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.