The diary of Samad Siddiqui at CAT June 1999.
Monday 28th June
Today we were all excited. We arrived at C.A.T at round about quarter to two. We went for a little walk to the Centre. Did you know that many of the buildings are made out of slate and plus they are making a building out of straw? First of all we had a lady called Christine who showed us around C.A.T and told us all the rules.
I learned that you can use Hydro which is water ,diesel which is like petrol, wind and solar which is the sun.
At the moment I am very happy because I have phoned my mum and dad and my beastly brother. We were just about to go to sleep but you know Mr Jones he likes to torture. The most impressive thing was a solar powered telephone and even wind power telephones!!
I have learnt that after 150 years, a log can be used for a stove. Now I thought that was pretty amazing. And then Mr Williams started singing happy birthday. I have learnt that Mr Williams is very kind and caring.
Tuesday 29.6.99
In the morning Satinderjit woke me up by coming of his bunk bed. I had to go and collect some logs. When we went to have our breakfast we had some sad news that Christine had got a migrane, so we could not go on the Woodland Walk so were going to go on the walk tomorrow. Instead we had a room inspection. My room only got one thing wrong we had a piece of sweet wrapper.
Then we got split up in. I was in Mr Jones's group and we were working on solar power. Mr Jones took us on this kind of train. What happens is that the top train got full up with water and pulls the bottom train up.
Wednesday 30.6.99
We went on a woodland walk and thankfully Christine didn't have a migrane. We had a wonderful view. I doubt it that we couldn't get any view like that in Telford. It was a bit like the sponsored walk but instead we were walking uphill plus we did not get sponsored, well probably, I sponsored myself 100 pounds. I learned that fir trees came from Canada. Mr. Williams says that if you talk to a tree in Welsh it replies back and it will only work on Welsh trees such as a Hazel tree. I think I believe him because when he talked to the tree and he asked the tree how old he was and he said he was 75 years old. On the way we saw a lot of fir cones and I found one round about 15 cm. I was pretty shocked when I found a house for some doormice. On the way back every one found a badger skull and Mr Williams picked it up and he said he was going to make it all white and then he will put it in the school. On the way there, we found a tree which was like totally knocked over by a hurricane.
After the walk we had our lunch and then finished of our work from yesterday. Then we got split up. This time I was in Mr. Williams group and he was teaching us water power. What happens is that when it rains it stays on a hill which holds it all up. It then drops from 30 metres and then gravity pulls it down at a fast speed. It then hits the Pelton wheel and the the generator which is behind the Pelton wheel produces electricity. After that we had our dinner. I'm pretty sad because I am missing my mum and dad and my brother and I'm pretty shocked about it.
Thursday 1.7.99
First thing I'd like to say is "pinch punch first day of the month." When I woke up I looked outside and saw clouds over the hills and it was raining cats and dogs. Then Satinderjit walked in my room and he said that he was feeling sick so he then lay down. Then all of a sudden he got up and razzed it to the toilet and he was all sick. After that we had our breakfast. We then got in our groups that we first had and we were just doing what we didn't get a chance to do yesterday. First we went in the maze and it was about trying to stop pollution in the world because it will put a hole in the OZONE LAYER. So please try and stop it and lets try and fill it up. You know this has really changed me.
Friday 2.7.99
Final day today. Yesterday a gipsy caravan was strolling around and Danny, Ryan and Sam all got scared and they all came in our room but then we found out it was all a dream. On the way back to school we are going to Powis Castle.