home sweet home

All my belongings have been hoofed up the stairs, the first wash is on, and I have hung my brick up on my wall... But never have I been so sad to be home.

The last two years have been a brand new adventure with challenges overcome, experiences new and friendships made. The last ten days have been awe inspiring, the views and scenery, the adventures, the discoveries, friendships new and old, guides coming together to achieve common goals and conquer a Swiss hill or nine and sing many a song along the way while always a smile offered at the end of the day. 

I shed a tear on the bus reading the wonderful things that the girls wrote about their trip, I shed another saying goodbye to all of you this morning at orchard hill, and now thinking back on the amazing and most wonderful time we all had together in Switzerland and how it is all over now another drop falls. 

It has been emotional, it has been tiring, in places it was a lot of hard work, but as with all guiding adventures, I will look back forever and remember the good times, the 'mountain top moments' and the most amazing people I shared my time with, with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart.

That is all she wrote.

Farewell Giffnock Guides Switzerland 2013.

the end is neigh

Thursday evening saw dinner and then singing round our campfire. There was no outdoor space and we were in a wooden chalet, so a real fire was not had, but the felt version - logs, flames and all - did the trick.

Friday saw our last full day in Switzerland and so we made the most of the alpine air with a hike up to the 'local' wood carver. All the girls received their badges\woggles with names burnt into the wood which is a sign in guiding that allows you to tell from 100 paces that you've been to Switzerland. Up there we got to see round the shop and head to the lovely little cafe for gorgeous lemon cake and a welcome drink. Our round trip hike was 13km with a mightily descent on the way there and a never ending hill on the way back that the topographical map tells us was 1km as the crow flies with an ascent of 800m. You lot can do the maths to figure out numbers but I can tell you it was tough in the hot, hot sun, but boy were the views worth the effort, and I tell you, never more has a sit down and a shower felt so good. The girls did brilliantly to make it and the welcome sight of adelboden at the end offered swimming, shopping or just a route straight home depending on your want and need. I am told that the swimming was most refreshing, I enjoyed my first chance to see adelboden proper and for those who went straight home - that was just what the doctor ordered.

Friday evening was a whirlwind of packing, tasty burgers for tea, singing and thank yous to all of the team that made it possible -

Suzie Flemming - map reader extarordinaire and general helping hand in all things (non-eggy)
Sheila Curran - bank manger (supplying daily withdrawls), expert pot washer, can find anything in a room where guides' bags may have exploded and the best hug giver ever!
Beth Robertson - a song for every occasion, a magic box of tricks for activities and blog manager
Allison Bell - assistant cook, chief if all things soup, always encouraging and all with a hair never out of place (I don't know how she does it)
Gillian Henry - assistant first aider, pace setter and Friday's birthday girl! - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!
Anne Hamilton - First Aider with apparent 24hour service provided, always with a smile and kind word and a slight memory of her trip here 10 years ago
Mary Fyfe - Chief cook, supplying this army with the goods to drive us up the alpine hills, maker of surprise pancakes and general font of knowledge!

And last but by NO MEANS least...

Marjory Grimmond - our trip leader, the lady with the lists, the lady with the notes, the lady with drive and passion to make this trip happen, the lady who everyone of us owes a HUGE thank you for without her, it would not have happened.

Saturday morning was more relaxing than anyone expected. The inventory showed we'd managed to to lose or break anything- every plate, bowl, ladle, whisk, pot and tea spoon was accounted for! huzzah! The girls did a great job packing quickly and efficiently and clearing their room of mess and debris - and there was quite a bit I assure you - you try putting 9 girls alone in a room for a week and see what happens.

The bus from adelboden to the ferry has been... Hmm... An adjective... Loud, hot, lively, musical.. Take your pick, all I will say is that I have no idea where these girls get their energy from - I blame the parents... :)

You should have heard by now that our travel plans have been brought forward somewhat - a lot of scouts and drivers wanting to get home.

We left at 11.05 saturday morning and flew though Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and France again making good time to the ferry.

The current timetable gets us home somewhere between 10 and 12 depending on who's guess you take, we're on the 11.30 ferry (continental time) but updates along the way at service stations with WiFi and texts to parents and guardians...

Hope you all get a good night sleep, cos I am pretty sure I won't...


Edit- currently at Grantham services - leaving at the local time 4am

oh the days that we have had...

I will start this by commenting on the lack of WiFi when on a toboggon, up a hill and in the fog... Read on for more detail please...


Monday's blog...

So, today has been action packed!

From an early 9am depart from the chalet (which was a mild rush) we have not stopped. The day started with a bus trip out to Kanderstag where we got a cable car up the mountain then a morning of toboggoning. The girls had many a shot heading down the metal run at speeds higher than I was brave to go, but even at me slightly slower pace I had a great time, and from the wide grins of all the girls you could tell that they had too!

From the toboggons we hiked along to the oescheinen lake which was beyond beautiful, and the scrabble down the final slope well worth the gorgeous views and the refreshing cold water after a long hot morning. The weather has been gorgeous, hot, and sunny today which is always appreciated. We had lunch at the lake relaxing before hiking back up the slope to the cable car and heading to the bus. On our way back to the chalet we stopped off at the bleusse lake, a gorgeous wee spot to relax and have a coffee for the leaders, and the girls, although apparently shattered, got a bout of energy for a go on the play pack.

This evening contained a ride on segways, the girls are whizzing round, and a head's up that there are a few who are now in the market... Apologies.

The pool party is now, again abusing their WiFi! A lot of splashing!!!

Jessica and Alex are both having a great birthday, send their love, and they both now know what they want for their birthday next year... A hint - you need good balance to use it!

Edit: this was obviously not uploaded Monday as the WiFi at the pool was not working...

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Tuesday had a slightly later start than Monday - only 30 minutes, but boy were were those 30 minutes just totally lovely! Another quick turn around with breakfast and packed lunch for 35 in under one and a half hours from the waking up song. That's right people, we've made a morning song, the girls are able to bear it slightly more each day, but I tell you, nothing gets them out of bed faster than the threat of another verse!

Our morning was spent on the bus heading to the trumnelbach waterfalls where we climbed 850 steps going up 900m to see the 10 glacier waterfalls inside the mountain made accessible by tunnel lift and illumination. We didn't use the lifts though, cos we are guides! We are strong! And we are able! ... Although there may have been a few wobbly legs at the end... The falls were totally gorgeous though and the splashing of the water onto your face most refreshing indeed!

After the falls we headed into Interlaken for our picnic lunch in the park watching hand gliders land after a sweeping journey over the lake. The sun was shining hard again all morning and this afternoon making our picnic and then wander round Interlaken most lovely. The girls have purchased many a gift for you all back home so be ready for the weird and wonderful all.

Tuesday evening saw a tasty homemade curry for tea and one of the best variety shows the girls have ever put together, we had captain crief with an in flight safety briefing, some boggling gymnastics and a visit from Cheryl Cole and Katie Price not to mention an original piece from the trip leaders.... Less said about that one the better...

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Wednesday! - not planes trains and automobiles, but coach, paddle steamer and funicular!

Another day to be out of the chalet by 9am and the girls are only getting better and better at it! Some even sang me my morning song as they were up so prompt... Not too sure if the trend will continue when they get home, some maybe not get your hope up parents, but the alpine air certainly does something to them.

This morning we are off to Thun, a market town on the side lake Thun. We had many a wander along the old town streets looking at the stalls, popping in the shops, and of course, a few of the girls popped into McDonalds for a wee poke of chips. We then had lunch on a paddle steamer as we crossed Lake Thun to Speitz, picking up the coach again and heading to the base of Niesen a mountain nick named the swiss pyramid which is 2362 metres. This one we did not climb however as it is not allowed  and so we got the best form of transport in the world - a Funicluar - it will have to be good when the word starts with fun!

The weather today has not been kind today with a bit of rain and sitting writing this atop the mountain with hot chocolate being devoured the view can be described in one word - cloud. In every direction there is cloud, cloud and more cloud! Still, many pictures were taken of the cloud as it is tradition!

Tonight we are looking forward to a night in the hay, some call it 'sleeping in the hay' but in reality it will most likely be eating our cheese and chocolate fondue and then rolling round the hay with no sleep at all, but many a piriton.


Thursday...

Those who got the short straw had to sleep in the hay... Get it! They had a most wonderful time though with hay everywhere... It's not to be quoted, but I will 'in your pants and all!' :)

Today saw a good breakfast made by the farmer for those in the hay, and expert eggy bread for those in the chalet before A LOTmof showers and the trip highlight - Our Chalet!

In the efficiency of the giffnock guides the 40 minute walk high, high up on the mountain lasted only 25 minures meaning lots of time to sit outside, enjoy the view and get a tear in the eye for being here - Our Chalet. A WAGGGS world center,a draw for all girl guides and scouts round the world, land that the baden Powell's walked on over and over, it makes your heart leap, a lump form in your throat and a smile grow on your face!

This is it ladies.

Our Chalet with a capital O... The history seeps out the walls, the pictures tell a thousand words, and wow are we in the place to be...

This evening lays a head, but the memories (and the pictures) of today will stay with us forever....


Speak soon all, away to swipe away a tear...

well you'll never guess it - we're here!!!!

So, not exactly the most rested we have ever felt after driving through the rainy continent all night, but we saw France, Belgium and Luxemburg all come and go and finally we reached Switzerland just in time for breakfast. According to Sheila's phone though at some point she took a diversion to Finland...

On an international note our drivers for the week - that we picked up in Essex - had us going for longer than we'd care to admit that they were Lithuanian and spoke not a dot of English, thankfully though turns out it was all a rouse - I may have to withhold home made shortbread from them for that sort of 'joke'.

Oh how the times have changed however in the guide and scout associations - the guides are quite content (as am I) to slob out in my jeans and hoodie however the scouts have had more costume changes than the cast of Annie with scout shirts, kilts, kilt socks and dress shoes coming and going so that they are kept crisp and clean - a note to all parents out there, do not fret, no nakedness, they all just wear T-shirt and shorts under their dress uniform so quick changes can happen - still it takes them longer to get ready then the girls to get off the bus!

Our drive was been wet and dark but now the sun has risen over Switzerland there are rolling hills, and some VERY long tunnels through said rolling hills.

We arrived at our most wonderful chalet about midafternoon for lunch and then settling into rooms. Then a much needed walk was taken into Adelboden where the girls purchased many a sweet and the leaders many a postcard. It's up and down many a swiss hill - so by the end of the week we'll be fitter than ever! A good tea was had and some very much needed rest for all...

This morning we went rock climbing on actual rocks, not a climbing walls and they even got taught a new knot!

We are currently at the pool, the girls in the water (along with some leaders) and I safely on the side of the pool...

Everyone is having great fun, many laughs and met some guides from bears den...

Weather is sunny with clouds, but nice and warm for us!


Hopefully update you tomorrow, but as always, dependent on WiFi...


Much love!

is it a boat... is it a ship... no! it's a ferry!

Here we are upon the earlier than planned 21.20 ferry, all safe aboard and off adventuring.

This may be the last post for a while as the leaders are off for more tea - Nothing stronger for us as of yet, but thanks for the suggestions - and WiFi might be less reliant, available or understandable on the continent.

Either way everyone is still overjoyed and having fun!

Talk soon.

:-) the only way is essex

Currently stopped at bishop Stratford in the most lovely land of Essex.
We'll be saying goodbye to driver number 2 here and picking up our two drivers for the week here, after driver number one swapped out at lemming.
As far as we are aware... Next stop Dover!