A group of Scouts, their Dads and leaders headed up to Gradbach, on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire boarder, for a weekend of fun. Richard split us into three teams, giving out rosters to cover the cooking, washing-up and fire lighting.
Saturday morning found the teams busy making shelters in the forest using any materials we could find. The finished shelters were judged and points awarded for comfort and waterproofing. At lunchtime beef burgers were cooked over open fires. Later competition hotted up as archery and Frisbee golf were played. The weather in the evening was too wet even for Scouts to have the usual camp fire and songs. Instead the film Jack Reacher, in German with subtitles, was shown in the dry farmhouse. Good revision for those at South Wolds.
After breakfast on Sunday everyone assembled by the flagpole for a moments reflection. The party then hiked over the Roaches to Danesbridge in some of worse conditions I ever hiked in. It was like walking down a river bed under a shower full on! We finally made it to the Winkle Brewery where everyone had a well deserved drink. The boys were only allowed hot chocolate. The return journey was back along the swollen river for Sunday lunch at the farmhouse, thanks to Graham and Peter who went on ahead to get cooking. After lunch it was left to everyone to tidy up before wending their way home.
A big thank you to Richard, Group Scout Leader, for organising the weekend. Especially from the wives and daughters who had a lovely quiet weekend!
