Monday 9th June A fair journey on the bus, arrived Koblenz in a beautiful 30/32 degrees which was much appreciated. Tents quickly up on a pitch with a beautiful view onto the river, the castle and the famous statue. Realised hadn’t quite put the tents up right, so a quick change of poles to the OUTSIDE of the tents! Took some time to get hold of the ‘rules’ for the site. Headed into Koblenz after dinner & meeting for a look around & some photo opps, finishing up at the statue. Long walk back round! Tuesday 10th June Boat cruise down [View Full Entry]

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Saturday 7th June Final packing and chat with Tim before meet the guests for breakfast, and all head down to the coach. Interesting loading the coach - not entirely sure where we’re putting everything, but it all has to fit on. The coach seats about 70+, and there’s only 23 of us now, 28 of us later so it’s all got to fit on. There’s a lot of tinned food to fit in every corner too as this is the basis of most of our meals. John has a reputation of being a bit of a genius with this food, so [View Full Entry]

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Sunday 1st Super-early train to Winchester, but Mary gives me a lift - she’s an early bird anyway! Something up with the trains so end up getting an earlier one, and arrive in time to catch the last half-hour of church and sit next to Kate & Jon (thankfully she’s still pregnant and not had the baby yet as otherwise might not have got a chance to see them!). We head down to the Buttercross after chatting to a few people at church, and meet up with Amanda and Karen in the Slug and Lettuce for a nice lunch, and a [View Full Entry]

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Saturday 24th After a morning of getting ready, Ruth drove me to the airport, where some guests had already managed to check in using their e-tickets. Couple of late arrivals, but we all got through in plenty of time, and slowly started to meet the guests - going for the tried and tested method of learning 2-3 names at a time - any more and they all go out of my head! Sat on the plane next to Craig and Hannah, good conversations - fun already! All the luggage arrived safely. No sign of anyone to meet us at the exit, [View Full Entry]

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Just a really nice time hanging out with Nicky & Toby and family, watching Eurovision - why did Estonia not get through, that was a cracking entry! - (and the football, although I have to say that I wasn't paying much attention to that). Getting my head in gear for trip to Venice next week... looking forward to that, it all depends on the crowd that turns up on the day! [View Full Entry]

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To come, team training, a time of practical and spiritual preparation for the summer, based around the theme of being 'servant-hearted'! Philippians 2 (New Living Translation). See online Have the Attitude of Christ 1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind a [View Full Entry]

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Thursday 1st May Lovely breakfast at 6.50am (UK time, body thinks it's 2.30am!) of a cheese croissant which had clearly been in the hot cupboard for several hours!! Landed safely at 7.35am after circling London about 3 times. Quickly through passport control, wait a while for my bags - starting to think they're not coming, but they arrive (my cheap bag has not endured well, but everything still seems to be in there - I haven't checked for breakages yet... it was marked as fragile, for all the difference that made!). Straight through customs, to find that my Mum had arrived [View Full Entry]

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For this summer I am working as a voluntary tour leader for Oak Hall, a Christian holiday company based in Otford, Kent. I went on their trips (ski trips initially) as a guest, enjoyed them and came back often physically tired, but spiritually refreshed, and always with a number of new friends - some of whom I've stayed in touch with, some, inevitably not! Facebook always helps though... After discussions with Tim today, this is my planned itinerary (always subject to change): * 24-31 May Venice This one's definite[/ [View Full Entry]

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Tuesday 29th Made it awake 520am, headache nearly gone. By 6am am fully packed, eaten breakfast and we're soon on our way to the Rodoviario where I can catch the bus. We arrive 640ish. I know there's a bus 721, but check if there others earlier - nope - and the 721 is now going 741 and is the first. Pay my R$67 and plonk myself in the waiting room. See the bus arrive and head out, load baggage and head onto my seat with my newspaper (hmm, Portuguese) and snack-pack I've been given. Bus driver tells us 2 hours 10 [View Full Entry]

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Sunday 27th So that was my last night at Gaynor's and after making sure that I had everything including my mosquito net we headed off to church. Another beautiful day as we stuffed my bags into Gaynor's car. The church was busier than last week and included the chaplain/some of the crew of a British warship en route to Argentina. They're away from home for 7 months and I realise that tomorrow I've been away 7 months, but also that I'm nearly at the end! After church say goodbye to Gaynor then head back to Roy & Noreen's where I'll be [View Full Entry]

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