Dartmoor Expedition - February 2001
Dartmoor - The First Time
The expedition to Dartmoor was my first experience of what goes on at Venture Scouts away from home.
Bizarre.
That’s one way to describe it. Marmalade eating monsters, Alsatian breeds trying to earn themselves a robotic brain and the occasional ‘Hell Yeah’ all added up to a completely new experience.
When we left home, I thought we would just walk miles and then try to get some sleep in a tent. That happened. And more. Trying to get the image of a cosy bed, barely 10 meters from me in the warm ‘Luxury Villa’ that is Penrest, out of my head as I slept outside was near impossible.
It was, however, a lot more realistic the next night when we were in the pub drinking ‘HOT’ hot chocolate and eating like kings (if they were poor) whilst we watched ‘Gladiator’ on the wide screen TV until we were kicked out.
On to the infamous Dartmoor moors. After barely 15 minutes walking time, we found out that we were headed up the wrong Tor. Then a strange disillusioned man who told us that his friend was hurt greeted us.
Great.
Being ‘good citizens’ we had to go and help him, there might have been a reward!
That sorted, back on course and several hours later, having all dodged falling into rivers or sinking into bogs on the moors (except Dexter), we set up camp for the night. Unfortunately, Dex, Geoff and I had to share a tent with the mass murderer Alasdair Burchill. And his knife.
Somehow, we survived the night and set off back to Penrest in the morning for a last night of being close to homely comforts before we set off for home.
Over all, it was an exhilarating few days, full of action, and I would certainly advise people that didn’t go this time to go next time, I will certainly be going next time.
If I’m forced!
Maybe.
Dan Dales - February 2001