Camp Diary - Page 5

Saturday 3rd May 2003

The Afternoon of THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
(Walking)

11.15am -We left the campsite, lads loaded into Alex and My cars and Rob, Andy, Kay and Louise in Dave’s car. Both Alex and me have CB Radios in our cars so were able to talk whenever we where travelling. We had the customary joke telling between the cars and a two-minute period where I was taking to Alex but getting no answer (the power plug had fallen out of my CB Radio). The journey was short and we soon arrived at the car park. The lads jumped out, rucksacks on and we were off.

Having walked this walk the previous week I knew it would no be easy but these where sixers and seconders in high spirits and it was well within the scouting limits for us to walk. Dave and Louise were walking zombies (not surprisingly) but Dave dutifully volunteered to run back after about 3 minutes when I realised I had left my camera and wallet in my car.

The walk started by going up a very defined track (very steep) and 10 minutes into the walk I thought they where joking then they said their was a Land rover around the corner coming down the track. We all moved over to one side and sure enough an older Defender came down being expertly driven by an old lady and disappeared round a bend below, Alex’s face had suddenly lit up, he could picture himself coming down here in his own Land rover Defender. This thought disappeared a bit further along the walk when we saw the tyre tracks in positions that even the most experienced driver in the world could not manage to get them. Oliver described an image of someone rolling a large tyre up the hill and having passed through this point it would explain the type tracks.

A quick rest and a drink, a photo opportunity and a look at the view (we could see our campsite from here), then we continued. The track finally turned onto a single gap through heather and eventually to a more taxing walk up small stone rocks. (Almost like steps)

When asked what they want me to include and exclude in this diary they all agreed that I should mention that we took a wrong turn, half way up the hill we turned right instead of left, after wading through VERY prickly heather onto the hillside I realised we had gone wrong so turned round and headed back through the VERY prickly heather and onto the correct path. This detour was most appreciated by Tom Bevan who was wearing his usual pairs of shorts. The phrase ‘We did not go the wrong way, just a different way’ was used several times while the lads hurled abuse, heather and anything else they could find at me. (Oh, to be a cub leader)

Tom Bean had a great way of motivating himself, he would look at the top of a ridge and walk too it as if it was the top of the hill, it did not seem to bother him that when he got too that ridge their was yet another ridge behind it, ridge after ridge he did this until finally the next ridge became the top. It was starting to drizzle but the walk from this point was much easier and I was extremely impressed so far with every one of the lads. They all walked together, Tom and Tom keeping one another going, Chris and Oliver using their unique sense of humour to keep everyone’s spirits up. For someone so small Leo has got endless amounts of grit and determination (not unlike his older brother), George and David finding any thing they could possibly do to turn the conversation back to my little detour through the VERY prickly heather and Luke by my side keeping me company. With Dave and Louise at the back, Rob and Andy at the front, Alex and me in the middle, we made a very effective walking team.

The route down to the lighthouse was on a very defined track between three radio masts. The wind was starting to get up and the drizzle was starting to be as hard a nails (as described by the lads). The weather was definitely turning. At times I was holding onto the top of Leo’s Day Rucksack so that he did not get blown over. The arrival at the lighthouse entrance was met with great happiness and while they sat and ate their packed lunches Rob and me walked over to the visitors centre and bought the lighthouse tickets (we got two adults free) and drinks for all the lads. After a quick rest and a conversion with the other leaders about the weather and the walk back to the cars we headed down to the lighthouse island. 401 winding steps, zig zagged down the cliff. In one direction we were fine, as the steps turn to the other direction you were hit with the full force of the wind, breathlessly I took my now automatic position holding onto Leo’s Rucksack. The bottom of the steps gave us another challenge, a very narrow open bridge over to the island, Tom bean and me where drawn to each other, both looking as frightened as each other, Leo positively sprinted over the bridge, Kay and Alex danced a merry dance across it, George and David tried to copy Kay and Alex’s dance. The others walked across it as if it was something they did every minute of every day.

Once all safely on the island we walked up to the lighthouse and waited to go on the tour to the top. While waiting I entered the group in the visitors book that was situated in the engine room (every lads and leaders name was written in).

Getting too the top of the Lighthouse was done by walking up a spiral staircase which seemed to have nothing at all attaching it to the walls and then finally 15 very steep steps. Once at the top it was a great view, the guide told us that it was once manned by three families; who lived in it and kept it working. It has now been automated. It is hard to imagine that a 100 watt bulb can be magnified so much through the glass that it can be seen over 10 miles out too sea. It is also equipped with an automatic spare bulb and a standby light which can be seen over 5 miles out too sea.

After carefully climbing back down the steps and having a one-minute breather our tight schedule forced us to head back. Stepping outside was a quick reminder of the weather, I new that we had about an hours walk back to the car and considered going to the visitors centre with the lads and driving the cars around but while walking back down and cross the narrow bridge the lads spontaneously burst into a chorus of ‘I’m singing in the rain’ followed by ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ (this moment was to reoccur several time over the next few days.)

With the lads positively brimming with enthusiasm and still full of energy I made the decision to walk back. It was a much easier route, taking us round the base of the hill, very easy walking. The wind was icy cold and cut through even the warmest clothing. We got back to the cars in record time (something to do with the fact that their where toilets at the car park). By the time we got back to the cars the wind had really picked up.

Walking with these lads is always a real experience; most of them have walked with me before. Tom Bevan and Oliver are both very determined, gritty walkers and when they move up to scouts will put even the best scout to the test in Cheshire Hike (a county hiking, camping competition), Tom’s map reading is excellent and even I struggle to keep up with him. If you are walking and Chris is in your group you cannot fail to be high spirited and cheerful. His sense of humour is unreal and is perfect for when things are getting tough. Luke struggled last time he walked with me, something to do with the footwear, this time however he had a great pair of walking boots, perfect for this type of activity, I often find myself walking next to Luke and he makes really good company, despite the strong winds he is also the only one who at some stage during the day did not get his hat blown off. George never fails to amaze me with his determination, know matter how hard things get he always has that cheeky grin on his face, he is slightly younger than most of the others and is developing into a really nice lad. David is not so keen on walking but has never let me down, his pleasant likable personality makes him good walking company. Tom Bean is also an extremely likeable person, you can be walking next to him and have a conversation about absolutely anything, he will offer his views openly and honestly and often has a refreshing new slant on something that you thought you had definite views on, before you know it you have walked several mile. Leo is by far the youngest of the group and is still finding his place, he has got great determination and will always keep going, he is well liked by the older ones and they always look after him (they, actually chose him as the replacement seconder for Jake when he move up to a senior), it must also be noted that during this walk David commented ‘I’ve heard Leo talking loads today, we won’t be able to shut him up by the end of the camp’.