My Jamboree Journey - Unit Night before and getting to Seoul

Unit had planed to meet at Woodhouse Park Activity Centre on Friday 28th July at 7pm. This was the night before we were flying. So we were able to check kit and make sure they all had their travel documents.

Then I got a email from a parent asking if the BBC could come and film us live. I checked with our Country Commisor, who thought it was a great idea. So we changed the time of the unit meeting to 5:30 pm and gave the option for the young people to turn up then if they wanted to be filmed, and you know what most of them did.

We asked a few people to support us with the check in process, so my leadership were not running around like headless chickens and had a chance to talk to parents and young people, when they arrived. My brother Andy took the lead on this and created a 'bag drop' station, which the young people loved. It is such a shame he hasn't been able to go to the jamboree.

There were a few tears from young people and families when they turned up, oh and me, as they reflected on the the last amazing 18 months and what the next 3 weeks were bring. Imogen Sellers from the BBC showed up with a camera crew and a microphone. She asked me some questions about the jamboree and what it meant for us. I tried to sound smart and enthusiastic, but I probably sounded like a nervous wreck. She also interviewed one of our young people and their parent, who were much more eloquent than me.

Our processing of the documents and kit went well, and no one forgot anything major. Although parents did pop back with random things, like bigger pillows!

The rest of the evening went well, with the excitement calming down and most people starting to chill.

The next morning everyone was up and having breakfast. The energy was high and everyone were looking forward to the adventure that was waiting for us.

One of our parents came and gave us a blessing, just before the parents turn up, I needed tissues as usual. I feel like a super, super proud mum, who has 36 young people that all belong to me. I am always emotion, when I think about how far all these young people have come.

The coach arrived, thank you to Chris and Baker Dolphin Coaches for all their support. Lots of the parents came to wave us off. We had a few photos, well actually alot of photos, it felt like being at a wedding. The young people got on the coach and the leaders told the Chris the driver to leave (just a little bit!) before the leaders got on, which he started to do. Most of the young people didn't even notice we weren't on.

The journey was straight forward and check in was good, only one power pack in the holdall had to be removed.

There were big queues for the security. When we got to it being our turn, they put us all through the same one. Some of the young people found this a little difficult. Its that thing of feeling guilty, even though you haven't done anything. It didn't help that they had uniform shirts that had lot of mental on them.

As our day sack were ram to the brim, well leader one were, it took us a little time, to try and fit it all back in the bag. Why can't we never put it back to how we had packed it in the first place .

The airport was very busy. Our flight was 10 minutes late, which we thought might be a struggle to get our connecting flight. But it was fine.

Our 2nd flight was long, there were 4 other UK units on the flight and we were all dotted around the plane. I had a window seat, which I thought was a blessing. Turns out it was a curse in disguis, the 2 ladies I was sat next Slept most of the flight. I only manged to use the loo twice, my back was not happy with me and definitely let me know it.

The food was a culinary delight, if you enjoy cardboard and mystery meats. I watch a few films and manged to get a few hours sleep.

All my young people were well behaved and most managed to get some sleep. It was one of their Brithday while we were in the air, so we waited for the right time and then celebrated, they were very happy, wear their big badge with pride.

After getting off the plane. We went through imagination, which was surprising easy. I had my photo and fingerprint taken, a sticker put in my passport and we were done.

As we went down the stairs to the bagage collection. You could see a ray of Jamboree holdled, 205 to be precise. Going round on the belt. It was quite impressive. After getting 40 bags off, we waited for the final bag, it didn't turn. We reported missing, did the paperwork and proceed to the arrives, while our CMT & Travel rep's were waiting. They gave us our T Travel cards. Which were very cool as they had the UK Contingent logo on.

We then set of to find out hotel. The metro link were great and we went from the airport to our hotel, changing trains once.

Everyone was feeling very excited to be in Souel. The heat was very intense and we needed to keep reminding everyone to drink. It was hard having to carry a holdled and daybags, in the heat and steps. A backpack would have been much better. The smells were amazing and there was what we would call a conner shop literally on every conner.

We got to the hotel where our CMT were there to meet us. After everyone settled into our rooms. We were all ready in our partols to find food. It was raining by this time, but still very warm. I had an umbrella which was much better than a coat. The street food smell amazing, unfortunately they didn't take cash,so they my partol voted for McDonald's. Which in the main was the same as the UK and quiet cheap. Half my partol then went back to the hotel as they were very tired and the rest and myself I a bit of exploring, ending up in a 7,11 shop to get some snacks. We then returned to our rooms for our first night sleep in Korea.