Caving!

 So today was the turn of one of the most adventurous activities of the week - caving. We had to take a mini-bus drive out towards the Three Peaks in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

 With a backdrop of Ribblehead Viaduct, we were warned of big, sinky, muddy holes.....

 Before posing infront of one!

 We were all smiles and confidence approaching the cave....

 ...and the surrounding scenery was just stunning.

 Ok I got a bit carried away with all these vaiduct pictures but I wasn't sure which one to keep. A brief stop-off into black and white (and red) land again.....

 Finally it was time to enter the cave. We were split into two groups unfortunately so most of my photos were of one group although I did get a chance to take pictures of the others when our paths crossed in the cave networks a few times.

 It was super dark! Pitch black without the head lamps.

 It was also a pretty tight squeeze in places.....

 Still smiling though!

 It was also pretty wet in a few spots too.....

 The end of this route led to a 'slide' into the cold water which was actually fairly deep in places! Brave adventurers!

 Head torches were certainly a help - but they were pretty dazzling!!

 Close Encounters of the Harewood Kind!

 Ah the 'others'!

 Derrick took it all in his stride as we've come to expect. One cool customer....

 Finally we were out. Everyone in this group had completed all of the challenges in the cave and we were beginning to see the light!

 Derrick had some downtime.

 But before long he had set off on another cave adventure....

 This shot captures him well in soft focus....

 The children were keen to explore more caves and had built up so much confidence they tried some without a lead instructor and even took on the challenge of taking a group through with only one (or two) torches! The instructors were so impressed with how daring (and quick!) the children were.

 This was one of the tighter exits!

 Just a little push......nearly there!

 Derrick was in his element.....

 Another beautiful portrait of Derrick the Door Knob. Everybody's favourite mascot (except the children and probably now parents who feel he is getting too much attention).

 It was over. We had all made it. What brave people!

A superb day! I was very proud (as was Derrick) of all of the children today - caving is a challenge and the combination of the dark, wet and tight spaces can be unnerving even for the most adventurous but this year they took it all in their stride! Well done Year 6!