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Ultimate London 26-28 February 2010
On the 26th of February 2010, nine members of Congleton West Ranger Unit embarked on Ultimate London 2010. We were all excited to arrive at Euston Station after a bumpy 2 hour train journey.
To get to our accommodation at the Thameside youth hostel in Rotherhithe, we had to get on the underground and a bus – a new experience for some. We arrived there at about 9.30pm. After being allocated our rooms, we were given supper and had a briefing about the weekend, then we went to bed, (although not all to sleep!)
After a few hours sleep we were up early for a cooked breakfast, to be at Westminster Abbey by 9am. The annual World Thinking Day service had a special Centenary theme this year to celebrate 100 years of guiding. And we were helping to set up. All sections were there including some overseas visitors. Some of our unit members were stewards, showing people to seats, others were singing in the choir. We all enjoyed it and it was fun and made us feel proud to be part of Girlguiding UK.
The service finished and after a packed lunch eaten at Trafalgar Square – with the pigeons – and a quick walk down the Mall to see Buckingham Palace we set off for the West End. We were either going to see Billy Elliot or Wicked! I went to see Wicked at the Apollo Theatre and it was wicked! I would thoroughly recommend it.
We then took the train from Victoria to Crystal Palace to visit the Centenary Maze. We even had a police escort, as the park is normally closed at night. The maze was amazing and we all managed to reach the centre, where some Rangers made their promises.
Back to the youth hostel and then a meal at the pub opposite, which was on the banks of the Thames, followed by a quiz, by which time we were all tired and more than ready for bed. After breakfast on Sunday we could go to either the Tower of London, the Tate, the Globe Theatre or the London Bridge Experience. I went to the Tower of London and saw the crown jewels and many other things. We then all met up at the London Eye and we had amazing views across the capital. Then we were off to Covent Garden after a farewell and thanks to the organisers. We shopped till we dropped and brought souvenirs of our weekend, including I love London hoodies, and watched the street acts. Then it was off to Euston station, a quick snack and a train journey home. We arrived back very tired but we all had a fantastic time!
Fiona Hand Congleton West Ranger Unit
Horseguards Parade
A London phonebox
Trafalgar Square
Comments from Congleton West District Ranger Unit members (– noted during our return journey Euston – Crewe early Sunday evening)
- Really fun, jam-packed weekend
- Met loads of new people
- My favourite part was seeing Wicked as I love the West End and it was an incredible show! I could easily have watched it again straight afterwards.
- Best buy was my Royal marmalade from the Royal Mews shop which I can’t wait to try
- My highlight of the weekend was seeing Billy Elliot – I loved the film but seeing the stage show was amazing
- The whole trip was really well organised, especially giving us the freedom to do extra things for ourselves
- It was the first time I’d been to London – it was very different but I enjoyed every minute
- Very enjoyable weekend, seeing Billy Elliot was definitely the highlight.
- My first time going to London and it was great fun and I would love to come again. I was nervous about the underground before I went but by Sunday afternoon I felt quite confident about it.
- Jam-packed and fulfilling weekend, which was both controlled and enjoyable.
- Billy Elliott was definitely the highlight for me
- Really enjoyed being able to explore London with independence
- Amazing! Loved the West End and all the activities we did
- The Maze at Crystal Palace was impressive and a special place to go.
- The transport system is pretty complicated and I learnt that it gets a bit busy on the ‘tube’ but we were fine!
- It’s gonna hurt tomorrow, but it was definitely worth it!
- Billy Elliot was amazing and the Maze was really impressive – it’s great that guiding has somewhere so public to celebrate how we started.
- Seeing the West End show, Wicked, was the best part of the weekend. I enjoyed it a lot and found it really funny.
