Summer Camp 2014 - We're up and running...

Good Morning,

Welcome to my first blog of this summer camp - a far different perspective now that I am no longer the Scout Leader. I can, for instance, sneak off site at 11.00 and sit in a coffee shop in Porlock to spend time writing the blog!

Despite the less than smooth start at the Parish Hall (you can't really legislate for faulty window wipers) things on camp itself have got off to a fantastic beginning. The sun is shining, the boys are smiling and the leaders are, well, leading. I'm not quite sure what I was worried about for all those years. Clearly, I am a very small cog in an extremely sophisticated machine. I'm not really sure that I am needed at all but if they want me to drink coffee and write a few words to appease worried parents; then who am I to argue.

When I arrived at camp on Saturday, just ahead of the 1st and 2nd Years, all was set up and ready to go. Once everyone was on site, Mr Orbell led us in an opening prayer for a safe and happy camp, while Mr Causton issued his instructions for the rest of the day. In a whirlwind of activity, tents were set up for the night, dinner was cooked and evening inspection soon underway. It was as if we had picked up from last summer camp without missing a beat and somehow the intervening fifty weeks hadn't happened. Summer camp was up and running!

We finished the first day with a bit of a sing song in the marquee, some old hands trying to teach some young guns a few camp favourites, a short interruption for pop and crisps, more songs, night prayers (we remembered our mums and dads at home weeping into their G&Ts) and off to bed. Day one was done.

Day two arrived bright and sunny. Having slept for the first time in our new 'airbeem' tent (very palatial), I awoke at 06.00 ready for a day at work, remembered where I was rolled over and went back to sleep - bliss! Soon, however, number 1 son decided it was time for a game of top trumps and so the first coffee of the day was made.

At 08.00 the boys were awoken by the TL and ATLs after receiving instruction from Mr Causton and very quickly the day was underway. Stores were issued and the smell of frying bacon started to drift across the field. A bacon buttie and cup of tea standing outside bathed in morning sunshine in the stunning setting of the Horner Valley is very hard to beat. I certainly can't think of a better spot for breakfast.

The first marked inspection of camp is used as a training exercise when everything is explained to each patrol and marks are only dropped for catastrophic errors. After tuck shop the Troop underwent a health and safety briefing which was followed by a reminder about basic first aid. Lunch was next - Brie, Ham, Cheddar, French bread, chutney, fruit, etc..... It really is a struggle on these camps.

After lunch the new junior HQ put on an opening ceremony for the Horner Shield (our annual football competition) which revolved around the theme of nations that didn't make it to the World Cup - including England! This was followed by the opening rounds of the competition.

It was chicken korma for dinner and onto evening activities - touch rugby, board games in the 'Horner Arms' and letter writing (I know the boys would like me to remind parents that they like receiving letters, even better a letter containing a top up for camp bank, best of all a parcel with some surprises lurking inside). Evening parade, night prayers and day two was done.

Monday morning again started bright and sunny and, after the normal morning routine, each year group was packed off in various directions for day hikes with plenty of water and sun tan lotion - it was very hot. A dip in the river was very welcome after a long and hot day. On evening activities, I joined in a monster game of football - I think it was 30 versus 30 and the rules didn't much resemble the modern game. It was probably all the better for that though. Evening parade, night prayers and day three was done.

So we arrive at today. Breakfast this morning was eggy bread. Not one of my favourites as it tends to go cold by the time each piece has been cooked. I decided to take matters into my own hands and told Sam Mensah (the PL of the patrol I was scheduled to eat with) that I would come a cook for his patrol serving each boy with eggy bread straight from the pan as it was ready. They had two pieces each and there was enough egg left over for me to make some scrambled egg for myself. Much more my cup of tea!!

I will report more tomorrow and endeavour to update you with developments at least every two days. Perhaps even every day......it really is a very nice coffee shop!

Sunday 28th July & Monday 29th July

A very lazy morning on Sunday. After a fantastic mid camp party there were some very sleepy heads and the morning was given over to free time, chilling out with friends and (I am told) cooking fried bread with sugar on top!

The HQ indulged in the traditional mid camp breakfast. Superbly coordinated by Mr Rinnie. Melon and raspberries to start, followed by scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, bacon, black pudding, mushrooms, beans and an assortment of fresh bread. An excellent meal and a wonderful way to thank the HQ for the time they give up to come on camp. 

The Pls ran some activities for the rest of the lads and we then moved into the next round of the Horner Shield. These matches are fiercely contested and there is much huffing and puffing from all concerned. 

After the Horner Shield, we took the PLs into the local Londis to shop for their hikes - disposable BBQs and burgers and sausages seemed popular - and the rest of the Troop were split into new patrols for the APLs competition. 

So the PLs are off and the younger ones have taken over. Rob Allard and his team are keen to prove themselves and my bolognaise was  superb last night. However, just as we were going off to bed the heavens opened and, oh my, did it rain. 

I had a rather disturbed night's sleep thinking about the PLs in their hike tents in the rain and I was pleased when the morning came around and everything was fine. 

After more showers this morning, the sun has come out and it is beautiful once more down in Grosmont. The PLs are off on a serious hike, while the younger lads are doing short day hikes following the ancient three castle trail.

So all is well. Though rumours of rebellion are putting some of the younger HQ on edge while older and wiser heads know that there is nothing to be done but wait and accept the inevitable!

It's already the second Monday and my thoughts begin to turn to operation gunge, the en famille and packing up camp. 

But, enough of that, there's plenty of water to go under the bridge between here and there

Friday and Saturday 26th & 27th July

As previously mentioned, reveille was set for 07.30 on Friday and Saturday mornings so that we could get to our outdoor activities in good time. The lads were sleepy but excellent. There hard work meant we could get off site by 09.50 on Friday and 09.30 today after a walk around inspection.

It is a good drive to where the activities take place (about 12 miles outside Brecon), so I took the opportunity to continue the musical education of those in my minibus! Over Friday and Saturday I have 'treated' the lads to Billy Joel, Nina Simone, FleetwoodMac, Cat Stevens, James Blunt, The Eagles and Bob Dylan with a little bit of Tom Jones thrown in for good measure. I'm saving Dire Straits for the journey back to site!

The general consensus at dinner last night was that the activities were well received and enjoyed (which is just as well as the two days makes a massive hole in the camp budget)!

As we reach the half way mark, my feeling is that the boys are doing extremely well and with the return of Mrs Maher and the arrival of Mr Causton, Mr Rinnie and Mr Travers, it promises to be an excellent second week.

Tonight we will be eating steak pie (made at our local butchers), new potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The butcher has lent us his portable gas fired oven, which will also allow us to do baked potatoes and pizza (!!!) later on in camp. This will be followed by chocolate cake, strawberries and cream. Not bad for a meal on a camp site that is being prepared for 95 people!

This will be preceded by Mass in the marquee and proceeded by our mid camp party.

When all is this is done we will enjoy a well earned lie in on Sunday morning for which I know many of the boys (and HQ) will be grateful. 

Friday 26th July

As expected, an extremely busy day yesterday with no phone signal and no time to post. I will type an update this afternoon after ferrying the groups between gorge walking and river crossing. Apologies for the delay. It would be much easier if the whole country had instant wifi! All the boys a little weary but in great shape. The sun is still shining and we have a central meal and mid camp party planned for tonight. Has a week really gone by already!!

Thursday 25th July

At final parade last evening the skies looked ominous and I advised the boys to be prepared for rain. I have been at this a little while now and I have learnt that it is always good to keep one eye trained on the horizon and to pay careful attention to the atmosphere, climate, etc... Then, just as the leaders headed off to bed, the heavens opened. It rained, it rained and it rained. I have to admit that I was quite pleasantly warm in bed and if it is going to rain; let it rain while we sleep.

I drifted into a pleasant sleep only to be rudely awoken by the gruesome noise of some poor cow either in the throws of some brutal murder or in the later stages of giving birth. Either way, I was pleased when it stopped and I could continue with my night's sleep.

As morning drew near the rain ceased and blue skies prevailed. I had set reveille at the unusually gentlemanly time of 09.00. This was to accommodate the fact that we have two very early mornings on Friday and Saturday so that we can get off to Gorge walking, climbing, etc.... in good time and also because I wanted to start army day with a bang!

The HQ assembled in the small marquee at 08.40 to be issued with face paint, green t-shirts, etc.... and prepared to hustle the troops out of bed. We then had smoke bombs, bangers and all sorts of nonsense. There were training stations in the morning where the boys learnt stealth, communication and all sorts of army skills. This was followed by a mass game of capture the flag and another welcome dip in the river. 

We also had our first car wash today. For new parents this means the boys line up in a queue and are splashed down, given soap to scrub up and then splashed down again. A very 9th tradition!

Mr Allen was in charge of stores this evening as Mrs Maher returned home with out two girls so that they could go off on their own Cub and Guide camps. Never fear, all was well. 

Tomorrow we are up early and off for adventure. The sun is just setting over the hills, the boys are having cocoa in year group meetings and the HQ are recovering from their shock 2-1 defeat to the PLs in the evening football match!

Friday promises to be a good day!

Wednesday 24th July

I arrived in Hereford at about 11.30 in blazing sunshine. If you are ever tempted to travel from New Malden, via Paddington to Hereford - resist! It is neither scenic nor comfortable and there is no wifi on the train. A pretty poor service all in I would say.

Nevertheless, as I made my way from the station to the cathedral I began to see familiar faces. I mostly bumped into Fourth year boys as the younger ones were at the swimming pool. I was soon up to date with the goings on at camp. Who had been good and who had not. The highlights and the lowlights. Thus I wound my way to the Castle Hotel to meet Mrs Maher, the little Mahers and the other leaders for a spot of lunch.

It's really quite nice after a few days on camp to treat yourself to a good meal in a smart restaurant. Our set menu consisted of Serrano Ham with melon and raspberries, belly of pork with creamy mash and seasonal vegetables, followed by white chocolate parfait with gooseberry sorbet. Yum! There was also air conditioning and beautiful toilets. Never underestimate the pleasantries of a porcelain toilet!!

On the return to camp we had a brief dip in the river to cool off before stores were issued - sweet and sour chicken tonight, followed by custard and bananas. 

As I type this blog, the sun is setting behind the hills, the boys are playing football or board games or writing letters home and all is right with the world.

We have planned a surprise army day for tomorrow which the lads don't know about. It should be fun!!

It's very good to be back......

Tuesday 23rd July

All is well on camp. The weather is warm but things carry on regardless. Apparently, the storm last night was quite spectacular, both in terms of downfall and theatre. The tents did what they are supposed to do and everyone enjoyed a peaceful night.

Today the boys spent some time building rafts and sailing them down the river and finished the day with a sing song around the camp fire.

Tomorrow we will be in Hereford and I'm sure that anxious parents will be waiting for anxious calls - you might have to excuse the boys if a swim and Subway comes first - though I am told that fried chicken is the meal  of choice on free days.

Personally, I will just be happy to be back down there, of course, the fact that I have lunch booked at the Castle Hotel makes it even more attractive! If you ever find yourself in Hereford, I recommend it for a very decent lunch!