Jersey 2007
Alexis Report ~ The long awaited Part 2!
Day 6
I was told it was day six but when I woke it felt very much like it was still day 5, and Jessica did not want to get up. Clive said we could go on the 2nd bus as there was room, but he didn`t count on Mike missing the first which meant there was room but only just. Boarding passes anyone! ( I think that?s enough said ). The ferry left promptly and we sailed off into the gloom.
Not sure what I was expecting St. Malo to be like, but I was not expecting a beautiful walled city and quaint little streets. Like Clive I was also wondering what we would do for the day. In the end I ran out of time and could of easily spent longer in the main part of town. It was unfortunate that only very few of the streets were pedestrianised which meant that Jessica had to hold our hands or go in her pram neither of this she liked very much! We started our trip in a typically English fashion - with tea. We then went to the Cathedral with amazingly coloured stained glass windows. Most of the Cathedral was destroyed in the war, so the windows date from the 1970`s but are still very impressive. George did her now usual trick of running off with my camera and only giving it back when the memory card was full.
We then headed to the beach for a paddle and siesta, Jessica was asleep by now. After this we had dinner but I think I had had a bit to much sun and was not that hungry. Following dinner a stroll around the city walls with countless stops for photos again George had my camera.
By the time we got to the ferry port Jessica was already being naughty because she was tired but we did not have to wait too long for the boat and after checking Mike had his boarding pass, we boarded. She fell asleep about 10 minutes before docking and only woke when I banged my head putting her in the minibus. D?oh!
Day 7
Clive said everyone had a nice long lie in well I am jealous of them as Jessica had me up at 7.30 !!!! Yes 7.30 I was on the kitchen floor playing with a train set. I had several attempts at breaking the password on Clives laptop so she could watch Thomas the Tank Engine but in the end gave up. But the first showing of this was watched by the scouts (and Jessica) around the breakfast table.
I don`t think Ray believed me when I said I was going to find a quick spot in the field to go to sleep but that?s what I did for the rest of the morning. The scouts went cycling or cooking with Clive and burning with Ray ( woodburning ). After lunch the scouts swapped groups and covered half of them in adhesive dressings. I think they were still tired from the day before so were a little off balance on the bikes.
Day 8
More activities, the group I was in was coaststeering first. An activity I had been looking forward to. Clive showed me where it was on a map and off we went. Well via the race course! Yes I missed a turning and made us late only a bit though. Coaststeering was excellent. We were first fitted with life jackets and hats, and then with me wearing Mikes size 11 shoes ( I am size 9 ) we walked into the sea. We continued our walk by climbing over the rocky outcrops jumping into gullies, climbing through dark tunnels, swimming through rocky arches and ending up on a beach only accessible by water. Then there was the opportunity to jump into the sea from Rhinos Head, a rock in the shape of a rhino. The jump was about 3 or 4 metres I think, everyone had 2nd thoughts before jumping.
By the time we had changed Lee and Clive were back with the minibus to take us to blowkarting. This was Rosies turn to do an activity which she enjoyed. I was lucky as Jessica fell asleep and when I had pushed her out of the wind and covered her with towels I was able to have a quick go. Could not quite get the hang of make the bottom corner quick enough so Catrin had to push me little. Thanks Catrin . I think if I had had a bit longer I would of got the hang of it, but Jessica was on my mind.
As the minibus drove past with the other group they offered us (me, Jessica and Rosie a lift back but a nice cup of tea was calling.
Day 9
The weather was more overcast than it had been but we still managed a day on the beach where a bakery was founded selling a wide variety of bakery products made from sand. This also necessitated the founding of the water works by another group of scouts to supply the bakery with water. Dan got another team of scouts writing 62nd scouts Bristol in great big letters. When it was completed, 3 scout were invested over it.
Then we walked back to camp, took the tents down and loaded the minibus.
Day 10
Another early start with the minibus leaving at 9 O? clock. Because we had packed Jessica?s cot on the bus, she slept in a bed for the first time. We had put another mattress on the floor just in case she fell out. When we woke in the morning we found her on the mattress on the floor!!! (Well Rosie found Jessica on the floor when she almost stepped on her!) Once the hall had been scrupulessly cleaned, we had to go the airport where we meet a group of Brownies flying back to the Midlands.
After they had called our flight over the tannoy for the 3rd time, we made our way to the departure gate where, as we were the last to board, we were asked to sit anywhere. At Plymouth there was a crew change and the new crew were not too happy about the fact some of us were in the wrong seats.
We met again later that day to pick up our luggage and apparently we were responsible for the minibus being full, well Jessica needs a lot of stuff!!
Day 11
This was a very sad day. Not sure what to do, and had a big pile of washing though amazingly we found some clean clothes of Jessicas at the bottom of her bag.
Conclusion:
This report is a very small snap shot of all that happened and the activities we participated in, but a report that covered it all would take 2 years to write. It also does not say the fun and enjoyment that was had by all those that went on the camp. The evening activities have also be left out of this report as it would have made it too long and I have forgotten the order.