Thursday 24th July

Well, it truly was an exceptional lunch! Chicken Liver Parfait followed by Herb Crusted Somerset Lamb Loin with Fennel and finished off with seasonal berries and coffee. At breakfast this morning the boys mentioned that they were heading for Subway (accompanied by the junior HQ of course). They have much to learn!

Last night witnessed the opening leg of the annual HQ versus PLs football much refereed by yours truly. A hard fought battle but inevitably the HQ came off 3 - 1 winners. A first start of a fledgling career was given to Bobby Maher who came on up front for the HQ with five minutes left to play. A promising beginning. A welcome dip in Horner Water was followed by cocoa and biscuits. Night prayers, bed and another day was done.

This morning greeted us with another glorious sky awash with sunshine and fluffy white clouds. I took fresh coffee on my porch at 07.30 and slowly watched the camp come to life. A buzz was in the air because it was our 'free day' in Taunton. The boys were pictured in their uniforms standing outside their tents and we set off at 10.45. The first and second years were required to spend the first part of free day in the swimming pool and then off to Taunton to invade the fast food joints and pound shops that seem to abound! The older boys are given a slightly freer hand but must go around in groups of three or more. As ever, an amnesty will undoubtedly be declared when we return, allowing the boys to 'give up' anything that they might have bought that 'would upset their mothers'.

On one such amnesty in years gone by a small lad came up to me and confessed that he had some chewing gum which was strictly band at home. We agreed that neither of us would tell his mum but that chewing gum would be ok on camp as long as he didn't stick it to the tents.

Yesterday evening also welcomed the return of Mr Corrigan and Mr Causton as well as the arrival of a couple of scouts and a couple of junior HQ. I have never seen so much canvass up on camp and we have still more arrivals this weekend. It will be very busy!

So all is well and the sun continues to shine. My question this morning over coffee from Bobby was: "Daddy, what is salvation?". Try explaining that to a six year old while you're brain is still kicking into gear!

More tomorrow.