Roverway 2009, Leg Breaker W05-2, Staffordshire Contingent, The Staffordshire Ninjas

On the 18.07.09 a small group of 8 from all over Staffordshire set off on a train from Stafford station to go on the first part of their journey. Their first destination was London and Pax Lodge and after that they would be off to Iceland to participate in Roverway 2009, an international scout and guide camp for ages 16-23.

Once we arrived in London we had to get on the Underground to get to Pax Lodge, not an easy thing to do when you all have massive rucksacks front and back! Got off the underground and walked the 15 minutes to Pax Lodge, felt like longer when carrying those heavy bags! Dropped off our bags and went sightseeing around London, saw Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, we went into Downing Street and met a very nice policeman who we called Steve. We went on the London Eye and saw all of London then got back on the Underground to Pax Lodge. We had tea and sat up gossiping and playing operation and jenga, then off for an early (ish) bed because we had a hectic day ahead of us.

19.7.09 - We got up, packed, had breakfast and got ready for the epic journey across London to the underground station en route to Victoria to catch the Gatwick Express. Arrived at Gatwick airport with plenty of time to find the flight was delayed until 12 noon. Following a wander round the shops and a picnic we boarded the flight to Iceland. We met some Spanish scouts who were making their way to Roverway as well. Flight to Iceland was uneventful and we landed to start our fantastic adventure.

Once luggage found had to wait an age for the coach to take us to Reykjavik where we were to stay the night in a school. This proved an interesting night as the windows were massive and with no blinds/curtains or darkness for that matter, sleep was difficult to come by.

20.7.09 - Similar theme here ….. packed, had breakfast and trekked to the pickup point for our journey. The opening ceremony was held in front of the University of Iceland where all the members of the Roverway camp formed the "Open Up" arrow symbol. Following the ceremony we made our way to the coaches to go to our campsite at Thingvellir with our chosen tribes. Our Icelandic Tribe Leaders were Vala and Thor. In our tribe we were joined by scouts from France, Portugal, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Spain and Norway. Although very quiet to start with we soon all started to chat with each other. Games were played and songs were sang. Food was eaten and friends were made. The Portuguese taught us how to play Brutus Ball, which basically means getting the ball across to the other side of the field by any means possible! Following tea went for a short stroll to the bottom of a mountain, this turned out to be a massive trek to the top of a 400m mountain! We sat on top in the midnight sun listening to Icelandic ghost stories before arriving back to camp at 2 a.m. whilst it was still light.

21.7.09 - Rose very late after our early morning getting into bed and went on an educational walk around the surrounding area. We had a guide with us who told us all about the area and the development of the first Althingi (parliament) in the 9th Century. The group split with some going to the lake, however, the Ninjas went back to a waterfall seen earlier to investigate further and have a little paddle. We arrived back on camp and chilled for the evening, however, had a short break in chilling to make human pyramids which went surprisingly well! We ventured into a nearby moss field to sing songs and play games. Back on camp games were played such as a Czech traditional dancing game and British bulldog (run by the Spanish!?) The French sang to us who were amazing and then we all joined in karaoke style.

22.7.09 - Packed up camp after breakfast and started our 11 hour hike to our next camp at Fossa. We took the Leg Breaker route to get there which was the old path taken to get to Althingi in the days of the Vikings. At about 6 p.m. the group split, some going on to camp and the others continuing for another 5 hour hike to Glymur the highest waterfall in Iceland. I took the route back to camp which took about 3 hours (although 2 was mentioned). On the way back Katie and I decided to explore some holes in the ground, yes you can fall in up to your waist. Finally arrived on camp at 9 p.m. and put up tents and prepared the others bedding ready for them to fall into when they got back. Tea was served very late but I was asleep so missed it!

23.7.09 - Everyone had a lie in until nearly midday, deservedly so. Gale force winds kept most people in their tents for the afternoon. Some people went for a walk to the sea but quite a few people remained as we were feeling lazy and it was cold. The people who stayed behind played cards. When everyone got home we all went to plant some trees. Once finished the card games started again, and I managed to injure a few people playing Snap! Went to bed early in the morning.

24.7.09 - Up at 9 a.m., breakfast and camp packed up. Coach collected us at 12 noon and everyone sang Disney songs on the way to the swimming pool! We had a lovely swim and felt clean for the first time in a while. The coach then took us, with more karaoke, to Althingi. Camp was set up and we all played cards again, a continuing theme! We went to the Opening Ceremony and sang really loudly, which seemed to be our Tribal "tradition". We wandered around the camp getting our bearings and talked until the early hours of the morning.

25.7.09 - Breakfast followed by visit to Arty Party Village where we made our woggles and sand sculpture. Went back to our tribe camp for lunch and then went to the Environmental Village in the afternoon. I am not too sure what happened here as whilst having a quick rest my eyelids got the better of me! Oops! Returned to tribe camp, more food and went to a campfire but Alex took us to the wrong one so we had to escape and try to find ours but not too brilliant so left to play cards as a tribe.

26.7.09 - Went to the PSST Village today. This was the Politics, Science, Sociology and Technology village. Had Christmas, ate custard creams and partook in a film for GGUK and sat in a car upside down, to demonstrate the usefulness of seatbelts. Back to tribe camp for lunch and an afternoon nap to escape the rain. Got ready for the Carnival where we were making Scottish Bugs. Our session went very well and seemed to be enjoyed by those taking part. We were then free to wander around the rest of the Carnival and had some candyfloss and tried food from Spain and Ireland. Following the Carnival card playing was again the order of the day/night. We went to a rave which was actually a karaoke competition that we decided to dance to! We had an amazing time dancing like we were possessed for hours. Once this finished we went to camp where Laura put her ipod on so the rave continued! The French scouts made us crepes which were gorgeous.

27.7.09 - We got up but did not go to the SportsVillage (except Laura and Lizzie who went kayaking) so we played cards again. All the way to Iceland to play cards hmmm. Lizzie washed my hair in the middle of the field - as you do! The kitchen tent unfortunately blew away across the field, caught it and did not bother putting it back up as there was no need. Had a nap (tiring playing cards) then had lunch and went to the Viking Village where we made popcorn and had a hog roast.
We then went to have a photograph taken with out contingent in our purple sweatshirts, very striking, before going to the final camp disco. Had great fun playing on the playground and returned to camp and signed each others neckers.

28.7.09 - We got up and after breakfast packed up the camp. Attended the Closing Ceremony and went mad as a tribe for the last time. Returned with our tribe to say our final goodbyes. The French, Czech, Luxembourg and Spanish left leaving the Portuguese and ourselves to move tents to another area for the night. We had a BBQ for tea and said goodbye to half the Portuguese who were leaving in the early hours. Went to bed early!

29.7.09 - Got up and packed (again). Had breakfast then waited for our coach to take us to the Blue Lagoon. We said a very long goodbye to the Portuguese scouts who sat in front of our coach so we could not leave which was very sweet. They then ran along side the coach when we were leaving waving at us for ages. The coach broke down so we had to get another one! Arrived at the Blue Lagoon at 12 noon. Went for a swim in the sulphur pools and had a face mask. It was very hot in the water but raining heavily so half hot, half cold. Weird. We got back on the coach at 2 p.m. and went to a local restaurant for lunch. Had peas, very exciting! Got back on the coach to take us to a different school for the night in Reykjavik. We dumped our gear and went to the shops for food and a wander. A very nice man came with black bin bags to shut out the light. Hooray!!!! We needed to find out exactly where the harbour was for the next morning so some of our group went to find the harbour and explore Reykjavik

30.7.09 - first the first time in the holiday we had toast!!! We then got our things together to go whale watching. Trekked in to Reykjavik which took about an hour and arrived at the harbour for the trip. Wandered around the mini-museum and shop and set off in to the wet and very windy sea. Had an interesting journey with everyone fast asleep, the result of the travel sickness tablets which were supplied free! I seemed to be the only l not affected by the tablets, could be all the naps I had already taken!? Went to Puffin Island and on to the whale feeding ground. Did not see any so went further out and saw 3 really clearly, very exciting as one was about 10 m away! Did not manage to get any photographs as they were really quick. Had a Pirates of the Caribbean moment when everyone kept rushing across the boat to see the whales and making it very tippy! Thought Davy Jones Locker was going to be our next adventure. Arrived back to the harbour then had a wander around the shops for souvenirs. Went to visit Vala at her home and she had made us chocolate cake and bought us "real" milk. Had a chat about our experiences and then went back to the school. Karen ordered us pizza for tea and we felt almost normal. We all chilled and went to bed ready for our journey home.

31.7.09 - We got up and I had pizza, toast and cake for breakfast, maybe not so normal after all! We packed and sat around for hours waiting for the coach to take us to the airport. Got bored of waiting so went to the local playground. Came back and got on the coach, which was late, making it quite a problem for another group who were possibly going to miss their flight! Checked in and had a picnic in departures. Flight on time and some how managed to arrive 20 minutes early at Heathrow. Got our bags really quickly and found our fabulous driver of the minibus (Andy) to take us back to Stafford. Sang really, really loudly, poor Andy, but the tribal tradition needed to be kept going. Saw a fire engine and made them flash their lights for us. The simple things make us happy. Arrived in Stafford at 12 midnight to be greeted by our parents. Final jump and sing before everyone set off on their separate ways again.

Being a part of Roverway gave me the opportunity to experience another culture and way of life and being dependent on myself as well as being part of a group. Taking part in Roverway was the best time of my life and I would certainly want to do it again. The hugest of thanks must go to Karen for making this possible. Thank you "Mummy Karen" you are the best.

Kimberley Smith.