GOLD Estonia: Off to Camp - Tuesday 5 July

Here's the first in our series about Estonian Guide camp...

Bright and early we were ready on Tuesday the 5 July to head to camp. Unfortunately - our train didn't leave until 2pm, so we had to reign in our eagerness to start our camp adventure.

Our hostel is quite near the harbour, so after breakfast and packing, we headed down to the harbour again. Down the hill we found a very large concrete structure, with a grassy area in front, where we settled to relax in the sun. After enjoying a picnic lunch, some of us decided to climb the building, with its multiple levels and brilliant view from the top.

The structure. Note the van in front shows it's size!	Climbing the first stairs	More stairs to the top
Looking across to the Cruise Ship "Car Park"	Selfie at the Top!	Having fun walking back

Soon enough it was time to head back to the hostel and collect our luggage to head to the train station. The trains in Estonia are very modern, immaculately clean, and always punctual. We only had a short wait at the train station before our train arrived, and 20 mins later we were on our way. With our luggage piled in the corner, we enjoyed a game of Uno on the 45 min trip to Vasalemma where we were to meet the Estonian Guides.

Turtles head off again!	The Luggage Pile on the train	Playing Uno
Google Map of approx location of Vasalemma	Vasalemma Station - This is the building surrounded by fields

Fortunately we were met at the station by Kaidi and some of the other Estonian Guides, and taken to the campsite. We were camping on a beautiful property owned by one of the Guiding families, complete with fields, camping areas, porta-loos, kitchen in a farm shelter, and a large collection of assorted farm buildings. Fortunately we had been offered the loan of an Estonian Tent, and our first activity was to set it up. This massive 8 man tent had more than enough room for the 6 of us, and we were able to sort out our bedding and get comfortable.
Our next hurdle was very typical of a GOLD Project - our planned trainings needed review to accommodate the camp timetable, and a lack of available Rovers. No problem - and we set down for a quick discussion and revised plan. We were also invited for a meal of soup. By this time it was late afternoon, and we were not sure if it was lunch or dinner being served. Turns out it was a late snack, and was followed by a dinner of stew. Nearly all of the lunches and dinners on camp were either soup or stew, and always accompanied by bread - good thing they were delicious!

Setting up the tent

Rescheduling Sessions

Replanning our Training Sessions

We also helped around the campsite, and volunteered to sort the wood pile. We had some fun pretending to be trees, using axes and saws, and building a pile our Guiders would be proud of! After dinner it was opening campfire run by the camp leaders; the first of many over the week. We headed to bed, tired but excited for the promise of tomorrow and our first training sessions!