Annie's Escapade: Bearwood College

I have never been so scared in my life. There were about 70 young, frantic Aussies crowding the airport, some with large backpacks preceding their hairlines others pulling pink Gucci suitcases on rolling wheels. Nevertheless we were all in the same boat, had the same frame of mind and most of all we didn’t have a fucking clue what sort of adventure was coming our way. On the plane my mind was consumed by warm thoughts of the return journey in a year’s time - looking out the small round window as the sparkling blue harbour smiled up at me as the plane began to touch down at mascot airport. Then I would then stroll off in stubbies and thongs looking like a rough hero with a good time gut with the need for some serious tender loving care. However the arrival at Bearwood College significantly changed my mood, I was no longer living in my thoughts but by the moment. Richard Ryall the second master picked us up from the train and gave us a grand tour around the streets of Wokingham, pointed the direction to Reading and showed us the glorious Sainsburys of Winnersh as we drove past. But it wasn’t until we slowly drove down the long pine lined driveway, when the branches like soft large hands reached out and pulled us in that I knew I would be absolutely ok. The Bearwood driveway has still has never ceased to take my breath away.

People who have been on a Gap year always speak very highly of the experience. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you go it’s the fact that you’re living in a completely different country surrounded by things you have never had, seen, felt or heard. So on the 3rd of Jan 2008 many of us youngsters travelled to the other side of the world to experience this wondrous lifestyle and for an 18 year old who has just broken free of school rules and the HSC getting this far away is amazingly appealing. It’s the lifestyle that’s craved - a no stress day job, free grub, a bed and some pocket money for the odd pint here and there. Alex Battye and I were lucky enough to land at Bearwood College (below) a beautiful 250 acre site with splendid facilities: the imposing mansion house, the tree-lined drive, a lake, a forest, stables, playing feilds and a bloody fantastic community spirit!!

So there I was, at Bearwood College, my first weekend in the country and suddenly I was heading off to France/ Belgium on the History tour. I had not a clue what direction I was going. I had only just realised that the U.K. was split into 3 separate sections – England, Wales and Scotland and that the title Great Britain includes Ireland. The trip was fascinating. I learnt a lot more on this school tour than I would have if I was a student myself. The guides were fantastic and had a many war time stories and poems down there sleeves. We walked through this muddy trench (below) and the rain made it so much more realistic- I have never been so so cold!