[Harlaxton ’11] Fun in the Most Unusual Ways at the Manor

Unplanned Activities around Harlaxton Manor
by Lori Lovell

While the last few days have been fairly unplanned, they have certainly not been uneventful. With beautiful weather outdoors, we have taken to our environment, enjoying the wonderful campus that Harlaxton College has to offer.

Hill-rolling has become a real excitement for us. Scouting out spots to roll has become a favorite among many of my peers. “I’m a hedgehog!” said Nick Zolman describing his experience rolling down one such hill. Providing many laughs and a few headaches, hill-rolling has definitely added some zest to daily life here at the Manor.

Soccer has also been a real outlet. We let our competitive sides shine last night with an epic game of footbol. During the intense game, Jon Warren showed his true determination to dominate, rivaling Gerard Butler’s fortitude in the action-film 300.  Reflecting on the game, Jon disclosed, “It was a one sided game throughout, but when it came down to what really matters the most (penalty kicks), our team pulled out the victory.” The game was a real smash.

Shortly afterwards, scheming of a large game of capture the flag began. Exhausted from the intensity of our soccer game, a few of us left before the game’s start; it was time to hit the showers. From those that stayed, I hear the game was quite interesting. With the vastness and interesting terrain of the grounds of Harlaxton Manor, it took great technique and strategy to even enter the other team’s territory.

Worn out from our time outdoors, it was fortunate that this morning held the rare opportunity to sleep in. With a day trip to York and time in the Lake District ahead, today is looking like the perfect chance soak up some sun and revel in relaxation at Harlaxton Manor before continuing with our many adventures across England.

Just Another Evening at Harlaxton
by Daylynn Allison

It was a cool, calm night. The grass was slightly damp from the bouts of English rain. The various lighted windows of the manor sent eerie shadows sprawling across no man’s land. All was silent. Ten students, two territories, one objective: capture the flag.

With a quick exchange of “Pip pip, Cheerio”s between the captains, the game began. Suddenly there was a flurry of motion at one end of our border. Our sentry reacted quickly to take down the man sprinting across our turf, just barely catching him before he reached the edges of our boundary. He was our first prisoner. He was quickly joined by another who was caught in an attempt to rescue him. I stood by and snickered while they searched their prison for the flag, all the while keeping an eye out for their other three teammates who might come searching for the flag or attempt to release them. I knew it would never be found. We were too well prepared for them. We had two who had succeeded in sneaking across the border and were searching their territory for theirs, but the remaining three of us were well positioned to take out those who attempted to do the same. Over and over the opponent sent men and we pushed them back to no man’s land. Too soon, the game ended with the bell in the clock tower ringing out, signaling to us that curfew quickly approached. As neither side had even located the other’s flag, we called it a truce. Collecting our flags and discussing just how close we had respectively come to reaching our goal, we returned to the manor.

So went the events of last night.  Some of us, or at least I, woke up sore this morning. Despite this, I believe, every moment I am allowed to spend with these people I have come to love is worth it. Living, working, playing, and travelling with others who understand me and are going through similar experiences is something I wouldn’t give up for the world. Just another evening with academy students? You decide.

Daylynn Allison, Lori Lovell