"Is this what Cheltenham gave us?" Guild Members' Trip to Peru

What happened when we took our CLC friendships on the road?

It’s funny how school friendships have a way of sticking.

Across the decades, the geographies, the careers, the children, and the chaos - those bonds built in our CLC days have quietly held their shape. Many of us meet up for the odd catch-up, a coffee, maybe a glass of wine… or two… But a year ago, we decided to do something different.

After years of talking about it, we finally gathered - eight of us from across four decades of CLC alumnae - along with a few brave additions - for a real adventure: a 10-day midlife trek through Peru, organised by fellow Guild member, Milly Whitehead, founder of The Leap.

We weren’t just swapping stories over supper - we were hiking through the Sacred Valley, camping under the stars, sharing blisters, belly-laughs, and moments of real connection.

Challenge, Contribution, Connection

This wasn’t just a sightseeing trip. Over ten days, we trekked through the Sacred Valley at serious altitude; camped in remote mountain villages; and immersed ourselves in a rural Andean community where we contributed to a local reforestation project. By day, we were planting trees alongside local families and learning about the environmental challenges they face; by night, we gathered around fires, shared stories, and slept under star-filled skies. And then there were the markets. Give a group of determined CLC girls a stash of Peruvian soles and a mission to find the best alpaca poncho, and you’ll see true competitive spirit in action. We bartered, haggled, laughed ourselves silly, and came home laden with treasures and tales.

There were moments that tested us - physically and emotionally - but every challenge brought us closer. Whether it was pushing through altitude headaches at 4500m (a mule on hand if oxygen levels felt particularly sparse – saying no names!), cooking in the dark, holding hands through the bouts of vertigo (100% owning it) or sharing a cold mountain stream for a ‘shower’, it reminded us how capable we still are, and how empowering it is to step out of our comfort zones - together.

I remember waking up (surviving!?) after one particularly freezing night on the mountain. The snow line was just a few metres above us, and our tents had definitely not coped with the barrage of icy rain: most of our belongings were floating in puddles in the corners. Milly poked her head out of her sleeping bag next to me, hidden under whatever woollies (and underwear) she could pull over herself to keep warm in the night, and began worrying about the team and why on earth she had ever thought it was a good idea to bring a bunch of ‘mid-lifers’ up a mountain (‘midlife’ is a stretch, laughed my mother – unless we think we’re living to 110)!

Was it all just sheer madness? Was everyone going to want to bail? But our worries were soon drowned out by hysterical fits of laughter pouring out of the tents as this glorious group of middle-aged women began to wake up and navigate the start of the day in sub-zero temperatures amid the carnage of drenched clothes and soggy hiking boots. It was this wonderful camaraderie and spirit and above all JOY that had a way of pulling us through the tough moments – and this is what will stay with me for a very, very long time.

A Nudge to Reconnect

For me personally, this journey came at the end of cancer treatment. I didn’t realise how much I needed these women - until I was standing on a mountain, being cheered on by them, tears and all.

So here’s my gentle nudge. If you’ve ever felt the pull to reconnect with your school friends - not just for a lunch, but for something meaningful - follow it. Gather your tribe. Swap the wine bar for a winding trail, the polite chat for full-hearted conversation.

Because sometimes, what we really need isn’t just a reminder of who we once were - but proof of how strong we’ve become.