On our return journey we were forced to stop owing to a level crossing. At this point the alarm of several female members of the party was raised, owing to large volumes of smoke arising from the brake-drums. The journey was, however, completed in safety after we had been on the road for twelve hours.
Sunday was a free day and again swimming took up most of the time.
The next day, Monday, at 8-0 a.m., we again boarded P.T.T. coaches and journeyed to Milan. The first stop in Milan was the "Memorial Cemetery." Then we traversed the city to the Santa Maria della Grazie where Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting "The Last Supper" is on exhibition. Onward we went to Sforza Castle and thence to the Cathedral Square where we had three hours' freedom. Nearly everyone took advantage of being able to visit the Cathedral.
Leaving Milan we proceeded to Como, a delightful little town on the lake of the same name. Several of our party decided to hire rowing boats. One such party arrived back at the landing stage with one broken oar. The proprietor of the boat did not appear to like this and promptly called the police. Three female members of the party held us up at this point by arriving forty minutes late at the departure point. A speedy journey then followed back to Casa Coray.
Tuesday morning several early-risers managed a swim before a five-hour deluge, which made all of the party feel at home. The weather cleared for the afternoon and a shopping trip was arranged to Lugano.
Wednesday morning was devoted to swimming and after lunch we made an excursion to Monte Bré. We arrived at the funicular and the journey was made in two sections. The flrst section ended where a road crossed, the second section was much longer. On reaching the summit splendid views of the town and lake were obtained. Several visited the curio shop opposite the railway. Thirsty members visited Monte Bré hotel. We descended the same way and after a short wait scrambled aboard the coaches back to Casa Coray. Wednesday night being the last time some went for a walk. One member was carried back with a broken ankle.
On Thursday morning the customary wetting came not from swimming but from a sudden downpour. Before departure we collected our third and last packed lunch from Herr Coray's office, and took a last look round before we left for Lugano Centre.
We travelled back across Switzerland to Basel where we had a meal. This meal was excellent compared with some of the Italian food we had had.
On reaching Boulogne we were met by a railway official and the smell of fish. Then, passing into the new customs shed, we were greeted with "Passeporte collectif, Okay," and so boarded the "T.S. Canterbury" for Folkestone. In the first and second class dining saloons we partook of an excellent breakfast, much to the discomfort of certain members of the party. From Folkestone we travelled up to London rather uncomfortably. We careered madly across London in a private transport bus crammed with luggage. Our arrival in Manchester was to the usual typical welcome, rain.
Thanks must be rendered to Mr. Handforth and the staff for such an enjoyable holiday and we hope that a similar trip may be organised next year.
M.D., G.N., P.H.
Castleshaw Camp, 1957
Again for the second year running, the first, second and third year boys visited Castleshaw Camp, one mile outside Delph. We went during the second week of Oldham Wakes holidays with Mr. Handforth and Mr. Cox. The party consisted of about twenty boys in all. We each took a small amount of clothing, along with our swimming costumes, cricket and baseball bats.
On Monday we were taken to the camp, which is situated just off the , Huddersfield road. After a warm welcome we were allotted our different jobs and then we settled down to a few days' peace and quiet.
In the evening a table tennis tournament was arranged and the first rounds played off. Each morning there was an inspection and a prize awarded at the end of the week. Every morning after breakfast we had a service and then went into classes. We were divided into groups and each given a project to do about the valley in which we were staying. On certain afternoons the groups were sent out to obtain information about the valley from the people who lived in it, and to make sketches. Whilst we were staying at Castleshaw we visited Heights Church and also Castleshaw Reservoirs.
On Thursday we were each given a town or place to reach and we had to bring back some proof of reaching it. We had no money and had to get there as best we could. This was won by Dyson and Holden.
Twice in the week we went swimming in the Hull Mill lodge, and usually in the evening we played rounders or table tennis. The winner of the table tennis contest was Wood. When Friday came round we packed our bags and the prizes were distributed. A small present was made to the warden and his wife for the way they had looked after us. In the afternoon the bus came to take us home and we left the camp for another twelve months. We returned the same way as we came after spending a very enjoyable week there.