As some of you may or not know I am a brownie leader. I have been in girl-guiding for a staggering 15 years! I started off as a Brownie, then progressed to Guides, did my Duke of Edinburgh as a Ranger, became a young leader at the age of 15 and finally got my leadership qualification at the age of 21. The worrying thing is that I can open a brownie pack anywhere in the country. A thought I think sends fear through every parent haha. I got rewarded my 5 years service award last week, the geek in me was so proud haha.
Anyway this weekend we took 6 brownies and 6 guides all aged between 7 and 12 to sleep over on HMS Belfast. I think the 6 leaders were more excited than the girls, I have been looking to it forward for weeks! HMS Belfast is one of the few main attractions in London that I have never been too. I am going to go back because I didn't get enough time to be a nerd. I think the girls were too young to appreciate the history, they got bored easily.
The pictures below were taken on my Iphone so please bear in mind the quality is not that great.
This was my bed for the night. We slept downstairs in the mess decks on bunkbeds. In war time 920 men squeezed in here on hammocks only 21 inches apart. I can't even begin to think about how cramped that must have been nor how hot with all those bodies.
I didn't manage to get any pictures but we ate our lunch on the green next to the Mayor's office opposite the Tower of London and saw the red arrows zoom past. It was the first time I have seen them in the flesh and they were so impressive! They looked amazing. We also got to witness the 21 gun salut!
In all the time I have visited London (which is a lot since I only live 30 minutes away) I have never been on Tower Bridge when it lifts up. So you can imagine my excitment when I heard the sirens going. I think it ws another thing that I enjoyed more than my brownies haha!
The tube journey into London was the most stressful journey of my life. Give me rush hour anyday. I don't have to worry about losing anyone!
Awesome pics, I think I've only witnessed the bridge going up once, and I've always lived in London! Well done for the reward, that's pretty cool! I would've been just as excited to sleepover on the ship though :p xx
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Looks like we both had water-themed weekends. xxx
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could deal with the stress of looking after brownies! Did someone get married on this ship/boat on don't tell the bride?
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How exciting to stay on HMS Belfast! I was in the Girl's Brigade, we used to go camping :D
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a lovely time- looks so interesting! :D xxx
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, sound like you had a whale of a time. I used to love brownies and guides as a kid. I secretly aways wanted to be able to go to the scouts cause my best friends brothers gang shows were always fantastic. Luckily girls can now.
ReplyDeleteX x
Ha I was on it once when it lifted up, I was actually on one of the upper levels - I think I screamed!
ReplyDelete♥ www.blahblahbecky.co.uk
My sister once had an overnight on the Golden Hind - apparently the "Tudor" food is vile! Weirdly, I've never been on Tower Bridge while lifting and I live in London!
ReplyDeleteIt would be mine