Not at Chamboree?

[Lynn-Cubs]

Who's not at Chamboree then?

I'm currently on 'holiday' in Glasgow, although there are some of our Scouts at Chamboree and Beavers are going for the day. I had hoped to be there - long, long story.

However, there is a big outdoor event on in Glasgow this weekend, so we're going, and with luck I'll be out canoeing in a Kayak again next week.

What are you doing?

[wolfie]

I wish we had gone to Chamboree.... here's some bits from an e-mail to my brother on our attempt at a family holiday (got back today) - am now in need of a holiday!!!!!

"Never had such a series of "unfortunate events" before but things certainly conspired against us on this one!

We were supposed to leave on a lunchtime flight on Weds 21st July, arrived at airport (having checked flight was ok before leaving home) to find flight was cancelled (one of many thanks to french air traffic control!). Given the option of joining a 2 hour queue to try and re-book (no chance of that day) or go home and re-book. So called Dad (who hadn't got far from dropping us off) to pick us up, and got on the phone while we waited. Eventually got booked on an 8pm flight Thursday 22nd July, so had an extra unplanned day at home and update the car hire firm.

Back to airport on the Thursday to good news, flight ok and "only" a known 30 minute delay. Get on board, start to roll down the run way and - came to an abrupt stop about 15 seconds later.... Captain comes on to say that the system showed a slight "issue" with an engine so they needed to check it out! Roll off the runway, they test it, speak to maintenance, test it again and they decide we can then go, once we got a new slot. So, we finally took off at about 9.40pm...

Now (!) of course Spain is one hour ahead and it's a flight of about 2 hours 30 mins, and the car hire places normally close at midnight - so the whole way there half the plane was wondering if they would wait for us to land, collect cases and clear control... Thankfully they did and, having finally got cases and car, we got to our house at about 3am.

Since our last visit Mum and Dad have had an alarm fitted and (yes, you can probably guess...) we managed to set off the alarm and no doubt wake the entire neighbourhood- but the security guards were very understanding

We enjoyed a long lie in, got unpacked and went off for a big food shop. Relaxed by the pool and had a lovely meal out. All was fine until about midnight, when Ryan started being sick - so he and I again didn't get much sleep before 3am.

It came to our journey home and we thought "lightening" wouldn't strike twice, but we were wrong..... Signs were good to start with, flight on time and a gate number appeared so off we went. Then they changed the gate and didn't announce it, but that was ok as we were still on track for scheduled tackle off at 1.15pm. Everyone moved, everyone boarded and the doors closed, great we thought. Then... the Captain explained that due to air traffic problems over Europe we might have to wait 20 minutes or so before take off. Ok we thought. Then... he came back on to announce there was a bomb threat in the airport so no flights were now allowed to leave! Once that was sorted there were loads of flights and they had increased the time between them so we had to wait over an hour longer on board. Our 1.15pm flight took off at about 2.50pm

Never mind we thought, at least we're on the home straight. We landed at Stansted and trundled to the gate, home at last we thought. Then.....the Captain came on to apologise (again) as this time there were no steps ready to let us get off the plane so we had to wait until they arrived - another 15 minutes! Thankfully that was it, we then made it home...

I would have e-mailed this sooner but...... Mike decided he needed a quick 30 mile ride to blow the cobwebs away, got two punctures and I had to go and rescue him in the rain!!!!!"

Hopefully that's our "lot" for the summer, and we can spend the rest planning the next term of scouting fun

[MikeJ]

That's a shame it sounds like a holiday was upset a little by the travelling, I hope the part in the middle was worth it.

[Luke Thornton]

I'm not :'(

[Lynn-Cubs]

Shame you lost a day of your holiday.

I always take those little excitements as part of the 'holiday experience', although some delays are worse than others, pity those who were stuck for 6 hours on a Ryanair flight.

http://findarticles.com/p/news-artic.../ai_n54189535/

[wolfie]

Oh gosh, makes our problems seem tiny compared to that. At least with ours we could see the funny side in the end, just waiting for what would happen next. Fely better for an epic rant to my kid brother though! And yes thanks Mike, the bit in between was lovely

[MountainGirl]

I'm not

I've just moved to Glasgow to start a new job on Monday.

Spent the week desperately flat hunting, praying that 'the music didn't stop' and leave me stranded with one of many flats in really poor condition (several were verging on being dangerous to health with mold, damp etc...) that seem to be the only things available for immediate entry. This was my second try - was up two weeks ago and had a thoroughly dispiriting week of seeing all the dross that has been around for months. However, it seems flats are like buses, and yesterday, four fairly suitable flats came round at once.

Before anyone says, I couldn't afford to wait for anything better, as I only have a 12 month contract, and most tenancies here are for a minimum of 12 months. It may be a little smaller than I like (it is a bed sit, and a small one at that), but it has a laminate floor (for easy cleaning after drying wet outdoor gear) and four decent cupboards (for all the outdoor gear when it is dry).

Anyway, now onto the more important things... like finding a new scout group...

MountainGirl

[Lynn-Cubs]

Can't help you with local Scout groups, but what Outdoor sports are you interested in? Check out Glasgow Kayak Club http://www.glasgowkayakclub.com/

Glad you've found something, even if it's a bit smaller than you wanted. Put up some nice sunny posters and buy a good light - remember it gets dark earlier and for longer up here in the winter.

Lynn

[wolfie]

Originally Posted by Lynn-Cubs

Glad you've found something, even if it's a bit smaller than you wanted. Put up some nice sunny posters and buy a good light - remember it gets dark earlier and for longer up here in the winter.

Lynn

And don't forget big mirrors, help make the room seem bigger by reflecting the light you have Hopefully you will be too busy with uni and scouting to spend much time in it anyway!

[big chris]

Allow me some old skool scout leadery smugness...

this weekend, we are off to a field. to get to the field, you have to drive 3km from the road down tracks, you have to go through 2 gates and the only facility on site is a water trough with a tap on it.

I have been to organised campsites for years with this weekend in mind... i've built a team, i have YLs, old scouts, helpers, leaders and parents. We have a kitchen team, we have 2 people with rifle quals, 2 with archery quals... i have d1 on my licence and we have a new minibus.

the troop's last greenfield camp was 15 years ago and this has been onle long masterplan to do it again.
W0000000000000000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo oooooooooooooooooo......

[zzbuckley]

Well, I am not there yet ! Got asked to help with the Explorer Day tomorrow at Forest Camp. Just printing the timetables. Then I'm off. Hope its better than 8 years ago - the mud....... That reminds me - where's my wellies ?

[Evil Akela]

We are at the Guide Centenary camp as off site service activities. SAGGA did the same at the Scout Jamboree in 2007.

[marcush]

I'm at home getting bored as can't leave the house still
I would do some training so I can stop being as bored, but that involves looking at stuff

[MikeJ]

Originally Posted by Evil Akela

We are at the Guide Centenary camp as off site service activities. SAGGA did the same at the Scout Jamboree in 2007.

The Mrs is off to Fusion which is part of this for the week. I'm home alone and have to feed myself

[wolfie]

Originally Posted by MikeJ

I'm home alone and have to feed myself

Just don't forget to do the clearing up afterwards too, else you'll be in trouble........