Training, planning and preparation

 Hello!

 Once I had decided to undertake my Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition in summer 2012, there was a lot of planning and preparation to do. I started doing a lot more walking on a day-to-day basis; for example I would get off my bus a stop early.

 I also worked on my general fitness by playing badminton, exercising and attending zumba classes. I feel that all of these things helped to build up my stamina and fitness.

 We had our first expedition meeting, where I met the team for the first time. There would be five of us - Ruth, Andrew, Luke, Ethan and me. However, Ethan had to drop out because he was ill, which of course is a huge shame for him, and also for us because he's really nice and would have been a great member of our team.

 So, we ended up being a group of four. I really liked the first impressions I had of the others, and was glad I was part of such a nice group.

 The next thing that happened was our training day, which we had with Dave and Wayne, two of our D of E instructors. We learnt so much in one day: map skills, navigating and compass technique, first aid, campcraft, what food to bring, how to pack a rucksack, and much more.

 A lot of it I had learnt for my Silver D of E, but there was some new info as well which I found really useful, and it was good to refresh the older stuff in my memory.

 We also picked up our rucksacks and equipment like tents, waterproof clothing and trangias (the small gas stoves we use for cooking our food at camp).

 For homework we had to learn about the Countryside Code, which I did, and I found it very interesting and learnt a few things about it I hadn't known.

 I really enjoyed the training day; Dave and Wayne made it fun as well as informative. I felt much more ready for my Gold expedition once I'd had that training day.

 After the training day we had a week until our practice expedition. I went out with my mum to buy some last-minute bits and pieces, such as spare walking socks and Kendal mint cake. I decided what clothes, food and snacks to bring, and then I packed my rucksack according to what we'd learnt on the training day.

 I felt physically ready for the expedition; it was emotionally where I was worried - I was scared I would get homesick as I had in the past on D of E expeditions. But only time would tell; for now I just had to hope for the best.

 Bring on the practice expedition!

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Introduction

 Hello!

 My name is Liz, I am eighteen years old and for over a year I have been working towards my Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, having already achieved my Silver D of E award.

 The Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award is made up of five sections: volunteering, physical, skill, expedition and residential. As I write I have completed all of these apart from the residential section, which I am hoping to do soon.

 For my volunteering I worked extensively for Winstanley TV, my college TV station, on a voluntary basis. I helped out at college open days and open evenings, I brought my camcorder on college trips and made short films about them, and I spent many of my free periods at college working on various projects such as our college talent competition and the college Climate Week.

 For my physical I have taken up zumba dancing; we learn different styles of dance from all over the world and I really enjoy it.

 For the skill section of my Gold D of E I took part in a project at Cornerhouse in Manchester called Creative Stars. We learnt lots of new skills from podcasting and computer programming to DJ-ing, MC-ing and acting. We also curated our own exhibition; Lost Is Found, at Cornerhouse. It was an amazing experience and I have learnt so much. I've also made some great friends.

 That brings us up to the expedition section, which I completed in July 2012. It was certainly the most challenging section for me, as in the past I have got very homesick on D of E expeditions. However, this time  I had an absolutely amazing group who were so kind and made the expedition not just bearable but actually a really enjoyable experience, one that I wish I could have again! I wish there was a Platinum D of E!

 Our Gold D of E expedition section consisted of a full day's training, a three-day practice expedition in the South Lakes, and a four-day assessed expedition in the North Lakes. We also have to have a purpose to our expedition; mine was to create this blog to document our journey.

 So watch this space, and I will share with you what I feel is one of the most amazing things I have ever done.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x