We were away with the Scouts this weekend and we were essentially washed away. I have never seen so much rain, especially from the inside of a tent.
I had been in Aberdeen at a conference all week and did not realise just how wet it had been down here. By the time got home Friday night it looked all right. Granted I only had about 30 minutes in which to grab my gear and eat before I was away to Lapwing Lodge a Scout camp in Paisley, just south of Glasgow.
Since I was about 2 hours later than everyone else I manage to avoid the tasks of setting up the tents. The field was a bit wet - you could hear it in some places when you walked across it but it wasn't to bad. In short order my tent was up and the scouts were getting ready for bed. Not tired mind you. For the next 2 hours they "tried to go to sleep" while we, sitting outside, would let out an occasional "settle down".
Saturday morning started early - about 6 for some of them but most stayed quiet until about 7. Everyone up and washed while breakfast - cereal, bacon, sausage, french toast and juice. Tea and coffee for the grown-ups (who were all more subdued than the kids).
Once breakfast was done and the cubs gear cleared away we headed for the first for the days activities. Aerial Assault and canoeing.
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We split into 2 groups with Dave and I heading off with 8 to hit the water. At this point it was still dry. After about 40 minute on the water it started to rain then the win picked up dramatically. By the time we finished our hour it was raining heavily and blowing a gale. The rest of the activities were cancelled due to the weather.
"Be Prepared" is the scout motto and fortunately we had an ace up our sleeve. We had arranged to have use of a mini bus so we were mobile. All we needed is an activity which would engage all the scouts and take enough time to keep them out of the rain. We decided on heading across towards Edinburgh and walking over the Forth Bridge. We would stop off at the climbing centre on the way to show them what they would be dong come October and have them bring swimming gear if we had time left. Naturally we told them none of this - just to bring their swimming stuff as we were off on a trip.
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We knew there was a height limit, so after telling them that we tried to get them ashot on the assault course. The staff we receptive and let a few of the smaller cubs through after checking the harness could not fall off. Those that didn't fancy it we took 'bouldering' downstairs. What an incredible trip.
By the time we got back to the camp it was still very wet. There was now standing water in the main tent which all the cubs were using, and the mini tent one of the junior leader was using was truly afloat. We managed to get them settled and finally got to sleep.
Sunday dawned wet. And windy, and oh so early. After breakfast we headed off to the local swimming pool for a few hours and then back to tidy the tents and pack the gear.
All in all it was a really good weekend but very very wet. I think the adults were bothered by the rain much more than the kids were
