Arabella Graves’s D of E Journey

Following on from last week’s stop press, and Rosie Streat’s news the week before, we have more detail about Arabella’s highs, lows and very highs on gaining her bronze, silver and gold (you wait for twenty years, and then two triple-award winners come along in a fortnight…):

For her there was volunteering in Oxfam books, sailing and stage 3 RYA qualification, piano to grade 6, RAF leadership residentials, terrible weather (ice, frozen tents and campsite taps, rain and bitter winds) in the Lakes for silver, and then Morocco for gold… and over 4000m of ascent, and more than 1000m on one day with full packs, to conquer Mt Toubkal.  And conquer it she did, along with all the other challenges which makes the DofE such a brilliant award and significant achievement.  What finer way can there be to get to know oneself a little bit better?

Many congratulations, Arabella, and best wishes for your St James’s presentation in due course – something we can look forward to hearing about first hand next term we hope!