The Coaches arrive

Hi everyone...

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog while 250 Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Leaders are out in Kandersteg. I can only apologise in the lateness of our first installment but this was due to an internet connection issue...

So, the Core Team arrived early evening on Thursday after our uneventful drive from Surrey, pity this can't be said of the coaches...

The Core team set-up base at the Tower at the Kandersteg International Scout Centre. We did all the necessary preparations for the arrival of our 'guests' on Saturday.

We had been informed that the coaches had left Surrey University just after 9pm and there were some teary goodbyes, this Expedition, for some Scouts, is their first venture abroad without family. The ferry crossing was also uneventful for the coaches and everyone was on-board for the night drive through France.

The Core team continued with their set-up on Saturday morning preparing for our BIG BBQ which was planned for 8pm on Saturday evening.

Congratulations to Harry from 1st Pyrford who arrived 6 hours early... Harry was making his own way to the site from a family holiday in Spain.

Information started to come through to us that there were hold-ups at and around the Swiss boarder and traffic was at a stand still. We later found out that this was due to motorway clousers due to very serious road accidents.

The first coaches started to arrive at about 7pm on Saturday (number 3 arrived first?). All the Scouts, Explorer Scouts and leaders were very tired but all were in high spirits which we as the Core team were most thankful for...! Our coach drivers complimented the Scouts in their behaviour and patience while stuck in traffic. Our thanks must also go to our drivers who so far have been brilliant.

The Scouts moved to their respective sites and set-up their camp sites.

All the planned activities for the evening had to be cancelled and our priorty was to feed to 250 which is no mean feet when they all arrive for dinner at the same time... So dinner was done and it took only 2 hours but everyone was feed.

And as you can expect, all were very tired and made their way's to thier beds until Sunday morning.

Breakfast on Sunday morning was a little more peaceful and less hectic... Each Troop/Unit were given times to attend the Tower for their continetal breakfast.

As I write, everyone is out and about enjoying themselves. Some are out walking while others are rafting or spending the day in Kandersteg village. Can't wait for the visit to the chocolate factory on Wednesday

Please see our picture gallery which has a few images uploaded.

That's all for now...

Mike (Media & PR Team)