Sunday 29th July

On Saturday morning we awoke to a light drizzle which turned into a steady downpour before blowing away and glorious sunshine returned. The Third and Fourth year set off for Croyde Bay with Mr Starke, Mr Travers and Mr Orbell, while the First and Second year finished clearing up the patrol kitchen tents before embarking on mountain biking and a 'backwoodsman' session. At dinner the previous night the First and Scond Years at my table were effusive in their praise for the surfing and canoeing which was really good to hear as it is by far the most expensive (and furthest away) activity on camp. On the return of the Fourth and Third year Mrs Maher and the food team had prepared a wonderful central meal of cold pork, beef and turkey, new potatoes, coleslaw, cucumber and tomatoe salad which was followed with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. A drop of wine complemented the meal! All very well received by some hungry boys after their adventures of the previous two days. Fr Gallagher then said Mass in the marquee - a truly reverent and peaceful occasion - and the boys, as always, we're superb. The mood changed somewhat after this as we moved onto the mid-camp party - lots of silly songs, crisps and pop, as well as hilarious sketches put on by Mr Bano, Mr Coulson, Mr Starke and co. The evening finished with Mr Travers singing a a couple of gentle melodies, night prayers and off to bed. An excellent way to mark the half way point of camp and a memorable evening. Sunday morning wake up had been set at the gentlemanly time of 09.30 and the morning given over to relaxing and free time. At 11.00 the HQ and various guests who had come down for the weekend gathered in the pavilion for breakfast - one of the occasions when I thanks the HQ for giving up their time to run the camp. The next round of the Horner shield is currently underway and despite some heavy rain this morning the sun is once again shining down on us. The APLs take over for a few days tonight whilst the PLs go off on their hikes. Come tomorrow there will be only five days left. I wonder how it all goes past so quickly. Soon we will be talking about taking tents down and packing away and another year will draw to a close and the next group of lads will be ready to step up and show what they can do as PLs, ATLs and TLs. That is the way of things in the 9th!