We went to some quite roads in Sanderstead, and drove round in a loop. I.e. practicising left turns, and then practising right turns. Also got into 2nd gear quite a bit, which wasn’t too bad considering how short the roads are!

I have also started making hints to my Mum and Dad, that I should be put on their car insurance…for additional practice!

We have now had our last jamboree unit event before the jamboree, the last one being the parents meeting for the Jamboree. In a way it’s quite sad we don’t meet again….especially as exams are all over now and people actually have time free at the weekends. Never mind, such is life. The older ones are organising a house party / “gathering”. Always a good laugh, no younger members to worry about, no Scout rules on alcohol, and generally good time spend chilling out! Only downside is we range from Purley to Richmond, so venue is always a slight issue.

The Parent’s meeting was rubbish. We did a few group photos…I think that was so we had some evidence we can wear uniform, even if only the once. After that the leader’s talked about the jamboree. The boss-bloke (don’t worry it’s really not that official, but that is his nick name) went into quite some detail about what we will be getting up to a the jamboree. He also went on about the parameters in which we will operate….i.e. our rules. He also complimented us on the way we behave and have set out how we are going to work. I really don’t think we are that well behaved at all, but never the less he clearly thinks so. The other leaders also chatted about various other aspects of the jamboree, including what to take i.e. clothes, money (£50 pocket money limit hmmm, that was an interesting decision…. spent just over £100 at eurojam!). Fortunately I can take the debit card, and that will be that. I told parents and they were fairly happy with that, which was a pleasant surprise.

There was also some time for parents to ask questions, which is always when the stupid questions come out. And they did.

As I type this, I am trying to think what else was said. Oh yes the timings. “Bed-time” is going to be at 2230 at the latest every night apparantly…but that’s really never going to happen. At the start when everyone has energy etc, people will clearly stay up later and I appreciate as the jamboree goes on, people will get tired and go to bed earlier and earlier. But 2230? Seems too early..maybe 2300 is more appropiate. Maybe it’s just that I am 17, and we also have 14 year olds in our unit. Who knows! Then again we have got good at persuading the leader’s to let us have what we want   Oh, and bed-time did sound a bit patronising…lights out at least!!!

Final thing was the time we had to be up in the mornings, they reckon it will be 8 I think. Or was it 6. I can’t remember, neither are pleasant but hey we are going to have to accept it!

Oh and we had a nice BBQ

Forgetting how expensive it is, I spent a bloody fortune. Train was £5.55, lunch was £10 [I am nice, and bought someone else their lunch, entrance, etc etc. Never the less, money isn't everything and  it was probably all worth it I reckon. I'm also fortunate enough to have been working at HSBC for a bit last week, so that also made it less of an issue.

It's also a trek from Purley: train to E Croydon, change to Clapham Junction, change for the Staines train, and then the 950 shuttle bus! ARGH it was so stressful! Once we got there the ticket queues were reasonably quick, so didn't take long and we had got into the park.

It was mainly a Victory Unit activity, but they could invite friends so I went. I forget who my friend was, but someone invited me! It was nice to see some new faces, and also those faces of unit members which I already knew. Now I am going to start to rant:

I fully appreciate I was the oldest person being 17. I know I can be sensible when I want to, and often am. I also fully accept that I have been to Thorpe Park before, and roughly know where some rides are. I also accept that I have worked for chessington, and know the procedure for a lost child. Finally I also accept that I have my phone on me permanently, and I can phone people BUT:

The whole group of us [10 people] were walking to collusus which is one of the rides. I thought that everyone knew as it was made blatantly the obvious, and 9 people knew this. But 1 didn’t. Once we got to the ride queue line, I thought I would quickly check we had everyone, but we were one missing. Not a problem, I quickly went back to the start of the queue expecing to see him there. No such luck, he was not there. Stuff runs through my head…..what do we did….argh what a twat..etc …..  Never the less zoe and tom [who were "organising" the event] decided to go back to the lockers as he might go there to meet us to get his bag and to call someone. No such luck. They then decided to ask one of the retail establishments, which was a semi-sensible idea. I tried explaining that they wouldn’t take a lost 15 year old too seriously. A lost 5 year old would be different. The shop said go to guest services and report it there, firstly that’s wrong – all lost children should be reported to the medical centre. Anyway eventually we went there and they correctly sent us to the medical centre as they should have done originally. Once we got to the medical centre they basically said we only deal with lost children under the age of 12. As I said to them before, but never mind.  By this time I was seriously peed off, and suggested we had lunch as it had been pissing down and we were all soaking wet. What a good idea of mine, so we all headed off to Burger King via the lockers again. After 45 mins in there we had all eaten, and dried off a bit. Then guess who we see walking past the window? Our lost member, so someone told him and we all met up. End of a worry over. When questioned what he’d done to find us….he had been wandering [aimlessly]…and then went on some rides on his own…WHAT  A KNOB! There was us worried where he was and everything, and he was on rides and not even trying to find us.  We later revealed that although he’s 15, he acts like a 10 year old and realises he hasn’t developed into a 15 year old yet. Nothing wrong with him, just a bit young at heart!

This got me thinking, and I came out thinking how glad and happy I am that they are not in ym jamboree unit. There was 10,000 people on thorpe park…imagine him getting lost at jamboree with 40,000 people! Agh not my problem then!!  I also do feel a bit sorry for him and those his age, as they did get treated like 5 year olds from some of the explorers! They are 14/15 for God sake, they are more than capable of going round a theme park..they don’t need to be under constant supervision! I’d have haten that – at 15 I was always out on my own..I know I am quite sensible for my age but that’s neither hear nor there.

The last ride we did before leaving was something or other, and having spent an hour and a half queueing in pouring rain everyone was wet tired and wanting to go home.  30 minutes later certain people sorted out the younger explorers and that they are ok going home….A quick are you all ok with getting home would have done…not a indepth questioning that they are ok, and instructions of not to talk to strangers is a piss take. If a 16 year old had told me that when I was 14/15 I would have gone mental. They aren’t that young!!!

Got home at about 1830, and was knackered but had a good day!

Went to Tesco to get Dad a fathers day card, and am now at home having a good old strongbow!

Our post come at like 13:00 each day, that’s ridiculous! And somehow every so often we don’t get any post, but then the next day we get double, hmm funny that!

So yes, I am sitting here waiting for my post. (I get a surprisingly large amount of post, e.g. 4 or 5 bits a day). Lots of it is junk, and goes straight into the bin but that’s neither hear nor there.

I am hoping I should have a pay cheque in the post, which is always useful. I am also hoping that my powerboat authorisation might come through soon. I’m going out with the jamboree [big camp with loads of scouts and guides] unit on the water, and want to be able to use it then ! mwah!

Ooh I am also going to Maidstone later this afternoon, which should be cool.

Got revision session at school on Wednesday, and then an exec in the evening I think. Better make sure that I have done everything that is actioned against me !

I’m sure you would have seen those huge three phone adverts, well that is what I have. £15 a month for 500 any network any time minutes. Seemed good to me.

Also got a nokia 6288, which is really cool. Because my phone has bluetooth, the phone automatically sync’s with my  laptop without me doing anything. It’s particularly cool when I change someones phone number in outlook, and it then updates my phone book. Rather sexy you might say.

Today I met Jamie in Croydon, and had some cookies…god I love those white chocolate cookies. Then went to staples, and then to nick some clothes woo go me!

Now back home, to have a chilled out sunday evening.

For a change this one wasn’t at my house, and I must admit it makes it a lot more fun! Was at Chris D’s, and was surprisingly good. Most of the people there I knew ‘cos we all go to the same explorers, which is cool. Amazing how the friends you make in scouting, become your good mates….those sort of mates which you know are going to drink 12 cans, throw up, have to look after them, and yet you stil love them the next day!!!

Amy was pissed as a fart after a beer, as per usual…bloody lightweight lol! Never the less it was funny, particularly when we swapped her beer can for a coke can. She didn’t even realise…..

Sam was also tipsy.. but he had drunk a fair bit so sort of almost possibly maybe made it fair. Never the less, he may reget what he did….I don’t think he’d have done that sober…..especially not in front of his girlfriend!!!

As per usual I was the [most] sober one, and Lydia and I managed to look after  Sam ok. He only hit his head on the floor a few times before we realised he’s not ok ! Oh and dealt with the odd *bit* of vommit – nice!!!

Oh well….hear’s to the next party….which’ll be my house next Saturday

WOO

We got you name it a jamboree branded product. Jamboree bag, daysac, fleece, coat, unit jumper, unit hoody, 2 unit tshirts, explorer shirt, trousers, shorts…the list goes on!

Once we did this, Shane and myself went off into Kingston and had some nice pizza. After that, we went to the pub. I can’t remember much after that, except for my lovely mummy and daddy not being too impressed! Was a really good night out – God I am such a student!

Fortunately all the kit fitted, so was passed on to the sewing department (my mum!)

This blog post, could go on for ages….

We all got given a free INSIGTH hoody, and the food at Warwick Uni is pretty decent. It’s always better when you know headquarters are paying for it all, makes the capitation (annual payment for HQ) all the more worthwhile – these conference facilities are never cheap.

Spent lots of time in the evenings in the student union, as well as attending some quite useful sessions. I offered to try and and sort out our counties  use of the MMS, but no one got back to me – take that as they are ok!

Best thing, would be to go on www.scouts.org.uk/insight/

Prize for 1st person that sees the photo of me!!!

That basically sumarises it – it’s hard to get to and from from Purley…by train….and cost me a fortune….but HSBC pay my travel so costs them a lot really!

People there were great though, and I really mean great. Really supportive, helpful and caring. Pretty much all got out there seats and came running when some idiot started shouting at me, and swearing this and that, and how I am an idiot who should be dead etc! The irony of it is, he came in trying to take out £700 over the counter, and couldn’t as he didn’t have his card, cheque book, paying in book or any form of ID. He could have been anyone for all I knew. Ah I love those staff, they helped me soo much

Was sad to leave in a way. Never the less, I did earn £500 odd there, so was nice for the old overdraft!

I’ve worked for HSBC loads, as you may well know [afterall, it paid for the jamboree] but never on the counter. And god is it no where near as simple as it looks, there’s like a form for everything, and some things there seems to be like 5 forms for one thing!

First day didn’t go to bad I suppose, only had a difference for £14k when I went to balance, ah well someone else can look for it if they are that bothered!

The staff were lovely as well, gay bloke next to me on the tills, who kept flirting…..nice to feel wanted I guess!