our journey back home.
Right now, we’re cruising back to Westacre, some of us already reclining our seats and drifting off for a well-deserved nap. Mr. Jinks has been incredibly proud of everything we've achieved this week—our determination, teamwork, and the way we turned even the toughest mountain hikes into an enjoyable adventure. It’s been a special week for all of us, and we’re proud to have made Mr Jinks’ final week at Westacre such a memorable one.
See you all very soon when we arrive home!

Today, Groups 4 and 5 joined forces once again to make the most of the warm, sunny weather — by diving into the icy waters of the Cwm-Llan Waterfall on the slopes of Snowdon! After a steep hike up in our wetsuits, we layered up with extra warm clothing, buoyancy aids, and helmets. Some of us were skeptical about wearing so many layers in the sunshine, but the moment we hit the freezing water, we were very grateful for them!
We made our way down the waterfall using natural rock slides, leaping off ledges, and scrambling across wet, slippery surfaces. It was an absolute blast, and Mr. Jinks and Mrs. Barlow were seriously impressed with our jumping skills!
After a quick lunch stop, we hiked back to the minibus — ready for our next adventure: an ice cream stop on the way back to the centre. Along the way, we spotted brown trout swimming beneath us in the deeper pools and even saw sheep casually strolling down the road while we enjoyed our ice creams.
Now we're back at the centre, doing a quick tidy and pack-up of our rooms before settling in for a well-deserved chill movie night!

After a much better night's sleep than the previous one for most of us, we woke up, made our lunches, and enjoyed a breakfast of bacon and eggs! With a full day of adventure ahead, we swapped the sunny Snowdonia weather for the mysterious depths of an underground mine. After a 45-minute drive and a steep 45-minute hike, we reached the mine entrance! We suited up in waterproofs, harnesses, and helmets before squeezing through the narrow opening. As we descended, the atmosphere grew eerie, especially as we clipped onto the ropes and edged along the narrowest of ledges, with vast drops on either side. Our journey took us through various levels, using a mix of crawling, sliding, abseiling, and climbing to navigate the tunnels and chambers. Again, the group displayed incredible determination, pushing past fears of heights and confined spaces. Finally, after emerging through a tunnel to safety, we made our way back down the mountain and celebrated our accomplishment with a warm cup of hot chocolate!

Today, Groups 4 and 5 teamed up for an adventurous day packed with double the fun! After an early wake-up call at the dorms, we fueled up with a hearty breakfast of cereal, sausages, and hash browns, then tackled our cleaning duties. Once we were all set, we grabbed our life jackets and headed to the Menai Strait. But before we could hit the water, we faced the challenge of building our makeshift Bell Boats! After getting the hang of our rowing techniques, we set off, guided by the current. Along the way, we passed under two stunning Victorian bridges and were treated to incredible wildlife sightings, including a curious seal we spotted while stopping for a break.

Next, we returned to the center for a quick five-minute changeover, swapping life jackets for helmets, and jumped into the minibus for the Glyn Rhonwy quarry. Here, we had the choice to either abseil down to the bottom or soar across on a zip line to admire the breathtaking view. Everyone showed incredible determination and courage! Now that we’re back at the center, it’s time for a well-deserved dinner before we dive into our next evening activity!

After a lively 4-hour coach journey filled with plenty of singing, we finally arrived in the breathtaking Snowdonia! Upon arrival, we were quickly handed our bedding and got to work making our own beds. After a brief safety talk and a fire alarm drill, we were off to our first activity: Rock Climbing! It was an incredible experience, with many of us pushing past our fears—whether it was squeezing through narrow gaps or tackling towering heights. We secured our harnesses, clipped onto the safety ropes, and scaled some steep rock faces! Along the way, we even made a few new friends, spotting a curious lizard and a mountain goat. Now, we're enjoying a well-deserved break before dinner—definitely earned after such an exciting and challenging day!