May 23rd.
Today there would be no problems with the weather, the first attempt that had ended in a torrential downpour was not likely to happen again as our sungod was back firing on all cylinders. The day started with a cloud free sky, with the promise of nice sunny and dry conditions for the trek.
At 10:45 the trekkers (Jess, Georgia and Charlotte) and Leaders arrived and while Akela and Baggy took the girls to the drop-off point Hathi went on to the first checkpoint. after what seemed ages cries of "We have found Nemo" rang out as the first checkpoint was reached by the girls. They were happy to do the next part of the walk, where there was a slight misunderstanding of the route that should have been taken. No problems this time.
The Donkey Field was empty to the secret delight of one of the Cubs, a lady overheard the question as she was in her garden next to the field and explained that the donkeys were back working at Weston-Super-Mare beach. She inquired into what the girls were doing and said how nice it was that their father (Hathi) was around to keep an eye on them. (Jess later confessed to nearly saying that Hathi was their granddad not father).
After leaving Hathi at checkpoint (CP) two the Cubs wandered on towards Bruce and Dory at CP 3. they then moved on towards Stanton Drew and the second church tower. They walked around a field with a newly planted crop, to the Leaders delight rather than across it on the official 'footpath'.
The next field contained a large number of cows which Georgia was able to walk through with the supreme confidence of some one whose grandma keeps cows and was well used to their ways, a stamp, a shout and the cows melted away in front of her. Everybody got together to review progress and check-up on map work at the church at Stanton Drew (Saint Mary the Virgin).
As the girls disappeared along the next stretch of the walk the Leaders drove onto their next checkpoints. Akela and Baggy to lie low in some long grass and Hathi to sit in a tree shaded area next to a stream. The girls found the right route to cross the stream and after a couple of minutes playing 'Pooh-Sticks' under the footbridge were off and away towards their penultimate checkpoint. This they very nearly missed as Akela and Baggy were hidden in the long grass and it was only by chance that Charlotte noticed them.
The Cubs were escorted over the road and left to find their way to the final tower at Saint Andrews Church in Chew Magna.
Photo by Jess
The Cubs were grateful that it was over and were happy to return to the Harvesters for a de-brief, and a glass of fizzy drinks.
Well done to the girls for their efforts and for not getting to lost, to the Leaders who gave up their Sunday mornings especially to Dory as she was not feeling 100% fit.