Leaders woke up early the next morning to asses the campsite after the monsoon which happened during the night. The Lyvennet Beck was almost bursting her banks and flowing as fast as rapids.
Scouts were awoken slightly later than usual and they were told during a swift flag break to get a wash in their food tent whilst a breakfast of bacon sandwiches was cooked by Alec in the marquee. Almost all of the Scouts were depressed and some even wished they could just go home. The food tent was stuffy and there was no room to move about however things got slightly better when the bacon sandwiches arrived. Unfortunately because of the weather and time, the campers were unable to attend the Kings Meaburn church service they were planning to go to so Mark put together a Scout's Own in the marquee. The service included a number of songs and inspirational stories implying that people should try their best (and make Mark their role model). And after 2 renditions of ‘I like the flowers’ the Gods were pleased and the rain came to a much anticipated end. By lunchtime the sun had come out so the Scouts, Seniors, Rovers and leaders had an opportunity to play rounders!
The mood on the site immediately changed. Nobody cared who was winning the game, they were just embracing the warmth and sunshine whilst it lasted.
A long and dreary inspection took place after a lunch of sandwiches. John thoroughly checked, double checked, triple checked and then quadruple checked everything from the biggest tea boiler to the smallest piece of cutlery to make sure the whole camp maintained the standard expected every year. When inspection points were stuck up on the notice board the Senior/Rover kitchen was leading closely followed by the Giraffes and then the Walri traipsing at the back. They were over half a dozen points behind the Giraffes and Liam, the PL, thought all hope of winning the camp trophy was lost.
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| Maverick and his table |
The three kitchens focus for the afternoon was constructing gadgets. There was the return of old favourites like the traditional billy rack, frying pan holder, washing up stand and mug tree however there were also many fresh and original gadgets emerging too such as the Mallory's plate dryer, the Giraffe's wafty plate holder and the Walri Can holder and plate warmer holder which wasn't only useful - it was also a work of art.
Each kitchen had approximately 8 gadgets when the call for tea was made; burgers and sausages had been barbecued on the Mallory's fire. They were served in pitta pockets (so there was less washing up) with onions and salad and they were delicious with most of the camp returning for seconds.
The rest of the evening consisted of tuck shop and a Volleyball tournament where the Giraffes beat the Walri and the Seniors/Rovers edged it over the leaders. The evening got slightly damper before it was time for bed at 10PM.
