Paris 2024 Travel Day 1

Paris 2024

Day 1 – Travel to France (from a very early start)…

An extract from a diary, written by one of the Scouts: Today, I got up at 5:30am! Urrgh! Talk about being tired. I got on the coach. Which wasn’t too bad and we set off! Paris here I come! 20 minutes in, me and Peter, who was sat opposite me were asked whether we’d like to be on the radio. I said yes, (obs) and so did Peter. When we got to the service stations, we talked to the radio about going to Paris. Me and Peter were told what we’re going to ss and I was really excited because I am going to see: hockey, the Concorde Urban Project, athletics and best of all canoe slalom!! It took a while but, eventually we got on the ferry. There was a bit of panic when I didn’t know where my passport was, but it all turned out fine in the end!

05.30, passports checked and we’re ready to go. Quiet and tired, but clearly excited and super nervous start, ramped up by the very excellent London 2012 opening ceremony on the coach dvd player.

Mr Bean went down well! Obviously, to make us feel old, none of the Scouts had seen it, most were not out of nappies, or even born. Sigh.

Highlight of the morning was talking to Radio Bristol, excellent speaking by Peter and Aimee! Presenter was well impressed. ‘They sound like they’re 27!’ Amused us greatly. Their only advice from myself was don’t be a grumpy teenager! Answer the questions!!

Journey was long… Still quicker than driving to Newcastle (via London). Motorway smash and closure didn’t help. Made it with skin of our teeth! And minutes to spare on coach drivers hours!!

An epic information and safety chat followed in the evening.

If you need a free shower, put up tents in searing humidity…

…and a damp, soggy sleeping bag to end the day. Nice… at least it was a warm night.

Scouts were epic! Sorted most of their coach litter and were actually polite.

…and a damp, soggy sleeping bag to end the day. Nice… at least it was a warm night.

Hmmm!