Even more traffic everywhere....

We are only just about to leave Cambridge Services after having a 'comfort' stop and something to eat.... we haven't even reached the A1(M) yet!!

Major traffic problems and probably just about to get worse as the rush hour hits!!

Traffic, traffic everywhere

Been caught up in stop/start traffic ever since the M25....

We haven't even reached Peterborough Services yet for a break.

More updates as and when we get anywhere!

Returning home....

Plenty of farewells to the staff, tears and waving.... and that was just the leaders!!

We arrived at Calais, straight through Passport Control with no issues and onto an earlier ferry... bonus!

We have now just arrived in Dover.

Day Four - Campfire

We are finishing the week with the traditional last night campfire sing song....

Probably one of the nicest settings you can think of!

Day Four - PM

An afternoon with everyone on the lake.... paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and raft building. The weather has been fantastic and everyone has had to put sun tan lotion on multiple times.

Surprise of the day was after tea.... everyone got the opportunity to try snails cooked in garlic and butter. It was actually surprising how many gave it a go and I think it was mostly adults who didn't.

Photos from the water activities will follow once we get home... but here's a couple of the lake.

Day Four - AM

Last group did Fencing and Archery today... the other 2 groups were on the lake for water sports. Everyone is on the lake this afternoon...

Sun is out, everyone is slathered in sun tan lotion. Absolutely gorgeous weather!

No photographs to put up at the moment as no one wanted their phones drowned. We do have plenty of photos taken from shore though on proper cameras.

Day Three - Battlefield Tour and Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony

It's been a long, eventful and very emotional day. We have not long been back on site and just enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and a piece of Vals Birthday Cake.

It was an early start, onto the bus for our day excursion around the French Countryside then into Belgium to Ypres.

First stop was Theipval, a huge monument documenting 1000's of names of men who literally vanished without a trace during the Somme offensive. A few miles down the road and we stopped at a church where a plaque was unveiled a few weeks ago, in memory of the men of the  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, which was formed by Colonel Ritson.

After a lunch stop, we carried on to Savy Graveyard to the grave of Fred Greenacre.  Once there we carried out a short service in his memory and took Group photographs and placed items in front of his grave. This included, following a Canadian custom, of placing a small amount of earth from the persons home town at the base of the headstone. The earth that was used came from as close to Freds house in North Shields as we could get.

Back on the coach and across the border into Belgium and the town of Ypres. After tea, we all got changed into full uniform and headed up for the last post ceremony. A wreath from the Group was placed as part of the ceremony, escorted by a Cub, a Scout and an Explorer. After a quick trip into a souvenir shop and one of the many chocolate shops it was onto the bus for the journey home.

Everyone was in full voice getting some practice in for the campfire tomorrow night... including the Explorers, which surprised everyone!!

Day Two - PM

So... more of the same activities wise for this afternoon.  Everyone is getting their chance at all of the activities so far. No water sports though as the wind got up too much. Forecast for Thursday looks like no wind (so far), so everyone will be out on the lake.

This evening we katakanu'd across the lake to the Ice Cream shop where everyone enjoyed the most amazing ice creams!

Day Two - AM

Day 2 carries on with adventurous activities... high ropes, climbing,  orienteering, archery,  fencing, canoeing and kayaking.

The weather has improved, the wind has built up as the morning went on but still isn't anywhere near as bad as yesterday and we've only had 1 heavy shower.

Older Scouts have been out on the water.

Day One - PM

This afternoon we have done similar activities but the groups have swapped round. One of the groups did some orienteering and climbing as well.

Tea has been chicken with roast potatoes and salad which went down well, now we're doing some team races to finish the day off.

Day One - AM

Crate Stacking,  Leap of Faith, Archery, Fencing, Team Building and String Trail

The rain finally cleared and the sun is out, now a lovely hot, albeit windy day. Nearly lunch time... back soon!

The Eagle has landed and been fed and watered!

After a second delay on the ferry getting into port we finally made it to the site. Activity for tonight is cancelled as it is late and we have a choice of going to bed, going to bed or going to bed, as everyone is completely shattered. Scouts have to do the washing up first though!!

Pulling Out of Dover...

Just pulling out of Dover.... should have been 5pm but the driver worked his magic!! Thanks Andy....

Investiture

We're on the ferry and the first job of the camp has been to invest our newest leaders, Michele and Leigh Barber. Congratulations to both of you.

Hmmmm..... delay

Soooooo due to an incident at Calais that only seems to affect DFDS ferries, we are having to change our destination to Dunkirk.....

Luckily it's only 15 miles along the coast, however, we have not been given a time for the ferry!!

Arrived in Dover...

We have arrived in Dover..... heading for the check in at the ferry. Hopefully we'll be able to get the earlier ferry as there's 2 in now!!

Comfort Break at Peterborough

Making excellent time.... currently stopped at Peterborough Services for a 'comfort' break and a coffee!! Approx 2.5 hours to Dover depending on traffic chaos and possibly an earlier ferry.

Waiting for the coach....

Everyone's here.... just need the coach to turn up now!!

0300 - wakey wakey at the HQ

What's the 0 in 0300 mean..... 0h my god, what time do you call this?!? Everyone up, so we aren't still asleep when everyone else starts to arrive.

Raring to go....

The Barber and Rose families advance party is in place at the HQ ready for the early start. See you all in the morning.....