to feel a bit 😔 that I will never achieve a...

[Catsize]

Duke of Edinburgh gold award.

Or any DofE for that matter.

It all kind of passed me by in that pre-internet age but I would have loved it.

Just been watching my niece's video highlights of her bronze award and thought 'Sod it, I'll do it if I'm still allowed'.

Looked it up online and the cut off is 25. 14 years too late.

How will my life ever be complete?!

Find out what the criteria is for completion of award. Do it. I will make you a certificate.

I started mine but gave up after the first 10 mile trek as I decided to get drunk of MD20/20 and Hooch instead of going to sleep in preparation for the following day's 10 mile hike.

• because I was a tit, aged 16

Ah. Yes. Not your wisest move Brian. I would love your certificate - especially if signed using your MN name (assuming that isn't your real name).

We could do a MN version. There'd be gin and everything. I'm in!

It would be fab. Derbyshire anyone? They have gin there I've heard...

I think they're doing a special D of E personal challenge for those who are too old for the scheme. Can't remember all the details...

I'm in . X

I would travel to Derbyshire for gin!

Really Moosey? Are you just dangling a carrot there? This could be the start of something...

me too, I'm in. I was very jealous of my ds when he did his.

The diamond challenge is what you are thinking of moosey - but I want the real one!

Yes I'm totally not really Prof Cox.

Mind you, the MN personal challenge might look a bit like this...

Get up off sofa.
Walk across room.
Return to sofa.
Get back on sofa.
Sit for ten minutes and ignore all electrical appliances and demands for one's attention.
Walk to kitchen.
Find bottle of gin.
Stare at gin for ten minutes and do not open.
Return to sofa.
Repeat daily for... One day.

Get a certificate from Brian

Catsize. I'm opening the gin!
I MAY manage not to hoick up my judgy pants or roll my eyes at the teen!

Fellow MNers, I love you.

almost but not really Accepting I am unlikely to achieve the 'real thing', I have just signed up for the Diamond Challenge. What a great idea!

Not sure what my challenge will be yet, and there isn't much left of 2016 in which to do it, but open to very sensible and serious suggestions. Probably gin-related things might not be top fundraisers I fear.

Wolfie, cheers!

Walk or run or take up a new challenge? I fancy stand up paddle boarding but fear I may drown. (Not the most coordinated or strong of core?!)
Climbing some hills or abseiling down something tall?!

I've got the Gold DOE. It was fun, but ten years on nobody gives a shit. Actually, two years on nobody gave a shit.

I own walking boots and like gin. Can I join in?

DD currently doing her bronze, so I know there's a physical challenge (opening the gin!) and two others, can't remember now, but sure they must be gin related.

Please send me my certificate via PM. I think I've earned it (I do own walking boots!!!!!)

Why wouldn't we open the gin? 😕

I am sure we WOULD open the gin, but bathing in gin/drinking challenges etc. might not encourage others to donate.

I am contemplating doing a local 40mile walk over a weekend. Not sure this is a great idea, as I only have one weekend I could do it in this year and very little training time. Plus, have had a pelvic problem for several years. Better now, but might be an issue!

How about a cycling challenge between gin distilleries??

What's the point of the Duke of Edinburgh? Does it look good on Uni applications or something? Is there some kudos? I apoligise for seeming ignorant...

at Sheba. WE care!!

Off to dream of challenges and gin - if I can sleep with all the excitabubbles in my head.

I'm sure (according to my hazy memory - it was a loooong time ago) that there was a lot of helping of others involved.

So in the true spirit of post-25 DofE, I will help you all open your gin. And even assist in the drinking of it.

If they do do adult Gold DoE I want to know about it. Did all of mine with the exception of the expedition across Dartmoor because it was too much like hard work PLUS I was far too attached to my hairdryer and home comforts at that point in my life.

I'd totally do it now.

The expedition was the easy bit, though I don't see why we had to do it twice. Passing my driving test (you have to pas a test of proficiency in a new skill) was what took forever. My Scout leader suggested I try something else...

It would be a really good motivator to take up a new hobby and a sport for a year and doing the volunteering part, they would probably be more fulfilling than the expedition. It's an excellent idea to start an adult DofE.