Blogs from West Midlands, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 17

One day about two years ago we were discussing a holiday, as one does when one is getting fed up with the day to day cycle of work and no play. A few things were thrown into the pot: The south of France (our usual holiday). Perhaps a package holiday to somewhere further flung like the Caribbean. Or maybe we could visit Amy's uncle in Thailand. Now, yes, that's a good idea! Seeming as we would be in Thailand, why don't we go and visit Dan's dad and step mom in Bali. Why, of course!! So, set on this idea, the planning begun... ...and the planning expanded. Two weeks in Thailand and two weeks in Bali. As we looked into these two trips we discovered some more places to visit. So, we might as well see ... read more

Today i turned up at Halbourne Hall at 10 thanks to my parents, who drove me across from Market Deeping early morning. I met the rest of the U.K volunteers, for both the Glasgow and Manchester placements. To start with Charlie ( Manchester helper) got us to do some team-building exercises, so we got to know each other names. After this we started to do a welcome plan for our Pakistan counter-parts. We decided to write and perform a song for them, and make a poster. I decided to make the poster as im not much of a song-writer!! After lunch we all did our personal projects on the topic of our choice on Pakistan. I was first, and did about 'how much control does religion have in Pakistan'. After doing my project i had postive ... read more

(Nicky) 23 hours to go: I was feeling all proud of us because we have spent our last evening playing cribbage with the children rather than fretting about what we've forgotten to pack. All that positive feeling has disappeared since I tried to check in online and got as far as moving my seat and Joe's seat before the site crashed and won't let me back in. We are currently due to be seated at opposite ends of the plane from Jake and Elliot. Some would argue that's no bad thing, but I would rather they were in sight at least. We've had no word from Sri Lanka for the last few weeks and are just hoping that the promise of being met at the airport still stands. (Joe) Despite all the advice about early nights ... read more

Thanks to everyone who came to our surprise (shock!) leavers party last Friday was great to see everyone and we were left touched by all the great friends we have. Special thanks to Abbie and Paul for organising it between them. Also thanks to Mojo Risin' for setting up the gear for a farewell performance, also really enjoyed last gig (private 40th birthday) I had before we go the following night at Clent Parish Hall. One week to go ay. I should be bloody excited shouldn't I? Yeah I am fairly but still got quite a long list of things to do which until I have done I won't have complete peace of mind and that's when I hope I really will be bloody excited. Knowing me and my tendency to leave things till last minute ... read more

I vicariously know a girl from Nodaway Valley, who Treynor competes against in school events. She just so happens to be studying in Wales this semester, so we thought we would try to meet up sometime. One unusually sunny weekend in February we met in Birmingham, part way in between. I arrived by train and walked to the Birmingham bus station to meet Alyse and her friend Rachael. One of the most tourist-y things to do near Birmingham is the Cadbury World Chocolate Factory, so of course, we went. Who doesn’t like chocolate? From Birmingham we had to take the train to Bourneville, a suburb of the city. Bourneville was basically established because of Cadbury, and it is now a nice sized little town. It took us a bit to locate the entrance to the Factory ... read more