During the long weekend Friday 29 th September 2006 to Sunday 1 st October 2006 Cadets from 2028 Southam Squadron went on a ‘qualifying’ Silver and Gold ‘practice’ expedition to Brecon Beacons in Wales. The Cadets and Staff travelled down to the Camp Site during late afternoon on Thursday the 28 th September so they could be on site and ready to go on the Friday morning.

Not unsurprisingly, it being in Wales, the weather turned out to be wet for most of the time. Arriving in the dark on the Thursday evening both the Cadets and Staff had to establish the Camp in pouring rain. Fortunately when the Friday morning dawned it was dry allowing everyone to get packed and cook breakfast before setting off at 0900 hours. However, the sun quickly disappeared soon after and the rain set in once again for the rest of the day. With increasingly poor visibility the Cadet’s navigational skills were put to the test but they rose to the challenge and apart from a couple of hic-ups, they completed the walk in good time, if a ‘little wet.’ That night was quite cold, so everyone decided to go to bed early instead of staying outside and getting colder.

They awoke on the Saturday morning to yet another wet and quite miserable morning in Wales. After all having a good sleep, everyone had breakfast and started walking a little earlier at 0830 hours. The route was slightly longer and more opportunity for the Cadets to practice their navigational skills. Having stopped for lunch the Cadets set off once again but by now the rain was absolutely torrential, but it wasn’t all bad they did see a double rainbow. They finally reached the campsite at around 1800 hours with their feet even wetter than the previous day, but all still in good spirits. That night was extremely windy and wet .

On the Sunday morning everyone got up early and after having breakfast and breaking camp they started walking at 0800, the earliest yet. Once again the Cadets had to persevere through the rain and howling wind but also contend with being hot and sweaty, even though it was raining. Eventually having dealt with hills and forests they ate lunch and reached the end of the final leg greeted by the sight of the ‘transport’ home and an opportunity for sleep.