What a week…

Camp has begun, and a week has passed already; a week of sweltering sun, of complete exhaustion but of utter fun also. Today I have been swept away from the middle class suburbia of Wading River and into high society! I am blogging from the living room of a multi-million pound house, overlooking the Long Island coastline - I am of course - in Oyster Bay.

But contrasting to the heat wave of London, a muggy mist hugs the bay and a quiet drizzle persists - an excuse to stay inside and relax with friends. The house we are staying in belongs to a 92 year old lady and her caretaker. So far I have found out that her husband, John Lindsay, was Mayor of New York and described by the New York Times to '[preside] with passion, idealism and courage over New York City during one of the most beleaguered periods of its history' (Yes, the family I am staying with is RICH!).

Anyway, this week I have been in Manhattan and had my first week of kids so this blog better get a move on…

Manhattan was amazing! I felt like an ant most of the time, but I saw the new world trade centre, the empire state building, Madison square garden, times square; had my first Chipotle and… of course… had my first DALLAS BBQ! I literally couldn't walk after it… mmmmmm…

Then came the first week of kids! I think my first week of climbing instructing went well… in fact one 10year old couldn't even climb the first half of the wall but by the end was scaling the hard side of the wall (and came down with blistered hands). Highlights include our seminarian rapping at church, one of my kid's face planting the dirt on the low ropes and watching the sunset on the beach. The kids seemed to really enjoy it, even when their heads were being smashed by balls in the gaga pit!

Now I am going to go kayaking on the beach and then a whole hog roast tonight… oh and the possibility of watching Billy Joel at the Oyster Bay music concert.

See you!!!