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News from the Slovenia 2004 Expedition
Arrival Time
The estimated time of arrival at Altwood School is between 11:00 and 11.15 hours on Friday 27 August . This estimate was last updated 08.40 Friday 27 August.
Click here for photos direct from Slovenia
27 August (Friday)
The coach party has arrived in Maidenhead.
The coach party has been travelling overnight through continental europe. They have travelled by ferry to Dover and they are now back in the UK. The coach in on schedule to arrive at Altwood School late morning today. Click here for directions to the School.
26 August (Thursday)
The
expedition Dinner was followed by a night of thunderstorms and heavy
rain. This morning we had to strike camp in torrential rain.
Returning with wet tents and some wet clothes!
8 of the leaders are now back in the UK with 3 other Leaders
are spending a few more days in Slovenia. The equipment van is
on its way back to the UK.
The coach is currently travelling though Germany just south of
Bonn (11pm Thursday).
The coach is on-schedule and ETA is still 11:00 - 12:00 hours at
Altwood School.
25 August (Wednesday)
Today saw the last of 9 days of great activities. Todays
activities included high level walking, low level walking, local
water activities and visiting a Ice Cave.
All the award teams have successfully arrived in Menina.
Tonight was the Expedition Dinner which included a roasted pig. At
the Dinner we presented five Explorer Scouts with their Explorer
Belts. The D of E teams have also been successful and their awards
will follow when we are all back in the UK.
This has been a tremendous Expedition. Participants are saying it is
magic, awesome, brilliant, etc. We seem to have met all expectations
and more.
Tomorrow (Thursday) sees eight of the leaders flying back from
Austria. The coach and the equipment van depart from Menina at
09:00 hours. The estimated time of arrival at Altwood School is
between 11:00 and 12:00 hours on Friday.
This will be confirmed on this page when the coach arrives in Dover
at approximately 09:00 hours.
24 August (Tuesday)
The weather remains sunny.
All the Award teams (Explorer Belt; D of E Silver - land; D of E Silver - water practice; D of E Bronze -land) are out completing their expeditions - a total of 17 participants.
Most of the remaining participants went on a day trip (exploring) to the world famous cave at Postojna.
The photo above shows the camp site at Menina - more pics from Slovenia here.
23 August (Monday)
The activity programmes continue and the explore group take a visit to Krajinski National Park. There are several on-site activities at Kamp Menina.
22 August (Sunday)
The
weather has been hot and sunny with clear blue skies. Everything has
now dried out after the storms.
The main party is now camping at Kamp Menina.
Tomorrow (Monday) sees a range of new activities in this different
part of Slovenia.
A small group of leaders remain in Bovec to support the D of E
Silver water expedition (practice). The D of E Silver and D of E
Bronze teams start their expedition in the Kamp Menina area.
The Explorer Belt Team are still in Ljubljana.
The next report will be on Tuesday evening.
21 August (Saturday)
Last
night and today we experienced thunderstorms and heavy rain.
However, this has not stopped the mountain and water activities.
The exploring programme has been a day trip to the Ljubljana (photo
left).
A small group have been mountain biking on a dramatic mountain
course.
The Explore Belt team are now staying at a youth hostel in
Ljubljana.
The main party departs Bovec for Kamp Menina
(Sunday) midday tomorrow. The next report will follow when we
are settled in at Kamp Menina.
20 August (Friday) Message from The Expedition Leader - Mick Stocks
We've
now come to the end of the first exciting and enjoyable block of
activities. The participants are continuing to have a great time and
the weather has been mainly hot and sunny.
We have some pictures from Slovenia for
you to see which include a general scene of the camp site (Kamp
Toni); the Explorer Belt Team about to leave Bovec for the start of
their expedition; a kayak about to enter the River Soca with support
from an instructor; and the preparations for the amazing white water
rafting.
The decision has been made to operate block 2 of activities from
Bovec (not Menina). Such is the range and scope of activities in the
area of Bovec. We therefore move to Kamp Menina on Sunday for block
3 of activities.
Today (Friday - start of block 2) sees two sessions on the water
(easier and hard!); low level hillwalking due to clouds on top; and
the exploring group visiting a famous First World War 1 Museum
followed by visits to trenches and other battle sites.
The EB team is now in Bled and have successfully rung the bell at St
Mary's Church on the island (Lake Bled)! They are enjoying the whole
experience of exploring Slovenia.
The expedition continues to provide new and great experiences for
all.
Mick
19
August (Thursday)
Today was the white water rafting trip. It was great success. It certainly lived up to the expectations of the 32 who took part.
Much of today has been spent chilling out now that the first
activity
block has been completed.
18 August (Wednesday)
Wednesday sees a group visiting Lake Bled (photo to the left) as well as the continuing mountain and water programmes
17
August (Tuesday)
The weather is wonderfully hot and sunny. It has proved to be a extremely successful day of activities. The kayak group had a superb day on the fast flowing and clear waters of the River Soca.
The mountain group did a low to mid level trek in the mountains, visiting forts.
The exploring group went to explore the foot of the Boka waterfall (photo to the left).
Some members of the leader team have visited the Explorer Belt team who have made a good start on their expedition.
Today we have booked a group of 30 for white water rafting to take place on Thursday
The shopping group have again cleaned out most of the shelves of food from the local shops when buying for the 60 participants!
16 August (Monday)
The coach which left Maidenhead on Sunday at noon arrived in Bovec to the accompaniment of glorious sunshine. at 1pm The coach party had had a good journey especially the drive the Alps on Monday morning.
The main party of the expedition have now settled in to camp in Bovec and many have left the campsite to explore the Bovec Town.
The Explorer Belt Teams have departed from the Bovec Base Camp.
15 August (Sunday)
The Explorer Belt Team have arrived in good shape in Bovec. The Explorer Belt Team are now busy making the final arrangements for their 10 day journey which starts tomorrow (Monday).
Bill Carter has arrived on motorbike OK.
The Advance Party had another good day making preparations in Bovec.
The coach with Deputy Expedition Leader Graham Cooper together
with Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members left Maidenhead at
just after noon on Sunday. They plan to arrive in Bovec at midday
tomorrow (Monday).
14 August (Saturday)
All on track - Bill Carter sets off on his motor bike
In Bovec it is hot and sunny. Mick is
visiting
Camp Menina while the Mountain Teams in the mountains checking
routes and the Water Team is checking the River Soca.
13 August (Friday)
Today the Expedition Leader Mick Stocks and other members of the advanced team fly off to the magic of Slovenia. They arrive to be met with torrential rain. The equipment van and the Mountain Team have arrived in Bovec.
12 August (Thursday)
Preparations have proceeded smoothly and the equipment van is already on its way to Slovenia
River Soca Links
Camp
Menina Links
Bovec
Links
What to know more about Slovenia?
Berkshire Scouts off to the Mountains and Rivers of Slovenia
A party of over 60 Explorer Scouts, Scout network members and
Adult Leaders set off for a 10 day expedition to the mountains and
rivers of Slovenia in August - follow their progress here.
Slovenia 2004 is a County-wide expedition to Slovenia for 14-25 year olds. It is taking place in the summer of 2004. The expedition offers opportunities for those who want serious mountain and water activities. In addition, some are taking on the challenge of the Explorer Belt Award and the opportunity to complete mini expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
It is a great place to explore and enjoy a wide range of activities. Try this interactive map to discover more about the country - http://www.burger.si/SLOIndex.htm
The expedition has a website principally for participants www.thelegionoflight.net/Slovenia/index.php