http://2ndgoringandstreatley.org.uk/cyclecamp2011.php

Today we are heading out to Hay Bluff and Lord Hereford's Knob, a hike of about 8 miles but over steep terrain. We filled out water bottles and packed the lunch that had been prepared by Akela and in full uniform jumped into the cars to head off to our start point.

We didn't have to travel far but we nearly took the wrong road out of Hay. When we got to the stone circle which was to be our start and finish point there were already quite a few cars parked up. Most of the people hadn't wandered very far from the cars and were taking in the view from where they were. There was quite an amazing patchwork of fields laid out below us, but it was nothing next to the spectacular view we would enjoy at the top of Hay Bluff. Only a few whines were heard as we scurried up the very steep slope of Hay Bluff to the ridge. Soon we were walking the ridge and sharing it with gliders in close proximity below us and overhead.

At the end of the ridge we descended down some 200m to a road that we needed to cross before climbing again up Lord Hereford's Knob. We enjoyed far reaching views due to the clarity of the air and the height at which we now found ourselves. It was the perfect place for our packed lunch before taking “Gunners quick way down” to the path that lead back around the base of the mountains to the car park. Arkela took her now obligatory tumble but was unhurt. In my group David, Harvey, Sebastian, William and Will marched in a well drilled fashion for a while.

Back at the cars people were kite flying and practising paragliding on the flat ground. We however headed back smartly to the camp as everyone was tired and hot an looking forward to a dip in the river to cool off. Skip arrived at camp whilst we were in the water and it was good to see him up and about and looking so fit and well.

As it was Sapan's birthday today we had prepared a cake that we all shared and David performed a impromptu Happy Birthday tune on my trumpet. William and his parents arrived just in time to also join in the fun.

More swimming followed, then a delicious dinner of toad in the hole with bread and butter pudding cooked perfectly in our “Mud Ovens”.

I also think that the scouts finally understood the advantage of a quiet and stealthy game of flag raid with whistles and calls instead of the load shouting version of last night. Some very stealthy work especially by William and Harvey who both put their small size to great advantage and stayed undetected for a long time.

And so again another fully packed day comes to an end with a hot drink before bed......from rising early this moring, to now a dark stary clear evening, we've witnessed what a wonderfull world our Lord has laid out before us.

The only set back so far is that the wood load we bought for the camp (there isn't enough on the ground here) is all Oak. As all scouts will know this is an excellent wood for a hot and long burn fire and very good for cooking on embers but can be difficult to get going in the first place. It's also come in very large pieces so we have a lot of sawing and chopping to do.

The church service was really interesting this morning. We formed a guard of honour to the church and were made very welcome. I was a little concerned that becasue this was a high church and Father Richard Williams advised me the service would be quite long, we might eat into the day quite a bit. I'm really glad we came though as we were able to share the full communion service and join in with the celebration of St.James day. The service seemed to capture the imagination and attention of our group and even some laughter at a couple of stories Father Williams told us about his travels. His dog “Jimmy”, who by the way is also the curate, certainly impressed us and it was clear he wanted to join the troop. We didn’t invest him but loaned a hat and necker for a photo outside the church. He even raised the correct left paw when asked to shake hands.

Back at camp and after a ploughman’s lunch it was on with building the camp ovens. The younger scouts and scubs made most of the mud pie building and decided to bath in the mud that was left over from the construction work. There are some great photo’s of the building process and the cooking results. Stitchy and I built a bigger fire in another area of the camp site to make best use of the larger timber. We then used this later for cooking.

Those that needed a good bath (Harvey and David) after the mud work led the way to the river for a wash off. In fact we all went in except for Stichy. It was quite shallow in places but deep enough to swim. It wasn’t too cold and you soon got used to the temperature. We had fun swimming against the tide, it was very slow progress against the flow. You seemed to be swimming quite hard but not moving very far forward. Good exercise for everyone though. We also asked Stitchy to take a photo of us all with Hats and Neckers on in the river, which I’m sure will become a classic picture in the years ahead.

Bulldogs took on cooking duty tonight for the whole camp and used the big fire pit. We had an excellent meal of steak pie, carrots, cabbage and onion mash. 10/10 scored and everyone cleaned their plates.

So once again a very full day on camp but the scouts still had some energy for a wide game before bed. Gareth deserves a special mention for his teaching Hand, Axe and Knife to Sebastian, Oscar and David so they can be tested this week. I think though his main motivation is that he really wants some help with all the wood splitting

So time for Horlicks and bed by 10pm…..night night campers !

We all met in the car park of the Goring and Streatley railway station. We have 2 Patrols on camp this year. Lions patrol leader is Gareth with William acting patrol second as unfortunately Joe can't join us. Gareth also has Will, David, Sebastian and Harvey in the patrol but Will won't be joining us until Monday due to a weekend commitment. Sapan leads the Bulldog Patrol with Robbie the patrol second and Jack, Oscar, Dominic and Abbie. It's a shame that Ben also can't join but both Gordon-Potts boys are helping and involved this week with their family at the Kings Club run by the Free Church in Goring.

Akela and Stitchy are the other leaders joining the camp and because we have enough seats we are taking our cars. I have a trailer behind me on loan from TrailJunkies and heavily loaded with the camp kit and Akela has a trailer for the scouts own kit.

It wasn't long before everyone started to arrive at the station and we soon had the kit into Akelas small trailer and the back of cars. There really is a lot of stuff for the camp. I have the pioneering poles lashed to the roof and final checks were made before we set off.
Gareth, Seb and Dominic joined Oscar and Harvey in my car and I gave Gareth the job of Navigator. Harvey nabbed the rear most seat as I guess he'll go for the extra sleep. He and Abbie will be the youngest on camp and not yet full Scouts but SCUBS. Both will be moving up to Scouts in September.

Sapan joined Akela with Jack and Abbie and Stitchy took Will, David and Robbie. He was clearly going to be the most frustrated driver, not because of his journey companions :-) but due to having a 'souped' up fiesta, no trailer but having to follow me.

We had a good trip down taking the Swindon turn off  the M4 and using the A417-419 route towards Hereford. Even with a short 'comfort' break we took only 3 1/2 hours from car park to  the Locksters Pool field. Silvia the land owner met us at the gate and kindly said that we would have the field to ourselves, which gives us a great deal of room to spread out on the site, set up our pioneering projects and still have a large area for wide games.

After a talk about the site, identifying the no go areas and other camp rules, it wasn't that log before we had the camp set up. I was really pleased the way that everyone really pulled together and got the work done. We leaders still have the usual problem with matching the right poles for the QM store but each time is getting quicker. Screws to the front, screws to the back, no screws on the side ho! (in joke there).

The scouts played cricket with the set that Sapan had brought along with him at the far end of the field and it wasn't long before the first ball ended up in the river. The camp site to the north borders the River Wye which we will be paddling down later in the week. It's a very safe river with only a shallow depth and flow at this time of year. A few scouts were wondering what to do to get the ball back. Robbie however took matters in hand and didn't need much persuasion to go heading into the river to rescue the ball and the game.

 
Both patrols cooked a very good pasta and sauce meal on their own fires and it was difficult to chose between them. We're giving out points though not just for the quality of the food prepared but how it was prepared and the team work to pull it all together. Bulldogs points though were effected by a rather large piece of raw onion that Stitchy found on his plate and tried but didn't enjoy :-)

It had been a very long day but we still had a few games before a last drink, teeth brush and off to bed. Everyone was down by 10pm.

Finally I must say how lovely it is to be back on this camp site, it really is a great spot. We are all privileged to be able to share this week together in such beautiful souroundings. At flag down we mentioned in our prayers our thanks for this time together and for a watchful eye over us during our stay. We've had an excellent start today and if everyone pulls together the way they worked today then we will have a special time here.

Gunner