This was the troops first joint camp with the 3rd Frien Barnet and was treated both with intrepidation and excitement. It was for the 3rd Frien Barnett boys and leaders their first long camp and for the 10th boys and leaders, a new experience. I said goodbye to the mini buses on Friday night as they set off on their 14 our hard slog up the M 6 to Scotland, finally realising that the ball was now rolling.
Saturday
Train from West Finchley to King's Cross and then on to Aberdeen and by coach to the camp site. Despite an hour's delay at Peterborough, boys and remaining leaders arrived safe, tired but very excited. The tents were quickly erected, not helped by a bees nest or small site, dinner then bed
Sunday
The next morning stunning scenery, hot weather and early morning exercise greeted all. Mind the ditch Harvin and co.! A quick trip literally around the Lairds golf pin. Continue to set up the site followed by a dip at Glen Tanar.
Monday
Mountain biking once collected a very enjoyable day all round, under and in a waterfall near Ballater, why is Luke always the first to go skinny dipping? Meanwhile Andrew and Robert went off for a drive through the Highlands stopping at every distillery possible!
Tuesday
Tuesday quickly arrived, weather still very hot, on site activities, scavanger hunts and gliding entertained all. Bivouac building in readiness for an overnight stay in the woods on Wednesday.
Wednesday
Continued the theme of Tuesday Inter mixed with hire car and mini bus driving for the PL's and venture scouts, much entertainment and many nerves overcome mostly Andrew and Roberts. Lovely skid marks Andrew. In the evening targets were the planned entertainment actually golf targets at the local driving range a competition won by Mark Hill, Ashley and Chris. Was that fore, no just 89 points. Despite its being eleven o'clock there was still time for a midnight dip in the river. quite cold even though someone did mention that it should not have been as the Sun had been on the river the whole day and that it should be warm!
Thursday
A trip to the Gordon-Hilanders museum and its 19 Victoria crosses! Chris Rowell junior tried on a kilt a shirt a jacket and even a gas mask. We have the pictures so it is no good denying it. After lunch we all went swimming at the beach Leisure centre in Aberdeen, later joined by Liz and Jonathan wanders Roberts wife and son. Jonathan automatically became an honorary cuckoo junior member . Then back to the site for a fish and chip supper. Bivouacs for the Scouts and an evening off for the leaders, all in all a good day. John Ward arrived later that day
Friday
Whether a little cooler, awoke to find that sea fishing was cancelled due to bad weather and Charlie Rowell and Les Kirby had arrived, chatty and demanding tea so nothing new there then. Instead of fishing the Scout went on a light hike. Followed by more swimming in the pool. Then games, football on the golf course.
Saturday
Whether still dry for the Aboyne games, we all looked tearfully smart walking down the road to the Games. We saw the massed bands, the cock O the North and Luke winning the Open 100 metres - and five Scottish pounds. Well done Luke later all the scouts went to the fair and then a B B Q in the evening. Great fun and later Andrew, Bill and Nobby went back to the games for a bit of dancing in the disco marquee.
Sunday
Late rise, gliding for the wanders family. Full kit inspection for all the rest. Free time + camp sports.
Monday
Good bye to Les Charlie John, Nobby who headed off towards Edinburgh South. The Scouts went mountain biking again towards Glenn Tanar and up a few hills and down again, don't skid on those paths boys! Meanwhile others rested and did a spot of cleaning up, despite some of us being saddle sore. We had a competitive football match down at the local pitch to round off the day.
Tuesday
Back at Aberdeen for most of the day, some swimming at the Beech leisure centre, others used the climbing wall and then Vice versa. Then after some excellent gammon, a camp fire and a sign song to relax everybody and then off to bed, what was wrong with John Brown's tractor Luke?
Wednesday
The penultimate day and the camping competition was to be concluded. Very close right up to the end and was finally decided on the very last inspection. The Wolves patrol led by Mark beat Adam rusty,s patrol into first place by a single point one piece of litter. The places were completely reversed in the Cordon Bleu competition with Mark Hill winning the prize for Best camp food. After striking camp, Robert went to collect Mike Lees from the airport, everybody went swimming to ensure they were clean for the way home, then back to site for a meal out. Bivouac then bed
Thursday
It had finally arrived, going home time, pretty uneventful, said goodbye to the mini buses before the long haul homeward. Then onto the train to Aberdeen for the ride back to London. Some were asleep others tired but everyone relaxed and happy.