International Air Cadet Exchange Update

The International Air Cadets were with only with us for 3 full days but we managed to pack loads of stuff into the few days they were here. Unfortunately, the Caithness Highland Gathering was cancelled due to bad weather so we didn't all get together on Sunday. Each host family did their own thing, with most going out doing some local sight seeing.


Monday saw 25 of us doing the Orkney day trip from John O'Groats. It was a beautiful day in the main, with lots of sun shine, and only one brief torrential downpour. The bus tour took us round main of the Orkney sites including the Churchill Barriers, Scapa Flow, Orphir Round Kirk, Yesnabay Cliffs (see photo), Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring O'Brodgar. The highlight of the trip though was Skara Brae and the Italian Chapel - they never fail to amaze!


Our visit to the Castle of Mey on Tuesday was equally well received with the cadets commenting on how relaxed and plain the castle interior was and on the number of 'normal' family photographs on view. The especially liked the Queen Mum's wellie boots and waterproof coat hanging at the front door. I have to say, my personal favourite bit was the fresh scones with clotted cream and jam from the cafe! Tuesday afternoon saw all the cadets enjoying ten pin bowling and some arcade games at the Viking Bowl.


We held a barbeque, at our home in Forss, for all the visitors, cadets and hosting families to round off their visit. This proved to be a successful evening with all the older exchange cadets and our younger local cadets really mixing well and enjoying each other's company. The highlight of the evening was an International Giant Jenga tournament, which the International cadets won with a tower that was over 6' tall.

Our Wing Commander, Brian Munro joined us for the evening as did local Lord Lieutenant, Anne Dunnett. I bet there are not many Squadrons who can boast that their Lord Lieutenant was cooking at their barbeque!