Reported By Sophie
Leaders that went: Tony and Sharon
Scouts that went: Hannah, Callum, Sophie, Fraser, Jake, Meghan, Carl, and Elliot
Summer Camp To The International Scout Centre In Kandersteg Which Is In Switzerland!
Friday 24th July 2009
It was an early start for all the scouts and leaders as we meet up at Dover ferry terminal and check in at 6:30am. We also check in for the LDLines ferry hydrofoil crossing at 7:45am. Around about 7:20am the bus to take foot passengers arrived but at the wrong door so we had to move all the luggage back to the main gate entrance but when we were all aboard the bus there was a traffic jam caused by P&O so we got waved through by the police to catch the ferry as everybody was waiting for us. The ferry journey was really fun and the boat was massive. Also while we were on the ferry we all winded our watches forward 1hour. We arrived at Boulongue harbour with the tide out and it was very sunny but smelt of fish. The bus then picked us up again and took us to the main bus station where it took the scouts ages to find the bus we need to catch to our campsite (The Little Indian). Then we got dropped off outside the campsite and took an off road path but then we realised some of our bags were not as strong as we thought. We arrived at our campsite at 3:00pm when we checked in and got shown to our campsite. When everybody had set up and settled in we all went swimming and played water polo (English v French) and that turned out to be a good result. When everybody was out of the pool we explored the near by town and beach we were staying at and had pizza as dinner on the beach. We also went shopping for breakfast the next day.
Saturday 25th July 2009
Today we headed to Boulongue to see the Nasicaa Sea Life Centre which had loads of amazing different types of sea life animals in like sea lions, sharks, seals, penguins, jellyfish etc. . . and we also watched a 3d movie. Afterwards we had a little walk around and we found a shopping centre but it was a bit too late but we did by dinner there was we were having a BBQ on top of a cliff and some of us went over the edge and went for a swim in the sea and played on the beach.
Sunday 26th July 2009
We went back into Boulongue and look round the market and also visited the walled city and the cathedral of Notre dame. We also visited the British war cemetery and were amazed and the amount of graves there with also a few German people. When we got back everybody went swimming for the last time.
Monday 27th July 2009
It was an early start that day as we had to catch a bus by 6:15am to get to the inter city train to Paris Gare du Nord by 7:45am. We arrived in Paris Gare du Nord by 10:20am and then we had to catch another train to get to Gare du Lyon. While we waited for the Gare du Lyon train we left our luggage while the leaders booked a TGV bound for Marseilles to make up time. We also took a local train to where we could have lunch at a French street cafe. What we did not realise was how long it took us and we had to leg it back to the train station to catch the Gare du Lyon train which we had realised we had just missed by a few minutes. So we changed our TGV tickets and just in a few minutes boarded a TGV south. The TGV is really quick travelling at about 400km/h so we arrived late afternoon. Then we could another TGV to Nice where that was our final destination for the next day. But at Les Arcs Draguignan somebody jumps in front of our train which made our journey delayed which was such a pain. We did eventually arrive at Nice and brought fast food for dinner round about 11:15pm. Then we waited for a bus to take us to the station but that never did arrive.
Tuesday 28th July 2009
In the morning of Today we brung all our luggage down to the tram station where we went to the beach for the morning and it was really hot and sunny there. The beach was so busy but at least we got to all swim in the Meditation sea which was really warm, warmer that the swimming pool at our other campsite. Afterwards we look around the town for lunch and things to buy for our family. Around about Lunchtime we caught a train to Monaco which is really posh and everything is expensive, there were loads of Ferries and Porsche cars. While we were admiring the cars the leaders went to the tourist information centre and found us a campsite at Eze. So we travelled to Eze and waited for the bus to the site and while we were waiting a few cyclist came by and booked an campsite place which was ours so then we had know where to stay. Then we had no choice but catch the train back to Nice. Everybody was thinking by know when were we ever going to escape Nice. So we found another campsite and they told us it took 10minuites but what we did not realise they meant by car fo we had to walk about 5km and it took us time with all our heavy bags and everything. When we arrived at the campsite there was people in front of us trying to get a space but they got turned away because they were full (no room in the inn) but they let us camp in the overflow campsite with some ants but luckily we were still able to go swimming.
Wednesday 29th July 2009
After the enjoyable night with ants in our pants we ordered a mini bus to pick us up and take us to the train station and that was trying as it was a really hot day at 40degrees in temperature. We where hoping to get to the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg by the end of the day but because we were so far west it was not possible. We had another visit to Nice where we then caught a train to Villeneuve Loubet where there was a 10 minutes walk and this time they did mean walk not car. At least there were proper toilets and showers but no swimming pool and there was no grass so we slept on dust and it was another early start in the morning!.
Thursday 30th July 2009
It was another early start to visit our usual place Nice once again. We caught a train to the Italy at Ventimiglia so that we could get a head of the fastest train (TGV). We were so happy to finally get away from Nice. Goodbye Nice!
At Ventimiglia we then caught a train to Milano where the leaders got lunch a nearly missed the train to Brig where that lead us the onto our final destination . . . KANDERSTEG! In the end we heard it was good news we missed the train the other day because the whole of the campsite nearly flooded and people had to move campsite place, which made us feel happy.
When we arrived in Kandersteg a scout leaders was there to take our bags to the campsite leaving us to walk and by our dinner but we did have to persuade coop to stay open just a little longer. As soon as we arrived a member to the pink staff at the camp site (Micheal) showed us to our campsite area (the wrong place) and told us all the rules and activates. When everybody had set up everybody explored (well the girls did) while the boys played football against scouts from all over the world!
Friday 31st July 2009
We had a lye in for a little while (and was not planned) and others planned a route to climb up a massive Swiss mountain which was up to Allmanalp which was 1700m route above Kandersteg. The views were beautiful with some of the mountains had snow on. Once we had reach the top we got to see the whole of Kandersteg which was amazing! On the way back we got to take a cable cart down which was awesome but then afterwards the girls did the cooking for dinner. After dinner all the troops staying at the campsite meet up at the campfire circle and all sang a song from where they came from. As a song to sing to the whole campfire (which was 1200 troops/staff) we sang "Oh Lord, give us a donkey!" which Callum did the commentating for and that was really good fun altogether seeing most the scouts on there knees praying for a donkey. Then we cheered for the country we came from and most people were from the UK.
Saturday 1st August 2009
Happy Birthday Fraser.
Today was international day from all the scouts on the campsite so we got to dress up and swap badges with different troops. Our scout troop dressed up as Robin Hood and we had a little show using sticks which was amusing. Afterwards all the scouts went down to a international BBQ and then afterwards we had to go back to our campsite and get changed into our scout uniform and parade down the street of Kandersteg. There were so many people and nearly out of every house somebody was watching and cheering and waving flags. When everybody had meet up in a massive field at the end of the parade there were some announcements and fireworks which were really good. Once it had finished we looked at the bonfire and headed back which was way passed quite time on the campsite.
Sunday 2nd August 2009
Our plan today was to go tobogganing but there was a thunderstorm right above us so we catch a train and decided to go for a little walk. On the walk Meghan spotted a place called Mystery Park so we had a little look inside and much of a mystery it was not. It was based upon Erik Von Danikens ideas. Then we headed back and look at the wonderful few on the train. Then relax!
Monday 3rd August 2009
It was our last day at Kandersteg today so we did a little quiz to pass our badges but the main thing planned for today was to go tobogganing so we caught the cable cart up which was really good but then when we reach the tobogganing place we realised it was closed as it was really wet but it was so cool as were we in the clouds so we decided that we would go on a walk and because on the camp we were doing some badges to pass on we had to go in an Alpine lake up to our knees but some of us (Sophie and Jake) decided to go swimming in the lake instead. Afterwards because the lake was so cold and most people passed we went to a local cafe and had a nice warm hot chocolate (yummy!). When we got back to the campsite it was the boys turn to cook a 10-15 minutes meal which was sausage and mash but it seemed to be a 3hour wait for dinner that night. At least it tasted alright. Then we packed up for the early start of our adventure tomorrow.
Tuesday 4th August 2009
It was another early start as we sadly had to leave Kandersteg so we all ran to the bus station but unfortinally only 3 out of the 10 people from our troop made it to the bus the others had to walk, unlucky. When we had all reunited we caught a train to Brig. When we arrived at Brig we waited for another train to Gare de Lyon but what we did not realise that was we were on the wrong platform so we missed our train and Fraser did not realised was on the door he could see his reflection in, on the other side there were people and the jumped out and scared him. Anyway, in order to get to Boulongue we had to take a route from Basel and Paris Est station. On the train journey one of the guards played a trick on Tony when the TGV pulled out of the station and said some of our scouts are waving at you from the platform, I have never seen Tony move so quick!. When we arrived at the last station we nearly could have caught the original TGV we were going to catch but we did not make it, so we were able to catch another train to Boulongue. When we did arrive in Boulongue we were at the ferry terminal a day early but they would not the foot passengers on and we were so close to going home a day early but no one seemed to mind as they were having such a great time. So we had to walk up a massive hill to get to the campsite. This campsite was not new to us as it was next door to where we had our BBQ meal up on the cliff. At least we knew in the morning we were going to get a lye in as we had reached our destination a day early.
Wednesday 5th August 2009
We took this day to relax and have a nice day on the beach as the ferries were next door to us nearly. The weather was really sunny and be buried Jake and Carl in the sand. Then we made our way to the ferry terminal and go home back to the UK. It was nice to hear UK voices again and understand what was said!
Thank You For Such a Brilliant Trip Tony and Sharon!!