2003 St. Andrew's Youth Club trip to Norway July 4th to 15th
The crew!
| Skipper: | Andrew Halcrow | |
| Crew: | Dominique Rommel | Robbie Tait |
| Youth Leaders: | Ruth Scott | Stewart Walker |
| Voyage Crew: | Allan Lennie | Caroline Eunson |
| Val Eunson | Dawn Norquoy | |
| Emma Eunson | Graham Rendall | |
| Magnus Walker | Robert Alexander | |
| Ryan Bruce |
The St. Andrew's Youth Club is based in Orkney and this year they are heading across the North Sea to the fjords of Norway on board the Swan. Youth leader Ruth Scott has organised the trip and she has been very ably helped out by Stewart Walker and the youth club members. For most group's, fund raising is probably the biggest obstacle to overcome initially. But when you have a determined bunch like this and are willing to put in the work they have it can be done! They have all put in a tremendous effort from bag packs in Safeway to concerts and Abba impersonations and even three drag queen's going about the Kirkwall streets holding out their handbags for donations! Here they are to give you a pre trip progress report. During the trip we will update this page and hope to bring you some words and a picture or two most days.
How it began.
RuthHaving accompanied a group ‘o young eens’ to Norway before on the Swan, I was keen to repeat the experience. The last time had been with the Scalloway youth club; this time will be with the St Andrews youth club in Orkney. There was a fair bit of interest in the club when the project was first spoken about, and now we have a group of 10 dedicated young folk, backed by equally dedicated parents & families. We needed a male adult to accompany us, but Ivan; our other youth worker said he couldn’t take time away from his young family. (We all reckoned that was a cop-out, & he just gets a bit seasick!) Anyway, Stewart Walker, one of the young folks dads, was keen to try the Swan experience, so he’s going to be our parent-helper.
Fundraising
We started fundraising in earnest in Summer 2002. Our first deposit in the bank account came from bag packing at the Co-Op, and also Thandi, a great friend who ran in the Hoy half marathon for us, raising over £100. We had a stall at the East Mainland Show, one of Orkney’s famous agricultural fairs, where we had face-painting, flung wet sponges at youth workers (we got our own back though), had a penalty shoot out, guessed the weight of the cake (which was donated by Colin from the Pomona Café & had a fantastic picture of the Swan painted on it), & generally got hungry & sunburned. Many days of baking for car boot sales followed, as well as some more bag-packing sessions at the local Co-Op. We circulated quiz sheets at 50p a go, and someone had a treasure map of the North Sea where you guessed where the treasure was hidden. Great fun was had at our fund-raising concert in November, where many of our young folk showed their talents of dancing & playing piano & fiddle. We were well supported by many local groups, who gave their time & talents freely. The concert raised funds for both the Swan voyage and the club itself, and we were also able to donate a sum to Children in Need. In early December, three of our intrepid Dads donned drag gear & went out round the Kirkwall pubs. We couldn’t believe it when they came back with £540! We think they’re now considering a career change….. Safeways let us in to bag-pack on the 30th & 31st of December, where we raised a massive £3000. Taking all the change to the bank was a bit hard on the back; any more & we’d have had to borrow a Safeway’s trolley. Bell’s Nautical Trust have given us £1000 towards our costs, so thanks to their board of trustees., and Orkney Sea Farms have donated £200, thanks also to them. We now only have a few hundred to raise.
Norway Stuff
We have decided to aim for Bergen when we leave Kirkwall on July 4th. We’re all keen to tour the city, & see the Aquarium, fish market, & take trips up some mountains. From there we plan to visit the locals of Baldersheim, where we hope to challenge them to a rematch of tug-of-war. (The last time I was in Norway they beat our group o young eens and the Swan crew, but we reckoned they cheated!) From Baldersheim we’ll head down to Haugesund, where we’ll explore & go go carting & have a bash at Lazer Quest. After that, we’ll head further south & have a wander up the Preikestollen. We’re all really keen to see the view from there, all the photos of it are breathtaking. We’re hoping it’s going to be a clear day, with no low cloud, or it’ll be a poor end to a long trek! From there we’ll go into Stavanger to look around, and also hope to have time to visit the big swimming pool at Sandnes, a short train journey away. All in all, we’re all getting totally excited about this voyage, and all the fantastic things Norway has to offer. Watch this space for updates……. Ruth
The Crew
Here are the 'bios' of the crew
Stewart Walker
StewartMy name is Stewart Walker. I work on the Kirkwall pier as an assistant harbour master. I am really looking forward to going to Norway on the Swan. It has been a lot of hard work for the kids & parents to raise the money for the trip but it has all been worthwhile and now it is getting closer the kids are getting more & more excited. Just to hear them chat amongst themselves and see the looks on their faces when you mention the word SWAN really has made everything worthwhile.
Val
Hi my name is Val and I am always totally excited so I will have no bother in keeping any of you company!!! 
ValI have had sooooooo much fun doing all the fundraising and it’s been a great laf. I think that all of us that are going are really going to have a great time and we will get to know each other a lot better and that will be nice!!!!! We did loads of sport on Sunday and I was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo chuffed that we won the girls football and the netball!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I must have jumped up and down for HOURS!!!!!!! It was sooooooo much fun!!! Well I am really really looking forward to the trip and I think that it will be one of the best times in my life!!!!!!!!!!! I was sooooooooooooooo much fun doing the concert (Fundraising) cause me Kate Drever and Claire Miller did a great dance and it was good fun making it and performing it!!! Kate aint going on the swan which is a Really big shame but Claire is and I really cant wait cause wur going to have the Bestest fun in the WHOLE wide world!!!! I would quite like to keep in touch with some of the people I meet and I just cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of Love Fae Val xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Caroline
Caroline here! I’m really looking forward to gaan on the Swan in July. The whole trip started cause Ruth spent all her time talking about this thing she called the SWAN. 
Caroline After a load o questions & answer sessions, she brought in her photos from her last trip and told us all her stories - that was how our trip began. We started to find out how much interest there was and after a positive outcome she got in contact with Andrew and it all fell into place. We will sail to Norway on the 4th of July! We then began the enormous task of funding our trip! This seemed to be an immense task but we have nearly finished. My favourite thing that we did to raise money was the concert in November. It was so much fun – but also embarrassing cause I WENT ON STAGE IN A SKIRT!!! (And it’s on video agghhh!!!) I’m really looking forward to going to Norway cause it will be fun to taste local food, get to see magnificent sights and do exciting activities. At college I have been learning Norwegian so I hope to get the chance to give it a try!!! July aint long away so I am beginning to get excited now! We have some night sails planned for later this month – which I am looking forward to. It will be nice to see Andrew and the crew again after we got to meet them when they were in Orkney before. Got the nickname “Lass wi da big shoes” which will likely stick considering they are never off my feet!! Suppose I am a bit nervous about going on the Swan cause it is a whole lot different to the St Ola, Varagen or the Hrossey!! Will just have to wait and see and hope for the best!! Loadsoluv Caroline xox
Dawn
Hi I’m Dawn and I’m soooo excited about going to Norway! 
DawnI’m really looking forward to going up the mast, that’s only if its not windy though! I’m looking forward to seeing the lovely views and can’t wait to take part in activities like the lazer quest and go carting! I think it will be good to work as a team on the Swan but I’m sure there’ll be a few frayed nerves by the time we get to dry land. I’ve had brilliant fun doing all the fundraising activities. Bag packing was fun but tiring and the best thing of all was the concert. I didn’t take part but had my work cut out as the main director (in other words I filmed it!) Not long now until we set sail and I can’t wait! Loads of luv Dawn
Emma
My name is Emma 
Emmaand I want to go on the Swan because it will be a great experience and will be loads of fun . We will be going to Norway and will be doing a lot of different activities. We will be in Norway for a week and will be sailing for three days. We will be exploring Bergen, Haugesund and Stavanger. I am going with nine other kids, two youth workers and three crew .We have fund raised a lot by stalls at car boot sales and we had a big concert and gave some of our money we made to Children In Need we had to practise lots to get it perfect but I still made some mistakes. We did bag packing at super markets and doing so we raised over £3000 in two days. The Swan will be so fun and I can’t wait to go!!!!
Graham Rendall
GrahamHi my name is Graham Rendall I am eleven years old I chose to go on this trip because I thought it would be a great time. I think I will enjoy swimming and touring around the best I also like fishing. Hope to see you soon bye.
Magnus Walker
Hi my name is Magnus Walker I am 12 years old coming 13 in May. 
MagnusI chose to go on this trip because I thought it would be fun. I am never sick on boats. I am really looking forward to go on this trip. I have never been to Norway.
Robert Alexander
RobertHi I am Robert Alexander I am 12 years old. I wanted to go on the swan because I thought that it would be a trip of a lifetime. I think that it will be good fun and the activities will good fun as well.
Ryan Bruce
RyanHi my name is Ryan Bruce I signed up for this trip because I thought this trip would be a trip of a lifetime I am glad because I am a good sailor and I don’t get sick on boats. I can not wait until we go I hope its going to be a great trip.
Allan
AllanHi I’m Allan and I am going to Norway on the Swan this July. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the fjords & mountains in Norway. I’m especially looking forward to climbing up to the Priekestollen.
Mums & Dads
Ruth organised some evening trips to let the Mum's and Dad's see what the youngsters were letting themselves in for.
The sun always shines in Orkney
If you want to get ahead get a hat.
Derek tells Margaret to head for the waamp.
How many people can you get in here?
Off To Norway
Just about to leave!
Ruth: Weel the trip was a bit on the course side right enough, with the wind getting a 
Hi Alistair!!bit high from time to time. Andrew said it was a force 8 at one point. It certainly felt like it. A few hours fae the Marstein light saw more of us gathering on deck, complete with oilskins & boots. Magnus was the first among us to spot land, & our spirits rose as the mountains grew closer. Within a few hours we were rounding the corner into Bergen, all the young eens on deck, totally gyte. The first thing we did ashore was to head up to the kiosk & buy hotdogs. (So much for sea-sickness!) Today, refreshed after a decent sleep, (one where the bunk stayed still), we did the tourist thing, with cameras, sunglasses & caps, and set off to view Bergen from Mount Ulriken, via the cable car, and then up the Funicular railway to the top of Mount Floyen. The sun has shone all day, and the sun-cream has been well-used. This evening we washed oot the spewed-on claes, which are noo draped over the length & breadth o the Swan. Tomorrow we plan to visit the Aquarium, and take the crew out for a very well earned Chinese meal.
My duty frees!Emma: Us St Andrews youth club sailors sailed across the north sea on the 4th of July to set sail at 12 o’clock waving goodbye to our family and friends. At the start we were all on deck but as it got rougher people started going down stairs to lie in their bunks. Andrew kindly made some delicious soup which came out later on the trip. The waves got bigger and bigger and the sick bags got fuller and fuller. All the crew were feeling fine but I was not to sure about the St Andrews sailors being sick all over the place. The crewRuth Scott and Val Eunson were the only ones that were not sick but in the end we got there all still a bit weasy but were glad we were there.
The 3 stoogesCaroline:Oh my gosh!!! Where is Bu & Ivan when you need them!!!! They would have been soooooooo handy!!!! Once we had got over the terrible virus that came over us (known more commonly as Sea Sickness) the fjords of Norway came into view. Anyway, seems that we have all survived the terrible crossing of the North Sea, and by Sunday morning we had all nearly forgotten the previous twa days events. With such nice weather, and a good nights sleep, we all had so much more enthusiasm so headed towards the mountains. Up the railway and the cable car with cameras and camcorders in hand we spent a lovely sunny day as tourists. Lashing on the suntan lotion and lapping up the rays we had a brill day. Back to the boat, after getting some postcards, for a meal of good old Mince and Tatties.
Val: so pleased that I never spewed on the way over!! I felt a bit rough and prob looked it too but you have no idea how pleased I was!!!!!! Me and Ruth lasted well!! Well now wur in Bergen its great its sooo hot and I got my first ever sun mark!!! I was so chuft!!! I still wish Claire was here as we had sooooooo much planned to do!! Oh well never mind I have to live without her!!! I hope the weather stays as nice as it is!! Im soooooooooo hopin to get a tan but I doubt that will happen cos am sooooooo white its unreal!! I think that the ice-cream here is great and I absolutely LOVE it!!! I cant wait to go shoppin and the aquarium shood be good!!!! I also cant wait to go go-Kartin what a laff that will be!!!!!! Its soooooooooo exciting!!!!!
Ryan: I was not very pleased because I was sick all night and all day. I started to feel a lot better when we started to see Norway and then we started to go through the fiords. It is brilliant weather here and there is brilliant views when you go up the cable cars or up the finicular railway and Im totally looking forward to going to Stavanger and Haugesund.
Dawn: Hi there! We’ve just had a fantastic day in Bergen after an awful trip across the North Sea. I was sick soooo much that my throat is now raw! But anyway – today we’ve been on the Bergen in a nutshell tour and got some amazing views at the top of the cable car. We then went up more mountains on the fenicular railway and a few un-named members pinched a few leaves on the way back down! We’re all having a Dolly Parton party below deck now and looking forward to a day at the Aquarium.
Tuesday
Well, we were loath to leave Bergen on Tuesday morning, as our time there had been so good. The Chinese meal had been great, and the crew behaved very well in the restaurant apart from Andrew going topless for a moment! Luckily, none of the staff noticed, and we got away with it.
We headed for Baldersheim at 8am, giving us plenty time to stop on the way for fishing and a spot of lunch. We arrived in Baldersheim at 3pm in the pouring rain, to a welcoming crowd on the pier. While we were in Baldersheim we received fantastic hospitality, spending the afternoon and early evening in the hall playing pool, table tennis & chatting with some of the local folk. Bunty invited us all up to her house for supper, and we had a very relaxing enjoyable evening. Andrew managed to borrow Bunty’s phone line to upload some photos onto the website. Our young eens made good friends with some o the Baldersheim youth, who came doon to the boat for a natter later on.
We had organised a hamper of Orkney food with some local businesses, which we presented to Bunty for her to distribute around the village. It contained Orkney Fudge, Stockans Oatcakes, a bottle of Highland Park, Orkney Ice-cream, Orkney Cheese & Farmhouse Cheese and a selection of British sweets. Many thanks to all the businesses that made donations. Bunty was delighted with the gift, and promised to spread the goods throughout the village. (We reckon that the HP will remain at chez Bunty, so she’ll be getting loads of visitors for a while.)
Wednesday
The following morning the party sailed once more, heading for Haugesund, where they had a shot at go-carting, lazer-quest, and a spot of shopping. The young eens enjoyed the go-carting more than any part of the trip, although found it difficult to admit that Ruth was by far the best driver! (Guess who’s writing this bit?)
Thursday
We did a spot of shopping in Haugesund, while the crew was kept hard at work by the skipper, painting the gunnels. We left Haugesund after lunch, to spend the next two nights in Tau.
Friday
We had intended to take a bus to the Preikestolen, but changed our plans when we saw the low cloud cover. The last thing we wanted was to spend 2 hours climbing to see nothing but fog! So we took a ferry to Stavanger, then a train to Sandnes, where they made use of the massive swimming pool. It’s hard to say whether the swim or train journey was the highlight of this excursion! We returned in the afternoon for a leisurely cruise up Lyse Fjord, to view the Preikestolen from below, where we ate our tea before we returned to Tau.
Saturday
The weather looked about the same as the previous day, but on Willie’s advice to make a decision and stick to it we decided to set off as planned to climb Norway’s famous 600 meter high Pulpit Rock. Half of us took a wrong turn at the bottom, turning a 2 hour trek into a 3 hour trek; it rained quite a bit, but wasn’t too cold; Ryan had to reclaim his trainers out of a bog; and most of us had to use some of Norway’s more basic toilet facilities (bushes); but the view from the top was totally amazing and worth every step.
That evening we tied up at a small pier in Vassoy, an island very close to Stavanger. The young folk turned the pier into a stage and entertained the crew with an impromptu concert, possibly the highlight of the trip for the crew! They performed dances, sang songs, even catered for the event, and eventually even the crew joined in.
Sunday
The following day was the last in Norway, but it was filled well with a spot of swimming off the boat, then a visit into Stavanger & the bowling alley. Finally, we sailed to Skudneshaven, Norway’s closest village to Orkney, to have tea on picnic tables ashore before leaving for home. This was probably the bonniest place we stopped in, and the weather was super here too.
Monday & Tuesday
The return journey was much more comfortable, with the wind south-easterly force 4-5. All four sails were set, and the sail home resembled more of a Mediterranean cruise than a North Sea crossing, with hot sun, blue skies and sun bathing on deck. (And much less spewing than on the outwards journey).
On Tuesday we arrived into Kirkwall harbour at 5am, after a 32-hour return sail, and 11 amazing days we will never forget.