Three Days At The Office













        Wednesday saw us take down the Jacobs Ladder from the former activity area and transport it to the new site.  The idea of this activity is that a pair of people work together to ascend a log ladder with the rungs gradually getting further and further apart.  It's a really good teamwork activity.  7 hefty logs, suspended between two trees about 30 feet in the air required a bit of thought to dismantle though.  The process didn't go without it's hitches, but what ever does?  After climbing the trees and disconnecting both cables the whole weight was left hanging to ropes tied off at the ground, needless to say we kept well away and cut them from a distance, it came down with a bit of a bang.



     The first paintballers came last week and I hear all went well and everyone enjoyed the new games and game areas.  These will only improve with time and as more space is developed.  There are plans afoot for a 'sniper alley' which will be very different.



     The reception building has worktops and a kitchen now.  This means it's easier to use the most important bit of kit we have up there, the kettle.





     After carrying all the Jacobs poles into the jungle we set about building the new version which will now be suspended above a big hole in the ground giving it a good deal of extra height.  Rope ladders will be used to access the bottom rung of the Jacob's making the activity more challenging and hopefully more rewarding.  The first job here was to get up the trees and make an anchor at the top so further work could be done with the safety of a top rope.
     Rich had quite a necky lead/aid climb up a tree with very spindly branches.  It rightly took a long time, I belayed for what seemed like hours which left me with sore hands, neck and back.  The pressure off Richards harness must have been getting unbearable with so much hanging around, he seemed in quite a rush for me to lower him when it was time to descend.
   



     A fair amount of dangling then ensued with branches having to be chopped off the trees so they don't get in the way.  On Friday we got a cable running between the two trees.  This will be used to attach lower-offs for the climbers doing the activity but will also be needed for hauling up the now reconstructed log ladder.  It will be being pulled up and attached tomorrow.  The hauling system took a bit of lateral thinking but hopefully it will all go smoothly.
The Jacobs area with the hole and the constructed ladder ready for hauling
     Also mid construction are the Team Tasks, games we play to get people warmed up and thinking.  A fresh coat of paint and some new kit will give a new lease of life to many of these games / puzzles.  They will be scattered around this area of forest in there own little clearings which is going to work great, there are also detailed maps for the orienteering showing the various locations so that groups can navigate between the various activities adding a new dimension to the usual team-building itinerary.






     This is the Nightline, constructed by Cath on Thursday.  It's not finished yet, there are more obstacles to add, but it is looking good.  This activity involves blindfolding a group and getting them to follow a rope over, under and through various obstacles.  It's good for encouraging communication and trust and people seem to get a lot out of it.
End of the day with the sun still shining through the trees.  Not a bad spot to work!
     Almost fully operational then.  I've a feeling it's going to be a busy summer.

For bookings visit the Dalby Activity Centre website

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