Mull 2007

Leaders: Peter Watson, Dave Gibbons, Paula Keetarut, Fran Dyson Sutton.

Members: Foxfield School – Tessa Gilmartin, Emma Loftus, Jonatthan Lunt, Paul McCormick, Ricky Mottram, Danny Mundy. Hilbre High School – Mariana Esteves, Rhiannon Reece, Rebecca Towey.

Dates: 24 June – 6 July

This was the 4th biannual joint expedition to the Isle of Mull. As usual we stayed at the Shieling Holidays campsite in Craignure, 400 metres from the ferry terminal.

For our type of expedition it is luxurious, but good for Foxfield youngsters since there is plenty of room and good for self catering. In addition the views are great from the site, looking over the Sound of Mull to the Scottish mainland. The weather was mixed, but only one day when it rained all day, the day we went to Iona. However we could get indoors for most of the day so it was not too bad. We saw and read of the floods in Sheffield and Hull, and heard of the weather at home, so in reality we had better weather on Mull. We carried out our programme with one little change, but this change enabled us to see a sea eagle over Loch Ba. We did several easy walks but enjoyable ones with plenty of wild flowers, especially orchids. The walking highlight was getting 4 Foxfield and 1 Hilbre student to the trig point on Dun da Ghaoithe, third highest mountain on Mull.

There was also plenty of wildlife, red deer, seals, puffins, razor bills, and guillemots, the sea eagle, a golden eagle and Fran managed to see a female sea otter and pup just below the campsite.

We visited Iona Abbey, Duart Castle and Torosay Castle and had a ride on the Mull miniature railway. Another highlight was the day near the end of the trip when we had a relaxing day on the sands at Calgary Bay. There was lots of running around, playing rounders and other games, organized by the Hilbre girls. We were fortunate in having the Hilbre students. It meant that the expedition was an integrated group who worked well together. Washing up was a mixed affair, and the girls were able to help with small but important jobs, like checking rucksacks before we left in the mornings. They also mixed in well with the Foxfield pupils so it was a truly integrated expedition which has always been the aim of these trips.