Second half

Two days ago the participants’ hike came to its end. They all gathered outside Carlisle cathedral (which was the finishing point, set by the leaders) and there was a constant and pleasuring chatter as stories were shared on the way to the sports centre where we stay. The pleasuring chatter lasted throughout the evening and has not yet stopped. There always seem to be someone you didn’t discuss with earlier or else you just remembered some other thing worth telling that happened during the past ten days.

 

Both me and my three leader colleagues (Linnea, Klara and Johanna), all agree on that it was nice spending time in Lake District when the scouts were out hiking. We also agree on (however), that it is great fun to see all the participants again! Hearing their stories make me remember my own stories from when I participated in Ireland.

The hike came to its end, but the adventure is not yet over (we’re only about half way through). In just a few minutes we are off to visit an organic farm a couple of miles outside Carlisle and the scouts will meet a woman who runs several social, ecological and cultural projects at this farm. The second half of the journey contains different kinds of activities and places to see. We do hope that we succeeded in creating a programme where, if not all then the vast majority of, 37 scouts will be satisfied!

  

As the name (Explorer Belt UK) reveals, we will not stay in England the whole time, although from now on we travel all together and the participants know where they will spend the night. The remaining days are the time for friendship to grow and develop, for stories to be shared and for sore feet to be taken care of.



Now it's time to leave for the farm. Rain is pouring down and we appreciate this genuine British experience!

Lisa