Saturday 4th August 2012

Summer camp 2012 has drawn to a close and what a wonderful occasion it has been. The boys may be wet, tired and dirty, but I hope they have had a good time - I think they have.

For my part, there is some clearing up to do but it has been an exceptional camp. The HQ (our leaders) have been both wonderful role models and exceptional colleagues. I have enjoyed the humour and banter enormously - many, many thanks.

Pete, Tim and Tom (my extraordinary deputy leaders) I can't thank you enough. Nick Bano (sorry - I know I promised not to mention your name) also deserves our huge thanks for his enormous efforts.

Catriona, as always, the camp wouldn't happen without you and thanks for consistently putting up with me.

Finally, the Scouts have been such a great pleasure and such a wonderful bunch of young men. There was the odd niggle here and there but nothing to write home about. I would like to thank them all for their huge effort and superb good humour.

As I sit with a very nice glass of red wine watching Jessica Ennis and Co achieving Olympic gold (Oh so wonderful) I cannot help but think that so many of our own young men have achieved so much in their own way over the last couple of weeks.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for your support for the Ninth.

And, as I say to the boys every night - good night and God bless.

SRM

Friday 3rd August

In no time at all it seems to me, we have arrived at the penultimate day of camp. Quite where the last two weeks have gone I'm not sure, but here we are one sleep away from home and a reunion with out baths and our beds.

Without doubt, yesterday was the worse day weather wise we have had on camp. It rained and it rained and it rained a bit more! The prospect of getting anything down dry seemed unlikely. The camp itself carried on as usual. Boys seem to mind the rain far less than us older chaps and they simply got on with things. Various sports activities took place in the morning and then the PLs council took over to run lunch an afternoon activity whilst I entertained the HQ to lunch.

This is a great occasion on camp when I get to thank the HQ for giving up their time, working so hard and, indeed, paying for the privilege to do so! We started with mozzarella, tomatoe and pesto salad, followed by steak and ale pie, roast potatoes, braised red cabbage and other various sundries and finished off with a selection of chocolate cheesecake, New York cheesecake or banoffee pie. Most of this was delivered to site by the Lorna Doone Hotel. A scrumptious feast and a fitting reward for all they had done.

After lunch the much anticipated 'Operation Gunge' took place. It was the closest event for years and finished with a game of sudden death Russian Roulete. The Troop won and chose poor old Charles Connor to be gunged. Quite what he had done to deserve such treatment is difficult to work out, but he took like the gentleman he is.

Into the evening and the weather was still poor so we put on a quiz in the marquee. £20 was made available for the winning team which encouraged some keen participation.

Amazingly this morning arrived with the sun shining and only a few clouds in the sky. Things looked good for the day ahead. However, after getting through the first the few hours and half way through taking some tents down ominous black clouds started to gather and sure enough the heavens opened. 'That's it,' I thought, but miraculously the clouds dispersed, the sun came out and we managed to get down everything we had planned to for today. Quite a relief as the forecast is grim for tomorrow.

As I type, the finals of the Horner Shield are underway, which will be followed by a wash in the river and final preparations for this evening sketches for our end of camp party. Some boys and leaders have left to attend the Olympics but down here in Horner we are determined to have one last good night before returning to our homes.

SRM

Wednesday 1st August

Wow - it has been busy down here. The Pls completed their 'weekend off' and hiked the beautiful coastal pathway between Porlock and Lynmouth whilst James O'Sullivan and the Third Year took over running the Troop to prove what they could do. As always, they did remarkably well. The APLs competition was a draw between Andrew C-B's Ospreys and Ben Chamberlain's Hawks both patrols receiving 'clean sheets' on both days. I will be taking them for a cream tea this afternoon to congratulate them on their efforts!

On Tuesday, the PLs returned from their little break and Mrs Maher and I returned from a night away at the Lorna Doone Hotel. The talk on the camp site was all about rebellion. The junior HQ were in a particular state of frenzy. Older and calmer heads just sat and waited knowing that these things will happen and there is no point in getting anxious about it.

Last night I decided that it was high time that the PLs were taken on the 'walk of the dead'. So after packing the Troop off to bed, I asked Mr Orbell to tell them the legend of the desecrated graveyard in Horner Wood and then told them we were going to walk there. We set off at about 10.30. It's quite a walk right into the heart of the wood to get to the location and it is, of course, pitch black in the woods. Unknown to the boys, Michael had sneaked off down the path and just as I was explaining about the priest who threw himself off the hill, he jumped out with a blood curdling scream!! Some of the tougher boys didn't respond quite how they would like their peers to think they would! Still it was all good fun and we carried on along the path. We eventually arrived back at about 12.30, had some cocoa and went to bed. I did hear some mutterings about it not being that frightening. It's funny how brave you become when back in familiar surroundings.

So onto this morning and a bit more rain.  The weather has been a little less clement this week.  I had announced a lie in this morning and reveille was set for 09.00.  Breakfast went as normal, added the HQ meeting.   I sent the team off for inspection and slipped into Horner Hamlet to attend to a few bits and pieces.  10 minutes later I arrived back on site to see boys running around, water carriers all over the place and HQ getting 'decked'.  It could only be rebellion.  Any normal human being would have put his car in reverse and sat it out at the cream tea room, but I could't leave my colleagues to their fate.  I ploughed into the chaos and immediately got dumped by Xavier for my valiant efforts and soaked by some grinning prog!  There's respect for you!

20 minutes later or so and everyone was puffing and panting so Olly and I called an honourable draw.  Parade was called and the TL and ATLs were presented with a small token of our thanks for their efforts this year and camp life kicked off again with the unfinished inspection.

SRM

Sunday 29th July 2012

On Saturday morning we awoke to a light drizzle which turned into a steady downpour before blowing away and glorious sunshine returned. The Third and Fourth year set off for Croyde Bay with Mr Starke, Mr Travers and Mr Orbell, while the First and Second year finished clearing up the patrol kitchen tents before embarking on mountain biking and a 'backwoodsman' session. At dinner the previous night the First and Scond Years at my table were effusive in their praise for the surfing and canoeing which was really good to hear as it is by far the most expensive (and furthest away) activity on camp. On the return of the Fourth and Third year Mrs Maher and the food team had prepared a wonderful central meal of cold pork, beef and turkey, new potatoes, coleslaw, cucumber and tomatoe salad which was followed with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. A drop of wine complemented the meal! All very well received by some hungry boys after their adventures of the previous two days. Fr Gallagher then said Mass in the marquee - a truly reverent and peaceful occasion - and the boys, as always, we're superb. The mood changed somewhat after this as we moved onto the mid-camp party - lots of silly songs, crisps and pop, as well as hilarious sketches put on by Mr Bano, Mr Coulson, Mr Starke and co. The evening finished with Mr Travers singing a a couple of gentle melodies, night prayers and off to bed. An excellent way to mark the half way point of camp and a memorable evening. Sunday morning wake up had been set at the gentlemanly time of 09.30 and the morning given over to relaxing and free time. At 11.00 the HQ and various guests who had come down for the weekend gathered in the pavilion for breakfast - one of the occasions when I thanks the HQ for giving up their time to run the camp. The next round of the Horner shield is currently underway and despite some heavy rain this morning the sun is once again shining down on us. The APLs take over for a few days tonight whilst the PLs go off on their hikes. Come tomorrow there will be only five days left. I wonder how it all goes past so quickly. Soon we will be talking about taking tents down and packing away and another year will draw to a close and the next group of lads will be ready to step up and show what they can do as PLs, ATLs and TLs. That is the way of things in the 9th!

SRM

Friday 27th July 2012

As I was saying, army day started with a bang! The HQ gathered in the new pavillion tent at 07.45, dressed in army greens and face covered in face paint to wake up the Troop. We positioned Jr. HQ outside the Patrol tents, set the ipad to play through the amp a suitable military band tune and let all hell break loose!! Smoke capsuals went off, bags were fired and pots and pans were clanged. A rather rude awakening for our poor lads. They paraded outside their tents and were taken on a morning run to wake them up a little bit. On their return, they were issued with army t-shirts and face paint. Army day had begun. As a side note to the morning, a parent, who will remain anonymous, gave us some decent 'bangers' to use on army day. Being unsure of how long the fuse was or how loud they would be we decided to place the first one in a tree, light and retire at speed a suitable distance. It is no exaggeration to say the ground shook under my feet and unfortunately not because of some biblical annunciation! More startling still, I was later told that one of the old ladies from Horner Hamlet was walking past with her dogs on an early morning ramble. I can only imagine the startled look on her face! Things could have taken a far more problematic turn. The lads meanwhile seemed to enjoy every minute. Basic training in the morning followed by an orienteering exercise with riddles and physical challenges in the afternoon. As one of the lads said at dinner that evening - 'that was the best day on camp yet sir......'. Enough said I think. So we moved onto Taunton and our free day. The first and second years went for a swim in the local pool followed, so I am told, to trips to Poundland and numerous fast food establishments. I, on the other hand, headed to the Castle Hotel with some of the Senior HQ for a lunch consisting of Game Pâté, Duck Breast and Chocolate foundant! We have been going there for about six years now and the head waiter always greets us at the door. Sadly, on this occasion, just as my duck was placed in front of me my phone rang. 'Oh dear,' I thought. It was Andrew C-B, one of his friends was not well. Excellent timing I thought! The striken lad was brought to the hotel and we took it in turns to look after him whilst we finished our lunch! Later, the football match followed and we soon all packed off to bed for an early reveille. Today, the First and Second year are here with me in Croyde Bay participating in surfing and sea canoeing. They will be tired but seem to be having a great time. The Third and Fourth year are on site splitting the day between mountain biking, backwoods man training and various skills sessions. The sun is again blazing and light fluffy clouds are rolling over the sky. I think we'll all sleep well again tonight.

SRM

Thursday 26th July 2012

Where were we? Yesterday morning started with a bang literally as Army Day got underway. However, more of this later. Today we were in Taunton and fun was had by all. A football match finished off the evening with the HQ triumphing over the PLs by 2 goals to 0. We are up at 07.30 tomorrow morning to be on the road by 08.30 for the surfers. More tomorrow - today just got away from me - sorry.

SRM

Wednesday 25th July 2012

Army day today and another scorcher. Sorry not to update the blog earlier but I haven't had a second and I need to dash back now for evening parade at 21.30. We're in Taunton tomorrow so I should have time to do an extended blog then. Another wonderful day on camp.

SRM

Tuesday 24th July 2012

Another amazing day with blue sky as far as the eye can see. The standing order today is for sun hats, sun cream and plenty of water. This morning's activity involved the lads building rafts out if various equipment that they had been given, could borrow or scavenge, as well as create a flag to represent their patrol name. The vessels were then sent down stream and judged in their speed, design and 'floatability'. This was followed by burgers(cooked on the open fire by Nick Day) and watermelon for lunch. The second round of the Horner shield is currently underway and we have plans for a fire and singsong this evening. It promises to be another excellent day on camp. I must apologise for not posting any pictures but I am not having much luck persuading my phone to upload pictures onto the website. I will try and think up another solution. A great sackful of post arrived today which I will distribute at evening parade - keep those letters and gifts coming.


SRM

Monday 23rd July 2012

As we could not arrange a priest to say Mass for us yesterday we had a short service and reflection around the theme of friendship and incorporating the Gospel readings for the day. This was followed my some casual evening activities, cocoa, year group meetings, night prayers and bed. By 10.00 there was not a sound to be heard from the Troop. I asked Mr Orbell to tell the PLs a ghost story which he gleefully did and then we sent them anxiously off to bed. All good fun and the boys loved it of course. This morning we were again greeted by glorious sunshine with not a cloud in the sky. I was awoken rather earlier than expected by a happy four year old who wanted to play Star Wars - 06.15 is just a little too early for all that stuff! I had a wonderful breakfast with the Falcons - the homemade sausages were excellent - thanks to Werner an co. Inspection followed (with four clean sheets today - Bishop, Muller, Duggins and Lambert J - well done chaps) and then onto the day hikes, which in turn were followed by trips to the cream tea shop and a dip in Horner Water. A truly excellent day on camp with a lot of happy, smiling boys. We are getting through liberal amounts of sun cream and lots of water. Another day on site tomorrow and the forecast looks set until at least Friday. A large sack of post was well received on parade after evening inspection. If you haven't sent a letter yet please do.

SRM

Sunday 22nd July

It's another beautiful day here on camp and things are now really into full swing. Stores were issued at 08.00 and soon the field was full of the smell of sizzling bacon - hand sliced from the local butcher. I had a lovely meal with the Eagles - Jack O'S and co. After this we had our first inspection with two patrols gaining 'clean sheets' (dropping no marks) - well done Werner and Daniel Bishop! Tuck shop was gratefully received and then we had morning parade followed by a health and safety briefing session. A lazy ploughmans lunch under fluffy white clouds followed and all seems right with the world. The boys are now playing the first round of the Horner shield before a little dip in the chilly embrace of Horner Water before stores are issued for tea - chicken Korma - one of my favourites! Nothing alarming to report at this stage, in fact, quite the contrary everyone seems to have picked up where we left off last year.

SRM

An Excellent Start!

We left the parish hall in sunshine and arrived at Horner in glorious sunshine at about 14.30. After a quick parade and prayers the Troop swung into action and the sound of mallets on pegs resounded around the Horner Valley. In under an hour the patrol tents and kitchen shelters were erected and ready to go. A quick thanks to all the advance party because everything was in readiness when we arrived - they had done a superb job. Stores were soon issued for our evening meal and I had an excellent dinner with the Cheetahs - thanks to Rob and co. A walk round inspection, a few songs in the marquee and onto cocoa. The boys are just having year group meetings and I have slipped out to update the blog before heading back for prayers and lights out at 21.30. Hopefully, I'll have time to add some pictures tomorrow. Tonight, all is well - though the midges are out in force.

SRM

Advance Party update ...

Reveille this morning appears to have been a very casual affair. It has been reported that Mr Orbell himself didn't surface until 08.45 (I am told some were beginning to worry that something might be wrong) and Mrs Maher an extremely decedent 09.30. Of course all this will change when the lads and I arrive and discipline and order is restored!

Ham, egg and chips for dinner last night washed down with milkshake seems to have been very well received by all and Mrs Maher was sorting lunch as we spoke - homemade sausage rolls from the local butcher I believe. We take our food very seriously in the 9th Wimbledon.

The sky is blue and the sun is shining with the forecast for it to be like that for at least the next four days - all is well in Horner.

Last minute reminders: tea-towels, a torch, pocket money, floppy hat, sun cream and a decent waterproof.

Right - off to continue packing!!

SRM

We're up and running!

The advance party left at 10.30 this morning in glorious sunshine and arrived at Horner at about 15.00 this afternoon. Unlike those of us still in London they report blue skys and puffy clouds. I spoke to Michael and Catriona who tell me that the site is like Lords cricket ground, the river is babbling along gently and all is well.

The store tents and general meeting areas have been erected, as well as tents for the 18 HQ on site tonight.

As I type they are tucking into sausage, egg and chips at the Old Chapel before retiring back to Horner for a glass of beer and bed. No scouts tonight but a hard day of work ahead of them tomorrow - they'll need their sleep!

If you want your son to receive some post on the first three days of camp you might want to put a letter or parcel in the post tomorrow!

More tomorrow!

SRM

A good start...

Our lorry is packed full of all the equipment needed for camp - from tents and pegs to rugby balls and cricket bats. A superb team of HQ and PLs did a great job with fantastic good humour and plenty of banter in not brilliant conditions. A good start that bodes well for the advance party tomorrow and for the rest of camp. Now time for a bite to eat and perhaps a glass of red wine.

SRM

3 days to go...

Three days to go before we leave and things are falling into place. Loading the lorry at 18.00 before finishing some admin with Mrs Maher prior to her departure with the advance party tomorrow - leaving me with our three kids! Weather reports suggest things are turning for the better also - something to do with jet streams I think! Great - cream teas are so much more fun in the sun!

SRM