Southern Region Jamboree Weblog

Yes, we are in England. Last night at this time (915PM) it was quite warm and pleasant. Tonight…overcast and quite cool. Many of us broke out our jackets.

After a good night’s rest (at least for me and I hope for many of the lads and lassies) we got up early for a proper “English breakfast” and then loaded up on our coaches for our second day of touring. The morning weather was very nice but we were told to expect a rainy afternoon and the forecast was correct. But the rain was light and intermittent and caused no real problems for anyone.

One half of our group did a tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, and after lunch in one of the parks around Buckingham Palace, toured Westminster Abbey. Views of the Big Ben tower (for you nerds “Big Ben” is the name of the bell, not the clock), Parliament, the Thames River. Also a “ride-by” of Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, and several other notable London landmarks.

There was only enough time for a quick “highlights” tour of the British Museum. My tour guide was stunned when I told her that recently it had been discovered that the markings on the Rosetta Stone were actually a great salsa recipe. Who knew?

The other half first did a tour of the Tower of London (Crown Jewels, the Ravens, and the Castle Walls). Then a general tour of the Tower Bridge area and afterwards they boarded a tour boat for a ride down the Thames River to Greenwich. There, they picnicked in a park overlooking the Thames (as well as the burned out Cutty Sark now under restoration) and visited the Greenwich Observatory and the Maritime Museum.

All groups saw many scouts from other countries (Japan, Germany, Denmark to name a few) who are also touring London before the jamboree. It is interesting to watch them exchange greetings. This is just the tiniest of appetizers for what it will be like beginning Friday morning when we arrive at Hylands Park.

Both groups got a taste of London rush hour traffic coming back to University and dinner was either pizza or chicken planks. Nobody is going hungry although some are a bit mystified by the types of sandwiches in the packed lunches. No peanut butter and jelly…..a variety including some choices like cream cheese and avocado mixture. Well….it’s all about new experiences, right?

Another brief leaders meeting with no serious issues and everyone scattered for their respective areas. Taps is once again set for 10PM.

Tomorrow the two halves of the group will repeat today switching agendas. Tomorrow night we will be packing and ready to move on to the jamboree site on Friday morning. And that’s Day 2. Thanks for the comments and feedback on the report and pictures from Day 1. More pics on the way.