Jul 10/11

This entry is not for 2 days, but for one very very long day. It started at about 10:am at Swartz Bay ferry terminal. We organized tickets and passports, and took several group shots from several cameras. The ferry was a pretty relaxing ride with lots of quiet discussion about the trip and much anticipation and speculation about what it is going to be like. On the mainland side the Scouts were surprised to see limo's waiting for them to take them to the airport. This was a bit of a surprise for them, but the leaders all knew. It was more economical than taking the coach lines, and more practical than taking luggage on the city bus.

Check-in at the airport went smoothly with the Scouts all managing to get seats in at least pairs. Then they had an hour or so to get a bite to eat somewhere in the concourse, and look around the shops. Followed by a surprisingly quick trip through security, with a couple members of the group having a more thorough screening than the rest. The boarding of the plane took a good ½ hour or so and we were on the runway by 5:30 pm.

It was a pretty long flight, arriving in Manchester at 2:22 am , a few minutes under the scheduled 9 hours. We had daylight the whole way! We had a couple of hours or so watching the sun set over the north pole, which it never did. A few Scouts managed to get an hour or three of sleep, but I think most Scouts and Leaders stayed awake the whole flight.

Arriving in Manchester there was a nice comfortable coach waiting for us for the 1 ¾ hr ride to York.

Upon arrival at the Scout House we made a call to one of the Scout leaders who arrived shortly to let us in. We just dropped off our luggage and some changed into shorts before heading into town. The weather in York today was unseasonably warm, mostly sunny with some clouds.

We went out for an early dinner (late breakfast?) at a local pizza joint. Then we did a

short trip around town looking at the narrow streets and shops, with some Scouts purchasing a few items at an open market. While the Scouts were shopping for hats and such a few leaders did a grocery shop and we all met up again at 5 pm (9 am BC time) to walk back to the hall.

Back at the hall everyone set up their beds and most of them still had the energy to go out for a walk. It's going to be an early night tonight, but even as I write this at 8 pm they are still out.

Update - It's 8:30 and there are a 7 Scouts in chairs in the driveway. The new "wifi club" has been formed.