Camping Barn 2000
It was already quite late when scogui arrived at the camping bran in Chipping, Lancs. on Friday evening. “Pyromaniacs are us” set to work lighting the fire, while kit was sorted and supper made.
On Saturday we split up into four separate groups. A long walk group, a shopping and short walk group, a shopping and running group (Carrie) and a coursework group (Karen). I joined the small group of people going on the long walk, and after arranging to meet everyone else at a pub the other side of the hills, we set off.
The ground under foot was wet and very soggy as we squelched our way towards and up the nearest hill. Barry taking the word ‘up’ a little too literally, choosing to march straight up the first bit he got to, with Rowan following closely behind. Geoff at least had the decency to pretend he was finding it hard and lag behind with me for a little while but it didn’t last. Eventually we all reached the top. And (the others nicely rested!!) we walked on along the top. If anyone ever wants to use a mobile in chipping, this was the place to do it! The only time I ever got any reception on my mobile (and a phone call!) was at the top of the hill! If only I’d been there in the afternoon 
(read on to find out why). We were walking in peat bogs for the rest of the morning, jumping ditches and streams (well attempting to anyway) as we made our way across the top of the hills.
On the other side of the hills we went though the little village of Dunstop Bridge which we discovered is the Village closest to the centre of Britain, and also coincidentally (!?) had the 100,000th public phone box by the duck pond. A short while and a barbed wire fence later we arrived at our destination and sat outside (while Geoff got the drinks in 
) waiting for the others to arrive. Ali and the short walk party were not far behind us and we moved inside to wait for Carrie (who was running to the pub, in training for the London marathon), and Claire with the minibus. The minibus arrived but there was still no sign of Carrie, it soon became apparent that something was wrong when we rang Karen back at the barn who said shed left at the time arranged and had not returned. The party began to leave the pub in two halves, some people remaining in the pub in case she turned up there. Thankfully when the first party arrived back at the barn Carrie had made it safe and well.
After a tiring and somewhat eventful day it was good to have our traditional camp dinner of Spaghetti Bolognaise (with carrots!!!) lovingly prepared by Geoff and some of the others! Then it was off down the pub for a much needed pint.
On Sunday morning we packed up and headed back to Lufbra. We stopped at Bury on the way to look at the Steam railway and get a cup of tea at Karen’s house (cheers Karen’s mum!!). We nearly left without Ali, Geoff and Tina who managed to get themselves stuck out at the engine shed but we waited. (and waited…).
It was a very muddy, tired but happy (I hope) bunch that arrived back at the union Sunday night, and a somewhat cleaner more refreshed lot that met at JC’s for a post camp drink. A big thank you to Old Git Claire for joining us and driving the bus.
Written by Sarah Cooper
