Level 2 PIA Adventure Top of the South

It's adventure time again in the PIA world with Level 2 off on their annual jaunt, this time to the Top of the South where the fortunate residents of Blenheim & Nelson get to meet us - lucky. Calendars have been cleared region-wide in anticipation. Loading up at 7 a.m. the teens are decidedly lacking in enthusiasm at rebonding with their favourite GHS staff before the term starts. 

It's a reasonably tame trip through to Kaikoura with Team Leader employing “the look” just once when we pause to collect Cullen in Christchurch where, while waiting, the lads perform a spot of car park frolicking with the rugby ball. Our 1st XV player demonstrates his questionable skill. We work up a sweat loading Cullen’s gear and high tail it out. 

A group meeting regarding stops along the way with the result seeing us boost through to the waiting pie order at Kaikoura. Scenery is clearly lost on teenagers. For the first time, we have 2 previous trip-parents return for another go. They think they were invited based on their previous performance but a quick pow-wow with staff quickly dispels this theory as their pre-trip appraisal outlines their “things to work on”.

Team Leader drives the first leg to demonstrate the required technique and sets clear expectations. Feeling that no one learns from the sideline, it’s change over time. “I’ve been practising”, John declares as he gleefully hops into the driver's seat. As Team leader frantically searches for the eject button she is heard muttering that performance appraisals may occur earlier than expected. 

It's official, baby seals have bumped baby goats off the cuteness leaderboard. The group decides that the seal is a clear demonstration of 'Dad' being in charge: all the mates have arrived around home popping manus with abandon in between fighting. There's no food left and Dad's asleep on the couch blissfully unaware.

Silence reigns in the van upon leaving as the teens update their Christmas wish list - 18 seals are on order for a December arrival in Geraldine.

Highlights

• Within 2 minutes of arriving at the seals, all the boys have wet feet. Plus Lachie fell in.
• Watching Jordyn navigate the median barrier on the way to the seal gate - Step-ladder has been added to next year's gear list.
• Playing rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets to take the teens to the supermarket.
• A random guy accosts John at New World begging us to visit his business while we are here - bloody tough being famous!
• On arrival at the self-service area at the supermarket, staff engaged in a “you're it” game, disappearing and leaving one lone employee to pop her “customer is always right” face on and engage with Cullen (who also drew the short straw).
• Discovering that Cullen's future career, based on his prowess at the till, is definitely as a checkout chick.
• Based on our car park demonstration we decided that this year the Roncalli 1st XV is in with a chance.
• Richard is a liability, not an asset.
• Josh is Gullible.
• We are not in Moeraki.
• The boys are in the kitchen where they belong.