WSJ 2007 Contingent Leader's Log

I have added blank logs for each day that I have not uploaded a log.

The reason for this is that I wanted the days to be in order and they are listed in the order posted.

I was sure that you would have wanted the log from 8th August and would not have wanted it delayed by one of the rest.

I will fill in the others later.

Trevor.

We awoke to a cold morning - our last morning at Hylands Parks. A look at the sky revealed the promise of a sunny day. By 8:00am this was confirmed and we knew that we would not have a problem drying out the tents before packing. Our plan was to be packed and to move closer to the gate by midday as we were scheduled to arrive at the main gate (our departure point) by 1:20pm. By 10:00am, the Troop had almost completed striking their tents and sent 5 of the boys to assist the Support Team with our tents and the equipment kept in our area. By 12:00am the Troop started to move towards the gate and were able to get their bags transported by one of the Jamboree vehicles. This service was not available in the Adult Area, so we started the long trek to the main gate with the 12 duffle bags and cases between the 8 of us. The additional help that we had summoned before starting did not arrive until we had made it 2/3 of the way to the gate. We arrived at the main gate just after 1:00pm and joined the rest of the Troop.

After a light lunch, I then went to find out where we had to go to meet our coach. We were assigned to Bus Stop #9 and proceeded to move the bags to the Stop. The boys then went to collect the Troop equipment from the place where it was dropped off along with Mr. Charlemagne at the end of the main gate area (#9 is in the middle). By 1:45pm we had moved everything to Bus Stop #9 and were awaiting our coach which was supposed to collect us at 2:00pm. Of course the main gate area was "bare confusion" as you had a situation were 30,000 people were departing in a 48-hour period. Our coach finally got on the site at 2:45pm after having to go to North Weald to register and receive a pass for the Jamboree site. We loaded our bags on the coach and, as we boarded, we said goodbye to Hyands Park our home for the last 13 days.

We arrived in London at the hotel about 2 hours later. After unloading the coach, we discovered that we would not be staying at Hotel 65 but rather Hotel 45 (operated by the same people). Of course, the coach had already left, so we made the "trek" to Hotel 45 (approx. 10 buildings up the street). The Hotel is a converted house (for those of you who have never been to England, a lot of urban houses are "attached" to each other similar to the way NHC build their housing units). The rooms are clean and very nicely furnished, just small (but a lot bigger than a tent). They each have their own bathroom which are about the size of the ones we had at camp (if you put the camp toilet and shower cubicles together). However, they have hot & cold water (at camp the showers were hot only and the sinks cold only). Actually this part of Shepherds Bush Road has a lot of these type "Bed & Breakfast Hotels".

While we were settling in, Nathan's mother arrived to collect him, so we said goodbye to Nathan and were once again a group of 17. After settling in the boys along with Mr. Roach, Mr. Charlemagne and Mr. Hunte decided to take a walk and see our immediate area before getting something to eat. Mrs. Jones and I have decided to do some necessary laundry and afterwards get something to eat as well. (At least I will get some time to finish my logs while waiting for the laundry to finish.)

I think it is safe to say that we will all be going to bed early for a goodnight's rest in a BED.

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Leader.
(2007-08-08)

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Leader.
(2007-08-06)

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Leader.

(2007-08-05)

Later.

Trevor.
Contingent Leader.
(2007-08-04)