Fitting all the pieces together

And so the time has come. It was July 2014 when I applied, hoping to become one of four leaders of the 2015 Explorer Belt edition. In September, the work began and June 2015 felt like years away, like a most uncomplete jigsaw puzzle of a UK map. In Feburary the expedition got its participants and suddenly June didn't feel like years away. Now it is June. Now it is no more than three days until we all are somewhere in the UK. Somewhere, because our destination is still secret.

For both participants and leaders this is the time when planning is converted to reality. Important documents and booking confirmations are packed next to walking shoes and waterproof clothes and and I remember the feeling four years ago, when I was packing my rucksack for Explorer Belt Ireland 2011. It's a new feeling, not knowing where the coming weeks will be spent or what they will contain. For the leaders, it means a great deal of responsability that must not be forgotten at home. In the same time, it also means great fun. It's not every day that you get to take part in the creation of lifelong memories!

Me and my friend Karin during one of our first days of Explorer Belt Ireland

And so the time has come for all the jigsaw pieces to fit together. I am one of four leaders of Explorer Belt UK 2015 and we will head for the great adventure in no more than three days. I still rank my own Explorer Belt experience high on my fantastic-memories-toplist and I have the feeling that Explorer Belt UK 2015 will manage to get a place on the participants' own fantastic-memories-toplist.

 Over and out (into the fantastic summer weather),
Lisa

The coveted Belt: the proof that you completed the Explorer Belt challenge.