The final 09A blog

It seems strange here at Fieldbase now that everyone has left, although it still doesn’t quite feel like it’s over. On Friday morning, four buses arrived and after many, many hugs and tearful goodbyes, the last of the venturers left to either head home or begin the next part of their exciting journeys. And by now all those going home should be back safely, and I don’t doubt that there will have been many more hugs and tearful reunions as they arrived at the airport. As for the Venturers still in Costa Rica, I can confirm from various emails and facebook messages that they are thoroughly enjoying the beach in Puerto Viejo!

Back here at Fieldbase, the whole place has been tidied and thoroughly scrubbed clean, reports have been written and now it seems the staff are having the same problems as the venturers in contemplating how on earth we’re going to fit everything back into our backpacks, before we all leave Fieldbase for the final time in the morning.

Before we go though, there are a few final thanks to everyone who has shared this journey…

To the Volunteer Managers and in-country staff, this expedition would not have been possible without your continued hard work and enthusiasm. You have all worked tirelessly to make sure things ran smoothly and help the Venturers have an incredible 10 weeks. You can be so proud of everything you have achieved.

To everyone at home, again, thank you. Your messages of love and support have inspired us, made us laugh, made us cry, and kept us going up all those hills in the pouring rain and the blistering sun!

And last, but most definitely not least, Venturers, you have all been amazing! The energy, enthusiasm, humour and hard work you brought to this expedition every day has helped to make it one of the most successful ever. I know coming on Raleigh has been a huge challenge and that you have all achieved things you never imagined possible at the start. Remember the fourth challenge, and use what you have learnt to continue to make the world a better place and make a difference to the lives of others. We wish you so much luck and happiness for the future and please don’t forget to stay in touch.

I can’t quite believe that this will be the last blog for 09A, and although it feels incredibly sad at the moment, we must remember new friends made, the amazing things we have achieved and the exciting futures that lie before us.

And so to sign off for the final time, here is one of my favourite quotes that reminds me to push myself to acheive things I didn't think possible and to live life to the full. I hope it may do the same for you.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things

that you didn't do than by the ones that you did.

So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.”