Highs and Low no.7

Reading and finishing the two novels; Eragon and Brisingr written by Christopher Paolini was a great highlight. Whenever I had some spare time-whether on a long bus trip or in free time, I would immerse myself in either of these two books. I was completely glued to them!

The two history tours that I went on at first, seemed tedious, but with Moff they were great. His accuracy and depth of knowledge was incredible. He made even the most mediocre fact interesting. Stenhouse bay had a great view as we walked around it and threw multiple stones.

I was dreading the upcoming 11km run. I knew it was going to be hard especially because we were going to be in boggy sand. Dale said that the tide was likely to be high on the morning of the run.

Highs and Low no.6

Surfing was my favorite part of the program. We all did our surfing together at the same beaches :Berry bay south, Baby Lizard's and Berry bay north. We all learned new exciting skills-even those with good experience. The variation of wave-size was perfect- out at the back were 4.5 footers, closer to shore were 2 footers (Baby Lizard's) fr the less experienced guys. Each person developed their skills immensely and so the atmosphere in and out of the water was a happy one.

My second high for this post would have to be Moff's awesome stories. Every few nights we had the absolute privilege of listening to Moff. His stories (of which we're not sure are entirely true) were inventive, funny and captivating. I don't think I've ever concentrated on listening to someone talking for so long!

I was challenged with the surfing. I hoped I would be able to at least not get dumped by the 4.5 footers, but nine times out of ten I did. Eventually I resigned to the smaller waves, where I was surprised by how easily I was able to stand up. :P

Book Report Summary

Eragon is a great read written by Christopher Paolini for those who are interested in fantasy books. The amount of action, creative ideas, magic and humour combine into 500 pages of non-stop enjoyment. This novel is aimed at an audience of at least persons of 12 years, though younger, more mature and competent readers will still get a buzz out of it. However, there are some graphical scenes and emotionally testing ones also...so beware.

Eragon appealed to me mostly because of how flowing and easy to read it was, with very few words that I found hard to work out the meaning of. If you enjoy this book, you'll enjoy the sequels even more.

Good Luck.

Book Report Continued. (no.4)

Here I will give an overview of the main characters' personalities throughout Eragon.


Firstly, of course, Eragon himself.

Eragon begins as an ignorant farm boy, quite oblivious to what's going on in the world around him. He is sometimes impulsive and very risk-taking, especially in times where he is in danger. When thrown into danger though, he seems always to be out of control. However, over time he steadies himself with the help of his dragon Saphira and Brom. Eragon resembles a typical teenager...sometimes confused, sometimes impulsive.

Brom is a mysterious "story-teller" of the local town; Carvahall. He has a strong opinions and sticks to them like glue. He often is there when Eragon finds himself in trouble and has a knack for being annoyingly secretive. His wisdom is boundless and takes pleasure in educating Eragon in the ways of magic and physical combat.

Saphira, Eragon's dragon, has a calm and composed personality. She often needs to soothe Eragon when he needs. Her thirst for knowledge is endless. She likes meat a lot and can eat entire herds in one sitting.

The character Murtagh has a very suspicious and secretive personality. He stoutly refuses to talk of his past and why he is where he is. For good reason too...he has been shunted by everybody he meets because of his unfortunate parentage. He seems to be looking for acceptance and answers wherever he goes.

Book Report Continued. (no.3)

Here I will talk about the author of Eragon, the publishing details and why I liked the novel

The author of Eragon as you know is Christopher Paolini. I will talk about what I know about him from the limited resources that I currently have access to. Please don't quote me on what I'm about to say before I can do further research! :P

Christopher Paolini has now become an established author of primarily fantasy books. He has a distinct writing style: creative, informative and interesting. At some points in Eragon I thought that the novel was about to slow down from its fast and effective pace. However, to my delight, the author always managed to entwine the important-informative parts of the novel with action. For example, the character Brom was discussing the Varden with Eragon when they had stopped for the night, only then they are suddenly ambushed by a group of ferocious hostiles.

This element of surprise at every turn was also another reason why I liked it so much. I just couldn't put the book down. I look forward to reading more of Christopher Paolini in the future.

Eragon was first published in Britain b Doubleday-an imprint of Random House Children's Books.

I liked this novel because of its fast, action packed pace. Along with very creative original ideas, such as the when someone uses magic it drains their strength. Also, at some awkward moments, a pinch of humour was added which often broke the ice. Others that have read this novel disagree with the pace, but I think that I enjoyed it because I'm a competent reader. A certain Carl Dorsch often comments on my fast reading pace!

Highs and Low no.5

The sea kayaking was a fun and challenging adventure. I refreshed my memory of the fall-in-preventing skills needed as we paddled in the sheltered area of Point Turton. the next session was quite fun and amusing. We had to do a whole lot of different eskimo-type games and methods that should assist us. I really liked how the long and hard-to-turn kayaks had rudders! My favourite part was when we had to fill our boats with water before stopping off at the halfway mark-the swimming centre- for a swim...or a wrestle as it turns out.

The meals in which I and my other Wardli mates cooked was fantastic. Every night I was left full and satisfied. Which left me and the other guys in a great mood, which is a great way to finish off the day

However, with all the cooking above, there is always lots of cleaning to do. Even if you're not on washing up duty, there always other, often tedious jobs that must be done. Whilst I understand that it must be done, its still annoying and boring.

Highs and Low no.4

Snorkeling in the 3rd week of the ESP program was an outright highlight. I was familiar with most skills so I was confident. From the surface the reef doesn't look all that appealing. However, once we began drifting around the reef, I saw a vast variety of sea creatures among the seaweed. Unfortunately, I didn't see a stingray.


On that same day, I, along with a few others, did an interesting photography session with Mr. Steer, where I learnt much about the art of taking pictures that I never knew before. I now appreciate how professional photographers see every landscape as a challenge. To find the right angle, time and setting can be immensely trying.

A low at this point would be the annoyingly unpredictable weather. Some days its pleasant, other days its gusty and all the sand gets into my eyes. Other days its stinking hot and I have to constantly be re-applying sunscreen!

Highs and Low no.3

To be honest, I anticipated the first History tour on Tuesday of the 2nd week to be tedious and boring. However, when Moff, ever enthusiastic, spoke about various events that shaped what the Yorke Peninsula is today, I was thoroughly interested. The part about the native Aboriginal water wells and how they attempted to conceal it was particularly intriguing, especially since I always pondered as to how they actually got water!

I always looked forward to slouching on the been bags in the "Classroom" after a challenging day. I was taken by surprise when Moff actually said "Okay, boys, we're watching a movie!"..What!? and movie? I couldn't believe it until we actually started watching The Last Mohican. We did this on the Saturday after we finished our bike riding.

A low that I experienced was when we got locked out of our Wardli because a couple of guys left the place dirty. We were all very close to being put out in tents.

Highs and Low no.2

Moving into the Wardli's was a clear highlight for me. From all the tenting, I was tired, sore and very dirty. I desperately needed a good shower and a comfortable bed in which to sleep uninterrupted or disturbed. No only was having a hot shower really nice, but also the general cleanliness of the Wardli and not needing to scrub away for 1/2 an hour on the slow cooking trangias!

At the end of each run and the countless push-up/sit-ups I always feel a sense of physical elation. All the body pulsing through my blood after the workout persists for around 20 minutes, in which I feel I can do anything!

The low at the moment is defently having to wake up at 6:45am every morning and get out of my really warm, cosy, comfortable bed to face a gut wrentching run. However, I simply think of how fit I'll probably get for footy.

Moving into the Wardli’s

At the end of the gruelling bike tour, everyone was looking forward to moving into their Wardli’s. Everybody was looking forward to having a hot shower and a comfortable bed to sleep in-as opposed to a hardly-soft-1cm-thick-foam mattress.

Before we could even move into our various Wardli’s however, we had to be sorted into our groups. We had no input as to whom we would like to be with, but we were all interviewed beforehand as to who we really didn’t want to be with. Once we were put into our Wardli groups, mine consisting of myself, Carl Dorsch, Max Bevan, Jonathan Colak, John Lee, Tom Gray and Mitchell Wildman. To be honest I wasn’t as pleased as I hoped I would be with my group, but I refused to let myself get in the way of a harmonious Wardli and vowed to be as positive as I could throughout my time in there.

Moving into the Wardli’s was a complete mess. We had to get our shopping list organised, pack up our tents, ensure our trangias have all of their pieces and finally, move all of our belongings into our bedrooms. That all took a surprisingly long time: about 2 ½ hours!

After all that running about getting everything organised, we were all bussed to Minlaton where we all did our food shopping. Each person in the Wardli is constricted to a daily budget of $10 in which they must buy all of their food throughout their time. Our first shop was our biggest one, easily filling up two trolleys. As our good went through, we watched in anxious anticipation if we went over budget. Unfortunately we did g over budget, but Dale said not to worry as some of the food can be used the next week. Every Wardli did well in there shopping…however, in our second shop, one of the Wardli’s had to buy a lot because they had clearly not thoroughly planned what they needed and so had to buy from the more expensive local shop at Warooka. Thanks to our initial effective planning, we only spent $125, much less than any other Wardli’s.

Upon our return to Wambana and unpacking the food, we all discussed the long list of Wardli rules that we had to abide by in our stay-or face retribution from Dale and/or Moff, which usually meant a night in the tents.

Life in the Wardli’s isn’t as easy as I originally thought. We have to clean absolutely everything we dirty and keep it clean. Fortunately, for the majority of the time, everyone pulls their weight, so everything works. If we don’t keep our Wardli clean, then Dale, upon his daily inspections, will easily be able to subtract 10 points from your Wardli’s score. If this happens, as one of the Wardli’s found out, the entire group must sleep in a tent for the night and “regroup,” and hopefully fix everything up.

For your information, when Dale does his daily inspection, if a few things are out of place you have a chance to go back to your Wardli and fix the things you may have overlooked (unless you lose 10 points all up). If your Wardli is stunningly perfect (which no Wardli has yet to achieve) you get 10 bonus points and get a reward.

Recipe: Pizza on the Trangia

Ingredients:
4 ´ Pita bread
400ml pizza base sauce
500g shredded smoked ham
400g shredded (melt-able) cheese (of own choice)
1 ´ can of spray oil

1. Allow flame to ignite.
2. Place Trangia lid on top of flame. Allow top of lid to be placed in juxtaposition with flame.
3. Spray liberally with oil, as to prevent burning of bread.
4. Take one piece of Pita bread and spread with pizza base sauce, then sprinkle with ham and top with cheese.
5. Transfer pizza onto Trangia lid.
6. Cover pizza with bowl.
7. Allow the pizza to cook, moving base occasionally, apply more oil if required.
8. Shift Pita bread off flame when cheese has melted.
9. Eat.
Best served warm.

Novel Setting and Style

Book Report Continued

Novel: Eragon

Here I will talk about the style and setting in which the novel Eragon is written in. Style means the way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed: a style of speech and writing. In my opinion Eragon was not a particularly difficult read. The language flowed easily and although there were some words that left me dumbfounded. However, as I read on, the context in which the word was used was easy enough to take a rough, often accurate guess at what the confusing word meant. This I liked because I believe if you need a to pick up a dictionary whilst reading any novel, its not worth reading. Not in a negative way, I think if that is the case the novel too hard and for you and is made even harder when you’re constantly re-starting.

From this I have gathered that this novel is intended for competent readers of around 13-16 years, although some keen fantasy reading adults would also get and entertaining and educational read.

As I briefly mentioned in my introduction of Eragon, the time that all of the events in this novel is taking place is anywhere between 1300-1500 AD, where the use of mail armour and shields was common. The various peasants of Alagaesia all live in small huts, with a kitchen and an appropriate amount of bedrooms. Immediately outside their houses are their farms, where they grow enough crops just to get them through each harshly cold winter. The peasants, (including Eragon and his family) often struggle financially and so often die of starvation and other various means. This lack of money and food forces Eragon to go out and solo hunt for their winter’s meat.

This way of life was very commonly found in the middle ages, albeit all of the magical things merged into the story!

The above setting and style appeals very much to my reading style. I like to read fast, devoid of disruption and I am genuinely interested in the middle age era. The weapons, armour, castles and way of life intrigues me. I often sit and think about how hard life would have been like back then.

Moreover, many of my classmates who are of similar age to me have read, are reading, or a planning to read Eragon and the other books of the Inheritance Series. I strongly suggest to all those who like fantasy crossed with action novels to give this one a go if you haven’t already…

Hooded Plover Report

Synopsis
The Hooded Plover (“Thinornis Rubricollis”) is a small beach bird which is roughly 10cm tall, very unintelligent and quite unadaptable. Hooded plovers are mainly found in South Australia and on the Yorke Peninsula. Unfortunately they are now regarded as vulnerable and it’s believed no more than 200 are left on the Yorke Peninsula. The reason behind this is that Hooded Plovers roost about 6 metres in front of the fore dunes just above the hide tide line. This choice of nesting area is the cause of many dangerous threats. Humans greatly impact on hooded plovers by predominately driving through the dunes with their big 4WD’s. Wild animals also impact on Hooded Plover’s habitat. So far no long term solutions to conserving their nests and populations have been devised, but short term solutions such erecting signs and fencing off specific areas has been enforced in some areas and some instances.

Aim and introduction
Our aim was to investigate the breeding success and the population of the Hooded Plovers along the Yorke Peninsula. We also examined the threats that the Hooded Plovers face, including their nesting areas. To seek the required information we visited a beach at the Innes National Park to search for, or find evidence of, the Hooded Plovers’ existence. Discovering this information was important if we hope to come to comprehensive conclusions and possible resolutions to combating the ever escalating threats that the Hooded Plovers face.

Method
The technique for our research was to search a beach along the Yorke Peninsula (Pondalowie bay) for the elusive Hooded Plovers and hopefully their nests.
We searched for the plovers into two groups before and after lunchtime. We searched for Hooded Plovers just after lunch (1:30pm) in my group and at that time it was about 30-35 degrees. Though it was hot with little wind, we found Hooded Plovers, contradicting the traditional “best monitoring” temperature. Though we found Hooded Plovers, we were unable to find any nests. In addition to recording their frequency, we also observed a diverse mix threats, including; humans’ footprints, tourists, a sunbaker, 4WD tracks, Silver Gulls. Trailer tracks were found very densely and also a tin can.

We collected the above data in our Student Learning Journal to be later inputted in to spreadsheets on excel and a power point. The only problems that I could see with the methods that we used is that there is always a periphery for error amongst tired, dehydrated students, as was the case in this instance.

Results
From our results we conclusively concluded that there are few Hooded Plovers in existence on the Yorke Peninsula and that there are numerous threats that the birds face, which are preponderantly human provoke. There were however, natural threats such as wild animals.




At Pondalowie Bay there are heaps of human activity such as 4WDs and boat trailers. On the search at Pondalowie Bay we didn’t see any nests. This proves that human activity has a pessimistic effect on the Hooded Plovers nests because we didn’t find any plovers in close proximity to or around nests in our search

Discussion
From our investigations it became clear that human actions have greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival. Such deeds as driving 4WDs, playing cricket, running though the sand dunes and constantly pulling boat trailers up and down the beach vertical to the shoreline have negatively upset the balance of the Hooded Plover habitats. In addition, negative impacts of natural and introduced predators have, combined with human activities, greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival and continued existence.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Hooded Plover’s confront immense challenges as a surviving species from the highly damaging impacts of predators (ignorant humans in particular).
Plover nests are located in the fore dune where they are camouflaged, hard to see and are in the very spot where enthusiastic 4WD owners like to burn around. As a consequence, human activity can easily cause the accidental destruction of nests and Hooded Plover eggs. To combat this dilemma we should initially raise awareness of Hooded Plover roosting areas and ban driving through the fore dunes, or negotiate a win/win agreement/arrangement. People shouldn’t be allowed, or simply asked to run and play cricket closer to the shore where the disturbance of nests can be kept to a minimum. Another option may be to fence off certain areas of the beach. Even captivating Hooded Plovers and possibly helping them to breed may be part of the long term solution. Hard punishments should e dealt to those who cruelly treat or kill the innocent Hooded Plover population. If only some of these steps could be taken, even to a certain extent, the Hooded Plover population could prosper. Currently however, the necessary authorities (the council) are yet to act with positive consequence, so the work that must be left is left to committed but severely underfunded volunteers who see it their duty to protect the Hooded Plovers.

Novel Intoduction

Novel: Eragon
The novel Eragon is a fantasy novel of the “Inheritance Series” authored by Christopher Paolini. Eragon is set in a fantasy land known as Alagaesia.

The name of the novel refers to the name of the main character: Eragon. Eragon belongs to a poor family that works a farm and struggles financially. Eragon lives with his uncle Garrow and fair, loving man and his cousin Roran, whom he is as close to as brothers. All Eragon knows about is parents is that his anonymous mother dumped him on his uncle’s doorstep when he was only an infant, only to die shortly after. The identity of both his parents remains a mystery throughout the novel.

Eragon lives in a harsh world ruled by a cruel, tyrannic king known as Galbatorix and his Empire. The local village; Carvahall on the border of the Empire only mingles with Galbatorix’s servants when his nasty tax-collectors come. Eragon and his small family refer to the Empire in loathe.

Early in the novel Eragon has discussions with Brom the town storyteller, who tell stories of legendary “Dragon Riders,” men or elves, of immensive wisdom and power who roamed Alagaesia ensuring peace. That was a prosperous time in the land’s history. However, Brom spoke of what was known as the “Fall” when a certain wayward Dragon Rider turned a group of 13 other Dragon Riders which was later known as the Forsworn and crushed all the other faithful Dragon Riders, plunging Alagaesia into war in their thirst for wealth and power. The mastermind behind this was Galbatorix. Since then the Forsworn had died from various things but Galbatorix remains to this day.

'However, though his magical power is great, there’s a group of rebels known as the Varden who have since being trying to destroy him…so far without success.

Many of the villagers, including Eragon, imagine what the legendary Dragon Riders would have been like and Eragon ponders what it would be like to be one. To cut a long story short Eragon stumbles upon a puzzling stone. This stone eventually hatches a female dragon for Eragon. When Eragon touches the bright blue dragon for the first time, his arm burns suddenly and to his astonishment to him his palm of his right hand turns silver. He later finds out that by touching the dragon which he later names Saphira (Saf-Eye-Rah), he binds himself to her. They are now mentally linked.

So Eragon, fearing retribution from his uncle, raises Saphira in secret. She grows quickly, both physically and mentally, as Eragon teaches her about the world. Whilst she doesn’t speak English, she can understand it and speaks to Eragon telepathically. When disaster strikes, Eragon’s relatively peaceful and harmonic life is turned upside down as he fights for his life with Saphira by his side. Eragon learns of the existence of the “Ra’zac” an evil concoction of a human that are searching for him and in the process, burn his house and kills his uncle. Swearing revenge for his uncle’s death, Eragon sets out on a mighty journey with the mysterious Brom to avenge the Garrow’s death

Highs and Lows no.1

Week 1:
There’s absolutely nothing better then finishing a gut wrenching bike ride and going for a refreshing swim at the Point Turton swimming centre. When the riding got particularly difficult I simply thought of the bright prospect of a fun, relaxing (and sometimes violent-on the pontoons) time. (DATE)

Every day, towards the end of each bike ride after lunch, I would always get incredibly hungry, even with the aid of scroggin. However, a great feeling of knowing a tasty and filling meal was waiting for me back at camp would always extinguish the negative hunger affect!

The worst part of this week occurred every night, as if routine. The difficult and tedious task of cleaning my trangia was done in the dark and was really annoying because getting all of the grime off of the various dishes was unbelievably tricky.

Running

My body’s tears of stress,
Flow from my brow in a steady stream,
Draining from my chin in excess,
All part of the programs’ fitness scheme!

My head is utterly devoid of thought,
I cannot think with all the strain,
That the strenuous running had brought,
Trailing far behind Mitch’s running reign!

Willing myself not to stop,
I force my burning legs on forever,
I feel as though I will drop,
I can’t let this run beat me whatsoever!

Past the turn I stop for a break,
A 10 metre break before running again,
Soon my calves begin to ache,
The pace became much harder to maintain.

Far in the distance I could see the camp,
A moral crushing distance; a mile,
I shortly began to painfully cramp,
Was this running really worthwhile?

Three minutes later I can see the finish,
I thought only of being able to rest,
My body quickly began to diminish,
It was just being way too stressed.

I stumbled over the line absolutely stuffed,
I almost collapsed on the ground,
You have no idea how much I was puffed,
I was around the 10th to finish as I looked around.

A rush of relief rippled through me,
The burning pain soon abated,
I looked at time and grinned with glee,
Upon beating my PB I was utterly elated.

Tomorrow I will face more challenges.

Tenting on the Bike Tour

The 2 days leading up to the Extended Day Program were very busy, with very little schoolwork being done since there would be little point. The time restraint meant that we had to prepare everything in ½ a week rather than an entire one! However Dale and Moff’s informative and helpful manner made our various planning a great deal easier. As I fervently hoped, we were allowed our desired tenting partners. I paired with David Mun.
Preparations for our food were made effortless for us as we both steadfastly agreed that our meals should be the easiest, filling and nutritious ones as possible. Soon after our basic menu was set: (values equal to one day bettween us)
Breakfast:
Mug of Milo x2
Weetbix x5-6
Apple x2
200ml long life milk x2
Lunch:
Pita bread x3
Tuna tin x2
Carrot x2
Dinner:
Pre-cooked Korean-style rice x3
Various curry past additives to compliment the rice x2
Extra:
Scroggin snacks to fill in the hunger in between, such as muesli bars, lollies, chips, fruit, biscuits, etc.

Together we brought just enough food to get us through the tough-as-nails bike ride to the Wardlies…and we were one of the few who did. Many groups brought too little food and were going as far as buying food off of those who over indulged. Dinner was the meal I looked forward to most. David told me “I’ll handle it!” when we planned back at school…and handle it he did. Each night’s meals taste was always a surprise for me—I couldn’t read the Korean writing on the packaging! The variety of tastes included; meat balls, vegetarian, ham and a few others I didn’t recognise, though I enjoyed them all much the same.
Unfortunately, I was uncharacteristically disorganised for the first few day in the tents. I blame it on myself mainly, but also on the surprisingly demanding schedule that shook me into overdrive after I was uncontrolled for the first couple of wild days.
However, with the ever humorous digging from David eventually forced me to change my tune. From then on, I found where I left my toothpaste, torches, dishcloths…and just about anything that I could possibly lose—I didn’t lose anymore!
From then on I enjoyed my experience much more and tried to help out my mates when I could.

Extended Stay Bike Tour

The Bike Tour.

The unrelentingly fierce wind screamed through my ears and pulled me backwards like long invisible coils as I struggled to push each peddle down one after the other for an eternity. Each downward push of each peddle sent agonising throbs through my quads as I forced them, despite their desperate pleas of pain to stop, to continue. Yet for all the effort that the peddling required, I moved at an excruciatingly slow speed. Every possible force seemed to work against me-even my sore body, so it was up to me, my willpower and scroggin to fight against the odds. Finally the steep slope evened out to a forgivingly flat road. The pain faded and I regained control over everything…except the wind.

That was the beginning of what was to become some of the most physically challenging few days of my life.

The 170 kilometre bike tour seemed an exigent task when our some of our classes’ fears were confirmed when we were informed that it was a compulsory part of the demanding Extended Stay Program. I however, was looking forward to the test, especially the fact that it would contribute in my aim to get much fitter in preparation for the upcoming football season. I knew it would be difficult though-I mean, I’ve never ridden further than 6 kilometres in one go! Anxious as I was about getting stitches throughout the riding, I was never plagued by them at any time. My unfit body wasn’t nearly primed for the first assault that it had coming. An entire 50 kilometres of rough gravel roads into the wind! On the first day! I thought that Peter and Jackie, the ride co-ordinators, would take us on a warm-up ride. As hard and uncomfortable as it was, (especially the second stage after lunch) I felt relieved, but I also felt a sense of accomplishment. I had done it! Without having to get off of my bike at any stage!

The following days of riding became easier and easier. My skills grew as well as my confidence with every metre. There were some difficult parts, especially the part when, after 43 kilometres of riding in Innes National Park, we had too climb up an unbelievably steep mountain. 500 meters of pure, non-stop, slow moving agony. My legs ached and burned with every push. At long last I resigned to dropping my gears to the lowest ratio when my legs flatly refused to push any further. This reduced my speed greatly, making the peddling just bearable. Halfway up the mountain there was a minor crash resulting from one of my peers breaking down into a mini asthma attack. I wanted to stop and help-I wanted an excuse to stop but Peter bellowed from behind to keep moving. I had no choice; I had to continue to burn my already charcoaled body into the ground. Ultimately I finished without stopping. However, I couldn’t envisage myself ever riding again; my legs were absolutely spent. As I looked around I saw exhausted but happy faces exchanging words of congratulations to each other.
We all slept well that night.