This was the first trip in the ventures for most people in our group. The upper 6th were away for A-level mocks but despite this lack of participation (let them be warned!) we were a good-sized group.
Throughout the four days of our trip we climbed, hiked, ambled, orienteered and got totally soaked. The chance happening of a local pub near one campsite meant that we could take advantage of the warm atmosphere, bar snacks and a very large television.
Thanks to our patient guide Lee Rounce and of course Phil who did most of the organisation and got us there.
Matthew
During the trip many things disappeared or got lost.
The most noticeable disappearance was the marmalade. Every morning there would be a considerable drop in the level in the jar, and no sign of bears....
John disappeared as he sank into the mud and when he finally got free his boot seemed to have gone.....
A bag full of chocolate went overnight....
The next morning a Frisbee was reported missing....
A book was generously sprayed to help it "lose" its pungent "book" smell.
The posts on an orienteering course sprouted legs and moved causing Matthew to be right (yet again!)
Odd socks by the fire to dry got fed up of hanging around and upped and went
Matthew lost his trousers and had to borrow a pair that were far too big for him and kept falling down.
The whole party got lost on the moor and had to use compass bearings to find our way out of the mist.
Owen lost his socks, keys, wallet...
Phil lost his patience!
Somebody had lost the answers to the wire puzzles we found lurking in a cupboard causing severe frustration.
Whilst climbing several people lost their grip and fell - thankfully there was a rope to stop them hitting the ground!
I lost the will to cook when I saw that it was dehydrated "chicken supreme" for dinner again and when everybody else saw that is was chicken supreme they lost their appetites and went to the pub for chips.
When they returned there was definitely a lack of volunteers when it came to washing up.
On the beach Richard lost control of the football and had to wade into the water fully clothed to retrieve it.
Watching an episode of Star Trek DS9: series 7 made us lose the plot.
Alasdair went missing and was mysteriously replaced by a mole...
By the end of the trip everyone had lost their sanity.
Rachael
After a hearty lunch and having paid our farewells to the minibus, we set off across the moor. Lee had intended that we pursue a circular course around three tors. For our own educational benefit we were each allocated responsibilies for certain aspects of first aid and navigation..... Because of this the course was not strictly adhered to - in fact hardly at all!!
We did however enjoy the hike. Valuable practice at navigating by distinguishing landmarks, and after the descent of a thick mist navigating solely by compass bearing was gained. Although the campsite chosen by the group was (eventually) identified as being a horses' latrine, the challenges presented by outdoor winter cuisine were readily accepted and appreciated, particularly by Richard who learnt the true meaning of a sandwich - marmalade of course!
Alasdair
Who would have expected that a day that had such a promising beginning could have turned out the way it did? I certainly didn't!
Having left Penrest (the house where we were based) in good time that morning in the mini-bus and having collected Lee and all necessary equipment we arrived finally on the outskirts of a dark sinister forest.
Rule 1: - Never follow the exact route marked on the map...
Despite the many years of use that our maps had received they were not aware of the boggy conditions inside the groves of trees where the marked route led and due to this myself and Rachael were able to over-take other groups who were 'stuck in the mud'.
Rule 2: - Never listen to the helpful advice of other members...
Orienteering is a sport, you play to win - or just have good fun. Both were achieved this day by sending others in the opposite direction to ourselves whilst we continued on the correct course. It was their own fault for not looking at the maps!
Rule 3: - Never expect it will keep going as well as it has done so far...
So far it had been easy but little did we realise in taking the next course we would be able to muck it up so badly yet still be able to pull it off. Having managed to get back on course after a slight deviation we found our way but lost our wax crayon - so much for taking rubbings of each post!
Rule 4: - Always check in your pockets...
Yes, you guessed it, the wax crayon was in our pockets!
Rule 5: - Some good always comes out of a bad situation...
Even if you have walked around searching for a crayon in your own pockets you are bound to find some kind of souvenir in the area. On our hunt we managed to find two discarded signs that had once belonged to the Forestry Commission which now take pride of place inside the hut!
Enquiries from Forestry Commission officials can be made to the VSL
Overall it was a wonderful experience and introduction to Venture Scouts at STRS and thanks of course to Lee & the VSL.
Jonathan