A bit of shade

 

Weather this weekend was really quite good so exploring was very much on the agenda here as I followed the canal towpaths taking my time to take in the countryside tucked beyond the built up area.

Sections have rough and ready pathways affording the abilty to get close to trees providing much needed shade this week before making ones way towards the next lock moving along.

A Walk in the Countrty

 Inspiration can come from many places and sometimes where you may not expect such as comics where a few did try to do for them what the popular "Why Don't You..." television series on the BBC did and use their medium to encourage children to put down what they were doing and do something like go outside instead.

The girls comic Tammy did a fair bit about being fit and going out exporing the countryside  not just oin the regular comics but also in their annuals.

Here from an page in the 1970's they are looking at the things you need on and with you and the things you might do along the way like identify trees, flowers, birds and so on which isn't a million miles removed from what you'd do in Scouts and Girl Guiding but with the advantage anyone anywhere can just do it where there can be waiting lists and in a few places the lack of age appropriate unit for you.

Inspiration

 

You may feel fearful, afraid of the challenges ahead but like the one that went before you, boys have and can master their fears, learn to move onwards and upwards and know everyone other one will support you along the way.

That is one of the most imprtant lessons to learn.

Thoughts on two basics of Uniform

 

Although they are out of favour within Cubs being replaced by a baseball style cub with the words Cubs in the current stylized font, frankly I much prefer the traditional cap  which apart from being much smarter, will keep your head warmer on cooler days.

Safe for now at least, the traditional kneckerchief survives even if the woggle is usually plastic and that is mine.

The Bellbells are out!

 

One thing this area is famed for is the Blue Bell Walk  but you don't of course just have to go there in order to see them as they're not cultivated - they're wild -  so while making my way towards the canalside recretional area I saw this this rather nice natural grouping.

Dandelions are out too in most of the meadows around and about which often featured in our childhood activities and games.

Making our way

 

Having come through the lock gates, the vessle peacefully makes its way down the canal towards a group of cottages built for those ashore before encounting a second set of locks.

In the fields, a few horses have been transported for grazing on the freeholding near the farm animals.

We're out

Weather has been a bit better in the last week so much has come out not least with wild flowers that have been well alone from the over use of lawnmowers which means it's of more use to wildlife than smooth expanses of grass.

While it looked as fresh horses had arrived not far away, the cowslips were out as I had my insect repellant on given it's prime tic season and them and me certainly don't mix.

It was good however to be out for a good couple of hours enjoying the countryside,

 

Authenic new-old uniform looks II

Continuing on with the theme given how well the sweatshirt turned out I was looking at a number of contempary pictures and noticed there was a official polo shirt.

I first thought it just would not work as first example only went up to size 36 chest which would be a tight fit and, as thin as my arms are, there would not be enough room to comfortable pull it stretching under the arm.

Looking beyond just the regular polo shirt I noticed there was one with purple tipping contrast on collar and sleeves and that it did go up to 38 inches so allowing for the generous cut there was a good chance it would fit well.

It arrived and having tried it on it fits perfectly, indeed compared to many of my t shirts the arm is actually a good inch longer.

Perfect!

Getting from a to b

 

I seriously doubt we'd have him do this this very breezy morning but this is just the sort of great summer activity cubs and scouts would be undertaking most likely to be at a weekend session away from your hut, learning how to get across from one side of a stream to another.

In certain parts of the U.K. insect repellant is strongly recommended for keeping creapy things off you like Tics which are real issue for some of us as much as we love outdoor life.