Diary: Sunday 26 July
This time last week I was in an uncomfortable school minibus with very little suspension, no air-conditioning and positioned to sit in the full glare of the sun.
This morning I am on a flight to Seoul, and courtesy of a new Boeing 787 plane, there is even a personal dimmer on the windows for passengers to choose how much light they wish to have in the cabin.
Diary: Sunday 19 July
No one quite believes it when it is time to leave camp.
10 days have passed by…but for once we do know where the time went.
Diary: Saturday 18 July
The Scout Association takes itself very seriously.
It has a thick manual that covers everything you need to know about the life and universe of Scouting.
Diary: Friday 17 July
“When all issues of space, time, matter and the nature of being are resolved, only one question remains: Where shall we have dinner?”
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe* provides the ultimate gastronomic experience…perhaps it is run by enthusiastic Scouts.
Diary: Thursday 16 July
“One Thursday lunchtime the Earth gets demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass. For Arthur, who has just had his house demolished, this is too much. Sadly, the weekend’s just begun.”
Here at camp, things are not so dramatic on a Thursday lunchtime.
One of the essential things that all Scouts learn is how to put up a tent. Pegging the flysheet into place rigidly and securely is essential in order to avoid it touching the inner tent.
Many Scouts will attest to the unhappiness of waking up soaking wet, as the outer sheet was touching the inner sheet, allowing condensation to leak through.
Diary: Wednesday 15 July
At camp, the Scouts are quite good at asking awkward questions just when you are at your most busy or most tired.
For example, how heavy is a jerry can full of water?
Diary: Tuesday 14 July
I am a huge fan of Betty’s Café and Tea Room in Yorkshire.
However at camp it is Betty Crocker I have to turn to for help in making a birthday cake.
Diary: Monday 13 July
For some reason we have amassed enough milk to feed an army. Inevitably, with the relentless pace of camp life it is easy to ignore the loosely screwed milk bottle top.
Welcome to Day Four. It’s a bit like skiing for the first time. After the initial excitement has worn off, the pain sets in and this is the day you start questioning your commitment.
The Scouts have two gas rings over which they have to cook their breakfasts and dinners.
