GILWELL 24 - LEADERS WEEKEND

Friday.

Travelling from Northfleet I grabbed a lift from Kipling Hall to cascades on
the 5th's Mini bus with Kipling ESU. At Cascades we met up with members from
the other three units.

To even out the the numbers I transferred to the mini bus of Apollo ESU. Near
Bluewater we saw a mini bus for Sheppy Scouts, we played tag with them all
the way round the M25, but never came across them at Gilwell.

Arriving at Gilwell the Kipling mini bus was not that far ahead of us, yet it
left after us. While the mini buses and cars where taken to the offsite car park.
The trailer with all the equipment was towed to our campsite.Our guide showed
us to our site, a weird shaped small area with a path through the middle and not
enough for the preverbialy cat. An hour or so later the path had disappeared
and our tents definitely weren't pitched to DofE rules! While the Explorers
went off to find dinner and the Friday night disco the Leaders went for their
dinner and other sustinance.

Saturday.

Rising early partly due to the heat and the need to have had breakfast before
the nine o'clock start. Having breakfasted we made our way to the front of the
White House for a get together of all Kent Scouts. After Granddad and JT won
prizes for their fancy dress, we headed to the opening ceremony.

On route we stopped to take a picture of 'Elvis' driving an Ice Cream Van. After
the opening ceremony the Explorers headed off and that was pretty much the
last we saw of them for the next 24 hours, except on the odd occasion. With
clear skies and the sun beating down it already felt as hot as the middle of the
day.

The Leaders headed off for a walk rounded the site. After a while we found our
selves at the Trapese. One of our Explorers was in the queue so we stopped to
enjoy the sun and watch our Explorer fly through the air with the greatest of
ease!

After the Explorer had been on the Trapese we carried on and quickly came over
a form of Royal Navy Field Gun race using specially built Trek carts. As there
were no Explorers waiting they allowed four of the Leaders to have a go. Having
finished that we found ourselves back at Camp Square and so header to the
nearby Leaders room for refreshment.

Having escaped then sauna like heat we carried on our ramble. After visiting the
Providor to make some purchases we headed back to our site to drop off our
purchases and op up the sun cream. It was now the middle of the day and the
sun was beating down on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year to date.

We found some benches in the shade and settled down for a few hours relaxing,
moving every now and a gain to stay in the shade. Having lost all the shade and
now feeling peckish we headed for the Camp Square to get some lunch.
Checking the programme of events over lunch, or more like afternoon tea given
the time. We found something interesting due to happen soon so we headed off
for the arena.

We found another spot in the shade and settled down. As the activity didn't
happen some of those feeling more energetic made up there own activity. Only
being interrupted by a Met Police demonstration.

After another hour or so relaxing and staying in the shade we went for another
stroll. We found ourselves back at the slope where they had been zorbing. Now
there was a water slide, being a bit hot after a day in the sun some of the
Leaders decided to cool of by having a go.

As the sun started to go in and the people started to feel chilly we finished
off and walked back to our site. After a while we decided it was time for
dinner and so headed back to the camp square. After dinner with time marching
on those who had to drive the next morning head backed to their tents to get
some rest.

Those of us left went for another walk round, come the wee small hours we
went for another coffee in the Leaders room within the White House. Come
1am your author capitulated to the need for sleep and headed for bed.

Sunday.

Rising early due to lack of sleep in part due to the heat and people singing
around their tents at 1am. People started striking camp and getting organised.
Every one headed off for breakfast ready for the closing ceremony at 9am.

After the closing ceremony we headed back to our site and finished packing the
trailer. Rather than wait for it to be towed to the car park, we turned to man
(well Explorer) power and pushed it to the car park. One mini bus had already
left so those of us going on the other bus hitched up the trailer and headed off,
leaving those with cars to wait for a lift to the off site car park.

After half an hour we received a call from one of the Leaders "My car keys are
in my rucksack which is in the trailer!!" As all the Leaders where still
awaiting a lift there was no alternative than to turn round and head back.
Reaching the off site car park no more than 5 minutes after the others had
finally arrived, the keys were located and we all set off again.

After a good run home we all met up back at Cascades after a thoroughly
enjoyable if somewhat lacking in sleeping weekend we all headed home.

PJR 26/07/10