For Leaving Cert. Geography you have to do Fieldwork which is like a project which is worth 20% of your final grade. Today was the day that we were going to do it, we came into school and it was good because we didn't have to wear our uniform but we had to wrap up warm because we were going to be in the Wicklow Mountains.
My geography class were in reception at 9am and Ms. Watson was there taking a roll call and then Mr O'Callaghan came in and he a cap and an umbrella and all. We all thought he was funny but I suppose he came prepared. After we were all ready we headed for the bus.
It was like a mini bus with about 30 seats, we then set off at about 9.10am and set off for the mountains. The closer we got to the mountains the more it rained. I was sitting beside Patricia, the new girl in my classes. She is really nice but she could talk for hours on end :L
I had my schoolbag with me as well because we had to bring a full change of clothes with us in case we fell in the river or the rain soaked our clothes. I had also brought my pencil case, my worksheet and some food. We were going to a place where I was before; my dad had a work convention thing a few years ago and my family went and did activities.
When we arrived at Kippure estate we got out in the lashings of rain and went into the center there was loads of tables and chairs laid out and we all sat down and had some food. Then 2 people that worked there came in and gave a presentation and told us what we were going to be doing and getting us sorted. We then headed out to get our waders and out raincoats on us.
I was standing outside in the rain waiting for the others because I was one of the people done first, Ms.Watson was there with a camera so she took a picture of me and a few other people with our waders on us. We then got split into groups and set off for the river. We went to the lower course first and then did our measuring in the lashings of rain. We were there for about an hour measuring the angles and speed of the river. It was disappointing to find out that we couldn't get into the river because ti was moving at like 1 meter per second which was really fast.
After that we made our way up to the upper course of The River Liffey (Athdown Brooke). It was only about a 5 minute walk and then we walked down some steps and went over to measure the upper course and we were disappointed again because we couldn't get into this river either. I was so sad because I really wanted to get into at least one of the rivers. It was very wet and mucky and cold but we tried to get all the measuring done quick so we could go back and get warm. We were done so we headed back to the center which was about a 8 minute walk, I grabbed my bag and went into the bathroom to change out of my wet clothes.
When I was in my warm, clean clothes I felt refreshed and more comfortable because I wasn't soaking wet. We ate again and then after about 20 minutes the guides told us all the measurements so we could write them down on our worksheets. About 20 minutes later it was time for us to leave so we headed for the bus. About 1 hour later we arrived back at the school.
The trip was really good and interesting but I didn't like the fact that we were in the rain for about 6 hours and that we couldn't get into the rivers but overall the trip was really good and I'm happy that we are guaranteed a good mark for the project and it is worth 20% of my final grade so I better get an A in it :P
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