Wednesday 30th July

This morning started with a bang - literally! Today is army day and the Troop had a rude awakening with smoke grenades, bangers and blaring music. This year, making its debut, was the 9th tank (top left in the picture). Colonel Causton issued his orders and the boys were soon up parading outside their tents, donning khaki t-shirts and having their faces painted ready for 'training'.

 

Mr Causton decided that last night was 'night hike' time. An inner circle of HQ were informed well in advance but no one else was let into the loop. Just as the PLs were heading off for bed after pop and crisps they were called back and told to take a seat. They were instructed to go and get dressed in appropriate clothing, wake up their Third Year and come back ready for walking the infamous 'Path of the Dead'. The Third Year, led by Mr Day, went up Horner Hill to look at the stars then back down, a quick cocoa and bed. The Fourth Year walked deep into the heart of the forest, criss crossing the river over various bridges, following rarely used paths to find the site of a desecrated graveyard. There was much talk of covens and spirits in the wood and things moving 'up in the distance'. The forest can play tricks on you in the dark and what seems very innocent on a sun dappled day adopts an extremely different appearance in  the black of night. Mr Causton asked me to lead the hike and it was very interesting to see which big brave boys weren't quite so brave when the torch lights went out!

 

All lots of fun and we were back for cocoa and bed at 01.00. I don't think the First and Second Year even noticed that anyone had gone. So the gossip around the breakfast table this morning largely revolved around the bigger boys telling the smaller boys their adventures from the night before.

 

Tuesday saw the return of the PLs to their patrols and another round of the Horner shield. It's always good when the PLs return and life gets back to normal. We have been here now for twelve days (some the HQ are approaching the third week!) but time seems to have flown by. Soon we will have to turn our attention to packing up our little village and preparing for the journey home but there is much to be done between now and then. Tomorrow brings us Operation Gunge. Will the HQ be able to arrest their record losing streak or will the PLs pull off another triumph? I know there are some who are already feeling edgy about what the outcome might be!