melanie bowden
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melanie bowden - Loch Eil, Scottish Highlands, 1982

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE FUNDED VIA A BELLS WHISKEY SCHOLARSHIP (DONT KNOW HOW THAT WORKED AS I WAS ONLY AT SCHOOL AT THE TIME)
I HAD A FANTASTIC 3 WEEKS IN THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND. I CLIMBED BEN NEVIS AND SAW NOTHING ( IN FACT I NEVER DID SEE THE MOUNTAIN IN ALL THE 3 WEEKS I WAS THERE).
WE HAD A VERY MIXED BAG OF ATTENDEES -MANY OF WHICH DIDN'T GET ON WITH EACH OTHER- BUT WE MANAGED TO MEET AND SUCCEED IN OUR CHALLENGES. I DID NEARLY SLIDE UNDER THE WATER IN ONE LOCH AS I FELL IN AND WAS SO TIRED I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO DROWN. ONE GUY ON MY GROUP PULLED ME OUT THOUGH AND I LIVED TO TELL THE TALE. MY REPORT AT THE END OF THE 3 WEEKS SAID I DIDN'T TAKE THE LEAD UNLESS I HAD TO RISE UP TO THE CHALLENGE AS I WAS MORE CONTENT TO BE SECOND - VERY TRUE TO THIS VERY DAY! BRILLIANT OPPORTUNITY TO BE TAKEN IF THE SITUATION ARISES. IT TAUGHT ME NEVER TO SAY NO WHEN INVITED TO TRY SOMETHING 'DARING DO' - AND I STILL LOVE THE OUTDOORS.
THANKS OUTWARD BOUND!