Krampus Laufen

Tonight we have seen something I don't think we will ever see in New Zealand! We went to see the Krampus Laufen. For those of you that know the festival of St Nicholas on December and his sidekick Black Peter. Well in the mountain regions of Austria - that is near Reinhold's home town of Salzburg the Black Peter takes the form of a Krampus. A scary monster that is meant to punish the naughty children. So in the days before St Nicholas Day of 6 December the Krampus run through the town and scare the children. It has been a little sanitised now and they go through the streets like a Santa Parade but the masks are really grotesque and they go up to the children and hit them around the legs with a switch which I can confirm does hurt cos I got hit twice!! Helen Clark and Sue Bradford would not be amused but the children I saw seemed to enjoy it and egged the Krampus on to come and hit them?! There is a lot I don't understand but I can see a lot comes from the history. Things go a long way back here and change slowly. All part of the travelling learning experience. I also got to meet St Nicholas and shake his hand so maybe I have been good and will get a Christmas present!!

http:wikipedia.org/Krampus

The old teddy bear is in Salzburg

Well would’nt you know it – we are in Dubai and just come of a gruelling 14 hour flight. Took a tablet and only got 10 min sleep.
Watched Harry Ford and his crystal skull and Hancock. No James Bond yet. Mamabear watched Wall-e. We both muffle and are in desperate need of a shower. Still the flight was in total darkness and boy both Sydney and Dubai where sooooo hot and muggy. Wonder what Munich will be like weather wise. Rach_who took a pic of Dubai shop but missed Sydney will have to do this on return.
Dearest Jade – did you get out txt from Sydney?
At point of writing jonno will be at work and Michael will pass his exams with excellence – we hope!!Trust they fed them selves and also the other wildlife got enough food.
Gah next time we travel – Scotty do me a favor JUST BEAM ME ACROSS!!Got that Scotty?????

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Stardate 29112008.125823
Ok after we arrived in Munich we had no trouble going through customs – in fact the Austrian cheated and entered under the non-eu countries. It pays to have a kiwi wife. So we got picked up and then on to the rental car. Wow – a brand new Peugot 307 wagon. Whohoo – I’m so gonna miss it when we get back. Then on to my sister’s place on the autobahn. Sadly there is too much traffic nowadays and we could only averg 140km/h. Still we covered the 170km in less then 90 min. Not bad given the traffic!!!! And i wish we could travel like this to Dunedin, just imagine. . .
Jet leg is catching up with papabear - he was awake from 3 am onwards. Today we had –5 degree frost in the morning. We will be going to a “Krampus run” – something that happens every year here, but I had forgotten. Boy – that will be a shock to the system for Mamabear.

krampus


We are with my Oma for a luncheon meal after we had a leisurely breakfast and a quick stop at the local mall. Will let you know how it went tomorrow – if I still have a wife!
Wonder who won the rugby??

Snow - here we come wohoooooo

Well - today is the day. I have packed:

• One long carrot

• 2 pieces of dark coal

• some smooth pebbles

• one oldfashioned yard broom

• cowboy hat

• mamabears ancient wool scarf

oh of course there will be snow available where we go to.

I think thats all I need for my creation!!!
Here is the original cartoon:
http://Frosty the snowman
However I think that Brenda Lee's version has a lot more umpf and tone to it.
But then I am biased - the "pocket rocket" is after all the best female singer ever.

Bee good NZ and don't get to suntanned or we will be envious when we return.
PB.

In case you're still confused
<---------- thats what we are aiming for.

gah - hes lost his carrot nose

:'(

Christkindl Market

Okies - here is a pirated - oops - borrowed picture of the Christkindl market. Note this pic will have been taken around 3.30 pm-ish. It is absolutly magical if there is plenty of snow on the ground. The market is a bit like our Riccarton market - from kitch to some really very good Christmas gifts and decorations. Then there is the social meet and greet - hot kastanien and a cuppa of the famous Gluehwein and other food goodies. Yumm!!
Naturally we will be there and have a good walkabout. Then every Saturday evening from 7 - 7.30 there will be a Carol by Snow Performance. Basically in the market Square in all 4 corners, there will be performers who rotate their songs - and more often Wind instruments are being played. Ahhh the crystal clear trumpet sound across the snow . . . . . . . .
Some native towns folk come and sing (or in my case hummmm) along - ahhhh you have to be there to appreciate the atmosphere.


Thought I throw these two in from the net. I so hope to be able to take similar pictures. There is something soothing and magical about Salzburg in snow. For a start it dampens all sound, and if the sun shines it reflects of the snow . .


I wonder if Mamabear wants to go to the chapel where the song "Silent Night" first was penned and performed. It is only half an hours drive further north from Salzburg. We have already seen it in summer (after the huge flood) B U T in winter time . . . . .

Snow bunny on a slope

Well - ok - So I cheat - but really . .
This is what we are looking forward too - snow - blue dome sky - plenty of sun and a smooth piste - and of course the obligatory snowbunny. Then there is the Apre-ski, where one can meet and greet any number of international folks . . As a matter of fact - apart from family we will be meeting - oh wait - thats still classified. Rats.

No Mr. Schick - I'm not going to bring her back - you go and get your own. (But I could tell you where to look!)

sigh - still 2 sleeps to go and more packing . . . .

Giggles - see the snow??? Remember I WILL bring BACK HOME a snow ball - just for you. I tend to keep my promises.

PS. for those who don't know Apreski IS a big buisness - a quick google search found this http://Apre-ski

Salzburg weather

2 more sleeps to go and I decided to check the local weather forecast for Salzburg
Salzburg weather
Wonder why I did that given the prognosis. As you can see it is going to be cold and more snow is expected. Well that should make cruising the German autobahns at 150 km/h plus a challenging experience.
Today in CHCH we woke up to a balmy 18 degrees. I am so gonna miss the warmth of New Zealand. Maybe I should go to the beach b4 I leave and take a pic of "our" Dec weather? Good idea?

On a diff note - what is one supposed to do on a plane for/during 4 and 16 and 6 hours?????
There is only so much to read or watch.

Let it snow, let it snow

Yah - this in hot - of the live webcam! They did have a good dusting and gah - thats a temp diff of around 28 degrees plus! Oh boy oh boy - i'm gonna make a snowman and go tobogganing and of course have hot Kanastien and gluewein and stroll trough the market. Oooops first stop will be a special shop - buying right kind of footwear - snow boots!!
Only 4 more sleeps!!!!!!! Let it snow, let it snow - Dean Martin amongst others.
BTW Jorja - I W I L L bring you back a snow ball and stuff it down your . . . . hehehe - you be surprised.
Well better go and hunt for my other thermals - I think we will need them.
Be good

more pre-stavely camp antics

The founding members (Broom, brush, spoon, spade and li'l ol smilie [who sadly remains in the tower of ol' blighty]) of the . . . . . . . Club have agreed to invest certain new folks into the club -here is the scout - oops club promise being made:
On my honour and under severe torture I (mr schick and g.h.) shall reveal nothing to my inquisitors (even under threat of being force fed sugar lollies) and hereby join blah blah blah . . . . . . .

We now have evidence that these two have joined in the very secret hush hush ranks of the secret ........ Club and are on probation till Staveley camp where they have to prove their deviousness by creating - urm - mayhem - urm - distractions - urm - cough - FUN for other leaders. The wearing of Tutu's is a pre-requisite and they have been already kitted out!!!! Of course Mr Schick's stunning smile and G.H.'s wicked sense of humor will come in handy when it comes to doing , , , , , , !!! (I could tell you - but then would have to silence you - permanatly.


The rope bridge - and despite the best efforts of youth and leaders - this little mermaid managed to stay up and only "voluntarily fell in" when she had enough of being bothered by the kids. She was also the only smart one to change into togs b4 the event. Go that mermaid!!

Bing Crosby - "I'm dreaming of a white christmas"

Well - yesterday we had a wonderful short Scout Group AGM (all of 23 minutes) AND they made me read out my Group leaders report which took about half of that time! Then we all motored on down to our most frequented Pub- Harrington's in Belfast for a lovely meal out. Venturers were babysitting the youth so us parents had a good time out. All in all a good time. As expected no new parents came forward to help with the committee work next year - and that would have been the only downer. Didn't get home till gone 11pm!

Jon-e - u still owing us a bottle of claret - but it will keep till Staveley!

Then this morning at 6.30 am!!! (Yawn) I got a txt from my sis in Salzburg telling me it is snowing! What a way to wake up her older brother! Wohooo! Mamabear now wants to repack her suitcase - she thinks she needs more thermals! And here we are at a muggy 25 degrees in CHCH. This will be such a temperature shock to our system - but then we are looking forward to visit the Christkindl market in snow!! Not to mention the traditional "Bosna"!! Will see if I can get a live cam picture later - and post here - atm - it is night time over there so not much to see.
Well better go and have breakfast, send of an email, do some house work - garden work and at 3 pm watch the rugby. Hope we beat the welsh choir boys from the valleys!!!!!! Go the AB's!!!

wisdom vs knowledge

Quote from urm - forgot who said it;

"Knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to add it into the fruit salad!"

And Jonnos fav - "If at first you do not succeed -then skydiving is not for you."

My choice - "Time is fun when u having flies" (Kermit)

Cpap 200 - my vacum-cleaner

OK, for the smart of you - this is my "vacuum-cleaner" and it is a sleep machine. It works on continues positive air pressure (whence Cpap) and stops me from snoring. I had it for a year now and it works well. It also means I no longer scare the living daylight out from my tent buddy when I stop breathing during the night. Stoppages could be as long as 90 seconds -which I am sure you agree is not good. Sleep apnea is not much fun and leaves you continuously tired.
Anyhow - I am now tied to a power out let at night which makes camping more interesting or should that be challenging. Rumor has it that my power source will be used to recharge cellphones and other electric gadgets on the camps. I also acquired the nick of "Darth Vaderbear" or other combos of that (Bear Vader?) :-)
The whole thing ways about 3 kilos and I have a 20 kilo limit on the plane . . . . .
Along with the lappy and cellphone and digi camera - no room for clothes when going camping!!

Camping nights - special

This will freak out Jorja - so I will put this up with pleasure!

Did some adding the other day - and discovered that I have a tent buddy I shared a tent with 75 times. Told you Jorja that we have a special relationship! (FaceBook! :P)
Some of the more memorable nights where hunkering down in a car park on the west coast listening to the thundering rain and canceling the hike. Then who can forget the the swimming pool outside our gateway on Fielding Jamboree?????
These days I camp with a vacuum-cleaner. (For medical reasons)
Hehehehe gimme more power. . .. .

Our scouts get a special camping night badge when they achieve certain targets eg 50 or 75 or 100. Here is a image of my 100 nights camping.

click here ---> 100 night camping badge

I do know some who have done more then 500 nights in scouting - wohoooo.

Hug-a-day

A Hug a day keeps the fur happy! Anyone doubting this should give it a go. I am looking forward catching up with my sister again.

Animal antics

With all the stuff from the net - these appealed!

"Always watch your step"









"Remain calm, even if all seem absolutely hopeless"









"Take an occasional risk"






"Don't worry, be happy - smile occasionally"

The Bear and the Atheist

An atheist was walking through the woods, admiring all the “accidents” that evolution had created. “What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!” he said to himself. As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. Turning to look, he saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge towards him. He ran away as fast as he could up the path.

He looked over his shoulder and saw the grizzly was closing. Somehow he ran even faster, so scared that tears came to his eyes. He looked again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pounding, and he tried to run faster. He tripped and fell to the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but the bear was right over him, reaching for him with its left paw and raising its right paw to strike him.

At that instant the atheist cried, “Oh my God!” Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, “You deny my existence for all these years, teach others that I don’t exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?” The atheist looked directly into the light and said, “I would feel like a hypocrite to become a Christian after all these years, but perhaps you could make the bear a Christian?”

“Very well,” said the voice.

The light went out. The river ran. The sounds of the forest resumed. Then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed its head, and spoke: “Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful.”

A bear take over?

Typical - you take your favorite Bear with you camping and then they take over the tent / bed / and gear.
Brodie needed a afternoon nap - thats something we bears are famous for. Now if only we had found the honey pot . . .

hmm - camp was good - shall I copy and past giggles comments here????

Why not . ..


here they are = unedited = thanks for the compliments jj
Yet another camp full of trouble and chaos
these leaders are most likely the funniest bunch ill ever met, i had such a wicked weekend!
what a action packed weekend, i was gutted i couldn't stay the night on Friday but it was good 2 see my aunty tho i wud have gotten more sleep at camp, lol
4 knots and about half an hour of giggling thanks 2 Reinhold and Jons comments argh! to be honest i don't think Ive laughed so hard 4 a long time good times! thanks guys for a wicked camp!

More Camp Antics

Everybody CALM down - this is not what you think - although I have to admit there where some interesting camp antics and Sir G.H. does cut a rather dashing figure in his new outfit. I loved the comment from his own son attending the camp - quote "I no longer have a DAD!"
Jorja - just wait till the ballet tights arrive in the country! I am wondering if the Scouting Uniform review taskgroup should receive an image of this to consider the new outfit for all Scouting NZ members!!!! :-)

The Campfire set up! You should have seen it lit - flames where about 4 meters high and everyone moved back 5 meters! Scouts provided entertainment and songs. However - I could not help wonder if we should have had a sheep/pig on a spit while we where at it. Suffice to say that once the campfire had finished, and after 20 liters of water there were still hot embers left 20 hours later.


Will he or wont he fall in??? What do we have to do to make the journey across the lake more dangerous for him? When is my turn? Will I get wet? Can I swim?? Will this count towards my shower? Did I bring some pegs to hang up my wet clothes afterwards? Most importantly - will I look like a fool falling in??????? It should be noted that Papabear did make it (falling in that is).


After a hard days work - digging - swimming- story telling its time to sit down and wait for dinner to cook!
Eeeek look at the gray hair! I feel old now.





"Schick" (ex Mr Bishopdale-Harewood) - working hard on his smile. He's hoping to impress a good scouting woman at Staveley - and to be honest - with a smile like that - who could possibly resist him? (or is that an embarrassed smile for not bringing the promised claret???)
Ladies - he is available and for a fee of urm $ - - - - .-- or thereabouts I can introduce you. Regular pin-up boy, and rumor has it plenty of pictures are hanging in various rooms. (bummer - if I had a decent photoshop program I could have added a little bright * on his 3rd tooth top left . . . . .

Pre Stavely Camp

ok here are some more news / pictures from our pre Stavely Camp

The builder of the ropeway bridge decided that is was not on that scouts alone should have fun so ended up having a swim too. The pond has a lot of silt and weeds - but was a welcome "cool" down to most campers. Some scouts decided that this would double as their morning shower and washing day - they were in for a rude awakening later.

A bit late and cooked in a dutch oven - but a most delicious meal. Shame about the burnt bread and butter pudding - Rach_who - a creation you would have been proud of. There was a lot of smoke!!!! Obviously tending a fire requires a lot of standing round and networking the old fashioned way. No cellphones here!! But what a meal - so tasty!!

Well - Li'l ol smilie - as you can see there are two additional auxiliary members to the Secret . . . . . . . Club. They have passed rigorous interrogations and tests. Although it has to be said that "Mr Schick" - [ex mr.Bishopdale-harewood back row on left] failed to deliver on his promised bottle of claret. Both have been inducted by way of secret ceremony to join the madhouse of our - urm - society.
Li'l ol smilie - as always - you are never far away from us and the rest of the crew is jealous that we should meet for a very hush hush urm "clandestine" meeting somewhere in Europe! You should know that plans are afoot for Stavely that would make your recent NZ experience more of a - urm - hilarious sideshow. Cant tell you more as its still on a need to know basis and very very hush hush project!! Maybe I will tell you in person later! Looking forward meeting you again soon.

Survival on pre Stavely Camp

Well, what a blast and we survived our pre stavely camp! Camp was great. Here a wannabe venturer is seen in the kitchen. This in itself is a strange concept I know. As you can see good help is hard to find - or identify! Suffice to say anyone can track this Scout down by just following the giggling sound......

It should be noted that my dishes got washed only half the time which is technically a break in contract! . . . Hmmmmm come to think of it - where ARE my dishes ? ? ?

Here is the campsite set up, complete with new tents! We had lovely 25 degrees and (thanks Brodie!) NO rain!
In fact it was way to hot, so we changed the plans for the afternoon and had a swim / water fight later on.



Amazing what a couple of clove hitch / figure of eight / and square lashings can achieve!! The most funny thing though was, that only two scouts managed to get right across without falling into the water.
I think they were inspired by the last Olympics and aimed for a perfect ten on style and technique for the "diving" section of this part of the program. it would be fair to say the entry into the water at times were spectacular.


The action got so hot for the spectators that they needed to cool down - thanks G.H. - I really needed that.
Venturers have recovered since then - but I'm sure have not forgotten your - urm - kind act - - and will plot for retribution at Staveley camp - I am sure!

Wilderness escape

Yeah - the morning dawned with birdsong and a slight mist. Forecast is for 28 degrees - typical Canterbury show weekend. I'm off to camp - hi ho, hi ho - of to the mines we go (snow white in case you don't know).

Planned activities are woggle making, some form of pioneering project, dutch oven cooking, a session on how to bath and wash in a bucket of water (I DID have a shower this morning!) and a rope bridge across the pond. Wonder how many scouts will "accidentally " fall in the pond?? hmmm there goes the hygiene section!
Anyhow - its time to go - I'm almost fully packed - I got Brodie - so thats a start!
Ciao

PS. Rach_who pics WILL follow - when I'm good and ready - oh yeah - and I know - I will be GOOD (in being mischievous) hehehe

pps. Then there is a session planned on how and what with
our tutu's - :) see www.joti2008.blogspot.com

Last minute panic

no - its not Mamabear fretting about our trip - its me - going on a three day scout camp tomorrow.
I haven't packed yet. Going food shopping tonight - feeding about 30 bodies. Then there is the gear to organize - usual stuff!
Will take camera - so yes Rach_who - there will be pic's.
Better go to work now - one more sleep and then its full on.
Wonder if we will win the rugby too.

Jorja - hope your still washing my dishes!! :)

And the winner is . . . . .

Micky -

who got his Prize for Electronics - best student in his year! Hes done one better then his older bro - and wasn't he pleased with that.

As you can see - he does need a haircut. Mind you give him 5 years and he will want a polish instead. Given the genetic history of the males on both sides of the Family - he's in for a quick de-foilage and soon.

Anyhow Son - well Done!! Hugz

Captains log - Stardate 178.256 supplementry entry

Lol - rach_who - you got a lot to answer for.
The airports I've been through. Lets see:
Christchurch / Wellington / Hamilton / Auckland / Palmerston North.
Los Angeles / Gatwick / Honolulu / Delhi / Amsterdam / Vienna / Bangkok / Singapore / Frankfurt / Munich.

Sydney and Dubai will be added to the list this time round - might even take a pic and add later - just for you rach_who.

Oddly enough of the 5 major airports in NZ I have never been through Dunedin yet the boys have several times.

Trivia point here - Most folks know that LA has this major big airport with 5 large buildings all set in one spot - but it also has another Airport. This one is named - wait for it - John Wayne Airport - and it is in the so called Orange County!!! Even got a picture of his statue in front of it to prove it. I should go and scan it later, yeah . . . . .

Brodies new outfit

Wohoo
Finally gotten round to some sewing! Brodie has got his new scarf (Thanks Julie!) and I made him a bandanna! Now if I could find some more of this material I could also make some for myself! We would both look so cool at Staveley! Must remember to pack Brodie's gumboots this time - although with his track record that is almost tempting fate!! (First ever camp he went to was the Feilding Jamboree - which will be forever remembered for having had 65ml of rain. We had rain falling during 2 hours in the night, and we were waking up to the resulting flood. I should go and find our gateway pic and show you - maybe later.


Found it.
Five years on and I still find some of the mud from that jamboree on our scout gear. The Jambo was held on a Horse race track - so the rain was just refreshing the - urm - "fertilizer" and the re-generated aroma will take a while to forget! Other then that it was a fun jamboree!! Scouts wading in and out of our site!!

A dark garden gnome in our garden???

Here you can see the finished wall - well almost!
Note the sloth sitting in the garden! We did try a gnome for a while - but it got to cold for him.
Micky didn't last much longer either.
The pansy should give us good color during summer- hopefully. Mind you we had snow down to 400 meters yesterday and a 3 degree frost. So much for summer!!! Wonder how horse-with-no-name's veggies are doing in the snow?! Green-peas became snow-peas???
:)

Patch up job - once you pass - urm - you know . . . .

LOL - I got this given as a Birthday pressie (and I'm not saying I was or am 40!), but it did tickle my fancy. Puts a whole new meaning to patch work kids!!

Well, front yard is nearly finished so will take a pic later. Also got some serious sewing to do. Be good.

Meet the Bear Family

Meet the Gang! After taking this picture I found another 7 bears who were to shy to have their photo taken! Keen obeservers will note Brodie, James and Hami are wearing their scarves!







The latest additions! This trio will fly out of NZ soon! Lucky them. Passport pics have been taken and Visa applications are sorted. Now how to avoid these endless discussions about Window seats????





One cant be to careful with some Scouting friends - all I said at the time, that I always go to bed with a teddy!!! - I did N O T indicate that I was sleeping IN one! :)

Still this is a much treasured souvenir from the Jamboree in Feilding!






This is Mamabear's favorite!!
I made this one when the boys were still toddlers. Took about 4 month to make and cost more to frame then the entire cross stitch kit! This image works on so many levels! Don't you love the team work, hope, faith and pure enjoyment conveyed here??!!

PINKILICIOUS - lego Bricks

Sigh - Mamabear will let me buy these so cool lego bricks - pink of course. $23 for 4 Gig is not a bad deal and they do look cool. I could in cooperate them into a Lego house design (or even better - into Micky's Millennium Falcon ) and sell it as a "smart" gadget??? :) AI - rocks!

However; - so sadly, I can only dream of buying this notebook -

www.sony.co.nz/products/product/computer/vaio-notebook/vgncs16gp.jsp

In pink of course!! My workplace was not impressed when I suggested we upgrade to this model! Can't understand why not!! :) Can you imagine me going to a Committee meeting and whipping this out to look up a file?? It would have matched the pink cellphone I nearly bought just to wind up one of my friends!! :)

No luck so far in hunting for a suitable material for Brodie - I will end up kitting him out with left overs if I don't find something suitable soon.


3 June 2010
supplementary entry --- saw those bricks again in the shops today - so thats nearly two years later and they now retail at $11!! almost worth buying another Lego brick usb pendrive and load the 600 Christmas songs on and use that during the month of advent in the car (which has a USB connection) ^^

Teddy bear escapes Fireworks

It never ceases to amaze me. Kids can burn a house down in 5 min flat - but stick them outdoors and give them bone dry timber and one match - and wait half an hour . . . .
Anyhow - here is the leaders fire = only took 5 min to get it going.

The fireworks went of with lots of uh's and ah's and of course they had fun running round with sparklers. Senior scouts lit the fuses and everyone enjoyed the display. You be pleased to know that no teddy bear got blown to pieces (even though the venturers had some firm ideas on that) - however the case of the exploding pumpkin was a lot of hype and myth - not even a beep. Maybe next year!! :) Mr Guy Fawkes certainly has a lot to answer for!!

Another PC set up

Well - this is the 4th pc formatted to Ubuntu standard - and amazingly - it actually works!! :) I can even log onto scoutlink - yah!! Joti 2009 watch out!!

Still waiting to kit out Brodie in his new Uniform! He got his scarve the other day but not his bandanna yet. Guess I have to sew that one soon!

Oooops - s o r r y lil ol smiley! Didn't mean to WAKE you up! Hugs dear - will u forgive me??? xox

Got Scouts tonight - Guy Fawkes night - and they wanted to blow up a teddy bear - so mean these kids! Wonder if I should bring my camera and snap them in the act??!! They certainly plan to have heaps of crackles and pops up in the air later!

Well better go and cook dinner - get changed etc :D

Healthy Breakfast

Full of healthy sugar / food colouring and fruit - no wonder they like the stuff so much it had to be eaten for breakfast!!






Needless to say what better way to finish a Cub camp on a hot sunny day with a decent game of toss a Water-balloon!! Not that this helped washing the gear - but everyone had fun catching the slippery wet "eggs".





This could be best described as a Mexican standoff! Despite the perception we are really good mates and no water pistol was harmed in this photo!
Mamabear's only dry comment was along the lines of boys and their toys . . . . . . .

Jon-e's first run Cub Camp

Wohoo ---

we are all safely back home from the Cub camp. Everyone had a lot of fun. 13 cubs went camping near Waipara and we had help from two of our Ventures - who wish to remain incognito! -- Considering that they ate for breakfast Fruit Jelly - no wonder. For those of you who don't believe me - evidence is attached!!! And don't they just look like two mafioso - scarifying our Cubs?????

Young Cubs pitching the tents!
Not easy when you got a stony ground!

Some of the activities cubs did were Archery / Rifle Shooting / a 30 meter drop water slide / made a mini raft and "nuked" it in the river / were challenged across the cross country fitness course / sung songs around the Campfire / rode down the 100 m flying fox / trekked for two hours to be in spirit with our other Bishopdale-Harewood Scouts trekking round the Port Hills / and best of all - we invested 4 new members who flew up from Keas!









Even the teddy bears -
(or other assorted wanna-be bears) went camping!







One of the most fun thing to watch was the Cubs singing Campfire songs at 7.30 am around the tent of the Ventures who decided to "sleep-in"!!

One can sum up this camp with the words of an ex Kea "Cubs is waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy more fun then being a Kea" - Go that girl - cub!!!

Well I am knackered - I call it a day and go and get some shut-eye!

Job well done Jon-e :)