So packed and ready. In the car by 6:30 I got the airport at about 8:30 (Heathrow), checked in only to find out the flight was delayed. So the 11:15 is now leaving at 15:30. Oh Dear. So i sit with Dad, Meg and Gran in Costa and we have Coffee, ring Camp Leaders to let them know my flights delayed and have a little walk around.
At about 10ish its time to say goodbye and we all cry, even Dad. With a quick hug and a prep talk on being safe and careful i'm waving to 3 generations of my family as i pass through to security checks. I set the alarm off. I still had my hat on which i'd put a pin in. Looked pretty stupid cause i completely forgot i had it on. Go through the full body scan, have a pat down search and im through the the departure lounge.
After walking around for a while i go in a little 'London' shop and buy a little bear which i aptly named Greg as as i walked out of the shop I meet Greg Proops. At first i saw him walk by and i did the whole. He looked like Greg Proops thing, then i though, well sod it if its not him its not him. So i turn back and see that he's stood looking at a turnstile thing at padlocks etc. So i say, "Hi, really sorry, but are you Greg Proops?" to which he replied "Yeah! Hi!" so i was shaking like a leaf and said "i watch you on Whose Line, UK and US" "Yeah, not anymore" "No its Trust Us With Your Life Now isnt it?" "Yeah July" he smiled. "Could i be really cheeky and ask for a picture with you?" "Sure thats fine". So shakily i tuned my iphone around and tool a picture (hence the blur). "Is that ok for you chick?" "Thats great. Thank You so Much" to which we both mutually smiled a goodbye and walked off in separate directions and i rang mum and needed to sit down because i'd just met one of my comic idols. It was Crazy. Thank God for that Delayed plane. I assumed he was catching the San Francisco plane home as it was the next plane.
So the board said my gate opens at 14:15 so at 14:15 i stand by the board waiting to see, i stand for about 10 mins and nothing changes and start to have a walk around, charged my phone on the power towers and then walked around a bit longer and at about 14:45 I walk near where the gates are and a real hobbit walks by. Elijah Wood walks by with a host of bouncers and airline staff. Frodo Baggins himself. Then literally minutes later my gate is announced like i was meant to see him. So i ring and text final goodbyes and say goodbye to home soil and walk down to my gate. Gate 21 to boarding and see my plane.
So at 15:30 im sat in plane, in the middle seats and can think of nothing but cabin pressure, expecting Arthur Shappy to appear. Soon after its seat belts on and we're taxiing down the runway. Then we're off. The engines kick in and the power is amazing. The feeling as you're pushed back into your seat and the excitement that brews as the wheels leave the ground is incredible. I look out the window of the plane as it tilts, turning, still climbing. The green fields of England below. Bye Bye England. See you Soon. So there was good food and good in-flight entertainment on the way there. I watched Sherlock. Yes i know. Woman in Black, The Big Bang Theory and a host of other things. I felt so ill on the descent however. Broke out in a cold sweat and could feel my stomach turning right up until those wheels hit the tarmac. It was horrid, but then i was excited to get off the plane. Customs moved reasonably quick, as did baggage claim and i was through. There standing in matching t-shirts are Splash and Red, the CD and CAD smiling, they both give me a hug and we all leave to go for Dinner. Me, Bear, (Sophie), Dee (Hannah), Sirena (Yody) and Chuckles. We go to a place called Red Robins and i have one of the best burgers I've ever eaten and we all chat. Splash jokes about how the acceptance on the Camp Leaders forms are literally a click of a button and how it would be awkward if she sneezed and accidentally accepted someone. About 10pm we leave to head back to camp, it takes about 2 hours and we all fall asleep. We're Welcomed by the staff and are briefed a bit on where were are, where the Biffys are and what Biffys actually are then we are shown to our Cabin. Sherando, our first home on camp. Splash laughs about how trusting we are that some stranger has got us on a plane and left us in the middle of the woods to sleep, but we're all exhausted and as soon as everyone's gone and we're ready for bed, we're asleep.
Today we went to Eagle Rock which was pretty epic. The 30 minute walk (or so) along the river and the trees was really nice, reminded me of my DofE days. The view was amazing to say the least, nothing but Forrest and valleys and hills for miles and miles; as far as the eye could see. We took a group photo and ate our trail mix. Our melted trail mix which was now a pool of chocolate, marshmallow, raisins (not bad) and salty crisps. An interesting taste to say the least. We took pictures and after a little while we made our way back down, looking at the 'elbow' tree and the girls worked on their campfire skit. At campfire i got a shout out wand which was pretty cool, just that reassurance that i was doing my job properly and the girls sang the song they'd made. The kids go home tomorrow. I can't believe this first week is over already, but i cant wait for next week already. More campers, more tales to tell.
Today we went to Eagle Rock which was pretty epic. The 30 minute walk (or so) along the river and the trees was really nice, reminded me of my DofE days. The view was amazing to say the least, nothing but Forrest and valleys and hills for miles and miles; as far as the eye could see. We took a group photo and ate our trail mix. Our melted trail mix which was now a pool of chocolate, marshmallow, raisins (not bad) and salty crisps. An interesting taste to say the least. We took pictures and after a little while we made our way back down, looking at the 'elbow' tree and the girls worked on their campfire skit. At campfire i got a shout out wand which was pretty cool, just that reassurance that i was doing my job properly and the girls sang the song they'd made. The kids go home tomorrow. I can't believe this first week is over already, but i cant wait for next week already. More campers, more tales to tell.
