We had planned on an early start and the Cubs were really good, they were awake nice and early, breakfasted and made ready with their day bags. We were going to be in two groups with Hathi, Carol and Rich leading one group, Alex was dismayed to be in Hathi's group as he has still not forgiven Hathi for tipping the canoe they shared over getting them both wet last time we went canoeing. We were to do the canoeing in the morning while Akela, Alison and Abi would have the benefit of the warmer water for canoeing in the afternoon. The first group got into their 'wet gear' and we were away from the Lodge nice and early.
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The drive to Holly Barn was uneventful, Hathi and Rich had someone to follow that knew the way. The group for archery was left behind and the others went down to the river to find our instructor, Julie(?). We were kitted out with helmets, life-vests and paddles and introduced to our canoes. Sturdy, aluminium, Canadian style, easy to invert and ample room for three Cubs or a leader and two Cubs.
We were soon out on the water trying to tell left from right, port and starboard would have had the Cubs really confused! The Leaders soon had the hang of paddling but the Cubs only canoes were in difficulty. The four canoes were 'rafted up' and the next part of the adventure was to begin, across the river and raft-up more paddling, Rich and his Cubs were surprised when Hathi's crew suddenly went past as if the were going backward. This was in fact true as Hathi had pulled the other canoe back to give his canoe a big boost.
Once we had al got the hang of moving the canoes it was time for some games. Hands and shoulders crouch and jump was met with squeals of delight from the Leaders as this meant that it was nearly time to get the Cubs wet. The younger Cubs were a bit nervous about this and one needed a little reassurance. As the Leaders landed from the jump part of the song, the ripples along the floor of the canoe was very impressive as was the loud boing the Cubs just in front were given a shower as the water was forced up between the two canoes. Moving the canoes without using the paddles involved a great deal of splashing and several Cubs got their own back on the Leaders.
The next part of the experience was where the canoeists got wet, big time wet. It started with the Cubs in the front of the canoes having to stand on their seats then onto the sides of the canoe, gunwales?, then shuffle forwards until they were stood on the front triangle. If this was possible they then had to do a 'Titanic' on one foot on the front sharp bit, prow(?). This was achieved by Levi, so well done to her, she still fell in when getting down into the canoe. One of the Cubs asked if they could go to the toilet! Hathi asked if it looked like he had one on his person, use the river he said. So when this Cub fell in there were twelve people staring and no-one's at their best under those circumstances.
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Now it was the Leaders turn. We moved the canoes out to deeper water as Hathi
had only managed to stand on his seat before abandoning ship into knee deep
water. The second time Rich and Hathi clung onto each other and managed to stand
on the prow, in a moment of madness Hathi let go, SPLASH was the result, Rich
decided to maintain solidarity, SPLASH, and also fell in, but managed a domino
effect on the two other canoes SPLASH, SPLASH and ,managed to tip up Hathi's
canoe spilling the crew into the water again SPLASH, SPLASH. I would like to say
that the Cub that needed reassurance earlier was one of the first to have a go at this,
their fear overcome, it was a great moment.
As it would have been really boring to have just drifted downstream to finish the activity we built a tank! After rafting up two canoes were pulled up on top of the two others but cross wise i.e. #. This proved a valuable platform for various people to 'walk the plank' that is leap off the top canoe into the lovely balmy river. The main drawback to the tank was that unless you paddled hard the wind blew it back up stream against our intended direction. To add to the excitement one of the top canoes moved over so Rich was sat in the river paddling and Hathi could only just dip his paddle into the water! (Ooeer missus)
The Cubs occupied the parking space left by the bus, as it went up to pick up the other group, so that we could all have lunch together.
After a short break and a packed lunch while Hathi tried to get his folding chair back from the queue of Cubs who were in line for a quick comfort test. We moved up to Holly Barn leaving the others getting ready for their fun.
The archery instructor asked what we had done on the river and then claimed that she had taught her sister everything that she knew. Then the serious part two Cubs volunteered to carry the box of arrows down to the archery area. The Cubs had a safety lecture, a bit of history as to why we wave two fingers as a sign of defiance, were given some simple instructions and then tested for dominant eye, as this would determine which handed bows they would use. This turned out, surprisingly, to be a 50 - 50 split left and right. While the Cubs started to shoot, Carol and Rich decided to take it easy and soon snores were drifting across the butts.
How difficult is it to shoot off a few arrows, all you have to remember is to stand correctly, pick the bow up correctly, make a 'table', put an arrow onto the 'table' with the odd coloured flight uppermost, hold the cord with one finger above the arrow and two below, turn the bow, pull back keeping one arm straight and keeping your pulling elbow up, aiming just below the target and then releasing the arrow with a subtle release of tension in the fingers, easy!
The balloon on the target was quite safe only Alex and Jess gave it a scare the others sprayed arrows all over the country side. After the first round the standard got better as more things were remembered or reminded by the others. All to soon 17:00 came round and we had to finish. All the equipment was carried up to the store buildings, thanks were said and it was agreed that it had been a lot of fun.
We then joined the other team at Symonds Yat and it was Hathi's turn to surprise the ice cream person. His enquiry about availability of ice-lollies was answered in the affirmative so twenty were ordered. No discount but a receipt was happily given. We wandered off to find somewhere that twenty Cubs could get out the way of other people. We watched the people on the river doing all sorts of wonderful things. The walk to the Wire Bridge was cancelled as it was getting late, so we boarded the various cars and bus and returned to Beaver Lodge.
Tea was 'spag-bol' and was made ready very quickly by Abi and Carol, some of the Cubs came back for seconds and one Leader had thirds. The author will pass over this as quickly as possible. After this and before Akela returned from the local superstore, the Cubs were told that it had been a long day, they must be tired and as it was now 21:00 it was time for bed, To Hathi's amazement there was no bitching or moaning they all just got into their PJs, filed out with their sleeping stuff and said goodnight to Akela as he had just arrived back.
As a reward for this behaviour and after their conduct during the day Akela and Hathi hatched a plan. Hathi went to the tents told the Cubs to keep quiet it as Akela would be coming across in a few minutes and that there should be complete silence. Akela and the other Leaders had prepared a few plates of goodies for each tent and Akela took them across to the tents and called the tent leaders out. They were nervous as they stepped out of their tents but very soon had big smiles on their faces as they were told what was happening and given the goodies. So bed at 21:00 all quiet at 01:30.