We all woke up, sadly knowing that today was the last day of the jamboree. Alan's patrol cooked breakfast and then we were told that we had until mid-day to do whatever we wanted and then we'd have to all work hard to pack everything up.
I decided i'd do some washing because otherwise I wouldn't have any clean cloths for Portugal. After that, I went down to the swapping area with Harry and swapped one or two things before looking after Alex's stall for him for a bit.
After that we wen't back to the campsite just before 12 where we first had lunch. Our first task after cleaning up from lunch was to take down our gateway and to take the pioneering poles back. After that I was given some important paperwork and put in charge of bringing all the kit back to the sub-camp (tables, benches, axes etc...) which took quite along time. When we got back we found that only the dinning shelter and hobs remained. We had a dinner of hot dogs and then I took the stoves and fire blankets and checked them in too. After that we took the crate and it's content to the other side of the jamboree site (that stuff way heavy!) where we expertly packed it all in including the urn which (because technically we weren't allowed it) became a 'large kettle'. We then went back to the campsite to find it was now just an empty field. I put my soft shell on and we took our holdalls to some Yorkshire scouts who kindly said we could keep them in their tents as they weren't leaving until later.
We then all went down to the closing ceremony and were seated around a big central stage with speakers with mini stages in a circle around us. The show started with the latest episode of 'Jam N' and then we 'simply discovered a new friend' - and that quite literally everyone in the world knows the theme music to 'F.r.i.e.n.d.s'. Afterwards, we met our presenters, who wasted no time in getting is to do a huge Mexican wave which went in loops around the main stage. they then introduced the Belgian entry to euro vision and we were deafened by the cheers of the Belgians who were standing next to us. After her the writer of the jamboree song preformed it (we sang that song three times that night and it was great every single time!) Afterwards, we were amazed that Europe played - who awesome!
Throughout all this it chucked it down with rain and although almost none of us had coats - it din't damped the spirits any of the 40,000+ people watching. To top it all off. The king of Sweden make a speech before launching a rocket (something which is apparently quite common in Swedish scouting but we couldn't image our queen doing) which started the most amazing firework display I have ever seen!
The whole closing ceremony can be viewed here and the UK's video from the closing ceremony can be viewed here
After the amazing closing ceremony, I gave my soft shell to Laura becasue she got really cold, and we went to the Yorkshire campsite where we took all the bags down to the sub camp cafe which technically we weren't allowed in, but by this time, the rain had turned into a full blown thunderstorm so we made our own little refugee camp inside. We all lay down and got under blankets etc after we'd fixed a few leaks. Then, somewhere between pages 5 and 10 of issue five of Hej Jam I fell asleep.
Kathryn, our unit leader who sadly was unable to come to the Jamboree, sent an email round every day about what our unit had been doing from what Kev and other leaders/IST had texted her. You can find what she said about this day below:
"Saturday
Today was the day that the big pack up started, it was always going to be a little tricky as everything had to packed up and the site cleared by mid day, including all the cooking equipement but the unit was not leaving site until 4 am on Sunday morning. Not the best plan for the leaders and I know today was going to be a real challenge. We spent a good few hours on Friday trying to work out the best way to get everything packed up but still managing to feed forty people with a very limted shop. Not really a challenge that the leaders needed after a very two weeks.
The Unit packed and everyone was a little sad, everywhere the site is being taken apart and the camp that has been so full of fun for the last ten days was gradually disappering. The kids had the chance for some last minute badge swapping and the leaders did a check on passports etc. There was a lot of work to be done and the sun got hotter and hotter. There was some time for some good byes and some exchanging of details so that friendshlps made could continue on facebook - some friendships made that will last a life time and will cross over the World.
The day moved on and then the bags were packed and Avon were allowed to put their bags in the Sub camp cafe as they had such an anti social coach time. In the mean time just outside the site, coach after coach were parking up. Row upon row upon row of coach all ready to take Scouts to their destination.
The excitement grew and grew as the closing ceremony got closer and once again, all 40,000 scouts made their way to the main arena, lots of flags and uniforms and lots of excitement. The Kind of Sweden, Carl XV1, went on stage to say hello and goodbye to everyone and even though there was some rain nothing could take away the atmosphere. So many memories and so much fun had been had.
When I was on site I asked Elenya, Sam P, Jake and Dan if all the hard work had been worth it and without hesitatiion they all said yes, everyone I spoke to said they had never imagined that it would be so fantastic.
After the closing ceremony had finished, with lots of tears, the unit went back to the cafe and then had a long wait till the next journey would start. There was a huge thunder storm and everyone was a little tired. Matt from Solar stayed with the unit to help them transfer to the coach stop. Thank you Matt very much, and eventually all the heavy kit bags and 40 tired people made their way off site and onto the coach.
Good bye WSJ Sweden and Hello Portugal
Kathryn
WSJ Bristol"
Today was the day that the big pack up started, it was always going to be a little tricky as everything had to packed up and the site cleared by mid day, including all the cooking equipement but the unit was not leaving site until 4 am on Sunday morning. Not the best plan for the leaders and I know today was going to be a real challenge. We spent a good few hours on Friday trying to work out the best way to get everything packed up but still managing to feed forty people with a very limted shop. Not really a challenge that the leaders needed after a very two weeks.
The Unit packed and everyone was a little sad, everywhere the site is being taken apart and the camp that has been so full of fun for the last ten days was gradually disappering. The kids had the chance for some last minute badge swapping and the leaders did a check on passports etc. There was a lot of work to be done and the sun got hotter and hotter. There was some time for some good byes and some exchanging of details so that friendshlps made could continue on facebook - some friendships made that will last a life time and will cross over the World.
The day moved on and then the bags were packed and Avon were allowed to put their bags in the Sub camp cafe as they had such an anti social coach time. In the mean time just outside the site, coach after coach were parking up. Row upon row upon row of coach all ready to take Scouts to their destination.
The excitement grew and grew as the closing ceremony got closer and once again, all 40,000 scouts made their way to the main arena, lots of flags and uniforms and lots of excitement. The Kind of Sweden, Carl XV1, went on stage to say hello and goodbye to everyone and even though there was some rain nothing could take away the atmosphere. So many memories and so much fun had been had.
When I was on site I asked Elenya, Sam P, Jake and Dan if all the hard work had been worth it and without hesitatiion they all said yes, everyone I spoke to said they had never imagined that it would be so fantastic.
After the closing ceremony had finished, with lots of tears, the unit went back to the cafe and then had a long wait till the next journey would start. There was a huge thunder storm and everyone was a little tired. Matt from Solar stayed with the unit to help them transfer to the coach stop. Thank you Matt very much, and eventually all the heavy kit bags and 40 tired people made their way off site and onto the coach.
Good bye WSJ Sweden and Hello Portugal
Kathryn
WSJ Bristol"
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