Congratulations go to one of our  Gold Teams for completing  their final Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition this week. They combined their three day practice journey and four day assessed expedition to complete a journey along the South Downs Way. 

They started from Queen Elizabeth Park, near  Winchester to the next Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which is a part of the broader Seven Sisters Country Park at Beachy Head. This area is amazing and offers numerous walking opportunities, including sections of the South Downs Way. The area is known for its dramatic chalk cliffs, and various walks provide different perspectives on these views and the surrounding landscape. 

The group of six Year 12 students camped at various farms along the route and were self-sufficient throughout their challenge. Some  of the campsites were very basic with just a tap and a portaloo situated in a field of sheep. 

For their project, they explored and documented various historical sites along the way and investigated the many myths and legends surrounding this route. The Long Man of Wilmington for instance. This mysterious guardian of the South Downs has baffled archaeologists and historians for hundreds of years. Fertility symbol? Ancient Warrior?

Apart from a few thunderstorms and a strong following wind, the weather was kind to the team. Blisters and windburn seemed to be the only tribulations of a very successful expedition.