Shake rattle and roll

It is said that the Austrian people are the most friendly folks on earth. And I would have to agree that they are in good competition with us from down under for the "most friendly nation".
They certainly made these two Kiwis feel right at home. However putting on a earthquake last night in the Vienna region at 3.9 is overdoing it just a tad. Personally didn't feel a thing , but I did wonder why the clock rung its bell out of sequence.

Another sunny day so will go out soon.

Broom, Brush, Spade - trust that things are still all in order and humming along nicely.
Mr. Schick - keep polishing the white pegs.
hehe - G.H. - how is the first draft of you-know-what coming along??
A N D Jaymo - behave - leave the poor bloke alone!!!

Cyahs

All bright and beautiful

Well we couldn't get tickets for the play so
we ended up going to "The Graben" - a Vienna inner city street where the local council puts up a lot of decorations. A small sample enclosed. Amazing decor, and this is not the time to think of the local powerbill. We did get tickets for Monday night though - so that will be interesting.



I suggested to Pam that we are now entering the red light district - not.
However the lights continued for many a streets. We also run smack into a emergency operation by police / Fireengines / and 2 ambulances. No idea what was what but our walk had to be diverted.








Well "Old Nick" was newly added to the family and straight away initiated into the local customs of late night walks and gluehwein. Another mug to be added to the collection. By this stage we had seen the 8th Christkindl market. Having walked the better part of 2 hours around town admiring all the lights and sights we were ready for a hot drink and then the return journey.

More souvenir's

Vienna Christkindl Market - as promised. We have had dozens of calendars with a image of this in Dec - and now we have been there. Even got the mug from the gluehwein to prove it. Sadly about 70 % odd of the stands have little to do with Christmas and is more like the Arts center market in CHCH. Pam enjoyed the Sausage stand and hot drink.
You might not be able to see it but many places like the Vienna Rathaus (first pic on left) that is in front of the Christkindl market use their windows as a Advent calendar. EG they open (pull the curtains and have the light shining) the relevant muber of windows in "the calendar". You can see the number 24 at the middle / top part of the Rathaus.


Saturday - we walked to Karlskirche which has recently been renovated. On the inside is the original scaffolding and lift that the workers used and is now used to get tourists up to the top. If you look hard at the teeny weeny green top of the roof thats how high we got - after many further steps were climbed.




The Riesenrad. A Vienna icon and part of the permanent Amüsement park of "The Prater". It turns slowly and has magnificent views of Vienna. For a xtra fee you can hire one cabin and have a afternoon tea supplied. Certainly the couple in front of us seemed to enjoy the occasion and the bubbly and platter provided. Wonder if he did propose to her??




Tonight we see if we can get tickets to the English Volks Theater - and see "Charlies Aunt" a very humorous play. We looked the the opera but only heavy tragic plays were on offer, an at this point we prefered something light. Will let you know 2morrow how it went.

Speed demon ???

ha - u wish. Although I have to admit there is something about autobahns that is tempting. Yesterday we had a real leisurely morning. I read the second book and Pam ended up helping Margit make some rum balls. Had spag bog for lunch with almost all the family, only Thomas missing. Poor guy had to be up and at work by 10 am and he slept till 9.30 am. So he took his mum's car to get there in time. He does Civil service with the Red Cross. After lunch we saw some photos from Margit and Harald and then packed the car and drove toward Vienna on the Autobahn. We covered 330km in three hours BUT - yes But we did cover 95 % of the road in just under 2 hours and spent much more time (about 45 min) getting into the big city trying to find his place. There were times when we could cruize in the left (fastest) lane at 150km/hr or more. :)
Imagine getting from CHCH to Picton in 2 hours!! Wohoooo. Im so gonna miss the autobahn when we return. Then after we found Wilfrieds place we had a stroke of luck and got a car park right outside his place - most unusual for Vienna. Expect normally to walk for miles for a carpark.
After we settled in we went to the Viennese Christkindl market. Got the pics to prove it - but cant acces the lappy to trasfer pics so that might have to wait.
Still no snow - might have to wait for that too.
Be Good

Another Christkindl market

Another stunning shot. Shame we could not stay on the autobahn and further admire the scenery





Snowangel - this one is just for you. As you can see I did make a angel as requested. You can also see the depth of the snow and believe me - it was hard walking in it.





Today we picked up Oma and Margit and went to yet another Christkindl market. When I was a little boy we ever only had the one Market in town. Seems everyone decided there is money to be made and the markets sprung up in lots of locations some bigger then others. And we haven't even gone to Vienna yet. Anyhow this shot - taken from one of the locations of the "Sound of Music" film - Schloss Hellbrun, also known for its quirky water games, which you can only see during summer. Mamabear bought a rainbow scarf to keep her neck warm - and it matches her rainbow socks!!!! Naturally we had to have some more Gluehwein to keep warm. I'm so gonna miss that when we come back to NZ.


Interestingly enough there are at least 3 scout groups who have stalls at the Christkindl markets selling hot fruit punch. That hot drink has no alcohol and is geared for children. Of course for the grown ups you can get something a little stronger. It was good to see them wearing their scarves.

teddy bear abortes hill climb

It was not our day -kinda.
We arrived on the Gondala only to find that they were closed for "maintenance" till Friday - the day we leave for Vienna. Rangi - our traveling teddy bear was not to be discouraged - so he decided to head into the alps and snow. As you can see we found it - about 30 cm deep. Wohoo.
Sadly the northern side of the Alps suffered from a wind (same as the NZ Norewester) - warm and dry and what little snow there was in Salzburg has long since gone.


Brrrrr - it was cold but a wonderful day out. If you look hard enough you can see Rangi sitting in the front of the car. Hes got enough fur to not be worried about frosty starts.


Today - Thursday we got up early and picked up Oma and walked to the "Schranne" a market place for farmers to sell their goods. Those old enough might remember the old Victoria market in CHCH - know what we are talking about. Anyhow they had everything from bread and tasty sweet morsels to various vegetables and all kinds of meat products. Naturally we had to part with some of our money and we just had to buy the Strawberries (thanks Italy) and half a loaf of "Kletzen-bread" and Oma wanted some eggs. While there we just had to take a photo of this cute Krampus. He is fully edible and made from sultanas and figs and dried plums. Yumm













"Untersberg" - as seen from my previous bedroom window - for nearly 20 something years.
You catch the Gondala to the top and then you can ski down at this side - you can see the track in the middle of the mountain - well if you know what you are looking for. Then there are the legends and folklore stories about the man in the mountain and the ravens and . . . The mountain is also host to a group of eagles who can be seen at times soaring and looking for food during the summer months.

Snow trout

wohooo
Margit and Pam went shopping yesterday and bought - yes bought - 5 trouts for a nice lunch meal. They where delicious. Yes folks unlike NZ you can freely buy these trouts and even trade them.
Caught up with various emails / txt's/ and blog. Have also finished "The Bourne Ultimatum".
It has been a long time since I have been able to sit and read for long hours.
In the evening we went for a meal to Ulli and Guenther- being folks who came and visited NZ twice and we had seen them we were here last time. They have also invited Ulli's nephew and partner (again they came to NZ and spent some time with us) and we shared in a swiss Racqulet meal and a lovely wine. There was heaps of talk of NZ. Did not tell them that CHCH had 31 C yesterday.
Ulli has inveted us on weekend of 18 Dec to go up into the mountains to a hut and go tobogganing and the coup etat (the best part of the evening) will be a down hill sleigh ride holding burning torches. Im glad i did bring the thermals.
Today is blue dome day - (Thanks Augie Auer) with lots of solar headlights - so we decided to go up in the gondala of the "Untersberg" Mountain. There is a good layer of snow up there and it will be very cold - it is after all 2000m above sea level. Pic of mountain will follow once we are back home.
Be Good.

New footwear for an old bear

We were in search for various things - one of them being slippers.
We ended up going through the largest mall in Salzburg (Europark). The malls are almost the same anywhere - Supermarket / Clothes and more clothes / and various cafes / eateries. Interestingly enough they also had a open bar (where disgruntled wifes can *park* their male partners and a fully fledged kindy/daycare center.
It also freaks out mamabear - but as long as you got them on a leash you can bring and walk your dog through the malls.
Anyhow we found these slippers and I nearly bought them ($40) but did not want to pay that much for them. Then again they could be a Christmas pressie for Micky!!!!
Little point of trivia here - very early on when it was brand new (about 10 years back) - and Web cams only just came on the scene my sister phoned me from the mall and said I am standing there - and we could see her via the web cam. By the time she got home she had *her* picture on her email!!!! Modern technology!
Anyway mamabear went with sis and bought - yes bought- some rainbow trout - which we will have for lunch. Indeed I had forgotten that most middle European folks have their main meal at lunch time, followed by a light snack in the evening.

Unbelievable Snowfall

It is just our luck - and you will never ever believe me.
The Provinces of Kaernten and Steiermark in the lower part of Austria had overnight way to much snow - sooo much so that they actually closed the schools - totally unheard of in Austria. There are power outages and road closures - sounds almost like Nz!

Here in Salzburg we had a rain storm coming through but right now we got more blue skies. With my holiday weather luck we could have snow everywhere - except where we will be!! I mean we go to the Westcoast of NZ to find the rain and have 30 degrees sun - go figure. Seem to remember to walk the Milford track (a region of NZ that has an annual rainfall in excess of 12 000ml) in 33 degree Celsius - while the rest of the country had rain!!

Today we have the onerous task of wrapping up all the pressies for the Austrian tribes. Mamabear is doing a great job!

Rezepte

just in case you are energetic and want to do some research, here are some websites to look up!

gluehwein
Bosna
Mozartkugel
Maroni
Kastanie

Snow or lack thereof

hideho
Had a long sleep in, just as well - I think I'm now over the jet lag.
Had a leisurely Sunday morning, and in the afternoon drove up to the snow line - over 15oo m above sea level. There has been a warm wind in the last few days and so all the snow on the low laying areas has melted away again. So we drove up into the "Rossfeld" and stomped round in there. We had a snow ball fight and yes Snow angel - I made a Snow angel just for you!!

Then in the evening we walked round the Christkindl market. LOL we had dinner there - Bosna, Hot maroni, gluwein, and for dessert some Mozart Balls. Even got the glasses to proof that we had the hot and spicy red wein - yummmmm.
Well we did'nt quite make it all through he market, and we will have more opportunity for more later. I would have to say - we could have spent a lot more dollar, apart from the various Christmas teddybear's we bought.
Snowangel = i got you a little something and will post it later

Here you see Salzburg's smallest shop - selling Bosna's. This is the most famous shop and the sausages are delicious!!!! There is always a queue.
The shop itself is no more then 2 m x 1 m.

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?????

--------------------------------------------

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!