Helen's blog

June 2009

The Spanish Lessons are going well and I can now introduce myself and count to 20 which is a start. I went to Thorpe Park this weekend with the SWITCH group and some local Guide groups. Everyone really enjoyed themselves especially getting completely soaked on Tidal Wave as it was a very warm day. Thankfully no one was ill from the rides just great expressions on the photos afterwards!

We had a sponsored cycle in Guides this week. We cycled about 7 miles raising funds for our unit, my Brownies have also been active this week as they have started their Agility Badge and they have been putting together aerobic routines for us to see.

I was lucky enough to meet Joanna Lumley when she visited our town for the Gurkha Parade where they received their medals from Afghanistan. She wanted to meet the SWITCH group who are the first Gurkha Brownie, Guide and Senior Section group. It was very exciting and she was lovely and interested in what the girls had to say.

4 Senior Section and 2 Leaders went to Etaples, France for Charles De Gaulle Day on Sunday 21st. There was a ceremony at the British Cemetery and then one at the French Cemetery. It was very humbling to see over 12,000 graves in the British Cemetery. The ceremonies were finished off with a 7 course lunch with French and British veterans and young people from youth organisations. There was a lot of food but with dancing after every course we managed to eat most of it!

Finally it has arrived, our final Chile briefing weekend before we set off. It was very exciting to see everyone again and we got all our group uniform which looks brilliant. We had lots to discuss as we had all been very busy writing up our sessions which we will be delivering whilst were out there. We have also heard that we are going to be camping which will be great but very cold! It wasn't all hard work though as we managed to watch some of the rugby. As I write this it is only 25 days until we meet up in London and its getting very exciting!