8th Holborn Scout Group

It’s been a hectic weekend with several thousand visitors on site for the international fayre and a Scout’s Own on the lawn of the Castle (not to be confused with the Kastle, the entertainment marquee). Molly, Cagil, Ruairi and Calum have all survived the ‘Extreme Survival’ activity run by Marlon, and Blake and Mitchell headed for the hills on the Explorer Trek. Tonight, Nelly is also away skinning rabbits and sleeping in her own shelter.
That White Cockade badge is getting closer…

OMG it is so amazing here, i had never met so many people in just 2 days the people here are so friendly and the activity was outstanding than other camp i ever when on and there even fishing come on you never get fishing on a camp!
The patrol split up and did different activities, Molly and Tina did country crafts, where you make wooden woggles, bracelets and all sorts of cool stuff! The others did an assortment of activities including Atholl Experience, and went on a trip into town. Overall a successful day of activities!
This evening everyone had to cook dinner for the ‘cousins’, leaders from different countries who came to tea. It went well, and they seemed to enjoy the meal! We even managed to crack a few jokes!
Off to the ‘Kastle Karnival’ now, for some games and activities.
Can’t wait to meet new people! (You don’t know what you’re missing if you aren’t here!)

-molly.

Today was free of the normal activities and instead was the Country Fayre – where every contingent held a stall with food, games and activities from their countries and culture. There was all sorts of offer – 8th Holborn had lots of London posters and leaflets, monopoly and croquet to play, and fruiktcake, tea and coffee.
From other stalls was everything from..
Maple candy, Native American art and pancakes from Canada
Japanese Posters
Writing your name in Cantonese from Hong Kong
Lassooing and branding from the USA
and all sorts of bizarre looking foods from all over the place.
There was also a big stage where each contingent gave a performance – for England, Nelly, Helen and Ruari sang ‘Consider Yourself’ from Oliver Twist.
Tonght is the international campfire, where everyone on sitre is getting together for a great big campfire. Should be lots of fun!

-Nelly.

Another sunny day today, after the one day of rain, which is good! Let’s hope that lasts!
We had full kit inspection in Morrison sub camp today, which meant taking EVERYTHING out of our tents and laying it out neatly for a leader to check for us. We also had ‘left foot inspection’ where thye surprised the whole camp by making us remove our left shoe for inspection of foot hygiene. Blake and Jamie didn’t quite pass the test, and got sent out into the middle of the circle to be shamed!
Activities were enjoyable – Cinla, Jamie, Blake and Mitchell went fishing and caught a couple of fish which they’re cooking up as we speak, and Nelly and Jaye went on the Atholl experience, camp back FILTHY, and had to endure the lovely, FREEZING showers.. yay!!In the afternoon, all six of us were off to town to do some extremely vital shopping.. rice cakes, ice cream, chilli crackers and giant lollipops! Marlon and Helen joined us too, and Marlon managed to pick up a new pair of vey cool zip-off trouser/shorts!
Tonight is ‘Blair in the Park’ our very own music festival! Should be fun, with a whole assortment of bands playing including leaders and scouts from the campsite.
Despite the chilly showerts, overall another successful day, and now the weekend, which is full of all sorts of excitement including the country fayre and the internatoinal showcase – which you’ll be sure to hear more about later!
Hope everyone is having fun at home and isn’t too jealous!!

-Nelly.

We had a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’ve been go karting in the morning, before splitting up for the afternoon with Nelly, Jaye and Cinla doing archery and Blake, Mitchell and Jamie doing electronics, where they made light up woggles!
We’re settling in well with our twin patrol, who are from Inverness. They are nice.
This morning was soooo rainy! We were all soaked before we’d even eaten breakfast, and Blake was looking rather like a drowned dog by the end (his words!) seeing as he failed to bring a waterproof on camp!
Luckily for us though, our subcamp has a SAUNA. So we all hid in there ’till lunchtime and got niiiiiice and toasty :3 Tonight is the day-glo disco, so I’m about to get kitted up in my glo-sticks and go and join the rest of my patrol to Partay!!!

Overall a successful first ‘proper’ day, with only some minor injuries (cut fingers) and sogginess (the boys’ tent being flooded), leaving all of us raring to go for tomorrow, when the patrol are doing a variety of activities including climbing, canyoning, and the atholl experience (described as ‘basically just rolling about in some mud’)
Can’t wait!!

-Nelly.

Twelve Explorers and two leaders successfully made it to King’s Cross to catch the 6.15am train from Kings Cross to Edinburgh. On-board entertainment included the investitures of Matty and Mitchell and a marathon sew-athon to tidy up our uniforms. At Edinburgh, we boarded a packed train to Blair Atholl, stacking our bags in every space available. Two hours later we arrived at the station to a warm welcome from the Camp Chief and his Deputy and in no time we were immediately whisked off to our respective camps.
Molly’s patrol have joined the Stewart Sub-camp with a group from Aberdeenshire, while Nelly’s patrol are part of the Morrison Sub-camp which even boasts a Sauna! Marlon is helping run the Survival Skills Base and is a Cousin to the Maclean Subcamp, and Helen is now “Aunt Helen” on the Murray Subcamp.
Despite torrential rain overnight and all this morning, all are in good spirits and settling into their new roles. Patrol news to follow shortly…