On 5th – 7th June, the most adventurous of the Crowder team spent the weekend on a team bonding trip to Keswick. This group was made up of members of all departments, from engineers, developers, & data analysts in our Birkenhead office to leakage technicians in our Swindon & Cumbrian offices, allowing many who would not normally work together to meet.
For the Friday, everyone travelled to Honister Slate Mine for the Via Ferrata. This thrilling activity involved climbing down, along, and up a cliff face as we made our way to the top of the mountain. The Extreme version – which most of our team chose – spent a few hours clinging to handholds, navigating along narrow platforms, and balancing along a wire bridge above a long drop. For those who fancied a slightly easier challenge, the Classic version offered a small portion of this to get the pulse racing followed by a short hike to the top. And for those who just wanted a sedate afternoon without any challenge, there was a mine tour that explore the insides of the slate mine and its history. We stayed at the YHA Hostel in Keswick, where we relaxed after our adrenaline-filled afternoon and played games.
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On the Saturday, after a full English breakfast, the whole team set off early for a hike from Keswick up to the top of Cat Bells, then down the other side to the edge of Derwentwater, and back along the lake to the town. This walk took us past sheep and alpaca farms, who were all too happy to have their photos taken. The uphill portion of this walk was suitable for both experts and beginners alike. While the weather was windy and a little bit wet, it was never bad enough to dampen the mood of our hikers and the top of Cat Bells offered stunning views of the surrounding scenery while we stopped to have our lunch. By the time we had reached the bottom, the weather had even brightened up enough to have an ice cream! The final portion of the walk along the lake involved frequent stops to skim stones. In the evening, everybody travelled to The Salutation Inn in Threlkeld for a well-deserved meal (especially for those who played football after their hike)!
On Sunday – after another full English breakfast – we set out down to Derwentwater for canoeing in the lake. Although the weather had taken a turn for the worse, with strong winds predicted, this did not diminish the enthusiasm of our participants. From the launch at Keswick, we took a boat down to Lodore at the south end of the lake. Grouping into teams, we strapped canoes together in twos, and set out back across the lake towards St Herbert’s Island. With the wind on our side (mostly) and the lake to ourselves, we made quick progress. We stopped on the island for a packed lunch and a cup of tea. There was a little time to explore this small island before it was time to set off on our canoes again, this time to travel back to Keswick. In the end, we had travelled the full length of Derwentwater in our canoes. Huge thank you to the team at Adventure Hunter who were very instructive, encouraging, and enthusiastic at every step of the way.
Overall, the Keswick team bonding weekend was a fantastic opportunity for colleagues from across Crowder’s offices and departments to come together outside of the workplace, build new connections, and take on a variety of exciting challenges. The weekend combined adventure, teamwork, and plenty of memorable moments. Despite the unpredictable weather, the enthusiasm and camaraderie of everyone involved ensured a hugely successful trip, leaving everyone with lasting memories, and a shared sense of achievement.
