The first day of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition began with an early 6:30 am coach ride from London to the Dorset coast. We arrived excited but nervous, ready to start the three-day adventure. The weather was perfect—clear skies and mild temperatures—which made for a great start. Our route took us along the stunning coastline, and passed through the historic village of Corfe Castle. However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. At one point, we got lost (which is arguably inevitable), but after a bit of map reading and teamwork, we found our way again. The real test came at the end of the day when we faced an incredibly steep ridge. The climb up and down felt intense, and we all dreaded the thought of tackling it again over the next two days.

We woke up on Day 2 to freezing temperatures: We managed to take down our tents efficiently and get moving early. Despite the cold, many of us were still feeling the effects of the sun from Day 1—sunburnt faces and aches from the night made putting on our backpacks even more challenging. The day began with a relentless hill climb that immediately drained our energy. An unfortunate diversion led to many of us slipping and falling into a bog. Cold, wet, and muddy, we couldn’t help but laugh (and cry a little inside). To make it worse, we were constantly on edge thanks to the ominous presence of a nearby farm and rumours of a not-so-friendly farmer. Tiredness set in fast, and morale was at its lowest when we realised we had to climb the same massive hill again on the way back. Legs aching, we finally returned to camp. We set up our tents, played endless games of ‘cheat’ to lift our moods, and had a simple but warming tomato pasta dinner. After such a long, cold day—and with another freezing night ahead—we all went to bed early, completely exhausted but proud of what we’d pushed through.

On the third and final day of our Duke of Edinburgh expedition, our mood was noticeably uplifted as the sun shone brightly and the end was in sight. The landscape was stunning, though the day was full of false peaks that tested our endurance due to the never-ending rolling hills of Dorset.
Despite these challenges, the sunny weather and beautiful sea views made the hike feel much more enjoyable, and after hours of walking (and well-earned breaks!) we finally reached the beach. It was a welcome sight, and we indulged in some refreshments. The afternoon was spent relaxing by the sea—playing cards, shopping for snacks, and unwinding after the demanding trek. The combination of stunning views, good company, and the chance to relax by the beach made it a perfect end to a rewarding weekend.