Monthly Archive for February, 2002
This report is based on my personal experience but I hope that most people can relate to it in some way shape or form
By 20:30 all the tents had been pitched, teams were registered and shadows were assigned. After the kit check all the teams were raring to go. My team just got a map by this time, not the best start!
Then they were off, well at 5 min intervals anyway! After a wait of what seamed like an eternity we were off. The walk was 11km long and interesting, we did 14km taking in the much recommended sights of Coalville and its neighbouring village. I must say that Coalville is a “Brilliant” place. On the way there we “broke out” of a quarry, and panicked when a police car came past us and slowed down!
The decision not to use torches was a good idea, navigation was technically easier, could see for miles and we were able to walk past teams that then could not follow us.
My team set off at a brisk pace in the wrong direction. Upon checking the location on the map we put ourselves on the right path 800m to early, missing checkpoint number 1 (unmanned so did not matter).
After a chilling session we quickly found ourselves passing the team who left before us. This raised our spirits. We successful completed the first task and were on our way. This is the point we went to Coalville, and navigated the quarry. After our sightseeing tour we found that we had lost no time on the team just behind us. What a relief! By this point there were 3 teams very close together. We were just in the lead time was looking good and spirits were high (we did not realise that we missed a checkpoint – whoops!). It was then we picked up the pace to lose the teams “following” us and ensure we arrived at the checkpoint first as to not get delayed behind the other teams. The plan worked as we arrived at the checkpoint first of 4 teams one coming the other way. We were told that we missed a base. Unfazed by the news we continued with as much vigour as before, shear momentum took over. We soon found ourselves at the finish – relief! I thought that we put in a gutsy and highly technical performance. We got back in 3rd . We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
The event was not with out drama, we had the police called to the scene of a driver slumped over the steering wheel of his car, he was in shorts and T-shirt on a road to nowhere. Several teams had to drop out of the competition for varying reasons.
After a quick nap it was time for breakfast which was cooked – and tasted lovely. Then the presentation followed, our team did not win, but learnt a lot from the experience.
I’d like to take my hat off to the base staff, you did a very hard job. The event was a huge success and will continue to be in the future.
Written by Lee Dunnett
Having missed the morning of the first day to a hall function the night before and the need for my daily allowance of sleep. I turned up at Nanpanton scout hut. I am gutted as I missed the drama of the place being double booked with the Beaver fun day.
I soon found myself folding and labelling tents. We found ourselves in the rather annoying situation of having several tents in pieces, four people and it started to rain. (How many times does this happen on camp). After that we decided the battle plan for the next day and went home for Dinner.
A short time later we were in the union at comedy club and there featured guest who I can not remember. May have been Timmy mallet. No yes it was, I also seamed to remember wearing a certain girls drink. (if you want to give me a drink in sheer adoration, you can hand it to me as so I can drink it. There is no need to throw it at me)
The next morning we were up and in the hut again sorting out all sorts of things from mouse eaten ropes to tents with poles missing. We had a bonfire to get rid of all the burnable stuff and we managed to clear some of the overgrow weeds around the hut as well. This has another advantage, we found ourselves the campfire master for the rally, yes you know who you are. Having successfully mated canvas to poles, lids to pots, made complete trangias and sorted the “chaff from the wheat”. We started to put the gear back in the stores.
Written by Lee Dunnett
With a Mafia themed event, Scogui headed down the M42 to Blackwell Court for the 2002 spring rally. With Ali being the driver for the event, we got to Brum by 10pm and sent Andy out for chips. As per usual the campfire got going, with many beverages consumed. With it being cold and wet I disappeared off to bed early.
Saturday morning was spent on site with various games and challenges, such as a blind trial, but the sillier games were saved for Sunday morning. After lunch everyone except the walkers headed for Barnt Green station, and the metropolis of Birmingham.
With the reps meeting being in the early evening I choose not to go on the Pub crawl, choosing the Sea Life Centre. Despite being built on a former industrial canal basin, the Centre was very interesting. After a couple of hours exploring Birmingham, I returned to Brum New Street for the train back to Barnt Green. As the train progressed south different activities were gradually picked up, including the pub crawlers. On return to site, the reps were quickly fed and one of the shortest meetings on record followed (as the Chairs bladder capacity was severely limited).
The barn dance was on site, with Rannygazoo appearing once again. Scogui had gone as Cops and Robbers but the competition was strong so we did not win. After a couple of hours we move back to the campfire, and ultimately bed.
Sunday morning was the SSAGO AGM, and despite dissent I was elected as SSAGO chairperson for 2002-03 along with the rest of the team, and the selection of Loughborough for the venue of the next spring rally. After some silly games (including Custard eating) we cleared off home.
Written by Martin Whelan
