5th - 6th August
As we hadn't done anything adventurous for a couple of weeks we decided to do a gentle stroll in the countryside followed by a canvas sleepover.
A dozen Cubs signed up for the adventure: Shannon, both Megan's, Jess, Kayleigh, Joe, Jack, Ollie, Harry Alex, James* and Matthew, The Leaders team was joined by Laura, from Tuesday Cubs and Hannah our young Leader in training.
As we meet on a Friday and the sleepover was to take place on Saturday we could see no reason why the Cubs shouldn't put their own tents up, so they did. Mostly they got it right the tents weren't inside out or upside down.
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Saturday dawned, Akela had done the "trolley rage" and at the given time the Cubs turned up, with one parent walking with us, thanks Gary, and the cooks team from camp were going to do the supper for us.
We were transported out to the top of Pensford Hill and dropped of. After a very short walk on the road we took to the fields. Luckily the first field was devoid of the usual geese. The first part of the walk was up a fairly steep hill, Akela and Hathi took quite a few stops to look out over the valley to watch the weather, and catch our breath. It was more exciting in the next field as there were some heifers in it. There was a tightening of the group as we passed them that was reassuring.
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 Photo by Akela |
Once we had reached the top of the hill we were faced with a field full of some crop, no sign of the footpath so around the field we walked. We looked both ways before crossing the grass runway on the top of the slope.
We were now in Norton Malreward and proceeded quietly through and out the other side, another field full of crop, so another detour and at the end we found a stile totally overgrown with brambles and stinging nettles. Not nice at all we all managed to get across and it was at this point with at least two more fields to be walked around the Leaders decided to cut to the chase and get onto a road and bypass the awkward pastures.
It was decided that as we had reached the halfway point the Cubs could have a drink and eat their chocolate bars. A couple of Cubs with blisters were doctored by Akela and a toad, a very small toad was found and examined b the Cubs. Akela warned the Cubs that the next section of the walk was dangerous as the Farmer was notoriously bad tempered and hated children and worst of all he had a shotgun and several large and vicious dogs. We would have to go extremely quietly for the next half mile or so.
The plan worked brilliantly the field was crossed and we were like the breeze quiet and almost unseen, well it was starting to get dark. Naturally when were really close to the Farm and Akela had to pass through a metal kissing gate, his hand slipped on the gate and it clanged and banged horribly loudly. The Cub's faces were a wonderful sight until they realised that Akela had "got" them, much hilarity resulted, a team photo taken and the walk continued.
We always get the next bit wrong after nearly eight years we still can't find our way back to Whitchurch, until tonight! We finally got it right and ended up where we wanted to be.
One or two of the Cubs were no longer enjoying the walk it had gone on to long and they were tired and their blisters hurt. The last half mile dragged on but with the Scutt in sight faces lighten, and we had done it, the walk was over. Supper was provided and wolfed down, the hot chocolate was warmly received and after getting ready for bed the Cubs watched a DVD, one that Akela hadn't seen. By the end of the film, (hooray Nemo had been found!!) several of the Cubs were nearly asleep. So out to the tents and the Cubs settled down for the night, 90 minute later it seems to have gone quiet, has it gone quiet so quickly, yes it has, so the Leaders can get their heads down for a few hours.
The next morning dawn early, really early. Akela dealt with it firmly and fairly. So While he cooked breakfast the Cubs were called in, washed and dressed. They were amused when Hathi dropped an egg, and even more amused when it bounced!
After Breakfast which was yummy, the Cubs took the tents down, folded them up and put them away. The groundsheets were folded up and put away, this took the girls one attempt and kept the boys amused for quite a while. A game of catch was held with the Cubs having only a moment to decide whether the egg being thrown was real or rubber, This continued until the real egg got broken. All to soon parents arrived and the Cubs went home to get some rest, the debrief in the Harvesters was shorter than normal as one of the Leaders had to drive to Basildon to do some work that night, ahh!!
Below are a few extra photos of the event:-
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 Photo by Akela |
* Yes James I know I got your name wrong on your Nights Away Stage 1 badge. I'll try harder for next week and I'm really, really sorry ok?