Alastair's Blog

Arrived at 3:00 Scouts everywhere Check In is not yet open.

Got off shift at 4 after a hard day and headed back to the tent. Had a welcome shower then packed the tent and kit.

We headed for Dinner and on the way out we had a impromptu game of catch with some Japanese, Australians and Belgians.

We packed the trailer.

Then time to head to the Spring stage for some live music.

Then off to the airport at 00:30.

Units started to leave early this morning Avon left at 4 and Glos at 9. I was up at 6 to work at 7 and site looked spookly empty.

Some of the Scouts had decamped to the tents in the World Scout Centre to avoid the rain.

The shift was spent taking down tents.

and stacking tables and chairs.

The Jamboree Closing Ceremony marks the official end to the Jamboree with over 40,000 Scouts gathered to say goodbye.

An amazing site to see everyone. Some great music from Kate Ryan (Belgium Hottie!) and Europe (of the Final Countdown fame).

The King of Sweden said his official speech then led the way in a rocket countdown which involved him frantically slapping his knees with a fantastic firework display to finish off.

Have a look at the Closing Ceremony Broadcast

It rained most of the 2 hours and I forgot my coat so wet through!!

Back at the tent I got my head down as work starts at 7 in the morning. Thunder and lightening crashing around, I’m glad I’ve got my ear plugs!

After 2 weeks today is the last day of the Jamboree for participants with many that will start to leave after the Closing Ceremony. The city that took months to build needs to be packed away in a few days so deconstruction begins with tents coming down.

It was due to be a day off today but we were asked to work to help collect in all the Contingent Management HQs this started by us collecting tables and chairs.

And ended up with us a rubbish ranges taking endless bags and boxes to the onsite recycling plant.

Just seen the King of Sweden in the dining hall. He was queuing up to drop off his dirty plates with all the other scouts, fair play no hoards of security of pushing to the front. He apparently spent the night in a tent on site.

He’s in thus photo but don’t think I’ll make a Paparazzi!

I had lunch after getting back from Kristianstad to find the site dry with no rain for the rest of the day.

Work at 2 was generally uninteresting except 4 Scouts from Siera Leone have left camp without any one knowing!! Looks like they want to become European!

Generally a chilled evening.

Grabbed a few night shots after dark. This is the Spring shoot that represents the Spring town adult camp it’s just outside my tent.

Here’s my tent.

Inside, it’s not as much a mess as I thought it would be after 2 weeks if 3 blokes sharing! I just hope I can find my stuff tomorrow to pack.

On 2-8 shift today so got up just in time for breakfast at 9. We headed back to the tent where Tom & James said they were heading into Kristianstad on the free bus bring put only the town. I decided to tag along and Lucy joined us. I feel like the dad as they are all under 20!!

It started raining on the way so we had a look in few shops then headed for the cake shop.

We then sat in the rain and enjoyed our purchases looking over the town square.

We stopped at a bar for a swift one.

Finally a trip to the liquor store for some special Fika.

Up on early shift this morning for 7 – 2 not much happening so we signed up my Dutch mate Reuben on Facebook he’s 18 and not on it yet. He spent the next 5 hours adding friends!!

After shift I headed for the Gloucestershire contingent who were celebrating Culture Day. This is were every unit does something from their country, food, national dress, dance.

After enjoying some food and watching some amazing dancing I headed for the main arena where Gloucestershire were doing some cheese rolling. The kids bullied my and the other leaders to have a go.

After Dinner I met up with PJ and the other guys to head to the arena for the finale if the day. Not much culture but lots if Swedish hard rock!