Day: April 22, 2011

Awesome

Posted on by JC

How to explain Spring Harvest this year in one word is Awesome. The weather was good – I dont think we had any rain. Lots of sunshine and a nice breeze to go along with it. I didn’t get time to see the beach – it was too busy for that option.

We were based in Skegness, the butlins resort. It was a good time and everyone was friendly. I can’t really think of a bad time throughout it all. I even slept well – to bed around 12 to 12:30 and up for around 6:30 each day. I think I get more sleep than when I’m at home there. Lots of food for breakfast and lunch. Huge variety, and overall quite healthy with the work we were doing. If not for all the activity, the food may have been too much.

Days of moving chairs was the norm and I didn’t mind it really. It is just part of the job, to help out and learn. I have made lots of new friends and re-aquanted with lots of older ones.

I got to be in Jacks again with the youth (well, 11 to 14s) group. This year there was not demand to be in there – everyone wanted centre stage as did the rest of my team so we put Centre stage as our initial choice with alternative of Jacks. Since no-one else put jacks down – we got it by default I think. It was awesome.

I was working with some of the team from the North East YFC which I get on with well. I knew some of them were working this week but I wasn’t aware of how many. More came than expected so seeing friends from where I came from was good too.

We were not a full team this year, and I think when that happens the overall experience of doing is actually better. Last year there was a full team and I didn’t feel it was as good (in team mix) as the first year which was a smaller team. I think people work better together knowing there is less of you… Help oneanother type of attitude. quite a few people dropped out at last couple of weeks due to issues and could no longer help. I really enjoyed it all.

Over the next few weeks, more will come to me and i’ll write it up but as an overview – It was Awesome.

Time Out

Posted on by JC

I’m having a little time out from normal life this month. A time of reflection and meeting with friends I’ve not seen in almost if not years.

I’ve been to Skegness for Spring Harvest stewarding and really enjoyed that – I think it has been the best year on team so far. Now I am in Northampton for the rest of the month.

The plan was to meet different friends I’ve not seen in ages, and was organised for most of this week. So far, none. I have found it odd and somewhat annoying that many have said that they would love for me to come down, but now that I am – they don’t have any free time. I let people know months in advance and it was all the “yeah, that will be great attitude” but so far it seems it was all talk. I have confirmed with several to meet next week from Sunday.

So first few days down here have been to explore and get lost successfully. The house I’m staying in has 3 other people here, all really friendly. I am staying in a rented room for a month. It worked out cheaper than trying to get a hotel for the time and there is a lot more freedom here. Plus I can do my washing so dont need to go elsewhere for it.

A home away from home. Last night I went to trampolining in Northampton, a time to wind down and relax. They made the adults class do warm up – something that is rarely done in the adults class up north although advised to do. It was a good little warm up – less than we make kids do but still energetic enough – think i’ll suggest it when I get back.

The days are hot here, well they feel hot. Apparently been around 20 to 24’C in past few days and today. Bright sunshine, lazing in a back garden in the sun reading a book. Can’t use laptop as normal – too bright but so relaxing – I could come back with a tan…. Probably not though.