Thursday 31st July

Reveille was set for the rather relaxing hour of 08.30 but I found myself restless and couldn't sleep after 06.30. I resigned myself to the fact that sleep was not going to come and had a walk around the site. The sun was just glimmering through the clouds, all was silent and it was a very peaceful and beautiful place to be. It is a huge privilege that we are allowed to camp on this beautiful site. I'm sure that there can't be a more stunning scout camp site in the country.

Having walked the fields, I went back to bed to read and promptly fell asleep. Perhaps that morning walk was meant to remind me how lucky we are in the 9th Wimbledon.

Of course, the talk this morning was all about Operation Gunge and who were the favourites to get chosen should the Troop or HQ win. The rumour mill seemed to zone in on the same names: from the Troop - Sinnott Senior, Flynn and Heeler; from the HQ - Cameron, Day and Mr Causton were names mentioned.

Before this was to happen the HQ had a wonderful lunch while the PLs ran the activities. This is Tom and the Troop's opportunity to thank the HQ for giving up their time and coming down to camp. They are a great bunch and the Troop simply wouldn't run without them.

After lunch I co-ordinated Operation Gunge - games of chance with one PL against one HQ member. It was pretty close until the high card draw when Nick Day firmly put things in the HQ's hands. Despite the Troop's best efforts the HQ ran out winners - a first time in four or five years. They went out to deliberate and Charles Connor was nominated to deliver the verdict. He lined the Fourth Year up and went through them one at a time - sitting some down and leaving some standing. At the end the aforementioned names were still standing and as he delivered his final verdict Charles sprang a surprise and the HQ decided to gunge Josh Tiernan. Given that he flew over from America to be with us I thought it was a bit harsh but Josh took it very well and he was carried to the river on the shoulders of his friends to be delivered for his fate!

After the afternoon excitement, we had a wash in the river, evening dinner and onto evening activities. Michael Orbell said his goodbyes and headed home to New Malden. In all his time as Scout Leader he always wanted to avoid the packing up of camp and now he has reached a certain age he can go home and leave it to the rest of us.

So our thoughts unfortunately and inevitably turn to packing up and heading home. Some tents have already been packed away and there will be much work tomorrow but we will find time for one final party!

PS On another note, we received a letter supposedly from the Prime Minister to wish us well on our camp. Now, while I think the 9th is well worthy of a letter from the PM, I think some enterprising parent or friend of the 9th was having a little joke. I'd love to know who it was.......