Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Expedition

We set off from Faversham at around 0930, on Saturday 20th October 2007, for the short journey by squadron minibus, to our starting position at the bottom of the White Cliffs of Dover. After CI Root, had dropped us off in Dover, we were by ourselves for the next 2 days and 1 night.
The route was hilly from the off, and we found ourselves walking up a steep footpath straight away. Although, it was worth it, because of the amazing views, that we saw, when we had climbed up the first hill, there were great views over the Port of Dover, and also of Dover Castle. We realised this was the first opportunity for taking pictures, although CI Slater, insisted that we couldn’t stop for long, as time was rapidly running out (bearing in mind, we still had 5-6 hours of daylight left). We hadn’t been walking long, when we realised that the map that I had purchased a few years before, failed to inform us, that our chosen footpath, was now at the bottom of the cliffs in the cold English Channel. So, we had to take a short detour in land, and a few hundred metres later, found ourselves, climbing down a near vertical cliff face, which although looked dangerous, we all decided that it was actually quite fun and challenging. Anyway, the excitement was now over and we found ourselves walking along the (what seemed, never ending) White Cliffs of Dover.
We reached our checkpoint, slightly behind schedule, the first leg which should have taken just 40 minutes, took almost 90 minutes (maybe Naismith, never included rock climbing in his study). Although we kept going and realised that the route I had picked, wasn’t great, due to the serious hilly ground, although it was agreed, that all the time the English Channel was on our Right, we were going in the correct direction (until of course, we came inland). Again we came in land at St Margaret’s Bay, due to our footpath once again taking a bath in the English Channel. We then decided to have another break at a huge big war memorial (The memorial, an obelisk, commemorates the achievements of the Dover Patrol, which included the defence of the Straits).
It was then time to come in land even more, and we suddenly found ourselves on a farm, when the farmers, asked us if we were the British Army and lost, we replied we’re not lost, we just don’t know where we are, although we found that the map could actually be quite useful in finding out where we were and where we should be heading. Anyway, on we went, and started to walk up another big hill. When we reached the top, we couldn’t find our footpath, so Cpl Dewey, decided to take us across country, through brambles and bushes bigger than Cdt Creed (we can’t go under it, we can’t go over it, we’ve got to go through it!) After emerging from the bushes, we found ourselves on a Golf Course, and were approached by a well-observed gentleman, who pointed out, that we were on a Golf Course (for a minute, I thought it was the pitch, for the Rugby World Cup final). After leaving the Golf Course, we went in search of our Tumuli (that CI Root, suggested would be a nice place to have lunch), although like our footpaths, our Tumuli, didn’t appear to exist either. After realising we were now 1 hour behind schedule, we found our Tumuli. After an extremely quick lunch, it was time to move on, and we soon found ourselves in Walmer (near Deal). After having a lengthy discussion, we realised that we couldn’t decide which way to go, so walked down a road until we came to another footpath. By this time I was in agony, with Blisters the length of my feet (sorry, no pictures of my blisters). After about, another 90 minutes and 4 km’s later, we reached our campsite. The staff had asked me to text them on arrival at the campsite, so they could leave the comfort of a warm pub, to come and find us, although, as soon as we walked into the campsite reception, they were right behind us.
Off we went to pitch our tents (some more easily than others), and after that it was time for dinner. We realised that the temperature was starting to drop, and so out came the bobble hats. Later that evening, after everyone had eaten and we had reflected on the day, we decided to ask nicely if the campsite staff, would allow us to sit in their bar, to watch the RWC final, luckily they were nice and agreed, otherwise it would’ve been a cold night sitting in our tents with nothing to do. Although, reflecting on the result, we might as well of had an early night.
After the rugby had finished it was time to return to our tents, although, I did insist that everyone had a hot drink before getting into their tents to sleep.
I spent the night waking up about every 30 minutes, due to the fact I couldn’t sleep, because it was SO cold.
When we woke up the next morning we noticed ice on our tents, and found ourselves using bankcards, to scrape the ice off the tents, at which point CI Slater and Cpl Dewey, decided to have an ice-ball fight (not quite snow).
Everyone ate breakfast and finished packing and we set off from the campsite at 0915 (15 minutes behind schedule). As we were walking along, we found ourselves at the edge of a road, and realised that we had to tell Cdt Young the dangers of roads every 30 seconds (he did seem shocked that a car was driving along the road). Onwards we continued and found ourselves reaching our first checkpoint of the day, on schedule (so, we’d actually walked faster than I originally anticipated). Several hours later, we finished the second day, 100 minutes (1 hour & 40 minutes) late, and conveniently, our route finished at McDonalds (we could now buy things, because the expedition was over). After several burgers later, we decided it was time to head to Kearsney Train Station (about 1 km away), to catch well…. A train back to Faversham. When we arrived, the ticket office was closed and so we decided to, sit on the platform to get to Faversham, little did we know, South Eastern Trains, were performing “Engineering works” and that our replacement bus, had very kindly, missed Kearsney Train Station. Two hours later, we decided to call CI Root, who very kindly agreed to come and collect us in the sqn minibus (he’s brave to drive that minibus, twice in one weekend). So, we walked back to Whitfield McDonalds, up a huge hill, to find CI Root waiting for us. We finally realised the weekend was over and that we were all going home to proper beds, and I could finally cover up my blisters properly.
All that’s left for me to say is a huge well done to the Expedition group:

CI Slater
Cpl Dewey
Cdt Bennett
Cdt Young
And of course myself, F/Sgt Masters.

And a huge thank you to, CI Root, for being extremely kind and coming to pick us up.

F/Sgt Masters (Group Leader)