Page updated : 03/02/2012 : 06.20
Rhineland Adventure 2010
Ely Scout District's contingent of Scouts & Explorer Scouts has started its journey to
Thursday 5th August
13.10: All March/Peterborough Explorers returned home safely.
10.50: March/Peterborough Explorers arrived in Cambridge, bus due to depart at 11.30.
10.20: All Ely/Cambridge Explorers have been picked up by their parents.
09.55: March/Peterborough Explorers on route to Cambridge having left London Victoria 20/30 minutes ago, are currently an M11. Running to time, still expect to be in Peterborough at 12.45. Will activate tree when they are at Cambridge.
09.50: Ely/Cambridge Explorers on route to Trumpington, bus running late, all parents there awaiting arrival.
04.00: Explorers arrived safely at Victoria.
00.35: Leaders home safe.
Wednesday 4th August
21.12 GMT - Leaving Milton on route to Littleport, eta 21.45.
20.30 GMT - Journey going well, just passing Stanstead. Parents should be at Milton by 21.00, telephone tree activtated for Cambridge/March parents. David will ring when leaving Milton to let us have an eta at Littleport.
19.55 GMT - Driver changed, just leaving Lakeside to rejoin M25. Subject to traffic, approx 2 hours to go, bit more if we make a quick pit stop at Birchanger. "Our" driver following us back in his car to help us unload at Littleport even though he is not meant to...he's had a good week...
18.33 GMT - Main contingent arrived back in UK. Telephone tree activated. ETA Milton 21.00-21.15, Littleport 40 minutes later. Will update when they have reached Stanstead area and cleared M25! They will be stopping for a change of coach driver at Lakeside due to drivers time limit expiring, new driver already waiting at Lakeside.
17.58 GMT - Explorers all got on the bus to London at 18.45 EST.
16.50 GMT Explorers in Cologne. Leaders will miss the 8:20 tunnel and will be trasnfered to next departure.
The Scout have just cleared passport control at Calais and are awaiting the 17:20 seafrance departure.
Older Explorers and leaders on Bus to Koblenz.
All the Leaders and older Explorers are just leaving Brex.
Stop two completed between Bruxelles & Gent. Still broadly on time.
Pit stop one was completed near Aachen, on German/Belgium border.
06.30 EST - Everyone up!
Tuesday 3rd August 12.12 UK time 13.12 German time
They are out and about in Koblenz today, eating fried pig and 'aving a larf!
Monday 2nd August 18.00 UK time 19.00 German time
Oliver R texts: Have been to Phantasialand. Some good rides are Mystery Tower and Black Mamba. There were some good places to shop like China Town and some good food in the Victorian Hotel. The whole day was fun for everyone.Matt & Clinton text: Went to theme park Phantasialand. Lots of new experiences from inverted rollercoasters to getting absolutely soaked in a doughnut shaped dingy and even free falling from 65 meters up. David also enjoyed a waffle which included getting icing sugar all over his face (let's hope they got a picture)!
Friday 30th July 21.35 UK time
The weather is much brighter today and the sun is out. We were up early to visit the lovely castle Eltz which was enjoyed by everyone. The history of the castle was fascinating and the boys particularly enjoyed looking at the armour and weapon displays. Now travelling to Bernkastell Kuse for town trail and lunch.Arrived Bernkastell Kues at 2pm (German time) for lunch and then Scouts & Explorers off to get souvenirs. Very picturesque town in wine growing region in Mosel valley.Mariana texts: Today we went to a beautiful castle. It was very interesting to see the thousand year old artifacts that were once used by quite important people long ago. It was really fun.
Thursday 29th July (09.45 UK time)
Today the Scouts are on a coach trip to Vulkan Park (educational site). There will be an activity in the evening linking with other international Scouts on the site. More information later.Typical wet start to the day, on the coach to Vulcano park at Andernach. Spent an hour in the educational centre with information about volcano geysers then on a boat ride along the Rhine to see the tallest cold water geyser. Scouts doing Titanic photo poses from the railings of the boats top deck!
Wednesday 28th July
Today the Scouts are having an on-site pioneering and Scoutcraft day followed by an activity in the evening.Chloe B texted to say: The weather has been brilliant today. Rain all morning whilst we were going ape treetop style, it was great fun but scary. Hot dogs and soup for lunch then a walk in the woods.
Tuesday 27th July (17.55 UK, 18.55 German time)
Last night when the contingent arrived at Brex it was to find that the advance party of Explorers and Leaders had worked throughout the day to pitch 35 tents plus 2 large party tents around heavy rain. They also found time to shop and prepare a late meal for the main party, what wonderful people.Today Tuesday a late breakfast was followed by a surprise tent inspection. The Scouts/Explorers then explored the 3km site.This afternoon they walked the 3km into Sayn village to explore with 4 Leaders. The weather is good and the suntan lotion had to make an appearance!
Monday 26th July (19.33 UK, 20.33 German time)
08.55 UK time: Main party arrived safely at Dover, waiting to board 09.55 Sea France Ferry.
Sunday 25th July (18.30 UK, 19.30 in Germany)
08.10 UK time: Explorer contingent arrived safely in Cologne.
10.25 UK time: Advance party of Leaders arrived safely in Calais.
13.55 UK time: Explorers have just left Cologne for Koblenz.
15.50 UK time: Explorers have arrived safely at Sayn and are awaiting leader team who are about one hour away from Brex.
18.30 UK time : 19.30 in Germany - Explorers and advance party of leaders all safely arrived at Brexbachtal. Telephone tree (for Explorers) activated.
No further updates tonight.
Saturday 24th July
20.00 UK Time: Rob Lyon, Regional Commissioner, has confirmed to me that our 16+ Group (of 13) Explorers have successfully checked in - are on the coach awaiting departure from London Victoria Coach Station to Koln (Cologne). Rob commented that he thought they seemed to be a very capable group. Thanks Rob, Martyn & David for taking time out to make a detour to London Victoria Coach station. David, Contingent Leader.
*******************************************************
4 contingent leaders visited Germany between 22-24 January to explore the local area and firm up plans for the summer expedition during which the main contingent of scouts & explorers scouts are expected to have the chance to:
Visit the historic town of BernKastle-Kues
Visit the traditional Berg Eltz, overlooking the Mosel river
Visit volcano park, (seems topical for some reason) near Koblenz and take a boat trip to the Geyser.
Take part in joint activities with scouts from a wide range of European & Scandinavian countries, make new friends and learn about other cultures.
- Kletterwald tree top trail
- Work towards gaining their Global Challenge & International group Awards.
Visit Phantasialand Theme Park
In addition the 16+ Explorer Group will:
Undertake some site conservation work
Visit the historic City of Koblenz
Setup a town challenge of Bernkastel-Kues for the scouts/younger Explorers.
Plan take/part in a supervised overnight hike/camp
Make Sunday lunch for 100, to include at least one new friend that each of them have made in Germany.
Locate and see a film in English, with German subtitles.... (in Germany !)
Have an evening out in a German Restuarant
We are very grateful to Rainer Brink, our Brex contact, for his local knowledge and the help given in finalising the finer details for our visit, and to Tam Pearce, British Scouts Western Europe for the contribution being made to our programme.
Important Departure information
16+ Explorers : Departure - 24 July 2010 [download size 84Kb]
Main Contingent Departure 26 July 2010 [download size 499Kb]
Key Dates
| Date | Who's this for? | Details |
| 26th July (Monday) | Contingent members | 0500 All Ely & Fenland contingent members to be at Littleport in full uniform |
| 0515 Coach departs Littleport |
| 0540 pick up at Milton (by Nokia, was Symbian) |
| Then to Dover for ferry to Calais |
| 18.00 (approx) arrive at Brex (Germany) |
| 4th August (Wednesday) | Contingent members | Main Contingent returns to UK |
The District Contingent
- Scouts: 1st Ely Troop (6); 2nd Ely Troop (2); Haddenham Troop (3); Littleport Troop (6): Sutton Troop (7); Witchford Troop (2); 14th Cambridge Troop (6).
- Explorers: District Explorer Scouts (10); March Explorers (9); 14th Cambridge Explorers (6).
Information & Booking Forms
All contingent enquiries to Ian Weatherall, Admin Manager (Germany expedition): email: district-secretary@elydistrictscouts.org.uk
Personal kitlist - April 2010[download size 114Kb]
13.55 UK time: Making good progress, just past Brussels, stopping for a break in an hour. 291km to go!16.30 UK time: Now in Germany, at Aachen with 150km to Brex, weather sunny. 19.20 UK time (20.20 German time): Arrived safely in Brex, unloaded and settling in, rain possibly on the way. Managed to just keep within the drivers time limit! Telephone tree for main party activated.11.45 UK time: Main party depart Calais after a very smooth journey.
Fund-raisingAll contingent members were asked to take part
in fund-raising events to help raise £2,500 to cover activities/excursions
in Germany and help keep the cost of the trip down to £285 per contingent
member.
The money
has been raised as follows:
|
£1,354.95 |
Waitrose
Bag-Packing (March) |
|
£52.00 |
Arbury
Carnival (14th Cambridge ) |
|
£159.00 |
Quiz
night (Elaine & Charlie) |
|
£37.00 |
Country
Conundrum Quiz sheet (Liz), winner Denise Holland |
|
£95.25 |
Various
Donations |
|
£1,082.90 |
Waitrose
Bag-Packing (July) |
|
£2,781.10 |
Total |
Key Dates
| Date | Who's this for? | Details |
| 13th Feb (Sat) | Leaders/Scouts/Explorers | Bookings close. All Deposits/registration forms from Scouts/Explorers & Leaders to be with Ian Weatherall. |
| 22 Feb. (Monday) | Contingent Leaders & Explorers | Information meeting for Leaders & Explorer Scouts at City of Ely College (7.30pm-930pm) |
| 6th March | Contingent members & Leaders | 2nd Payments to reach Ian Weatherall by today |
| 7th March (Sunday) | All Contingent Leaders | Planning meeting @ Littleport Scout Centre (11am -2pm) |
| 7th March (Sunday) | All Contingent members | Team building event, Littleport Scout Centre (2pm - 6pm). Meeting with parents 5pm-6pm |
| 27th March (Saturday) | Contingent members | Fund-raising event; Bag packing at Waitrose's Ely store (rota applies, 0830-17.00) |
| 23 April (Friday) |
Activity Team |
Activity Planning Team meeting, 7.30pm @ Michelle's in Littleport |
| 8th May (Saturday) | Contingent members & Leaders | 3rd Payments to reach Ian Weatherall by today |
| 21st May (Friday) |
20% discount |
At Millet's Ely Store (6pm-9pm), discounts off Blacks & Millets full priced items. Germany kit will be in stock. Information will follow, before terms restarts after Easter |
| 26th June (Saturday) |
All |
Quiz night at Littleport Scout Centre to raise funds for Germany contingent, 730pm |
| 27th June (Sunday) |
Contingent members & Leaders |
Leaders' planning meeting, followed by afternoon Contingent/parents meeting & BBQ(tbc). Venue tbc |
| 3rd July (Saturday) | Contingent members & Leaders | Final Payments to reach Ian Weatherall by today |
| 23rd July (Friday) |
Contingent members & Leaders |
Check-in night for main contingent & parents, completed successfully - thank you |
| 24th July (Saturday) |
16+ Explorers |
Departed UK on overnight coach to Koln |
| 25th July (Sunday) | Advance party of Leaders | Departs UK |
| 26th July (Monday) | Contingent members | Main contingent departs UK |
| 4th August (Wednesday) | Contingent members | Contingent returns to UK |
Forms & Letters
Email
- Contingent and parents' meeting 27 June 2010 [download
size 228Kb]
27
June:: Thank you to all parents, Scouts & Explorers (and to
the Leaders) who came along today - almost a full turnout despite the
various sporting interests. Key
points from today's meeting will appear here in the next day or so. Email to Contingent 27 Feb 2010 (Team building event & payment 2) [download size 97Kb]
Booking Information Letter: Jan 2010 [download size 154Kb]
Initial Letter to Parents: Dec 2009 [download size 125Kb]
Email 28 Feb 2010 - EHICs & Travel Insurance [download size 97Kb]
Photo permissions form [download size 97Kb]
Emergency Contact & Health Form - June 2010 [download size 110Kb]
22nd-24th January 2010: Pre-Event Visit
With an early start at Ian's suggestion, John, Elaine, Ian & David left Littleport around 6 a.m. and headed for The Channel Tunnel. 481 miles later after rather too many food stops, with France, Belgium & Holland behind them the team arrived to find freezing temperatures in Germany. Having collected the key to Georgehaus, from the local filling station & we eventually arrived at Brex (4 km later), our weekend home from home, being a splendid & heavily wooded campsite with snow on the ground; well off the beaten track. Removing the heavily chained security poles, in the dark & at -7C, with initially John's lighter (for light) was a challenge in its self. Wood gatherers were dispatched, fire lit in Georgehaus & then off to the village for a Dinner.
When the team eventually braved the sub-zero temperatures, on Saturday morning, they started to realise the potential of a "traditional" Scouting summer expedition that Scouts, Explorers & Leaders would benefit from in the much warmer summer temperatures. Our German Host, Reinhard, showed us around the expansive campsite set in the valley alongside a meandering mountain stream in full flow with meltwater, where the UK contingent are likely to meet up with Scouts from Germany, France & Holland in the summer. He came armed with load of maps & tourist literature giving ideas for local visits, walks etc. which Ian will reviewing in time for the Team building day & meeting with parents on 7th March.
On Saturday afternoon we visited the historic city of Koblenz, returning to Bendorf to sample a local restaurant before turning in.
Home by 9pm, Sunday evening.
Here are some pictures from our visit to Brex:
Sitemap; Our site - site 7; Reihnard, Elaine, John & Ian on tour; David.
Bottom Row (L-R)
Off-site shopping (3km); Georghaus; Viaduct; small on site car park.
