Still blogging...

Hi all,

I did suggest I would continue to use the blog, I just wasn't sure what for! Well, here are a couple of things on my mind at the moment:

• Kandersteg report back - aggghhhhhh! 2 weeks tonight and I have too much to do! We have now allocated which scouts will report on which bits, but I still have to edit photos, do the accounts, send out invites and loads more.
  
• Next year - we are off to Martlets Jamboree 28th July to 4th August - the cost is £200, but we will get a 10% discount for booking early. I am thinking we'll need 20 to 25 places, but book your diaries now!
  
• This weekend - the last of the Pioneer's badge course and the opening of the caving complex at Parkwood; watch Meridien Tonight, as we're expecting publicity.
  
• For those 6 that entered the Mountain Bike challenge, remember that is next weekend. Details to follow on Wednesday.
  
• Next weekend is also the group quiz (see the pink slips) on Saturday and Church Parade on the Sunday. See you at both?
  
• The following weekend is the Jamboree on the Internet. I've never tried this, but it could be fun!
  
• Forester's Badge courses are approaching. I have e-mailed Broadstone Warren to see if they can get all the 44th Scouts on the same course; no reply as yet.
  
• I am thinking about a camp. Ordinarily we do Spring and Summer, but this year Summer was an expedition, last year was cancelled and no one who was with us at Summer Camp 2004 is still around. So we're all getting rusty (and not just because of the rain!). Besides, I am really keen to get Luke, Jonny, Rowan and Andy through Chief Scout Gold, and all need either Outdoor or Outdoor Plus challenges. Not sure when, though!

That's probably it for now...

Dave

Cleansed and refreshed

Hello!

I wonder whether anyone will review this blog now we are all home?

Well, I thought you'd like to know a bit about yesterday and some other general stuff...

Our Lake Day comprised a train ride down to Spiez then a bus to Gwatt on Lake Thun. There we met Till (for sailing) and Marcus (for dragon boating). We had 3 groups in the morning - 1 in the dragon boat and 2 in sailing boats. Unfortunately for the sailors, we had almost no wind but for us in the dragon boat, it was good news.

We all met at lunchtime for a fantastic barbecue and one of the sailing boats departed so the 2 sailing groups became 1 cosy dragon boat crew and the other team went into "Milan", a 1968 racing boat. We were the lucky ones, as the wind whipped up and the boat clipped along really well. Luke, Dan J & Dan B even dunked their heads in Lake Thun.

We did the return journey and were back at the chalet for 6pm and some packing and tidying up.

Talking of the chalet, I thought you might like to see around the rooms, so I have posted some pics... You might also like a quick look back through previous posts as I have added a couple more pics now we're back to high speed land!

Once the kids had gone to bed me, Mick B, Roger, David M, Alex and Timbo indulged in Tonga again and Mick reclaimed his crown, although in contentious circumstances. Very funny though!

This morning we finished our packing after a 7.30pm breakfast and were on our coach by 9.20am, (after a quick photo call from outside the main building) where a few caught up on sleep, even our new Tonga King. We were at Geneva in good time to catch the 2.40pm easyJet flight back to Gatwick and, other than Dan B's luggage going missing, you all know what happened after that!

That isn't quite it though.

1. Don't forget to pay for any additional t-shirts etc.
2. Don't forget report back on 20th October at 7.30pm at HQ. Hopefully we can show you some pictures and DVD.
3. Please encourage the Scouts to finish compiling their scrapbooks asap. It'd be lovely to have them all on display on report back night.
4. If any kit hasn't returned, or you have stuff that isn't yours, please let me know.
5. I returned passports and EHIC cards to all of the Scouts - please remove before washing trousers!

Most importantly, a huge thanks to our catering/ support group - Keith, Jeanette, Pam and Mick T; to my fellow leaders - Roger, David M, Tim, Alex and Mick B; to you the parents for encouraging them to go; and to the Scouts themselves, for their contribution to the fun we all had.

See you all very soon!

Dave

Just chillin'

Well, hello again!

We decided today would be pretty relaxed as we all need a rest from the last few days' activities. If anyone has been following the weather forecast, you'll know that today has been wet, and not getting any better. Apparently tomorrow is supposed to be improving but forecasting in the Alps is notoriously difficult.

We headed up the road to the Gemmi Hotel to use their swimming pool this morning. I think we must have frightened off all the locals (although Kandersteg is actually pretty quiet from the middle of August since the Europeans all go back to school much earlier than us). The pool was only about 10m square but provided plenty of entertainment for an hour, until the chilly water and empty stomachs forced an exit.

This afternoon we did chores (yes, you'll all be amazed to hear your sons have been taking turns in washing up, cleaning the dining room, cleaning the showers and cleaning the toilets, as well as being responsible for their own rooms - don't let them off the hook once they get home!). We then strolled down into Kandersteg town - about 25 minutes' stroll down the river - to let them spend the cash that is burning holes in pockets. Many wanted to come home tooled up like ninjas but you may not be surprised to learn that Swiss Army knives were popular.

Back to the chalet and we played a fair bit of Tonga, a pretty noisy and fast moving card game. Indeed, this is the reason why I am alone this evening in the IT room.

Tomorrow should be fun! We are off to a place near Thun for dragon boating (it was advertised as canoeing, so it could turn out to be anything!) followed by a trip on a 1960's racing yacht. After that, it'll be a final clear up and trying to repatriate all those dirty clothes with the kids - maybe they could even learn how to use the washing machines? We're out of here at 9.30am on Wednesday so there won't be time to do much then.

I'm not sure yet about taking the camera on the lake day tomorrow (might be an expensive error, as per the white water rafting) but we'll see! Apologies there are no pics today but I am having more IT grief.

Anyway, back to the hot chocolate...

Dave

Just as a post script, the leaders played a bit of Tonga later on, and Mr Mott took Mr Brown's crown, literally and metaphorically. Thought you might like the pic, although the full hilarity of the situation cannot be described to anyone who wasn't there...

We're back!

Hi all!

Thanks to those that have posted - we have been keeping up with your messages, and enjoying the sports results services!

We're back from our exertions - apologies if we scared anyone by not posting yesterday but we were all exhausted!

First a quick precis since we were last here...

On Friday, the over 14's, with me, Mick B and Tim climbed up from Ueschinensee lake at 1,600m to Frundenhutte at 2,500m. That was a tough climb, but especially so since we were just recovering from the Roter Totz the day before. We only had a lunch rest before we were into arrested descents and crevasse recoveries. We slept there overnight then the next day we were back on to the glacier for ice climbing. We then made the descent back to the lake. I have included photos from the lake to Frundenhutte (look very carefully for the flag poles - yes, it is that steep!) and from the hut back to the lake (if you looked carefully and knew where to look you could also see the Cheesery and the Rodelbahn).

The under 14's did the cheesery hike on Friday then had an easy trip up to Ueschinensee with the remaining leaders on Saturday, where we all met up again. Some even swam, although glacial meltwater isn't good for the male egos... We then all went on the Rodelbahn tobogan run, which was very popular!

Today we all had another early start and got a train to Speitz then another to Boltigan, where we went white water rafting on the Simme in 3 boats. Very popular!

Rather few photos as a) my camera battery is flat and I left the spare in the chalet, and b) I wasn't about to take a 700 quid camera in a raft! Will try and post a couple more tomorrow, when we have a lazy day planned.

Now, over to our guest reviewers...

Today I am joined by 3 scouts - Luke, representing the over 14's contingent (the other 2 went for chips!) and Jack and Josh for the under 14's...

Luke

Over friday and saturday the over 14's, Dave A, Tim and Mick B have been up to the freunden hutte at 2562m above sea level to do ice climbing and an ice day. It was a long 900m hike uphill from the the lake at the bottom of the oschinensee valley which may be seen in the picture above to the hut which we stayed in.

That afternoon we were taken onto the glacier by our guides with cramp-ons and ice axes and taught the basics of dealing with an icey environment safely. We were taught self-arrests, which is the way you stop yourself if you slip using an ice axe. Dave, me and Jonny were also lowered into a crevase.

It was a good night after being on the freezing cold glacier all afternoon and a fantastic diner. We had to wake up early to be out on the glacier ice climbing by 7.30am. The temperature at this time was sub-zero until the sun rose over the ice wall at about 10.30 this ment we we were all freezing. Apart from this the climbing was amazing and we all had many goes at it.

The walk down was a lot easier than the walk up and only took just short of an hour. We met the under 14's at the lake side and after a short swim went tobogganing which was brilliant!

Josh

My favourite parts of Kandersteg so far has been , Mountain Biking , Going under the Glacier , which the ice was very cold , Then we went up 2 a mountain pretty high up. The toilets had a horrible smell but the rest was good. The next day when we slept at the mountain hut we went rock climing which was pretty good. Soon as we got back all of us head straight 4 the showers.

My to favourite parts of Kandersteg so far has been Taboganing wich the track was 750m long and we all had five goes and you could go so fast it was really good. Some people missed goes because it started 2 rain.

My last favourite part was white water rafting we went so fast and was always bashing in 2 rocks. This is my favourite parts of Kandersteg so far.

Jack

Today we went to do white water rafting it was really fun we hade to go through lots of rapids and had to do as our guide told us we crashed againt a few rocks Alex took the air out of Dave Mott's boat.

We hade to take 2 trains to get were we wanted to go. it was realy fun all day.

44th Brighton Scouts

bad news - Crewe 4 Brighton 1

The Uschinen Hut, Climbing & The Roter Totz

Hi all,

Well, after a slightly extended session I have now got a couple of photos on the blog from the mountain biking and the glacier hike.

Yesterday was a lazy morning for the under 14's, which I think was most welcome! The over 14's, along with Tim, Alex & Dave, hiked up to the Uschinen Hut; at 1,849m above sea level this meant climbing about 600 vertical metres, and we arrived in 2 hours. Two of the pics show the approach, with the hut being the spec in the distance, and the view back down the valley.

We waited awhile and ate a snack, then headed down to our climbing workshop. This consisted of some practice bouldering then 2 climbs on 1 face followed by 2 much harder climbs on a second face (all accompanied by our Pinky Gertrud). Needless to say, Luke, Jonny & Rowan all made it look simple, Tim was accomplished too, Alex did OK whereas I struggled. Climbing is just not my thing!

About 2.30pm, while we were climbing, the younger group (along with Roger, Mick B and David M plus Pinky Rachel) started their walk up from Kandersteg to the hut, arriving around 5.30pm.

The hut is small and basic but cosy and with great views. The 23 of us & 2 Pinkies were joined by 7 Portuguese scouts, which was great fun. Unfortunately the novelty of being in the hut meant sleeping suffered! See the pic of the younger scouts all cosy in one room.

At 6.30 this morning, the older group headed out of the hut and up, up, up! We climbed up and over Roter Totz, which was quite some trip (it is about 2,500m, so another 700m up). We were accompanied by lightning, thunder, rain and hail stones, so the view was, errm, not spectacular. Again, everyone did really well, and the weather had cleared by the time we headed down past Schwarenbach Hotel and down the Sunnbuhl cable car, getting back to base at 3pm.

Meanwhile, the younger group again had a slightly later start, but had to clean the hut for us. They then had the same climbing workshop as we had had yesterday. So far, I haven't heard many stories as they returned at 5.30pm rather wet (like us). We had an hour to shower and hang up wet things, then into dinner.

After dinner we were entertained by Mick T's friend Peter, who he met at Kandersteg 50 years ago! They have an old picture, and I believe it will soon appear on www.kisc.ch, so keep your eyes peeled. Peter played his guitar and we had a sing-song, see the picture.

Stop Press! The photo is now online - have a look at http://www.kisc.ch/facts/latest

Tomorrow the younger group are heading out on another hike, to the cheesery. The older ones are hiking up mountains too, this time to the Frundenhutte and our Snow and Ice combo. After today's weather, we may get some of that on the way up! As I shall be with them, you may again not get a post tomorrow unless I can persuade one of the other leaders. Saturday should be fun, though, as we will all meet up in the afternoon for the tobogganing above Oeschinensee.

Dave

44th Brighton Scouts

44th Brighton Scouts
Hi all, for all you ardent Brighton fans ( I know there might be at least one) the
football score: Carling Cup (in the rain). Brighton 1, Boston 0 - goal by Reid .

Glacier hike

Hi all,

Apologies for the lack of photos but we are suffering with a very slow internet connection and are going to be evicted, Big Brother-style, in 6 minutes!

Today we were again up about 7.15am (honest!) and out at 8.30, for a stroll down to Kandersteg station. We got the train through the Lochtsberg tunnel and down in to Brig, then another train up to Feisch. From there we caught a cable car up to the top near the Eggishorn and walked about 90 minutes around to the biggest glacier in Europe, the name of which eludes me and Roger just now! It was amazing; we'd love to post a pic.

Tomorrow we have the over 14's hiking in the morning then climbing in the afternoon while the under 14's get the morning off and hike in the afternoon. We all meet at a mountain hut, with no internet at all! We will hopefully post more stories on Thursday, along with a catch up of photos.

Well, that's 2 mins to go and it'll take that long to post, so we'll sign out now and say goodnight, with a cheery, slightly sunburnt wave!

Dave and Roger

Mountain Biking

Today we are joined by 2 of the scouts, David & Dan J...

Dan
"today was great fun mountain biking today through the woods. We were in the gastenal valley, Dave M made us go through the freezing cold river. I am looking forward to going to sleep tonight as adam kept us up most of the night."

David
"i really enjoyed today. the cycling was brilliant and the hiking was good.we went to a freezing cold waterfall in the gasternal valley. i am looking forward to tomorrow very much, when we are going to a glacier in the mountains."

Thanks guys, more guest posts tomorrow, hopefully. The programme today was pretty relaxing, really - just easing ourselves into life at altitude. Half of the group cycled up and rode around the Gastenal, while the other half hiked up. Then we met up at lunch time and swapped over, making sure we were all paired up (so Kieran didn't get Luke's bike). Tomorrow we are off to look at a glacier and go on a Swiss train (bet it runs late!) and cable car.

In fairness, they were better behaved last night than we expected - the early morning start probably had a lot to do with that.

Hi All

Hi All.

Glad to see you have all arrived safely,happy hiking and biking tomorrow.Have fun.

Sarah

We're here!

After alot of early morning airport queueing, we made it onto our flight with minutes to spare (no time for breakie!); and have arrived safely in Kandersteg.

The coach ride from Geneva to Kandersteg brought on mounting excitement amongst the Scouts as they realised that the Alps are quite alot bigger than the South Downs!
This afternoon they have explored the Centre and taken a look at the Lotschberg railway tunnel, which is hewn from the peak behind Kandersteg. The tunnel carries car-carrying trains through the Alps into Italy.

All are now well fed, thanks to our fantastic catering team!

We thought you would like a couple of pictures, although they are really slow to upload from here. The first is of us all near the bridge after our stroll

and the second is our sumptuous accommodation at the CVJM Ferienhaus. The sounds really echo around so those that brought their lead boots will need to learn to leave them at the door!

Weather is OK for now - few spots of rain but sunshine in between. First day of slogging up mountains tomorrow, albeit on mountain bikes!

Some guidelines

Hi all.

I don't want to set any rules etc. but I thought some guidelines might help...

• we will try and publish something every day but don't panic if we don't! We might be way too busy...!
• if something does go wrong, you won't hear from us via blog, it'll come from our emergency contact Lee Watts (details as previously advised). Similarly, if you have an emergency situation that we need to know about, Lee's your man!
• the blog posts are for everyone so please don't ask about how an individual is. If you want to ask general questions though (like "what was the best thing so far" or "how cold was the lake" etc, then that is would be great! Obviously something like "how much are they all missing there homes" wouldn't be helpful (coz they'll be fine right up until someone asks!).
• nothing defamatory, please.

OK, that reads a lot like rules, so sorry. Memo to self - "I must lighten up"! Hope y'all sleep well...

Packed and ready to go

Bought a simply huge rucksack then found I couldn't fit everything in it. I hope lots of the others are under the weight allowance because I might need the difference!

It hardly seems possible but I bet I realise I have left something behind. Always do! Must remember to set the alarm...

Bagsy

Growler, if you're watching I bagsy my normal bed - by the door, top bunk. So ner!

Better pack the waterproofs...

Hi!

We're in the final throes now and I thought I would check the weather, anticipating getting away from the leaden grey skies in the UK. I wish I hadn't (!) but in case anyone else wants to know, click here...

See you all tomorrow evening...

Dave

Update on security

You're probably all following this avidly, but there is a change to security requirements today. Look on easyJet's website here or Department for Transport here or BAA Gatwick here for the latest.

In a nutshell, as of today:

• We can only take 1 item of hold baggage each
• Hand luggage rules have been relaxed slightly but maximum size of hand luggage is 45x35x16cm (around the size of a small briefcase)
• Other than prescription items, liquids or containers capable of holding liquids (e.g. empty drink bottles) are still not permitted as hand luggage
• It seems pockets still need to be emptied into clear plastic bags

Scouts will still require their day sacks as previously advised. If the requirements don't change then these will have to be packed within the rucksack in the hold, at least for the outbound flight.

There is still the potential for our flight to be delayed and/ or cancelled. We can make no provision for this now, and will have to assess that closer to the time.

Also, there is a suggestion from easyJet that we should allow longer for check in. This will be reviewed by the leaders and any changes to prior arrangements notified to you at kit check on Friday.

All good fun!

Dave

Flight Arrangements

One last thing while I remember! I flew to France with easyJet on 26th July and check in zone was A so it may well be the same on Sunday, but please check the boards.

Also, I was due to fly home on Thursday but, because of the terror threat, we ended up driving from Nice to Calais and getting a ferry. You'll all have seen the news but please monitor the situation especially regarding acceptable hand luggage - the current arrangements are different from those sent to you previously.

Dave

Logo & T-shirts

OK, it seems to work from the UK. Whether we can manage to blog successfully in Switzerland, who knows?! If we get stuck, maybe we can get one of the kids to help us!

Anyway, I thought you'd like to know that we selected a logo for our order of 33 t-shirts, 33 polo shirts and 20 sweatshirts - see the picture. I just hope they all get produced in time!

On the picture (at least in preview!) the colours look a bit wrong - the text is actually yellow and the reds and blues have been transposed but it'll give you a flavour!

Test Post

Crikey! This is a first for me; despite being a technophile I have never run a blog before. The aim of this is to post stuff from our trip to Switzerland, but who knows what else we could use it for?!

Dave