Once again, a camp log to jog some memories...

Saturday 1st August

Bus late (not) for 7am start

Leaders slept in and bus wouldn't start

15 Defenders and 3 Ariel Atoms - quite sad!

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting

Chester Zoo:  Red pandas a plenty, red butts and zulu dancers

On arrival - no poles for scout tent - they were with Gordon

Camp swamped but not raining now.

Gordon and Lesley left (hotel)

Declan vomit - Welcome to Camp, 2nd year running.

George missing home.

Jack and George went to the toilet, cue mobile phone call "Hello Mum, we're lost"

Sunday 2nd

Long lie - all tired

Squirrels had breakfast - Coco Pops

Organised camp and explored site

Leaders went to Tesco to buy stuff, including BBQs.  Sign on shelf said "Good for BBQs"

Martin learns how to do 3 point turns in bus - no kerbs were harmed in this exercise.

Declan bangs head balancing on a fence.

Raft building - George first in water - fell off bank

Scouts build rafts - leaders fix

Race round island before naval battle

Lovely green water

In the tent: sales and marketing lesson lead by Lewis C.

Leaders thoughts that evening: kamikaze squirrels in a motorbike display team Moon Tigers (?)

Soft cookies are fine if you dip in tomato soup

Quote of the day: "I went to the toilet and forgot to go" - Jack

Monday 3rd

8am rise, breakfast and clear debris.

First activity - cresta run - "One for the rhythm, two for the ride, get on up it's bobsleigh time"

Rocket - was it fastest?

Bliss - scouts quiet for 3 full minutes.

Adventure playground - Fraser eaten by tyres.

Andrea in Tesco (out loud): "Nothing like a good scratch is there?"

Tuesday 4th

Train and underground to first stop:

Imperial War Museum

It was big

Really bad smells in Terrible Trenches (gas attack), followed by gas from the scouts.

Grafitti murals

Second stop - London Dungeon

"The winner is the one who doesn't scream...........................Argghh!" - Jack

Spitting gargoyle

Declan and Dominic's face on ride - sadly no photo

Jack, Lewis and Lewis in dock for pinching apples, wallets and bottoms.

Gordon (leader of cult) tortured

Fraser liked Freedom

Labyrinth of the Lost  - best bit

Chips for tea in Brentwood - Martin handed over old and new Bank of Scotland £20 notes - to much confusion.

Your top hat's blocking the fresh air - comment to Lewis C on the train.

Quote of the day goes to Declan - "Of course I can count, 1 comes after 2".

Wednesday 5th

Long lie before the walk

8.5 miles around Tilbury area

Loads of flint collected - leading to baggy trousers

Lewis R and Jack - ran into pole on zip wire

Walk led us through dump "No, we're not having our lunch here"  When?  Soon!  When's soon?  Arrghhh!

Ice cream in East Tilbury

Walk then went through wheat field being harvested - quick before it turns around!

Watched the Goonies at night.

Dominic discovered croutons, Declan discovers how to use a clicky pen.

Thursday 6th

Train strike changed plans - no more trains out of Brentwood

1st stop - London Duck Tours - Duck Duck Quack Quack

Do Melted and Refunded rhyme?

Lewis R - camera batteries died at top of slipway

Duck pees after coming out of water.

Ducklings on slipway had to move before the big duck could drive up.

Lunch beside London Eye - gathered round mobile phone speaker.

2nd stop - Hamleys

George closes eyes on girls floor

Purchases include Top Trumps, Bear, Pin Thing, Newton's Cradle, Astro Jacks and UFOs.

Pack of Top Trumps - Mingers spotted.

3rd stop - Tescos

Lewis C looked like he was shoplifting.

Rain in St James Park

Buckingham Palace.

Train to Basildon, then back to Upminster.

BBQ again

Lewis C made a big impression on the campsite - tears

Friday 7th

Instructor: "You look tired, what time did you go to sleep last night?"  Sam: "In a tent"

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Saturday 8th

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Awards

Jack - Communications

Lewis C -Minger (same trousers for 6 days)

Lewis R - Everest Award (ice climbing)

Sam - Hiker

Declan - Regurgitation Award

Dominic - Mr Clean

George - Photographer

Fraser - William Wallace Award (for choosing Freedom)