2^nd Briefing Weekend 20th–22nd April, 2012

Our 2^nd briefing weekend was at Tolmers Activity Centre in Cuffley, just outside of London. We started the weekend a man down but looked forward to Lucy’s early arrival on Saturday morning. For the evening entertainment we took part in the ‘Mystery Game’ planned by all the leaders. Each team was given a random object and had to invent a game. We were given three egg boxes and designed a relay race with the boxes between the knees and impersonating a chicken.

The 20^th April was a very special day for team Malawi. It was Thea’s 21^st birthday! What seemed to make her night was the amazing black cab that picked us up from the station. It was another GOLD member’s actual car and decorated with cushions and union jacks.

On the Saturday morning everyone did a presentation about their trip and Lucy arrived!! Saturday and Sunday were full of training for our GOLD journeys; looking at the different roles of the team and how to train. Between each talk there were plenty of energisers that kept us going.

The evening entertainment was brilliant! We had a great mix of entertainment as each group had planned something. There was a puppet show, dances, songs, an art attack, quizzes and more. Team Malawi had planned a surprise party for Thea’s 21^st. We were really sneaky all weekend and made sure she didn’t find out by pretending to do a Disney quiz. This gave us an excuse to dress up, and we looked amazing! By convincing Thea to leave the room, we gave out party poppers, hung banners and lit the candles on her cake. She didn’t have a clue and loved the surprise.

Team Malawi after Thea's surprise party

On Sunday we planned our onwards travel, deciding on Tanzania for two weeks.

Team Malawi xxx