'bout ye

Well what a crazy 3 days we have just had. Camping started well in the humid heat on Wednesday, putting up the tents was a struggle but everyone worked hard. Everyone then had some time to relax,

this proved to be the calm before the storm, because as everyone worked on their reviews of the summer

the storm broke

tents were blown over or flooded, and scared couples huddled together

but we were brave and survived.
When Thursday arrived you would have thought the storm had never happened. Everyone took part in a gender workshop which showed up some extremely sexist views (and may have triggered some gender confusion amongst the group, more of that later).
The pool provided some wonderful relaxation and a great chance to cool down


Although some people really need to learn that when you fall asleep in the sun you shouldn't have your hand on your chest,

what a wonderful white hand print Marty has on his chest, although why is that middle finger so long????
I managed to maintain a dignified sense of decorum when it came to dressing for camp.

Thanks Phyllis for brining me that hat all the way from Australia...and yes the corks are for keeping away the flies.
Having missed a camp fire on Wednesday night we all settled down for some great discussions and even better marshmallows toasted by Zachary.

Friday was a busy day preparing for the Host Families arriving for our Farewell Supper and party. Groups of young people kept sneaking off with each others clothes as they prepared their party piece. The supper was excellent, (thanks Frank for the savoury stuff and as for Kevin's desserts...wow!!!!!). The entertainment was introduced by Nadeen and Heather, Chrissy kicked off the proceedings with some tunes on his flute

Then Steven and Mickey confused all with a very funny baseball skit (just Who was Where When I dont know scored???)

We has some great singing from Stephanie with backing by Alex and then they were joined by Janice and Emily for a dance display

Brian then showed that he can remember more than 4 words to a song (although PJ did have to help him along the way)

Liz then showed us all how to really sing

bringing tears to Heather's eyes.
Susan got in on the act with her poetry recitation

then got her own private party as the boys re-enacted The Full Monty

thankfully everyone retained their modesty, apart from a slight wardrobe malfunction with TJ (never mind no one saw it)

Frank presented his awards (the 21st annual Griffins), Heather and Leigh got their page 3 award for services to the beach community

Sara was reminded of her balloon mistake (its Red White and Blue NOT Green White and Orange)

and then things got very very confused.
First the girls appeared wearing the boys clothes to perform a little piece based on yesterday's gender workshop. Then the boys struck back to ressurect the Spice Girls, is this scarey or what....

...Chrissy I know an agency where you could earn a lot of money!!!
Random gentlemen were pulled from the audience but none seemed to be having as much fun as Frank and Kevin


Will their wives want them back???

All to soon the festivities came to an end, the NI young people got on stage to say goodbye

then everyone joined in for a farewell dance

there was much hugging and tears but a great time was had by all.

More blog soon

Well camping is just around the corner, and may I suggest you all get up bright and early on Wednesday morning and tune into Postive 89.3fm to hear us all on the breakfast show at 730am, tune in or miss out.

Those who have followed this blog will have heard of Liz Boissonneault (give or take a few letters here and there) but most of you wont have seen her in all her splendour, so here we go with our pin up girl for this blog

...now what i really want to know is she really going to put that back in her mouth???!!! Thanks to Kevin B for that great pic

Anyway Saturday was our Pond Party though some of the girls had a private pool party earlier that day so arrived fashionably late,

nice one girls, thats Naomi, Cheri, Fiona and Emily having fun at Kevin B's cousins mums aunts swimming pool (I never could work out the relationship but it's something like that!!!)

Meanwhile down at the pond everyone was having fun,

what a collection of boats, floats and noodles

Mickey swam like a fish and kayaked like an eskimo

Brian sang like a broken record...after 3...3 "in the town where i was born"

go on Brian, give us the next line, you can do it...please, please, please
look at what his singing did to poor Emily

Fiona tried to drown herself the noise from Brian's vocal chords was so bad

Nadeen and Liz came to investigate the noise, they were sure some poor Moose had fallen into the pond

Naomi had tried to ram her canoe down Brian's throat but that still didn't help so she came ashore to escape his lilting tones, by this stage even Daniel O'Donnell was starting to sound like a good option

Heather and Anneliese did their best to get away from the drone

Zeb's hair proved to be the perfect barrier, and the harder he peddled the better chance he had of mowing Brian down

Justin, our waterbaby, joined forces in the bid to sink Brian's singing career

And it all came to an end, people started to head off leaving 3 lonely souls wondering how they were going to get home but relishing the peace that had fallen over the pond

and then there were none, all had gone, leaving behind a lonely pink towel....awwwww, by the way if it's your towel please let us know so we can return it to it's rightful home

Thanks to you all for turning up and behaving so well, it was a great day in the sun (cept for that damn singing...Brian SORT IT OUT NOW!!!!!).....and thanks to our host mummy and daddy for letting us use their pond....Frank and JoAnn you are wonderful

Sunday was a nice early start for Val and I as we popped off to church and heard some real singing, we visitied Oak Hill Christian Church and heard Liz Boissonneault sing (Brian sign up for lessons now). It was a very inspiring morning and we went on to their place for coffee and donuts afterwards. Thanx for the invite Liz and Kev.

Monday was a nice relaxing day for us, we went up to Naples and took a Paddle Boat/Ship/(thing what floats with people in it) ride around Long Lake on the Songo River Queen II. What a nice rest before the madness that is camping. (you have no idea the debate we are having here in the Griffin's regarding the status of the floating vessel we were on!!!)

more blog soon, and dont forget to tune in on Wednesday morning.....89.3