Wet.

Back in the north now and it is very wet! After a week in the balmy south, especially in devon where it was so bright and hot i needed sun cream, this weather is particularly noticeable.

Let me tell you a bit about Longbarn: its a camp for 8 - 11 year olds in kent, set in the middle of a forest. As such there is not much electricity (there is some thanks to a couple of solar panels), no flushing loos, no internet, and no showers.

Surprisingly, speaking as someone who loves cities, mod cons, and a shower in the morning, going to longbarn is one of the highlights of my year!

I help run the camp, along with around 15 other leaders, ensuring the kids fufill one of the most important rules of the week: to have fun!

Its always strange re-entering society after a week there. One is struck by people using money, rushing to get places, and wearing suits! This is compared to longbarn-ers who emerge into the world needing a wash, engrossed in the idiosyncrasies of camp and looking blankly at a £10 note!

This year's highlights: winning astroblitz (longbarn's premier game), aceing survival (enter forest, cook lunch, try to make sure children don't get food poisoning), and having a bunch of kids really understand the bible stories we were teaching them and ask some excellent questions.

Check out scripture union (who run the camps) to be inspired yourself. :-)

Adios.

The big L

Hello from the train!

I have worked out how to write on this blog from my new phone. Woohoo!

I'm on the train to devon after a week at Longbarn camp. (The big L). This is the fifth year i have been and it was, once again, brilliant.

Now REALLY tired though so won't write more, hope to do so soon.

Is Sam Wylie there...?

I haven't forgotten about this blog, honest!

But I just haven't had any big thoughts that I could put down here to make it really interesting reading.

Generally life in the North is good. I have been here for more than a year now which is amazing! I'm driving a bit too now so am getting to know the roads better and feeling like I'm piecing parts of the city together.

I will be going off on holiday soon and I'm really looking forward to that. Not getting up early for a few days will be great.

One quick observation from today: I was on the Metro (Newcastle's underground rail network) and some tourists asked a Metro worker how to get somewhere. As he was describing where to go he asked them if they knew a particular road.

"No", they replied, "we've only just met this city".

What a nice way to describe being new in a place!

Adios.