Friday 27th July

As I was saying, army day started with a bang! The HQ gathered in the new pavillion tent at 07.45, dressed in army greens and face covered in face paint to wake up the Troop. We positioned Jr. HQ outside the Patrol tents, set the ipad to play through the amp a suitable military band tune and let all hell break loose!! Smoke capsuals went off, bags were fired and pots and pans were clanged. A rather rude awakening for our poor lads. They paraded outside their tents and were taken on a morning run to wake them up a little bit. On their return, they were issued with army t-shirts and face paint. Army day had begun. As a side note to the morning, a parent, who will remain anonymous, gave us some decent 'bangers' to use on army day. Being unsure of how long the fuse was or how loud they would be we decided to place the first one in a tree, light and retire at speed a suitable distance. It is no exaggeration to say the ground shook under my feet and unfortunately not because of some biblical annunciation! More startling still, I was later told that one of the old ladies from Horner Hamlet was walking past with her dogs on an early morning ramble. I can only imagine the startled look on her face! Things could have taken a far more problematic turn. The lads meanwhile seemed to enjoy every minute. Basic training in the morning followed by an orienteering exercise with riddles and physical challenges in the afternoon. As one of the lads said at dinner that evening - 'that was the best day on camp yet sir......'. Enough said I think. So we moved onto Taunton and our free day. The first and second years went for a swim in the local pool followed, so I am told, to trips to Poundland and numerous fast food establishments. I, on the other hand, headed to the Castle Hotel with some of the Senior HQ for a lunch consisting of Game Pâté, Duck Breast and Chocolate foundant! We have been going there for about six years now and the head waiter always greets us at the door. Sadly, on this occasion, just as my duck was placed in front of me my phone rang. 'Oh dear,' I thought. It was Andrew C-B, one of his friends was not well. Excellent timing I thought! The striken lad was brought to the hotel and we took it in turns to look after him whilst we finished our lunch! Later, the football match followed and we soon all packed off to bed for an early reveille. Today, the First and Second year are here with me in Croyde Bay participating in surfing and sea canoeing. They will be tired but seem to be having a great time. The Third and Fourth year are on site splitting the day between mountain biking, backwoods man training and various skills sessions. The sun is again blazing and light fluffy clouds are rolling over the sky. I think we'll all sleep well again tonight.