We had been preparing for the sponsored walk for several weeks, looking forward to the day with growing excitement. At last the day dawned. We rose at Am got dressed, & then went down to Evan's Hall for Breakfast. The boarders were given packed snacks to eat on the way if they got hungry. Everyone had to don a special T-shirt with the logo Ï walked for Barnes"printed on it. We lined up in front of Evan's Hall & then were told to go to the Start Line, in front of Lloyd Block. A friend of Mr.Thorpe, Commissioner of Police S.P. Dangle flagged us off. There were many ex-students like Prem Chand Varma, Munoo, Pam, & others , don't know their names!! We started off, even Rehana, who sufferes from Polio & cannot walk properly took part.Soon we reached The Air Force Station. The Principal had taken special permission to allow us to go through the area, we came soon to the first of the rest stops. We were given water & snacks & then we continued. Some of the younger kids were tired & the ex-students who had volunteered their cars, picked them up & gave them lifts.We passed through some beautiful country, it was such a joy to see the fields, the wooded areas, the farms. The farmers were also kind to us & allowed some of to cut sugarane sticks to suck as we walked. we walked in groups, with Mr.Thorpe & othe staff members. I vividly remember Mrs.Henderson taking a ride on Mr.Kulkarni's bicycle! We had a great time, & the walk seemed too short,as we sighted the pavilion that had been set up to receive us. There we had lunch, with a view of the Lake. Some of us, with the permission of the Principal, & accompanied by Staff Members walked up to the lake & frolicked in the water for a time. All too soon we heard the recall whistle & we saw the army trucks approaching to transport us back to school.

We returned to school, tired but very happy. It had been a lovely day, one that will live in my memory forever!

A big "THANK YOU"for sponsoring us.

MELISSA AND SHELDON

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