14 MARCH TO 22 MARCH 2005

Welcome to people who are reading this from other Foyers, especially the people who went on the Venture Trust course. I am from the Bath Foyer and I am writing this to explaintelling them why I went. I had a wicked time and if you get the chance to go I would seriously suggest you go for it.

This is my journey and what we did.

 I woke up early on Monday morning at 7 o’clock and was really thinking about the journey and thinking about if I remembered every thing once I was sure I started walking to the train station.

I arrived there at 7:45 and the next train was going to Bristol Temple Meads so I jumped on board and arrived there at approx 8:25. I was waiting for my train to Glasgow Central and nearly missed it.

The train went all the way through to Glasgow and when I got there I caught a bus to Glasgow Queen Street.

 Once I got onto the train I met two people who were going to Applecross with me. Their names were Ant and John. I started chatting to them and they came all the way from Exeter even further than where I came from.

 Once we got to Inverness there were three blokes with Venture Trust signs waiting for us and we all met together all twenty-one of us. We travelled ninety miles to Applecross, which was a little village in the north west of Scotland. Then we had a nice dinner and a chat in the Gold room.

We spoke to a man called Angus and he spoke to us about our aims for when we went home and if we wanted to be like Barney off the Simpsons. He put a load of signs on the floor and some were about drugs, alcohol and behaviour. He also told us that if we went out of line there would be consequences and to try and stay in line and the only way to do that was to change our behaviour.

 We then went on a solo walk across the nearest mountain. It was a cold a wet day. It was the first proper walking experience I ever had in Scotland. We walked about 10 k which is about 6 miles. I was really tired by the end and we had a lovely dinner when we got back.

 We also did orienteering which is a sport involving navigating with a map and compass. The traditional form involves cross - country running, through other forms has evolved from the original. This article will begin by discussing the original form. Orienteering originated in Scandinavia, as a Military exercise in the 19th century. The competitive sport Began in Sweden in 1919. It gained popularity with the development of more reliable compasses in the 1930s, and become an international phenomenon in the 1960s, with its themes of open air competition and environmental awareness.

 The next day we planned what we were going to do on the expedition. We then packed our bags and discussed what food to bring with us. I had something on my mind and did not pay much attention which I apologise for. After that we had a team building exercise which we had to complete in our chosen groups. Then after dinner we walked across some mountains to get used to our back packs. We did not walk that far but the back pack was heavier than I though it would be and I was so stressed without a beer and wanted to go home.

 But what kept me there were the brilliant atmosphere and the friendliness. I most enjoyed playing football in our spare time and looking at the Isle of Skye which was so beautiful I want to go back and do it all again. My favourite bit of all of it was the pier jump and jumping of a fifteen foot cliff into the sea it was so sunny on that day I would love to go back and do it all again. I was also scared of swimming because I am not a very strong swimmer but I had a life jacket on and a wet suit to keep me warm.

 What did I learn on the course? Well, I trekked thirty kilometres in three days with a back pack on in freezing cold temperatures. I also navigated off the top of one of the tallest mountains in Scotland.

 We walked through a river which was up to our chests and it was raining. That was the most tiring of it all was all the walking but it always keeps you fit and healthy.

 I also got to know and talk to a lot of people on the trip. All of them were genuine. The best bit for me was when we collected our certificates and all the food they put on for us especially on the final day. Most the the time we always gave them shit but they knew how to have a laugh and have good fun. They all listened to what you had to say. They helped me stay through it and I am truly thankful for every thing they helped us through and for helping me cope. I hope they can read this letter and find out how much difference they made to me and maybe the rest of the group.

 I did let them down on the way back because the first thing I looked for was the alcohol. I started drinking from when we left until I got back to Bath. which was seven thirty at night on the 22 nd of March. I was glad to come back because it was my birth day six days after. Anyway I would like to thank the Bath Foyer for sending me to Scotland and for paying for my trip. I would also like to thank the Venture Trust team for doing one hell of a great job and thank the people I met because they made me see life differently to what it really is so thank you and have a nice day.

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The Bothy

Ready to go walkies!

Where's me Sarnies?

I'll take the high road!

These pictures are a few examples of the beautiful and intricate design artwork of one of our tenants. Each and every one is completely hand drawn and often takes up to 20 hours to complete over a period of 3 weeks to a month.

She says, 'I find it to be an absorbing way of forgetting the everyday troubles we all experience and expressing my feelings at the same time'.

Didn't Michaelangelo say that?

The workshops run by nesa have always been a great hit and not only have people found their hidden abilities, but great pieces of work have been made and are permanently on show around the Foyer. Digital Art, Graffiti, Stone Carving have been among the many workshops that we have enjoyed.

Below, you can enjoy images of the many workshops.

click images to enlarge