Motor Madness & Silverstone with Russel & Brigitte

 Motor Madness & Silverstone 

We set off for the iconic Silverstone Race Circuit. Famous for hosting the Formula 1 British Grand Prix since 1948, and a range of other motorsport events. It was the perfect place to begin our motorsport-filled week. Our first stop was Luffield Corner, where we enjoyed a stunning view of the track at one of its most famous corners. We also marvelled at the mural of racing legends Lewis Hamilton and David Coulthard. 

We explored the Silverstone Museum, which offered a fascinating journey through motorsport history, dating back to its origins as a World War II airfield. Highlights included an immersive experience of the Silverstone starting grid, a chance to sit in a real F1 car, and the thrill of racing on a detailed Scalextric replica of the circuit. We capped off our museum visit with a 3D cinema experience that simulated the rush of racing around the Silverstone track in various cars and motorcycles. It was exhilarating!

It was time to get fast and furious down at the race track!Formula Fast Indoor Karting provided a day packed with adrenaline and excitement. We geared up in fireproof racing suits, helmets, and gloves, then received a full safety briefing before hitting the track. Group one kicked things off with a tutorial on driving the 200cc karts, followed by a thrilling 25-minute race. Everyone quickly got the hang of it, with some spectacular overtakes and lightning-fast speeds. 

Once the checked flags were flown, it was group two’s turn to race, and once again, impressive driving skills were on display. Cameron posted the fastest lap time at an astonishing 41.604 seconds. After the races, we celebrated on the podium.

We made our way to the British Motor Museum, home to over 400 classic cars. Highlights included a visit to John Carter’s Garage, a 1930s-style independent garage, and a journey through a century of motoring history on the Time Road. We were fascinated by the range of classic cars, including the iconic Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger, the Thunderbirds FAB1 car, and the legendary DeLorean from Back to the Future. Our favourite, however, was the Robin Reliant from Only Fools and Horses—it was ‘lovely jubbly’! We explored the Jaguar zone, where we saw rare cars, including the D-type prototype from 1954 and the unique XJ13. It was a car lover’s dream come true! 

There were smiles all round down at Volcano Falls Adventure Golf, where we enjoyed a fun round of indoor crazy golf. The course offered plenty of challenges, and the competition was fierce, with a very close finish. Afterward, we took a detour to the arcades to win some great prizes.

 

We headed to Simply Race Driving Simulator, where we got a taste of professional racing in simulators equipped with steering wheels, pedals, and bucket seats. The Formula 1 simulations on the Watkins Glen circuit were as close to the real thing as it gets! After some exciting practice laps, we raced against each other, with the podium results as follows: 3rd place, Chris; 2nd place, Gareth; and 1st place, Cameron. With adrenaline still high, we went to Vertigo VR, where we each chose our own virtual reality adventure—whether it was riding roller coasters, fighting off snowmen, or escaping dinosaurs. The immersive experience was wild and exhilarating! 

With Halloween just round the corner we spent the evening carving pumpkins. Everyone thought carefully about what design they were going to do and it was lovely to see everyone enjoying this activity immensely. 

There were some truly impressive designs on display.

We were in movie heaven as we headed to the National Film and Sci-Fi Museum in Milton Keynes. We posed for pictures with Stormtroopers and admired iconic costumes and props from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, and Doctor Who. 

How much fun was our sing-along at the karaoke box. Liam rocked ‘Beat It,’ Wesley brought the house down with ‘Summer Nights’ from Grease, Gareth dazzled us with ‘Dancing Queen,’ Cameron serenaded us with ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight,’ and Stephen gave an unforgettable performance of ‘Sweet Caroline.’ It was a riot of laughter and fun! 

 We geared up and entered the battle zone, where we unleashed a flurry of laser fire in an epic battle of strategy and skill. The competition was fierce, and the scores reflected our intense focus and energy. 

Lake District Activity Centre Midi & Marguerite

 Lake District Activity Centre 

What a stunning location for our week away filled with fun and adventure. It was straight down to the archery range and before long we were cheering each other on as arrows hit the target. We started with individual turns, then jumped into some fun games and a fun team competition. Our instructor then livened things up and challenged us to hit pumpkins! 

We set off for an afternoon at the stables, where we had an incredible time meeting, grooming, and riding ponies. We also got a close-up with Tess and Drummer, two charming, full-grown miniature Shetland ponies with cheeky personalities!

Some of us were lucky to ride through the village in a cart, enjoying the beautiful Lake District countryside with smiles all around. 

It was off to Bassenthwaite Lake, for our first adventure: canoeing. The calm lake, framed by mountains and mist-covered trees and it felt like our private paradise. Our team enjoyed playing games and tackling challenges on the water, where we learned to paddle and turn together. Our instructors were fantastic, guiding us with paddle techniques and tons of encouragement. 

The afternoon's highlight was a real treat – a 5k walk along the Threlkeld to Keswick Railway Trail. The autumn scenery was breathtaking, with vibrant leaves, crisp air, and the sight and sound of rivers and streams, complete with small waterfalls. We even found an ice cream van midway – a delightful treat as we paused to catch our breath! The trail’s bridges offered perfect photo spots, and the team’s spirit was high as we encouraged each other along the way. 

We geared up in waterproof clothing for our next challenge—a team hike through Britain’s highest forest. Equipped with wellies, waterproof jackets, trousers, and helmets, we made our way downhill to a powerful stream, ready for an unforgettable experience. For many of us, this was a first, and excitement was high as we began wading through the cool, rushing water. Navigating upstream was a true team effort. We tackled obstacles like fallen trees and slippery rocks, helping one another along the way. It was a real test of grit, but the entire group rose to the occasion, making us all incredibly proud! The grand finale of our stream adventure was a thrilling climb through a 20-meter water pipe, pushing against the flow to reach the other side. 

We took a short drive to an old RAF site, now home to impressive wind turbines and a scenic two-mile cycling track. We had a fantastic variety of bikes to choose from—mountain bikes, KMX trikes, and even a side-by-side bike for those who preferred a bit more stability. 

Another day, another activity! Down in the sports hall, we suited up with helmets and harnesses, ready to take on some climbing. We began slow and steady, testing out the wall with smaller climbs before gradually working our way up to more challenging routes. We spent the next hour conquering different courses, with some brave souls trying out the harnessed swivel chair for a unique sensory experience. After a warm drink break, we were ready for the next challenge: abseiling. The abseiling was a big moment for everyone. Kay, who had been a bit nervous, found the courage to let go and trust herself, making it down from the top. Josh, Andrew, and Sam were fearless, taking to the wall like pros. Wendy, our last climber, amazed everyone, and herself, by making it down with cheers all around. 

If you go down tot he woods today..... you'll learn some beginner bush crafting. We learned about basic fire-making techniques, using minimal tools like flint and wool, and collected sticks to keep the flames alive. With the fire crackling, we warmed up some water for drinks and toasted marshmallows. We even popped popcorn over the fire, enjoying the snacks while taking in the calm forest atmosphere as the sun began to set.

Jumping into the pool and relaxing in the jacuzzi and sauna was always the perfect way to unwind after an adventurous day. 

Our creative side came with a spot of arts and crafts. We crafted beautiful Christmas cards and colourful designs 

The brave amongst us tackled the high ropes and zip line. Well done to all for attempting the high ropes, with Andrew providing laughs the whole way through as he completed the full course! On the zip line, everyone conquered their nerves and flew down

At the end of the week our instructor handed us certificates for all the great effort and participation in all the activities throughout the week. There were cheers all round and we all felt very proud of ourselves.