Having not posted much in March and April (due to being really busy!), I have a number of blog posts in the wings. I’ve been meaning to chat about another of my ‘hobbies’ which emerged out of lockdown.
I probably shouldn’t say it, but I know that others had similar feelings, that when lockdown started I had a mild sense of relief. Of course I didn’t realise at the time how serious COVID would become, and the personal loss that my family and thousands of other families would endure.
Prior to lockdown I used to be busy a couple of nights per week after work seeing friends, playing in concerts, going to the theatre, out for drinks/dinner etc. and was beginning to feel like I was on a roller coaster that I couldn’t get off of. The lockdown period brought about a total standstill and I came to the realisation that the majority of my social life, and friends, was London-based and I needed an interest that was closer to home.
At the point when restrictions were easing, my niece told me about her weekend walking with young people on a practice Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award expedition and suggested it might be something I’d enjoy. Unbeknownst to her, I had done DofE at school and it turned out that I knew one of the organisers at the volunteer organisation running the expeditions (Medway Open Access Centre – MOAC).
And so my adult DofE journey began. For my niece that weekend was a one-off, but I am now an Expedition Assessor and over the last few years I’ve enjoyed working with a wonderful team at MOAC, some of whom are featured in today’s images. I can’t take photos of the young people for obvious reasons, but this weekend just gone we were out walking with and training over 100 girls in navigation and camp craft on their Bronze practice expedition.
The weekends are enjoyable, camping out and being out in the fresh air, but are not without stress! It takes a certain resilience and a lot of patience to help the young people achieve their goals, and is very rewarding when the teams make it back to base and still have smiles on their faces.
Doing DofE has complemented my growing love of the outdoors and hiking/trekking. I can’t say this enough that being outside is so good for your mental and physical health and I would urge everyone to do at least one walk per week (if not daily!). At some point in the next year I would like to gain my Lowland Leader qualification so I can lead walks, and enable others enjoy the countryside as much as I do 😊
Elizabeth Mooney 