Scouting and Me Review 2021

The year started off with a reverse namely the imposition of restrictions that we had thought toward the end of twenty twenty just as people like me were hoping to get some serious exploring done and Scouts were trying to get more face to face meetings open so online meetings continued and I was restricted to places not needing an overnight stay anywhere.

We were fortunate to have a pretty decent spring so I was able to go out exploring within daytime travelling distance where I took this brilliant cherry blossom picture, visit small holdings and the nursery and even see Llama's!

I missed one trip out but as we moved into late spring it became more likely overnight travel involving people who were from different households being able to share a guesthouse or lodge would be possible although we'd still need to be cautious.

Thus were were able to get away for four days in the Lake District exploring, playing games and generally recovering from the psychological impact of covid restrictions going back to March of last year.

It may well of been wet which you can see in this picture and the camera needed a proper drying off upon return but we made the most of it

That relaxation brought more people out visiting places leading almost pre-covid activity levels on the local canals as many of us took "staycations" given foreign trips were fraught with difficulties and even cancellations at short notice.

I enjoyed the summer and early autumn exploring the canals, meeting and talking with people as well as the ducks although I had to run at speed from a hornet!

Autumn was most colourful and this leaf was a great find on a stroll in the local park.

Scouts launched Squirrels for the four to six year olds to help them grow and provide a basis for movement within the Scouts family.

In conclusion the year had enabled some exploring to took place even though the first five months were limiting helping to recover from the impact of the unprecedented lockdown in society we had faced.

While things remain touch and go, I expect a continuation in trips away and local exploring to continue this next year.

In the thick of it

Hiking in the snow places it's own demands not least having a good map and mobile phone on you for keeping in touch but I honestly don't think short trousers and just above the ankle socks are a good idea in very snowy conditions somehow.

Christmas 2021 Part II

Christmas itself is almost over with presents being opened, visitors been and gone and we start that period as move out the old year and into the new.

I have always loved comics so apart from reading this years Beano Christmas special I had the Dandy Annual, a staple from childhood and a compilation of past cartoons from the Beano and Dandy around the subject of artist endeavour which I love as let's be honest you cannot in most circumstances keep ten years never mind whole decades worth of comics.

These compilations tend to give you the best moments, well served and printed on much better paper.

In the days of yore, we had in Cubs to learn to use the telephone box to send messages but in the last ten years or so many have either been taken out completely as many use mobile phones or made into booklending libraries or defibrillator holders.

That puts a premium on you having a very good working mobile phone as an essential tool while exploring and mine had been getting on for ten years with the battery life starting to trail off and the 2G network it used going by twenty twenty five at the latest.

Given my dexterity issues modern smartphones are hard to use reliably so I wanted something more modern running on the 4G network but still fairly simple so I had this CAT B40 rugged drop proof phone with a camera function that is just an updated regular one rather than a micro computer that makes calls.

That well help me stay safe while out exploring.

Christmas 2021

It is usual on this blog to take a break over Christmas where no doubt many of us are busy doing things to make Christmas happen or to help people who might struggle during this period.

One thing some scout groups have been doing is Scout Post, discounted Christmas card deliveries within a geographic area with all proceeds going to the local Scout group even if in a few areas it was cancelled due to the new Covid variant.

Here apart from last Sunday's Santa we're having a Community sing along by the tree on Saturday

The last thing to do on this blog is to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and all the best for Twenty Twenty-two.

Scouts at Christmas

This week we are counting down Christmas so for post before the Christmas pause here we are looking at few classic scout magazine front covers from the past.

Many has been the scout troop who had a Santa but I don't know if any had such spirited helpers in making him such a great one filling him out and sorting out the beard.

Baubles on your Christmas tree complete with tinsel and lights are by no means uncommon but have you ever had a bauble reflect an image of a scout? 

Having put up the family tree and set everything up were this scouts parents expecting a bugle call as part of the service?

I find vintage scout related art fascinating to look at. 

Learning about knots

Original Source: Uniform Research.

One of the most important things you will learn as a Cub in Scouting is how to tie a variety of knots and what is the most appropriate knot for each usage and as we can see boys look on paying attention because such things do in fact hold their attention..

Given the era this was set in they are Wolf Cubs and each boy and their leader look very smart in such a uniform.

Xmas Scavenger Hunt

Christmas fun activities can include a Scavenger Hunt apart from parties with games and quizzes.

I always loved those sorts of activities although it may not be easiest thing for the fun taking part which when there's several of you is infectious.

Cubs is at it best when it remembers it's for children and caters for their innate juvenile state rather than trying be a cut down older child or adult activity and occupation.

Resting at base

Accommodation away can vary, many of us hold to the whole idea of sleeping under the stars in our tent we had to learn to erect properly with say just a shop and shower blocks on a site while for others it may include a hostel with either a dormitory or just shared with another in bunk beds.

I normally prefer a dormitory for the social side with great yarns told at night which was pretty similar to how life was at school being used to sharing spaces and keeping to rules.

These two I imagine are just taking a bit of a nap before evenings activity.

The Winter view

After yesterday's collecting in which I saw him with a red outfit and white beard today where I was jumping up an down waving and handed a donation over we're back taking a winter view across the canal where it is obvious the land has sunk dramatically thanks to subsidence which is endemic here looking across to next parished area.

It was a very storm day where ideally I could of used a tripod but it would of needed to be sturdy model as even I was being blown about  although there were a number of people about walking  at the time.

A few entries back I mentioned The Squirrel's, no not those crazy nut eating rodents but the newly formed unit for four to six year old scouts across the UK.

This is a key stage in their social and emotional development, when vital connections are being made in the brain. 

Since launch over 300 Squirrel Dreys have been set up in local communities and this year there is a Acorn Appeal to help set more units up with the priority being those in the more disadvantaged areas so no one gets left behind.

Please consider giving a donation to this appeal:

Scout Association Acorn Appeal 2021

Ho Ho Ho!

 

Poster source: Rode Heath (97th S-O-T) Scouts, Potteries North district, Staffordshire.

We are moving ever more into the Christmas season and apart from getting a community tree by public fundraising with lights on the Green on Sunday scouts in that district will be escorting  one Santa Claus on his visit around all the houses and raising funds.

Unlike last year where that couldn't happen so a JustGiving funding raiser was used instead for local fund raising this year they'll be back normal with buckets and real money.

Revisits

Today I'll be a bit busy but I thought given it is raining hard with the probity of snow later on to revisit those crisp golden leaves from a few days back.

One might as well take a pause before having a hot drink today!

That was the Scout of the early 1960's in his uniform and as then carrying his trusty penknife on him.

Sadly today we'd attract attraction for that.

Visits out

Rover Scouts on an official visit  posing for a photograph at Horse Guards Parade.

Horse Guards Parade is the ceremonial parade ground in St James's Park and is the scene of Trooping the Colour on the Queen's official birthday in June. Horse Guards is the building with a clock tower over an archway, and remains the official entrance to St James's and Buckingham Palace.

Horseguards wasn't somewhere I visited around that age but we did go to the Police Horse section in Liverpool, North-western England where you saw the stables, met the risers and stable staff which was very interesting so I can imagine how these scouts feel.

Apart from seeing the horses they'll learn about his history of horses in the ceremonial and military roles. 

Needless to say they look really smart in their uniform.

Support on the trek

This Scout shows a novel way of staying upright with a fair sized backpack and sleeping upon his back which I'm sure he can feel and the legs on it are fully adjustable on the tubular section so it can set for the exact height for him.

With the exception of his footwear and socks I do like how he has his uniform on.

Winter announces itself

The weekend was one of very low temperatures and considerable snowfall so much so that for the first time in ages I needed to wear my thick track pants and thickest gloves that is usually awkward for using the camera with not least the need to semi press the shutter release to engage the auto focussing.

I went out into the woods although getting about with my walking abilities was not easy due to the ice rather than the powdery snow which was fine.

Here the fallen branches got light coating even if everything else in wood has well covered.