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Last morning
Aug. 10th, 2009 09:20 amGoodness, but yesterday was exciting. You may have already heard some details, but I wanted to reassure everyone that all is well or easily mended, as the case may be. (I've also now had the chance to get a message to the relevant families, because, really, some things one should not hear via these journals.)
Yesterday afternoon, we spent time exploring several of the cave systems on the shore. As many of you may know, these caves have a long history of being used by smugglers but they're generally considered quite safe for exploration. Naturally, I and several Aurors from the ministry checked them out just before the trip, and did not find anything to concern any of us - it looked as if no one had been there in several months at least.
During the afternoon, however, one group of students found a deep hole near a small cache of abandoned supplies, and decided to investigate. (While we had taught them a number of techniques for simple caving, they were supposed to stick to the main system, and not explore beyond that.)
They discovered why, shortly thereafter: smuggler's hideouts do use some fascinating charms and protections. In this case, the sides of the hole were charmed to jolt someone badly if they touched the side. Rather a nice trick, actually, as it is easily avoided by those who know it's there.
Two of the students fell to the bottom - one with a broken arm. At that point, Miss Clearwater sensibly came back to get me, but while she was finding me (no small thing, since I was elsewhere in the caves), the rest of the group continued to try and solve the problem. While I must recognise that they were quite resourceful (especially given their years and skills) and did, in fact, have everyone standing back on the top when I arrived, I do wish they'd waited.
Mr Macmillan did suffer a broken arm - due to the limitations of our first aid kit, I did field care, but a mediwizard will be seeing to him when he gets home and can sleep off the effects of the needed potions. Everyone else is well and whole, and packing up to go home.
All in all, I must say that it seems like this trip has been a success on all levels. For all involved (students, families, and the Ministry staff who have so kindly worked on this project), I do look forward to any feedback that would assist in considering future plans. I also want to thank the Lord Protector and the senior government staff who provided the funding and other resources that made all of this possible: I can assure that our students have learned a great deal and that this experience will greatly benefit them as they grow towards adulthood.
Yesterday afternoon, we spent time exploring several of the cave systems on the shore. As many of you may know, these caves have a long history of being used by smugglers but they're generally considered quite safe for exploration. Naturally, I and several Aurors from the ministry checked them out just before the trip, and did not find anything to concern any of us - it looked as if no one had been there in several months at least.
During the afternoon, however, one group of students found a deep hole near a small cache of abandoned supplies, and decided to investigate. (While we had taught them a number of techniques for simple caving, they were supposed to stick to the main system, and not explore beyond that.)
They discovered why, shortly thereafter: smuggler's hideouts do use some fascinating charms and protections. In this case, the sides of the hole were charmed to jolt someone badly if they touched the side. Rather a nice trick, actually, as it is easily avoided by those who know it's there.
Two of the students fell to the bottom - one with a broken arm. At that point, Miss Clearwater sensibly came back to get me, but while she was finding me (no small thing, since I was elsewhere in the caves), the rest of the group continued to try and solve the problem. While I must recognise that they were quite resourceful (especially given their years and skills) and did, in fact, have everyone standing back on the top when I arrived, I do wish they'd waited.
Mr Macmillan did suffer a broken arm - due to the limitations of our first aid kit, I did field care, but a mediwizard will be seeing to him when he gets home and can sleep off the effects of the needed potions. Everyone else is well and whole, and packing up to go home.
All in all, I must say that it seems like this trip has been a success on all levels. For all involved (students, families, and the Ministry staff who have so kindly worked on this project), I do look forward to any feedback that would assist in considering future plans. I also want to thank the Lord Protector and the senior government staff who provided the funding and other resources that made all of this possible: I can assure that our students have learned a great deal and that this experience will greatly benefit them as they grow towards adulthood.
