Page 140 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

An Italian

Adventure

Exercise

Sandhurst Stride

By Corporal Anita Nyako

The aim of the expedition was to test the detachment in an unfamiliar
environment. We undertook a physically demanding activity that
displayed our leadership qualities and developed team cohesion through
cultural visits.

Leaving on a Jet Plane leading up to the expedition, so with that fresh in our
minds, the visit was fantastic.
An early start at 3.30 a.m. saw the 13 expedition members
standing in the moonlight outside Sandhurst’s iconic Ciao Bella
New College Clock Tower. We sleepily moved by bus to Group Photo
London Gatwick and after a customary two hour delay, After an action packed five days in Italy, we packed at the top of

we were Naples bound. up and sadly departed for home. The trip had been Vesuvius
thoroughly enjoyed by all and had allowed detachment
The Trekking members to take part in a demanding activity, but also
provided some afternoons to explore cultural sites and
Five days of trekking were planned around the Bay of evenings for team bonding. The impact of this sort of

Naples. Our first hike saw us complete ten miles along activity is immeasurable and an enormous amount
the Naples coastline, culminating in a stop at a coastal of credit needs to go to Corporal Norman Moon who
fortress called Dell Ovo and lunch at the oldest pizza tirelessly organised everything for the expedition.
place in the world.
The next day was a memorable one. It was an early start

to beat the heat. The lead instructor set off at a brisk “….CIAO BELLA…..”

pace for the five kilometre route up to Mount Vesuvius,
where we were met by a gaping volcano mouth and very
little safety rails. A truly breath-taking sight, as we stood
gazing out over the Bay of Naples and trying to imagine
the destruction Vesuvius wrought on Pompeii.
The Path of the Gods was next. A route that is one of the
most beautiful in the world. We hiked in and out of the
clouds along the Amalfi coast, winding our way along

cliff faces with the emerald sea as a backdrop. This led
us to the picturesque coastal town of Positano and a
welcome rest.
Seeing the Sights

We made the most of our down time, after seeing
Pompeii from the top of Vesuvius, we spent a gloriously
sunny afternoon exploring the ancient streets itself,
marvelling at ash entombed bodies and stunning
mosaics. Leaving Naples we headed for Rome. The day
in Rome was well received, winding our way through
the ancient streets and seeing the Vatican and the
Colosseum in all its rugged splendour was a bucket
list tick for some. The chance to visit Monte Cassino On route up
presented itself after our final hike. The group had At the Colosseum in Rome the mountain

received a brief on the World War Two battle in the week

140 141