Here at last

I arrived in Costa Rica two days ago and its amazing here, the locals are really nice and the weather is really good, I arrived at the airport just after six and we slept in a school for the night while our bags were transferred, the next day we came to camp which is a two hour drive through the country side, and we unpacked our bags into large makeshift tents, after a few hours sleep we got up at five in the morning and we headed into the jungle to make our camp for the night, we made hammocks and setup our kitchen, to cook our food, and to keep out of the rain. At the camp there was monkeys and spiders, ants the size of 50 pence coins. But apart from that it was an amazing place to be, to get dirty and really experience being in the jungle was amazing, tonight we have Salsa, a competition for us all to have a lil fun then on monday were preparing to trek from the Caribbean coast to the pacific on a 19 day trek across the continent which I'm really looking forward to. We have to wash our clothes by hand, make our own food, and make our beds to sleep in. At the last day of the trek we get to spend the day at the beach which will be fun, ill update the blog when i get back in 19 days, chow!

Lats few days

Well these are the last few days before I go away and i've had to raise a little extra money for the trip only to help with things i need while am away. Coffee Aroma, The Life Cafe and Alley Cats have all supported me in reaching the end of my target and were going to be running a raffle in the last few days (Thanks to Coffee Aroma for the cake!)
This will be my last update while i'm in the UK and ill be updating this hopefuly when I get to Costa Rica, thats it for now, Speak soon, wish me luck!
Miles

Not long

Well theres not long left before I leave and I've been working hard to get the final bits of kit, I think it should all bve complete before I leave, Well i hope so!

Flights

The flights have changed for my trip details below:

Going there...
London > Paris > Venezuela > Cost Rica


Comming Back...
Costa Rica > Coloumbia > Paris > London

Pix

As you can see from the pictures, the place was lovely, could'nt say much for the food we had to make :)

River

well oh my god, What an ordeal.

We arrived at a small lake, that we were told we had to cross. Well it was cold, we all stripped down to swimming shorts and put on some life jackets and told we had to cross the lake, we all had to work as a team as we crossed.

When you entered the watter it was so cold, and the coldness hit me so hard I found it a little hard to breath and just wanted to get to the other side as fast as I could. We did it, after a few minutes, but it was fun, just cold!

Wet

Well we woke today for breakfast at 7am and immediately after that we had a brief about what we were getting up to for the day, all we were told was to get waterproofs and boots and get some warm clothes on!

We headed out into the forest were we had lots of fun doing teaming building activites, some of them realy challenging.

It was constantly rainging so it was a little uncomfortable but it was OK, Could have been worse.

Here now

Well I'm here at the camp its a great place, quite a lot going on, theres a few buildings occupied by other scouts currently here, the hwole place surrounded by countryside, its lovely.

We had a meeting with a few managers and Country Leaders who have given us a prep-talk, gone through medial advice, and told us a bit more about what were going to be doing abroad.

Some of the things they mentioned, treking from the caribian coast to the pacific, building a primary school and working withing a nature reserve.

For tonight we will be sleeping in this building but tomorrow, we will be making out own shelter!

A long time there

Well it took about 5 hours to eventually get there, The gradstone Scout Camp was a real far distance to travel. I traveled through London and all the way to Essex a few hundred miles away from where I live.

We arrived shortly after 7 in the evening after a slow and tiring journey on the train, greeted my Raleigh Staff and taken to the Scout camp which wasn't that far away, It was a lovely area and our camp, was in the middle of a place called Forrest Row, and superb Forrest full old tracks and roads

Aerial View

Foresty

As you can see the camp is right in the centre of a forest!

Broadstone

I got a few details today of the place I'm going this weekend, 300 miles down south in the North of Sussex, midway between the South Coast and London. The site is almost 400 acres of mixed woodland, which is ideal for camping and getting a feel for the outdoors! Theres a lovely log cabin and theres even a swimming pool too!
I'm going to be there for 3 days two nights, and will get to know some of the team going away to Costa Rica, and get some good advice on the kit for going away, the only thing am not looking forward to is the 5 hour train ride there!

Rucksack

Today I managed to purchase a great ruck sack, which I'll be using for when I go away, its a great size over 80 Ltrs in total, full of pockets and it fits comfortably aswel, It didn't cost too much and I'll be using it this weekend to go away with!

Paralympics

Me, Debbie, Jenny and Gary went to Manchester yesterday to watch the Paralympics. The we watched Brazil vs. China and and Great Britan Game, it was such an eyeo-opener to watch disabled people in wheel chairs playing basketball, it was such an experience because you don't sometimes realise how much theny can do, I mean I wouldnt be able to do anything that thy were doing, and they put so much effort into it, it was Great! THere's some pictures below We spent most of the day there from about 12 until 5, and it was so lovely and sunny it was great, there was other games such a cycling but we didnt have time to watch those, China won the game we watched, so well done!

Sore Arm...

I had my vacciantion yesterday, 4 in total, but only two needles as yet, one in each arm, and it hurts :(

My arms feel so heavy and I didnt get a wink of sleep last night...I still got another 3 to go as-wel, am not looking forward to them...The nurse said to me; "I've never seen such a big wimp"!!!

Oh no, vaccinations!

Well we have hit the two month mark today, and there's still loads for us to do, we still need quite a bit of kit to get and money to raise, lucky enough the coastal walk has fit in perfectly in the schedule so that's in over two weeks!

This evening I will be visiting the doctors to get my vaccinations for the trip, I'm a bit anxious because there's quite a few I got to have so I'll have to put on a brave face even if am scared out of my wits!

I suppose its important to protect ourselves as some of these could prove nasty if I don't have the vaccinations.

Challenge Workshop

Well I mention a few weeks ago about a Challenge Workshop in East Grinstead, Sussex that I was ment to be going on, I have the dates now and its the 16th and 17th of this month.
This is a residential session specifically for Costa Rica, where we will meet other venturers coming on the expedition, learn more about your overseas projects, basic outdoor living, medical and kit advice. The place is another scout camp and will involve some camping as-wel which I'm looking forward to, its roughly 267 Miles from where we are now and hopefuly should be a lot of fun!

Our winnings

At the party there was a prize raffle to help raise money for "motivate" and there was 4 people from our table that won a prize (some say it was fixed) I won a motivate jumper, and Raleigh t-shirt and Debbie won a mobile phone, you can see the picture here, excuse the cheesy grin, that was Debbie taking a picture unexpectedly!

The picture

As posted below, me and Debbie attended a small celebration party on Tuesday to welcome back 4 young guys who had just got back from Costa Rica, We got to meet the mayor which was great as I've never met him before. He was keen to listen to what we had planned and he mentioned a few things we told him in his speech.

Mayor Visit

Well, last night me and debbie attended a party in Birkenhead celebrating the return of 4 young people who just got back from Costa Rica, they had been away for 10 weeks and celebrated their return with a celebration party.

It was a great atmosphere, we got to meet the guys and the Lord Mayor aswel, it was a goood few hours, I won a T-shirt, and a mobile phone in the price raffle, we got loads pictures too, will upload them tomorrow.

Flights away

I have got the flight details for the trip away shown below, Its been quite tough recently getting everything sorted, there is loads to do and so little time. Especially sorting out train times and coach times, its hard work :(

First Aid

Well here's another picture from the week away with Raleigh, as part of our residential we completed a first aid course which we had to perform CPR on manikins and it was actually quite good, and interesting, here's a picture of our team. You cant really see, but there is two people at the back secretly holding the manikins up so they could join in the photo as well

Rock climbing in Llangollen

Well im on the way home, just spent the day in Llangollen, in Wales. We been upto quite a bit but i'll be brief because i'm on my mobile, we have been rock climbing on a 50ft rock face and then absailing down it! It was a realy good expierence, then we when gorge walking, and cliff jumping, we were on the top of quite high rocks and then we jumped into the water and swam bk out, will let you know the rest and upload pictures wen i get on the computer

So far...

Well I started fundraising last night to help cover the cost of the trip to Costa Rica with Raleigh International, and in the space of 30 minutes I managed to get over £50 in sponsorship money! That's a great start, and were doing the Wirral Coastal walk to help raise the money, we still have a bit to raise, but were definitely on our way!

Changes

Well the date of the three day residential in London has changed, so am waiting on an e-mail to confirm the new date, so for now, we can only wait

Wirral Costal Walk

As part of fund-raising and being physically fit for my trip in July; Me,Debbie and a few others will be doing the Coastal Walk this year. This is a 15 miles walk along the Wirral peninsula, Starting out at Seacombe ferry, and walking along the front through New brighton, leasowe, Meols and Hoylake, Finlay reaching the finish line in Thurstaton. This will be a great opportunity to raise some money for the expedition and a great chance to keep fit and have fun!

More Pictures

Heres what we climbed during the week away

This is me and Chris at the top

This is the view from the top


These pictures are from the weeks residential I did last week and are courtesy of Mary-Jane, Thanks!

Traveling Again

Well I'm off again, this time to West Sussex (basically the bottom of the UK) roughly 267 Miles from where I am now, this time its a challenge workshop This is a three-day residential session specifically for Costa Rica, where I will meet other ventures coming on the expedition, learn more about your overseas projects, basic outdoor living,medical and kit advice. Sounds Fun, I go next week...Wish me luck!

Suited and Booted!

Me and Debbie whent shopping yesterday to get some good walking boots and some waterproofs, well by luck we kind of got it all sorted within an hour and got Some realy good walking boots and some realy nice breathable, waterproof top and bottoms.
It was fairly cheap got all 3 for just over £50, so we were realy made up.

Home time!

We spent last night in our comfortable beds (well it was compared to our tents) and headed downstairs to a full cooked breakfast, which was good on the stomach after the food we made at our campsite with little power and small stoves.

Today would be our last day, so we spent most of the time talking about our past experiences over the last week and reflecting on whats happened, and what s going to happen, it has been a great experience and something that I will always remember, I've came away I think a little different person, there's some things that happened the last week, that's made my brain think about things more...I think that after today some of the things I've learnt will be put into practise, I can only wait, what I can say is my journeys began, its going full steam ahead, and I don't want it to end!

Day of rest

We awoke on Thursday morning, very cold, after spending the night outside the temperature was not what we had been used to, we woke at 8am again with our camp leader promptly waking us up as he had done all week.
We gathered our waterproofs and headed back to our lovely warm building we had spent the night before, it was such a relief when we got back, nice warm log fire, and food on the table when we arrived. It was great, Thursday would become our day our rest.

9 Miles 6 Hours

This morning we set up camp, after getting up at 8am we had breakfast and walked to our camp site where we will be staying tonight. It took us a while, as some of the guys here have never been camping before, I had a little idea as I did a little when I was younger, but nothing can prepare you for the cold, it was freezing.
We left camp shortly after 10am, when we began our journey on a 9 mile long walk through the lovely countryside, it started of really well and we were all enjoying ourselves, it was cold so sometimes it was a little uncomfortable, but the thought of reaching Shuttlingsloe peak was enough for me to carry on.3 Hours had passed and we had been through farm land, streams, muddy pitches and Finlay got to the bottom of the peak, Looking up it was a fantastic site, clouds running through the top and nothing but fresh air all the way up!
It took us all a while to reach the top but it was worth it, 360 degree views around the Cheshire countryside was thrilling, we could see all around for miles and miles, we setup up a small camp here for an hour or so, while we ate and relaxed top take in the views.
Climbing down was the easy part but the 3 hour trek back wasn't, we took different route back and came through the most muddiest field I have ever seen, mud up to our knee's as we struggled getting through but it was fun to say the least.
By time we got back to camp it was about 6pm, so we quickly got our food on as we were so cold and wet, but it quickly became warm next to the huge fire we built to keep warm, after our dinner we settled down to sleep, it was so cold, the feeling was horrible but when we were properly wrapped up in out fleeces and sleeping bags, looking up at a clear sky filled with stars, clean fresh air and the wildlife was enough to keep me there.

First Aid, First Day

Well am sitting here in bed now writing in my diary abouts today's events (Tuesday) Today we successfully completed a days first aid course, It usually takes 3 days, but we managed to cram in into 1 day, which is useful as were going on our trek tomorrow, we learnt a lot of things, CPR, Recovery Position and what to do if someones burnt. It is all useful, as if were at the top of a mountain or trekking in the jungle abroad, its going to come in handy. Not much else to report we met all the staff as well, and we all got given sleeping bags to sleep in tonight, it's a bit cold, but the views make up for it, this is what I can see out of my window!

What a view

We arrived at our home for the next seven days shortly after 6pm, we had a little journey from the Maccelsfield Train station into the countryside, by our co-ordinator Eddie, whos there to keep us on track for the next 5 days.
We all got taxis into the scout camp as there was roughly 20 of us arriving at the same time, we went through hills, and dirt tracks and finaly saw our camp ahead of us,as we turned the corner the views across the country side was amazing!
We pulled into our camp, which was a converted farm house, capable for housing 20 young adventrous teenages for the week! It looked lovely, old brick, muddy courtyard and so much character.
We got inside, to be greated by a warm log fire in a cosy room with comfortable couches for us all to relax, there we chatted and got to know eachother for the first time, it was hard considering there was people from all over the U.K all with different accents speaking at the same time!

On the Train

I just arrived at the train station, and me and Debbie are waiting for the train to arrive so I can get on my way to Maccelsfield!
We have had been waiting for a bit, so we decided to get a coffee while we wait, and we also got to wait for Jaynes lads to come aswel, there's 4 of them to go too.
The train arrives ontime at 16.22 but the other lads still aint arrived, so me and Debbie go and wait for the train as if I miss it, the next train is an hour later, and thats going to make me late!
As I'm about to get on the train the lads come rushing through the gate, and quickly jump on the train as its almost leaving, I waved goodbye to Debbie, and we start the small journery to the edges of the Peak District were we beging our 5 day Resedential!

Scary

Well theres only 2 Full days left, I got my train tickets on Wednesday to Maccesfield trainstation, I don't have a clue where that is. I was a little upset yesterday, mainly because I don't know what to expect on Monday, it's a little scary getting a train to somewhere I never been, but I had some re-asurence from Debbie that it will all be okay, and we had a little chat to a member of another team who's going, that made me feel so much better. So i'm going to go the gym tonight Saturday and Sunday to get my energy levels up a bit, I know there's tough times ahead!

It's here!

This is where the camp is located

Scouts!

A week today I'm off to The Peter Watson Scout Camp it is located on the western edge of the Peak District National Park, nestled in the upper reaches of the Dane Valley, on the borders of Derbyshire.

This is a week away with Raliegh International, we spend 5 days camping at various sites in the countryside with lot's of the people who will be going on the Main expedition in July.

I don't know much as yet, but it looks fun, getting muddy and wet, plus the weather is getting lovely.

Sails Away!

Well I got some details today of this up comming sailing trip that I will be going on in June.
It's a 1 week sailing trip from Torquay up the coast towards Wales, there will be a days training on the monday then till friday we will be stopping off at ports on the way up the coast. This will be quite an experince as I love the water! There a picture of the vessel above that we will be sailing. I'll add more details as I get them!

5 days Sailing

In about two months time,
Ill be off on a sailing trip around the U.K, this I look as preperation for my ten week expedition, hopefuly this will build on my skills and fitness, and overall go to help me prepare for my 3 months away, I'll post more details as soon as I have them.

Why do this?

Well...Why not?

Basically, I think that being part of the expedition team and helping these poor communities to establish themselves will be so beneficial for them, having clean water and proper amenities, will mean so much ...

Also personally, maybe this will help give me more confidence, make me feel that am doing something for other people...I dunno...

Ill have to wait and see :)

3 months and counting

Well not sure if anyone knows, but in 3 months time, I'm off to Costa Rica (Near Dominican Republic for those rubbish in geography)

Im going on an expedition with raleigh international

It's a ten week expedition that I'll be going on, mainly to help build wells, schools, and hospitals for poor communities.

In a few weeks i'm of to Derbyshire for a mini expedition, this is for 5 days and the countryside, which should be fun,

Ill keep this blog updated with everything that goes on; before and during the expedition.

See you Soon

Milly