Long Winding Road Homeward

The last few days have faded into somewhat of a blur. Trying to distinguish one farewell or final event from another. There have been Team Farewell parties, a Carnival procession, the Closing ceremony and individual goodbyes. We like many UK IST are here until Thursday but since the final day of onsite activity ended there has been a steady trickle of departures from my team. Tuesday was a strange day with no activities running but lotso f people around on site with not much to do. The World Village and Global Development Areas disappeared leaving numerous empty Fiestas tents. The only things going were Scout Shops with it's inevitable long queue, one or two other sales outlets and various cafes. There was a constant stream of contingents having there photos taken in front of Hylands House and swapping of Badges and anything else that was reasonable portable. The International Badgers area was overrun.

I had an earlyish run to London City Airport which ended up being a tight one because of slow traffic conditions. This was to take Thijs Stoffer who was flying back to Switzerland for the Closing Ceremony of Kanderjam. Thijs is Chairman of the Kandersteg Association and was working with International Guests here at the Jamboree.

When I returned our working area tenatsd had been taken down and equipment was being packed to go to the warehouse or back to Gilwell.

Last night Richard and I met up with my Team for the Closing ceremony and it was good to know that we had been valued and appreciated by co-workers.

Unfortunately I did not say a proper goodbye to my immediate manager Zaman who has now left for Bangladesh (middle of the Three Wise Men).

Today the Contingents leave and it will be very strange. I am off to see if there is any work to do - well there is work to do I know but finding the right place to be and the right person to see might be more difficult.

Next time it is to be in Sweden and has the theme Simply Scouting. Th eplans look good and th efeel a little different. This has been the Centenary Jamboree and this has affected it's size and it's content. It has been good to be here.

See you Thursday night at Cranham.

Felicity