Final Farewell

This will be my last post from Denmark, at least in regdards to this exchange.

Before i get to the nights events i would like to express my warmest thanks to all the Leaders/Scouts/Seniors and parents/helpers of the Bellahøj 21st Barking group for a fantastic fortnight, a camp that had so many highlights from the pioneering, earth to table, hike, rafting (of sorts) to the wonderful weather and swimming in the sea nearly everyday and lets not forget the wasps i know my 3 stings wont. Then we had our HoHo week, a lovely BBQ in 3 locations for each section, a trip around Copenhagen which ended with shop hopping to escape the rain, Tivoli, the Beach and Adams foot to the Football and then the farewell BBQ, this doesn't go into details but just ask and you shall find as they say, if you have been following the blog you may not have to.

On a personal note I would like to thank Arne for the loan of his apartment for the week and to Anna, Jasper,Karina & Kamilla for thier company and many wonderful meals during the HoHo week for myself, Nikki, Thomas and for Vic whom i'm sure would agree.

Some lovely coments have come to me from the homes, so parents be proud of how your kids behaved and yes they all know how to wash up.

My Thanks to, Malcolm, Sue, Vic, Nicola & my wife Nikki, not forgetting Thomas for making the trip with me and for making it a success.
Thanks to the Scouts & Explorers for thier efforts and hard work (yeah right :).
And thanks to all my pets you know who you are, screech, titch, bubblewrap, sonic and vileda
I hope you have all enjoyed it as much as i have.

Now to tonights activities, following on from our wonderful win at the football we all met up at the headquarters of the group for our usual farewell BBQ at around 18:00ish.
After some lovely food cooked by whoever was eating it, to a wonderful selection of salad, garnish, dips & sauces prepared in advance for us.

Following our food came the presentations, these are gifts giving and exchanged from both side. Our gift was a scarf from the 2007 Jamboree which had a map of the Jamboree and the "one world one promise" badges in all the different languages and a camp badge giving to us by the group which everyone signed (thanks to malcolm & Sue for organising it).
The gift to us was a lovely framed group camp picture, signed by the Bellahøj group with thier group, division & camp badges. (the picture isnt that good as my phone is rubbish indoors).

The next presentation was the football trophy as i would have felt silly handing it to my self I asked James Hartley to come forward (the scorer of 4 goals) to receive it on all our behalf.

The Danish seniors gave a gift to the Explorers, Nicola accepted on thier behalf the gift was a book (in danish) of camping skills. with the promise of translating it it 2 years.

This was followed by a presentation to Malcolm and Sue for thier continued efforts in the Exchanges, Malcolm has been involved since it all began with Sue not far behind, thier time of travelling to Denmark is coming to an end (Malcolms words not mine) they are aiming for 2011 as thier last one abroad, well see. If Arne is reading this maybe he could explain in a comment what followed the presentation, it is something done when this award is presented.

Then came the cake and water melon, the night was ending and scarves were being swapped, people were going to thier homes for the final time, good friendships were started and old ones were reaffirmed a new batch along with the old and older batch were preparing thier goodbyes for the morning.
Some talk of the night was about times past and of the fact that someone (me) actually had hair once well it was 1986 (my second camp) so i should hope i did.
A lot was said about the coming 50 years anniversary camp in 2011, and how special this camp would be, planning has already started with ideas from both sides, some good, some really good.
Getting as many old exchangees as possible together for a big knees up as well as some new ones, if my Thomas attends every camp till 2011 he would be on 4 camps and not even be a member of Scouts yet (1 was in mummy's belly) even then he has a long way to go to get to Malcolms tally of 24 (i think) and those go back all the way to 1961 the beginning. So don't go anywhere or you will miss it.
There is a camp in England in 2010 and ideas have been flowing for that too so watch this space.

So long, Farewell, it's only 2 years and it will come around quicker than you think.

See you in 2010 Richard signing out from Denmark.
:)