1. Before you'd even leave the house, the struggle was real.
The tent takes up about 90% of my bag space, I have no idea how I'm going to fit everything else in #DofEproblems
2. If/when you actually managed to pack your bag, you then spent the night going through worst-case scenarios in your mind.
I'm gonna either get eaten by a sheep or get stuck up a hill and not get back for prom #dofeproblems
3. Setting your alarm felt physically painful.
This should be a crime #dofeproblems
4. "So, it's like Google Maps, but on PAPER?!"
Finished playing Jigsaw with the maps :D #DofEFun #DofEproblems
5. Encountering unexpected roadblocks was the norm.
Came across 4000 sheep this morning... #dofeproblems
6. Within minutes of setting off you'd start to question your fitness.
I don't know about you, but I'm feeling twenty two.............pounds overweight #dofeproblems
7. Then it would rain and all maps and notes you had got soaked and you were pretty much screwed.
Some may be hindered by their non-waterproof route card... #DofE #Bronze #dofeproblems #fail
8. Then, of course, came the camping.
9. Which was only made more fun when it rained.
Looking forward to getting a night sleep which doesn't involve being kept awake all night by rain hammering on the tent #dofeproblems
10. The only thing worse than sleeping IN the tent? Carrying it.
you know your group hates you when they make you carry the tent #dofeproblems
11. Then came the never-ending struggle of cooking.
still got to scrub this bloody trangia. #dofeproblems
12. And the inevitable injuries that came with it.
Literally just singed my leggings with the cooking stove there's a crispy outline surrounding the hole #dofeproblems
13. You'd get so tired you'd even lose your ability to use the word "literally" correctly.
14. And develop rather unconventional injuries.
I can safely say that my shoulders and hips have now merged... #DofEProblems
15. But you'd try really hard not to moan about it.
Great, so my knee has been strapped up, I ache all over, my shoulders are bruised and I have a sunburnt face #DofEProblems
16. The only thing that could make it more pleasant was when your entire group would refuse to do any of the work.
The one person in the group that does all the work #DofEproblems
17. Invariably this would happen.
A 40 mile route turned into like a 60 mile route cos we got lost #DofEProblems
18. But then there were always problems that you didn't see coming.
at least the swelling on ma bum has gone down from when we fell in a patch of stingers @dan_pateman #DofEproblems #gaayyyyyyyy
19. Keeping morale up was an issue.
realising we still had another 20 miles uphill to go #dofeproblems
20. Even this guy couldn't cheer you up.
21. By the end of the trip you'd be looking less than your best.
Having windburn makes you look like you have been punched in the face twice #DofEproblems
22. And you were often left with some tough decisions.
'To pop or not to pop, that is the question.' #blister #dofeproblems
23. Once you got home you almost couldn't get your head around the real world.
What is this mystical device #DofEproblems
24. And you learnt to appreciate the little things.
Never really appreciated toilets enough - upgrading from a bush #DofEProblems @nina_hammond @aman_mahi7 @Bekaamber_lindo
25. Nothing felt better than this.
being cosy for the last time for 3 days #dofeproblems
26. And occasionally you'd have terrifying flashbacks.
keep thinking I can see midges flying everywhere in my house and feel them landing on me ... traumatic. #DofEproblems
27. Seriously. DofE post-traumatic stress disorder is real.
everytime i spot a "public bridleway" "public footpath" a small part of me dies #scarredforlife #dofeproblems
28. #Pray4Them
in fact i never wanna eat a cereal bar again. #ugh #toodry #DofEproblems
29. OK, so it might not have ALL gone to plan.
17 hours of walking up and down mountains this weekend and my arse isn't even any firmer #dofeproblems
30. But when this FINALLY happens, it all becomes (just about) worth it.
FINALLY. Only been two years #DofEproblems
31. And remember...
