Getting things about

 

One way of getting your feed and that to the allotment where earlier on in the week the horses were based in but I suspect part the reason for moving them was the field they went to had better shade from the extremely hot heat and sunshine that given we're now in June there will be more of.

Buildings by the cut

 Canalside architecture is interesting, some was built for those who came "ashore" perhaps finding life onboard a narrowboat "barge" designed mainly for transporting goods with space for sleeping and eating at a premium just too much as they got older.

Others were built by the canal company for its employes providing services such as looking afte the many locks that enabled the narrowboats to navigate the ups and downs of the local terrain as it affected the canal system.

This is one such one, converted over time into a private residence, looking great on a warm sunny day.

The neighbours

 

Well in the early hours of the day we did get out this weekend before it got unbearable with extreme heat and humidity  on a walk across the area armed with liquids where in realatively undeveloped batch between the edges of two settlements this horse was out grazing.

The previous day it was in a different field so I was surprised to see it and its mate out but there was a bit more shade to be had there.

The things we do...

 

One thought you might have is "What's this doing here?"

Organizing any event takes a lot of people and a fair number of groups and providers and that's where our Scouts come in as they don't just have fun, earn their badges they do things for real that show their abilities.

And what we do is marshall the car parking collecting fees, seeing people are parked properly in lines and can actually get out without much faff so just think of all the skill sets they are using and developing while also showing we're very much a part of the community.

In a week where lack of skills in being able to get and hold down a job have been talked about here in the media and people in business and politics we are actually doing something that will help.

On the hike

 

On the hike can mean different things but a hike through a wood or forest is very different than through a field and requires a bit more preporation  as they may be insects whose bites may cause issues and some vegetation can cause at least irritation of not stinging or infection so you need to have tablets with you and definately a working mobile phone in case further assistance is needed.

An intrusion?

 

A modern sight on a scouts outing, checking websites, especially social media while away and before anyone says it no you can't remove access to a phone for safeguarding reasons as children have a right to report anything they feel isn't right to bodies such as Childine free from being overseen or intimidation.

I do feel a plain 4g phone would meet these needs but reduce the intrusion of social media when we are trying to get away from things and enjoy being out in country, focussed very much on making our adventure.

The uniform debate

Things are different in 2026 compared with 1986 or 1970 when it comes to both what's available to wear for more casual out of doors activities when back then ofte it was cast offs from our sunday best or school uniform unless it involved winter hikes that might of had some bought especially kit like boots, thick wollen socks and the like.

What you wore in Scouts while away did differ, there werre many among the leaders who having served in the service were more for Uniform at all times, believing it a desirable discipline in its own right  and today where only the  more formal activities might require it (and things like caps aren't a thing anymore in the Scout Association).

While I'm pragmatically minded not least for some of us who know how dressing can be difficult, somehow modern pictures of such occassions just don't have the same sense of smartness or even purpose when jeans or track suit bottoms are in (and there's nothing like wet denim for feeling cold).

Sometimes I feel we ought not to feel akward about wishing to stand out and be recognized in the community dressed in a practical rather than "cool" way with review after review.