Sarah McDonagh

The World Jamboree 2011

2010-04-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well I can't believe im actually going! I had decided not to go and had missed the closing date for applications but when Brian heard this he was really disappointed. He had been hoping to have one person from our troop going to represent us. I felt bad that I had let him down and so I decided to go. Luckily they accepted my late application and so here I am.

Last weekend we had out first meeting of the Beith troop, which is the troop I've been put into for the Jamboree. It means Birch in Irish. Every troop has been given a tree in Irish and is made up of 36 scouts and 4 leaders.

Our troop has mostly girls and a few guys from all over, mostly Dublin but a few from Wicklow and Donegal too!

Next weekend is our first training weekend, in Larch hill. It'll give me a chance to get to know people and hopefully make friends as I'm pretty scared being on my own.

I'd just like to say now that the fact that I'm able to go is mostly down to the fantastic scout troop I'm in. They have supported me so much in everything and are helping in paying and fundraising a large amount of the camp fee. Without them I wouldn't be going and in fact I don't think I'd be who I am today! They've given me everything I am..

Gaisce Hike :)

2010-04-29T11:38:00.001-07:00

This hike was part of the gaisce award that we are doing in TY. The word Gaisce basically means the presidents award and its recognised in alot of places as a prestigious award to have.

The award has many parts to it, including: community, physical, skill and adventure, so this weekend was the adventure part.
We started off on Saturday morning in the Glendalough car park and hiked up and around Camaderry Mountain. It was about a 15Km hike I think and we did it really fast! I thought it was easy but I guess thats because i'm used to hiking. It was great craic with about 70 of us and a few teachers who are actually nice outside school!
After the hike we split up. The half who had hiked the night before headed home and we headed to the Glendasan Hostel for our over night! The walk from Glendalough to the hostel was about 15 mins and it ran along a really nice river which i was tempted to get into for a splash!

When we got to the hostel there was a bit of hastle with who was in what house and what room, but it got sorted and we settled in for the night. Dinner was a short affair of spag bol and for supper we had some of Katies mum's amazing cakes!

Mr.Dunne told us some ghost stories and we had a good old gossip about the 3rd years ;)

Then just after we got into bed Inion NiGhallagher arrived for the night at about 1am!
It felt like I had only been asleep 10 minutes when I woke up, and being me once I'm awake I'm up!

We had our breakfast and cleaned the house before heading to mass in Laragh. This was another 20 minute walk including a steep hill!

After mass we completed the final part of our Gaisce hike, a short walk up in the hills behind the church, leading back to Glendalough.

Our Gaisce hike was over, and other than Paris it'll be one of the most memorable things of TY. It made the year closer to eachother and to the teachers, and to think i was contemplating not going!

Womans Mini Marathon

2010-04-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

This year for the first year ever, I'm taking part in a marathon. The Woman's Mini Marathon! Its a 10km race which goes all the way around Dublin City.

I started my training last week. After being sick for so long my fitness had really suffered and I'm finding it hard to get back into it. I'm in my second week of training now and am only up to 3km. The race is on the 7 June so I have about a month to get up to 10km which is going to be a big challenge, but if your thinking now, 'why bother?' Theres a certain attraction to the achievement you feel from running that little bit further, and the fact that I'm helping someone at the same time because I am doing it in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. Every time I run I get the satisfaction that I'm helping make someones life better. I am lucky to be doing some of my training with school, and our coach Ms.Coyne is great at motivating and shes pushing us all the way. Her training schedule involves running to a dart station a week. The next stop is Seapoint, but I can barely make it to Dun Laoghaire! But its early days yet!

So the training goes on. I've no pictures for these posts because I mostly run alone but their will be one of the finishing line!

Kayaking- Level Three

2010-03-31T05:34:00.000-07:00

So my level three was coming up, and ask anyone. I was panicking. Until now I did most things the lazy way thinking "If it does what I want it to, its grand."

But coming up to the assessment is wasn't. I very quickly had to sharpen all skills up.

Coming up to the assessment I did two training days. Both on the Liffey. The first day the water was at a good level but we barely covered anything. Only forward ferry gliding! Like what use is that?

So I went for a second trip. This time the Liffey was DIRT LOW! Lowest ever. Sluice was no where near running and in comparison to its normal self I would describe it as a dribble.

But all the same I learnt most the stuff on the syllabus, and all you people above Level Three are probably thinking ahh its a piece of piss and yes it was but it didn't feel like that the morning of it!

We met at the ICU centre at 1.45 where we all got changed and put our stuff in the trailer. From then we transported to the get in, just before Lucan Weir.

And it began! Basically the trip was ran as if we were leading it. The water was at an average level and everything was easy going. I didn't go for the boxes this week though! I wanted to start with a good start not by falling off the side of the boxes!

My breaking in and out was ok, but I was only getting comfy on the river by the time we were off it! The assessor had noticed me and Rachel were hesitant and he pulled us aside at the start and told us to relax. I kind did after then, but i'm never a relaxed person on the river. Or off for that matter.

The only thing that came as a shock to me on the assessment was the breaking in and out with a bow rudder. I hadn't really done it much before because it wasn't really on the syllabus but I knew the gist of it so I gave it a lash.

And I passed!! Whoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surprised myself really. Everyone kept telling me it would be fine and I'd pass but I didn't quite believe myself that I would, and I did. I was also proud of myself on the day because I shot the middle of Wrens. I have an aversion to that weir and never like shooting it and normally go for the very left side. ie, the safest! I had said to the assessor I was going for the left but changed my mind at the last minute, ran it and styled it!! If i might say so myself! I even had a little surf at the bottom even if it was on the left side! :)

Work Experience

2010-03-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

Well, some of the best weeks i've had in fourth year are over. I anticipated them for so long and it was so worth it! :)

My first week was in The Great Outdoors in town. I started off on Monday morning in the main store, where I was introduced to everyone and shown round. I was pretty nervous the first day because I didn't know anyone and felt a bit awkward.

By then end of the second day I was loving it. I am lucky to have an extensive knowledge of camping, hiking, skiing and outdoors gear so I could help customers on the floor. I had to get a bit of help but I like to think I held my own in the store.

On wednesday I had a day off because there was a staff meeting in the morning and in the afternoon I had a hockey match!

On Thursday I started off in the storeroom doing stock in the mainstore but as I only had 2 days left at this stage I was eager to get into the Watersports dept. Which I like to think is my speciality! Seeing as I spend approximately 100 days of the year in the water!

That night GOD would be hosting the launch of the movie Dream Results, so i was kept busy helping prepare for that, and was entertained by Dave and Albert who were both very funny and nice to me! I also learnt a few new things such as how to fill a dive tank, which I was terrified to do but Dave wouldn't let me away!

Anyway back to the Dream Results launch. It was in my opinion and in many others, a great success so well done to the organisers.

Russ Sturges and Tyler Bradt came over from The States to launch it in the store and the paddling community turned out in their masses to give them the warm Irish welcome.

The movie itself was great aswell, and i have to say i loved the carnage. I've now seen the movie about 12 times seeing as it was one repeat in the store the day after but nonetheless still a good film.

The atmosphere in GOD on the night was amazing and Russ Sturge's rap at the end was epic as was the input from Dave. :)

All in all the launch was AWESOME, as the yanks would put it.

The next morning was not so awesome though. Ye kayakers are a messy bunch and you left your mark. The morning was spent putting the shop back together and cleaning up the booze spilt on the floor so that the customers would not stick to it or wonder what the smell was!

On Friday I also got to meet Laura, the lovely girl who works in the watersports dept. Poor her working with Dave and Albert! Joke :)

I had fun chatting to her, learning about the shackletons course which has caught my interest! Hmmm.

I also had the pleasure of cleaning out one of Paul's store rooms in the shop, which was a big enough job! He'd better keep it clean!

So that was the end of my time in The Great Outdoors, which I honestly thoroughly enjoyed despite all the negative comments I got about it. I met a sound bunch of people and learned a few life skills, aswell as getting to meet Rush Sturges and Tyler Bradt, TWICE! (The next morning they called back to the store to say bye)

My next work experience was in The Ski Centre in Sandyford, another experience which was incredible to say the least. The people up there are the soundest bunch of guys (boy do I sound like a culchie here! ) EVER.

Apart from the trek of getting there (which was actually nicely sorted out for me because Jane and Tamsen lived across the road from me so I scabbed lifts off them. Thanks!) I have nothing bad to say about the place.

While I was there I got to ski for a few days which I'm sure improved my technique, learn (kind of) how to use there very confusing booking system and learn how to fit boots and skis which I'm sure all of will come in handy in the future!

But it wasn't all fun, games and skiing. I had to do a bit of work aswell ; Sorting out files, shredding files and spraying boots with minty antibacterial spray which left my hands minty for two days after!

I've less to write for the ski centre but thats because two weeks later my memory is failing me! But it was a great week of work experience that I'll be recommending to next years fourth years!

After that I went to Killiney Castle for one week. No wait thats a lie. I went for four days, i couldn't bear to do the last one. I'm not going to write much on this and bore everyone but I wouldn't recommend anyone to go here. All I did for the four days was polish glasses and cutlery and fold napkins. WORST WEEK EVER!

Scouting In The New Year

2010-03-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

The weekend after the senior hostel, Hannah and I made a brave decision to go hostelling with the cubs, which is surprisingly energy-consuming. When we reached Larch Hill, the cubs and leaders set off for a small hike, while Hannah and I volunteered to cook dinner. And believe me cooking dinner for 35 people is no easy feat. You should have seen the size of the pots and pans we used.

But dinner wasn't going to take us the amount of time we had, sooooo the pictures below will describe what you can get up to with an industrial roll of tin-foil.

(disclaimer: TINFOIL LEAVES SEVERE CUTS ON YOUR FINGERS! BEWARE)

The senior hostel trip was on the 26/27 February. We hiked from the Glendalough carpark, to the hostel in the valley called Glenmalure. It took us about 5 hours, but we had alot of breaks. The ground underfoot was really snowy the whole way up and that made it quite hard to walk in. But we made it eventually, and plenty of fun was had. That hostel always remains my favourite despite the fact it lacks running water, heat or electricity. The evening was spent playing charades by the fire, dinner was cooked in the dimly lit kitchen, by means of a gas hob. The only way of providing light or cooking power in the hostel! Hi- Jinx were high between us all, or me and Aisling at least and I think we finally got to sleep at about 4! Sorry Donna! Another good hostel over and done with :)

Boatwork has also begun, not too long now before we're back on the water. My favourite time of the year!

Dail Na Nog

2010-03-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

http://www.rte.ie/tv/theden/news2day/news2day_av.html

Last Friday I was given the chance to attend Dail na nOg, a big conference which gives the youth of today a chance to voice their opinions!

When I was elected from my local Comhairle na nOG to go to this, I had no idea what it was and to be honest weasn't really looking forward to it. Boy did I change my mind. I'm not sure if I would go as far as saying it was a life changing experience as of yet but I was delighted at the chance to really get my voice heard.

A week before Dail na nOg we had a training day where we learnt to discuss the themes we would be given and how to make reccomendations.

A week later we were at Croke park for the real thing.

We arranged to meet in town at 9.45, and on Friday morning 6 out of 7 of us were there. e waited around for the last person for a while only to find out they thought we were meeting in Dun Laoghaire at 9.45. So we had to go on without them, but ironically he was the only person who knew the way to Croke Park.

We found a computer and googled how to get there but without a map it was kinda useless. A few people thought they knew the way so we chanced it.

Then we sa another Comhairle so we tried to follow them, only we followed them to a taxi rank!

Eventually we made it to Croke Park, although we couldn't race up to the pastries because we had to wait for the last person to arrive, and our picture to be taken of our Comhairle.

We headed upstairs to register where we were given a backpack, with loads of stuff in it!!

Shortly the show got on the road, it began with a short introduction, followed by discussion groups then lunch ( yes!!) . Then we went back for a Q&A session, electronic voting for the recommendations and finally, the closing ceremony, or whatever its called.

It was a great day and to top it off later that night I appeared on both the Six One news on RTE and on News2day on The Den, which i was well happy about!

If your between the ages of 12-18 get yourself on a Comhairle today and then get yourself to Dail na nOg 2011, for a chance to have your voice heard!

2010-02-19T05:25:00.000-08:00

Whoops! Its been way to long since and update but sure, that's life. Haven't actually done a whole lot since Christmas due to a whole load of illnesses! Who gets tonsillitis and glandular fever all in one month?

Well straight after Christmas the snow came down in bucket loads and it was probably the first snowfall in Ireland that i will remember. I've never had so much fun than sliding down theBurma road up on Killiney hill with my mates! Also never though I'd have to wear my ski gear in Ireland!

After all the snow melted the rivers were up really high so i stayed away from them! My first trip after Christmas was on the Rathdrum to the meetings stretch which i hadn't done in about three years!! I really enjoyed it but i was absolutely freezing which is why i was glad i had my brand new kokatat dry suit! It really was the business and I can't wait to wear it again!

Tomorrow is the first day of my instructor course which I'm excited for but don't know how I'llcope as i have glandular fever! whoop! Theres another club trip on Sunday but i think i may have to pass as i don't think ill have the energy!

Tomorrow night is also the LADY GAGA concert which I'm physched for!! If i can manage to stay awake for the whole thing!

Anyway the main theme for this post is PARIS!!!

For our TY trip we went to Paris! and it was awesome. busiest time I've ever had in 5 days. I thought it was the busy schedule that had me worn out but it could have been the glange :P

Day one: we met at the school at 4.00am!! early much? but we were all really excited so no one minded. Apparently for like the first time ever everyone was on time! Go us!

Our flight to Charlois in Brussels was fine, but when we got to the airport it was a different story. Firstly the bus was delayed due to all the snow around, we didn't mind much though. But we were all getting a bit tired now!

The the bus drive that should have taken 2.5hours to Paris turned into four ours because of the weather and the driver was a little crazy because he had the heat on full blast and wouldn't let us open the windows. I nearly died. The journey was still fun though but we were glad to arrive at our accommodation! We were supposed to visit monmartre but it was a bit late when we arrived so we all opted to go straight to the hotel!

When we arrived though we had been told the rooms were changed once again and that involved more hanging about but still we did it in good humour, boy spotting out the windows! :)

We eventually got our rooms, i was in with my besties Hannah and Ciara and another girl called Katherine who we were put in charge of for the night because she has additional needs. We were a little upset that our other best friend Aisling didn't get in a room with us but we got on with it!

After a disgusting dinner (no one warned me about the mashed potato!) we went on a guided bus tour of Paris which would have been good i guess had our eyes not been falling out of our heads from tiredness! And we were all getting a little snappy on the bus.

We stopped at the Eiffel Tower and took pictures and some people bought Churros and Crepes. Thinking back i didn't have a crepe for the whole time!!

Day 2:

We got up very early at 7.am!! Eek and had our breakfast. Fortunately breakfast isn't as bad as dinner but i just went with a croissant! Yum!

We hit the Louvre after where we got a guided tour and it would have been very interesting but i think this is where the glange kicked in and i just couldn't concentrate.

We drove to the Eiffel Tower afterwards and were let loose for the first time. We spent ages looking around all the little shops and got some groceries to prevent starvation from dinner! Me and Hannah went to a little cafe where we got ripped off! We both ordered a roll to eat there and weren't told until after we sat down and were halfway through our meal that we had to buy a drink to stay, so we did and the drinks were 3.50 each! I was not impressed. That brought our humble roll up to a tenner.

We then visited the Eiffel tower and went up to the first floor (we couldn't go up any further because of the weather). There was good views but it was freezing up there and snowing!! We took a few pics and then headed back down!

That even after another gross dinner we went on a cruise on the seine which was very enjoyable. Not wanting to face the cold though i stayed indoors with Katherine, and took pictures as the boat took us up the river which goes through the centre of Paris and some monuments can be seen!

Day 3:

Possible the best day of the whole trip! DISNEYLAND!

I had never been before so i was like a little kid when i got in! I was slightly scared because me and rides don't mingle! But it was great and the first thing i hopped on was 'Big Thunder Mountain' which is a little roller coaster and very fun! You really need more than one day indisneyland though and a fast pass is recommendable! i didn't have one and wasn't arsed to queue for some things so i missed out!

What i did manage to go on though was!!

La Carrousel de Lancelot

'Its a small world'

Buzzlightyear laser blast

Pirates of the Caribbean

Phantom Manor

Big thunder mountain.

If you go during the winter its better because theres less people but my god dress warmly because it was freezing! I was wearing converse and i was convinced my feet were going to fall off.

That night we stayed in the hotel for a table quiz and a wind down!

Day 4:

In the morning we went to the Musee D'Orsay, same story a the louvre, another building full of old paintings which really don't do anything for me! Some things float your boat. This doesn't.

After the musee we went shopping the most highly anticipated event of the trip! Everyone was excited to get a goo in Paris shops on Rue de Rivoili!

It didn't disappoint and there were some good bargains to be had. I spent alot of money! :) sure what else does a girl do best?

Afterwards we were waiting around for everyone to turn up and we nearly got pick pocketedand it was very scary! And then they followed us and i was trying desperately to hold onto my 70 shopping bags and my handbag!!

We all made it safely back to the buses and back to the hotel where we a quick dinner before heading to the cinema to see Up In The Air. Which was actually surprisingly okay! And it wasEnglish.

Desperately tired we headed back to the hotel for one final night!

Day 5 *sob* :

We were supposed to go to mass on the final morning but because it took us so long to get fromBrussels to Paris we didn't want to take any risks on the way back so were leaving extra early. But get this, we hadn't even left the hotel when the buses collided! The back screen on the busin front of us shattered and the corner of our windscreen was all smashed too!

We then had to head back into the hotel for another few hours while the teachers tried to sort out another bus. But due to the match being on there was none to be had so then we got the train. and here's where i got lucky!! There wasn't enough normal class tickets for the train so i had no choice but to get first class and boy was it snazzy! We got free food and drink, and best of all for me! Free wifi! I hadn't had access to my email in a whole week!! :0

Eventually we made it to the airport and got on our plane without a glitch!

And i was home thankfully and off to the doctor!

Anyways despite all the ups and downs and my moaning it was a fantastic trip which will be remembered forever!

Whats been going on:

2009-12-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

The following pictures are what i've been up to for the past few months! Ty has been mad busy and i've been up to so much i haven't had a spare minute!

Not much to write this time round, but i'll try to keep update as much as i can so i don't forget!!!

Over the past few months i've done more kayaking than ever before and have learnt a few new things. I've done the annamoe 4 times now in succession and have run it in every level possible: flood -> scrapey. The pictures are shite, sorry!

A kayaking session was held for the adults and it was pretty funny to watch them all to spraydeck tests etc. Theres to be a river trip after christmas for them which i hope to be able to go on and have a laugh!
As we headed into town for some christmas shopping to our dismay the dart was 100 minutes away! (It was an error :) )
On one of my many trips to the annamoe/avonmore this season one was in the floods, possibly a stupid time to run a river. It was Cathys first river trip and the level was big, bouncy and sporty. Scary and fun! So we got on and cathy capsized once and it was fine she swam and got back in, then i swam for the first time in a few years! and then she swam again, this time not so simple... After she surfaced i was ahead and heard some one shout head injury so i pulled into an eddy not sure if it was a joke or not and then i see Cathy being pulled along by Clara with blood running down her face. Then i kind of silently freaked out! We cut the trip short then and me and Cathy headed off to the swiftcare clinic with her parents where she got stitches. She hasnt been out since but its nicely healed and i'l be getting her back on the rivers after christmas although maybe just for a quiet trip on the liffey... :)

La Boyne as Leky would say.

2009-10-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

First trip of the season was on last sunday. Close to no water around but still for some reason half the county headed for the boyne...?

When we arrived Lacken must of had about 50 kids on the water all having the craic. We got on a short while later and the fun began!

Simon spent a short time teaching us some stuff but mostly because the river was so low we shot stuff the way we wanted. I can honestly say i didn't think i'd ever enjoy going down a weir backwards!

Towards the end it was a bit of a slog though because there was virtually no flow. But it was just a warm up for the great season to come! :)

Shannon Cruise Trip

2009-10-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Bank Holiday Weekend.

This years pl and apl trip was on the shannon from Carrick downwards and everywhere in between! :)

I met Donnchadh and Orlaith at the Emerald Star depot at 5.30 on Friday evening where i was shown my room for the weekend. Disgusted at the fact i had to share a bed with Hannah and that we were on the leaders boat i quickly switched boats!

Hannah and I were left on our own for a while then after she arrived because the leaders went shopping and we had to wait for the rest of the scouts to arrive who took the train. Eventually they got there at about 7.00pm and then we waited another hour for the leaders to arrive back with our dinner! :P

When they did eventually get back with dinner which surprisingly wasn't spag bol, it then had to be cooked so we didnt eat til about 10.00 and needless to say we were all starving...

We stayed the night in carrick and the following morning set off after a sleepless night.

We continued on down towards roscommon, going through locks and just chilling really. We didnt do much stuff except eat, mess and swim. We went swimming every day and it was fffreeezzing! But still fun, and the hot shower afterwards felt so good.

Dinner on sat was spag bol, i don't think any trip gets away without it.

We stopped at Tarmonbarry for saturday night and the leaders as usual went to the boozer and we spent the evening on the roof, looking at the sky because it was really clear and really amazing!

Another night with very little sleep passed and we cruised onwards on sunday morning. We went a little past Tarmonbarry but not be much. We had planned to go through a little lock but the lock keeper didn't show up so we turned around and went back up through tarmonbarry to roosky where we spent our last night.

The last night was probably the funniest because we played truth or dare and stayed up again quite late.

Monday saw a last swim and a major clean up before heading back to carrick.

It was a really great trip and everyone is looking forward to next years! :)

Wicklow Mountains Kayak Club

2009-10-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well its official. Me and Cathy are members of WMKC and really happy to say so. All summer we'd been saying "ah yeah we'll join" but it never really happened until last weekend when we took the plunge and ventured into the unknown. Which turned out not to be so unknown for the first trip was a flatwater session to see where people were at at Lough Dan, the scout centre where i've camped before.

So Cathy and I rocked up there at about 11 and donned our gear. We met some of the club members who were all really nice and patient with us kids. We paddled up the lake a bit and practiced some stokes and people began learning how to roll, but lucky me I knew how to roll!

I was in a bit of pain in my wee playboat while everyone else sported creekers but i've resolved to stick to it!

No pics for now because i stupidly left my camera in the car, (i don't think i'll ever follow in my dad's footsteps!)

Later dudes,

Sarah.

Goodbye Summer 09.

2009-09-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

Well the summer is well and truly over and I am back at school. I have to say this has been a fantastic summer and i had so many great opportunities between working in Kevins, kayaking and mono-skiing i don't know myself as my granny would say!

I can tell already 4th year is going to be mad busy and absolutely deadly. This week i tried out for the musical and keeping in mind i can't sing i got a call back!!

Last weekend was Sluice, this weekend was the sprints, who knows what the next ones will hold. The scout liffey descent is coming up which im looking forward to and im hoping to get a few runs in with wmkc this winter along with my own club.

This post is a bit random and all over the gaf but i felt i had to end the summer on a good post!

Scouts are still on the water for another few nights and then its back to the hall. I hope to have plenty more to blog about soon but untill then,

So long suckers! :)

Sluice 30/08/09

2009-08-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

Well today i hit sluice for the first time. Simon, Adam, Ross and I rocked up at about two o'clock, the level was quite low but that suited me so i could get a feel for the wave the first time.

We dropped straight in and took turns to surf, Me and Adam are just learning to surf, but because the water was so low (the lowest i have ever seen in fact) you couldn't stay on the wave at all it just flushed you out straight away. I didn't capsize every time but most the times when i did i swam which i was quite pissed off about but i was delighted when i rolled up once which showed me i could actually do it, its just a matter of getting used to it.

Anyway I really enjoyed the day and it was a great experience and I hope to head there again soon when the water is right if Simon will put up with me! :)

You'll see from the video i upload later what it was like anyways.

Ta for now,

Sarah

Achill Island Deserves Its Own Post!

2009-08-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Well! Where to start? I've only been here since wednesday but it feels like forever. The first evening i headed down for a surf which was phenomenal and since i arrived the waves have got bigger and bigger!! I didn't get on well with a hard surf board the first day so for the next few i rented a soft foam one which was great. This morning the waves were ginormus! Must have been at least 8 feet, and thats high to me!

I planned to head out again this afternoon but the silly fog came in and no-one was allowed out on the beach! :(

Tomorrow i plan to head down again. I have pictures but there not on my own camera so i don't know when I'll get them!

Forgot to mention!! We went to this amazing place, its like a hill on the side of keel beach and loads of people have made there names in stones on the hill, so i did too! Theres a pic of it somehwhere on this blog. I have to say Achill is somewhere definitly worthy of a visit!

Lough Allen Adventure

2009-08-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

This year i have been helping out in an outdoor adventure centre in Ballinaglera, co.Leitrim. I have been doing summer camps there for the past five years and at this stage leitrim is my second home. This year though, i felt a little too old to be a camper once again but not wanting to waste away the summer i presented myself to Kevin (My besties uncle) who is the centre owner, and kindly he took me on despite any misfortunes with sinking rafts in the past. :)

So on monday me and my brother and sister set for the shores of Lough Allen where they would be campers and i would be their instructor!!! Mwahaha power over the siblings!

The first morning was rather slow and we had a few quick morning games before heading onto the lake for some kayaking!! We paddled over to the pontoons, played a short game of bib and bob and then paddled back for lunch. After lunch we played a few games with the windsurf boards on the water because the wind was off shore and not suitable for the kids.

On tuesday morning we did some archery in the morning which im truly atrocious at but we still had some fun and lots of people ended up in funny situations!! After lunch we did the lough allen raft challenge and of course the legends that were my team won and we had a victory jump off the pontoons!!

On wednesday we paddled the river shannon from Dowra to Lough Allen. It was a 6km river run and then a paddle back through the bays of the lake to the centre. It was a bit much for all the kids in the end and Tojo ended up towing at least 6 kids, and i towed my sister! The river itself was an easy grade 1 with a tiny set of low rapids and the kids all found it great!

That evening there was a community event, The Lough Allen Raft Challenge. This year there wasn't such a great turnout and with only three teams we set of for sit on top kayak island! After that you head to helmet island before setting off to nuclear reactor bay and then to the deactivator! Team O Lets Go! (My team) came second due to some sabotaging on Tojos part!

Today (Thursday) we started the day with fire lighting and now my clothes stink of smoke!! Gross! Me and tojos team were a joint second and kayle's team came first. My firelighting skills seem to be diminishing despite the amount of fires i lit last week!

After lunch we had a few different sessions going on on the water. I went out sailing with a few of the other girls and we ended up sinking a raft which was hilarious and very fun although ludo didnt seem to be too impressed. But we know deep down he loved it!!

He then decided to scrap the sailing session and let the next group just sink the boat seeing as it was on the cards since day one anyway.

On the way home there was more attempt of pirating on the other raft but some angry instructors set them straight.

Tomorrow we head to burger bay where i might get some proper kayaking done finally. Believe it or not i haven't been in my own kayak all week and its been lying neglected on the shore! It still only got a little paddle and very annoyingly the two Hannah's filled it up with sand which was a big pain in the ass and required an hour cleaning to get it out!!!!! I took everybit of outfitting out of my boat to try and get the sand!

Thanks so much to Kevin for letting me come and hopefully il be back next year, and to Ludo and Tojo especially for making me welcome even when i used to terrorize them as a kid! :)

If anyones around the Lough Allen area be sure to pay luch allen adventure a visit for an all round class time! (notice the use of bogger words in this post!)

Summer Camp 2009

2009-08-02T11:19:00.001-07:00

Once again another summer camp has come and gone and fun was had by all! Leaving the boathouse last Saturday spirits were high and the two and a half hour journey to Lough Gowna was pleasant enough.

When we reached the campsite the rest of the day was taken up with lugging rucksacks, tents and dining shelters up the hill to the flat area which we would call home for the next 8 days.

All through the day the typical Irish weather kicked in and wets were donned but not before most were soaked through to the skin. At least lessons were learnt on the first day.

Through the day we continued through rain and wind and successfully built our tri-pods (a first for many!)The boats were launched and camp was well and truly on its way. That night our camp fire was alive with new and fangled versions of lady in red and various other songs.

The following day was a 9am start. Breakfast was a long affair and the day got off to a rather slow start. Some tri-pods still needed completion. It can't have been a great day considering while writing this i actually cant remember it!

The next day most activities began and each patrol was given something different. My patrol was rowing and wood cutting whilst other patrols were either topaz sailing or kayaking. I misses this session because i was sick :(

Throughout the week we continued the same activities although due to wind we couldn't sail alot. On either the wednesday or the thursdaywe went to longford where we went swimming, to the cinema and toMcDonalds which made for quite an enjoyable day out.

The following evening we had a grid reference where our dinner was dropped to a point near to where we were camping and we were given a grid reference and a map to go find it. Luckily my patrol found ours alright and we ate a not so nice meal of carbanara or however you spell it and tea cake. We arrived back an hour early and to our surprise two other patrols arrived back 15 minutes later, neither of them having found their dinner. Toms patrol arrived 40 mins or so later and had found his dinner also.

Later that evening when all had been fed the family which had lent us their field for camping came up for our campfire which unfortunately that night had to be censored... :( They seemed to have enjoyed our wacky ways but who knows or cares? They baked us cakes anyways so all was good!!! :)

The following day we sailed, rowed and kayaked some more. I still don't remember alot of what i did so its a bit of a patchy description of our camp. Once again we had a camp fire and i had a rather heated phone conversation with my mum about how i didn't want to go to the doctor because i was still sick but as mothers do, she won and the following morning me and Leky set of for the stupid GP. Turns out i wasn't actually attention seeking for the whole week. I had a sinus infection and have to take stupid tablets.

I got to help Leky with the shopping after the doctor before we headed back to camp where i was disgusted to find that all my hard work in helping my patrol win the patrol competition had been undone in the space of a few hours. Several wet weather games which required intelligence which i kind of lack made us fall into second and a tight race with tom.

For the next two days me and toms were neck to neck and as my patrol will tell you, i was getting very bossy and everything had to be done perfect!!!

On the Saturday before we were due to leave the farmer who's field we were in pulled up with a horse box and invited us all to his farm so to our surprise he opened up his horse box and we all hoped in leaders and all. I have to say that was probably the hightlight of the trip for me. We saw some animals at his farm but meh.. WE GOT TO RIDE IN A HORSE BOX!!!!

That night we saw our last camp fire and for us elders possibly our last scout camp.. :( for soon we will be ventures :)

Anyway the songs rang out, the scouts went to bed and we warmed our feet for the final time. That night us girls the rebels we are snook into the boys tent. 3 of the girls spent the night in there with no sleeping bag but me the sensible one thought that with a sinus infection it may not be the brightest of ideas, so i went back and slept on my own all night... :( I have to say it made the tent alot colder.

I was glad of the sleep i had got though because that morning we faced our last inspection which would determine who won. Me or tom or tim or rob?

That was a nerve wrecking morning for me but luckily my hard work pushed through and my patrol won. I have to say i was delighted. My first camp as Pl and all!!

The rest of the day was a mad scramble of tidying up and i was sad to go home.

It wasn't the best camp i've been on though. Alot of activities couldn't be done because of the weather and i was sick for the majority of the camp so although are leaders did an amazing job that camp won't go down in history. The troop has become alot closer though and i now have some sound friends although most of them probably think i'm a bossy cow at this stage.

I have a good few pictures to stick up when i get back to Dublin so if you have actually bothered to read this take a look when i update!!

x Sarah

The 'Summer' So Far

2009-07-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

This summer is set to be eventful and the next year will be full of antics so when better to start than now.

This month i tired mountain biking for the first time! I really liked it but might need to get a bit more fit first! When all else fails head for the hills!

After that i went away with the family for a two week action break in Turkey. I had an amazing time and spent most days on the water sailing, windsurfing and becoming a mono-skier (no easy feat). The craic was mental!

From there i had a few days recovery before heading to the west of Ireland where its oh-so rainy all day long but this didn't deter me, i bagged my self a summer job helping in an outdoor pursuits centre on the shores of Lough Allen where I spent many a happy childhood. From there I mostly helped with the kayak sessions and let the kids destroy my kayak. Pontoon jumping afterwards is a must. On the last day we headed to a bay for a cook out in the rain and the kids fed me burgers, cookies and marshmallows. Thankfully no rafts were sunk this time and we got back safe and sound. After that i helped with my first proper kayak session which i was delighted to do and a hungover hen party made it all to easy, content with games of bib and bob and water-polo.

That was the end of my time there but i hope to be back in two weeks to torment them again with my enthusiasm.

Next week I'm off camping with my scout troop so it'll be a mad scramble when i get back to Dublin tomorrow to find all my stuff.

Despite the weather my summers been great so far and its all about making the most of it. I'm happy to be out paddling every day and I learnt a few cool things over the week. I plan on taking my kayaking a bit further by joining a new club and taking some freestyle lessons this year. Even when the summers out i'm sure fourth year will provide me with ample time to improve in everything!

Plenty more stories to tell when i get back from camping and this summer will definitely end with a smile on my face.

x Sarah