Sunday 28th and Monday 29th July 2013

A very lazy morning on Sunday. After a fantastic mid camp part 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 Rinne.  Weldon 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 bolognese was superb last night.  However just as we were going off t bed the heavens opened and, oh my, did it rain!

I had a rather disturbed 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 there 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 more 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.

SRM

Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July 2013

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.  Their 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 boys to Billy Joel, Nina Simone, Fleetwood Max, Cat Stavens, 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 Rinne 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 and proceeded by our mid camp party.

When all 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.

SRM

Friday 26th July 2013

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!!

SRM

Thursday 25th July 2013

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 great 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 our two girls so that they could go off on their own Cub and Guide camps.  Never fear, all was well.

Tomororow 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!

SRM

Wednesday 24th July 2013

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 all I would say.

Nevertheless, as I made my way out 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 Serraro 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 the 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......

SRM

Tuesday 23rd July 2013

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!

SRM

Sunday 21st July 2013

After waving goodbye to the Scouts at the parish hall, I returned home to load the minibus before setting off with Ellemay in harness.  Elmer's role was crucial on the journey up as she provided me with sweets, changed CDs and answered the phone when anyone called.  At least, this was supposed to be her job, rather she fell asleep for the first two hours and I had to get on with it on my own!

You wouldn't believe how much stuff I bring down to a summer camp, but suffice to say that I had filled a whole minibus before departing.  My cargo included a knitted mini scout leader (essential for raft races down the river), a bike for a five year old and 36 cartons of creamy custard!  I wonder to myself whether it is not possible to buy custard in Wales, hence the need to bring it from London!

After listening to the greatest hits of both Billy Joel snd Elvis, I arrive at camp to the happy sound of mallets on pegs and a sea of newly erected tents.  In fact the whole map is already set up and I marvel at the industry of Nick Day and his team on the advance party - they must have worked extremely hard in very hot weather p my sincere thanks.

I get an update from senior HQ, a coffee from MRs Maher and hug from Bobby and Issy.  After this I call over the PLs and give them a deadline to get things finished up before a quick walk around inspection to make sure all is in good order and then a welcome first dip in the river.  Shrieks of laughter fill the air as the lads splash each other with freezing water and start to build the inevitable dam.

After the swim the first evening stores is called and soon the smell of cooking fills the air.  I eat with the cheetahs and enjoy a wonderful meal of nachos, mild chilli beef, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, followed by yoghurts.  One boy, who will remain unnamed, remarked that he always eats better on camp than he does at home!

The day finished with a mass kick around, which Bobby loved, followed by an opening night sing song in the marquee.  Prayers, parade and bed.  Day one is over and all is well.

This morning we awoke to a cloud covered sky.  A pleasant relief after the sunshine the day before.  As always, stores for breakfast are issued and I can soon smell frying bacon in the air. I have a lovely breakfast with the Eagles before calling the HQ together for our morning meeting at 09.30.  We talk through the day, discuss any concerns and then get on with the job.  They really are a fantastic team and I know the 9th is in safe hands when I step aside in September.

No patrol dropped more than two marks on inspection so all the PLs are happy.  We have a health and safety briefing in year groups on a rotation which cover topics such as discipline, standards, dangerous equipment, welfare, hygiene, etc...

After this we take an early lunch - Brie, ham, cheddar, Coleslaw, pickles, salad, crusty bread, crisps, fruit (yum) - before the opening ceremony of the Horner Shield and the first rounds.  The Jr HQ do a wonderful job with the opening ceremony.  Directed by Charles Connor and focussed on England beating the Australians to reclaim the River Mono Cup! All great fun.

This is followed by Mass.  Mass on camps are always extremely moving occasions.  It often seems to me that we will never build a church quite as beautiful as the countryside we are so lucky to camp in. It all seems so right to be gathered together as a community, in such a beautiful place, praising and praying to God.  For 45 minutes all on camp is calm and you can hear nature around you - wonderful.

We are extremely lucky to have the support of both Fr Peter and Fr Nick Hudson (the incoming parish priest at the Sacred Heart). Fr Nick said Mass for us this Sunday.

So after a wonderful mass, I had to get back to London as my new school doesn't break up until tomorrow!  I have already changed that for next year and I have arranged for staff to 'work from home tomorrow' which means I can get back to camp.  I have had detailed reports from camp though.  Given the extreme heat, day hikes were suspended on Monday for all except the fourth year, while the rest of the lads enjoyed some on site activities.

The day went well and all are happy.  after a packed day, there was quite some rain overnight.  The tents stood up and they awoke to a sunny Tuesday morning.  I await an update from Catriona later and will post something as soon as I head news.

Tomorrow morning I am back up by train where I will join the Troop in Hereford.  It's desperately difficult being away from them all and I can;t wait to be back tomorrow.

I will post more tomorrow......

SRM

The night before camp and all is quiet...

Another summer camp seems to have come around extraordinarily quickly!

Tomorrow we are off for yet another summer camp but, sadly, my last as Scout Leader.

I have been in contact with camp and all is ready for our arrival - two marquees, one pavilion, two store tents and a bundle of sleeping tents are already up.  The only hitch thus far is that Mrs Maher has left our double airbed at home, unfortunately this means that she is on the ground tonight.  Still, I'll try not to worry too much as I snuggle down to sleep tonight in our very comfy bed at home!

A huge thanks to Nick Day and all on the advance party.  They have worked hard and done a wonderful job to get everything in good shape for our arrival.  I understand that they had an excellent supper of sausage, egg and chips tonight.  A fine reward for a hard day's work.

See you at the parish hall tomorrow.  Let's hope the sun keeps shining!

SRM