I am currently sat on the Cornish Coastal Footpath in brilliant sunshine waiting for the Expedition Gold Team of RAF Air Cadets that I am assessing to arrived.
I am also reflecting on over fifty years of being involved with DofE, since I started my Bronze at the age of fourteen, to achieving my Bronze, Silver and Gold, my visits to the Palace and the first team that I trained and achieved their Awards.
I will always have the greatest of respect for the Duke of Edinburgh. He has been an inspiration to me and throughout my DofE career I hope that I have inspired others.
On a number of occasions I have grown men and women, accompanied by their families asking me if I am Mr Vodden and I bring back really positive memories of their time doing DofE.
As society has changed and evolved, DofE has changed and evolved, but it is as good today as it was when I started all those years ago.
DofE is a real life changer, long may it continue.