COBDEN CANOEING 26th July 2003 |
Cobden Canoeing 2003 On the Thursday before, canoeing didn't seem too inviting with heavy storms predicted for the weekend I don't think many were relishing a day at the Roman Lakes. Saturday came, however, and the Scouts were out in force not least because, not for the first time, the Weathermen had got it wrong, and the sun was shining. With the canoes handily brought down to Linnet Clough's private lake (it sounds a bit more glamorous than it actually is!) by Warden Carl Hornsby, all we had to do was jump in them and get on the water. At first all of us had a canoe, and we all paddled as though we'd never canoed before. Within ten minutes, the Scouts had bored of trying to get the canoe to go in a straight line, and had instead decided to get each-other wet, with canoe games (walk along a raft of canoes, etc.) used as the pretence! Before long, half of us had to get out. Offerton, who were camping at Linnet, had come down to claim their share of the canoes, whilst at the same time Ben Morris (late as usual!) and others had turned up. Ok, so we only had five canoes, and we had twelve scouts. Whilst those who wanted to canoe were able to (many must have already had tired arms from all that paddling!) the rest got on with pushing each other in, jumping off the jetty and generally having fun in the water! Two rafts were half-constructed before they were pushed into the water. Inevitably they fell apart and sent barrels sailing off across the lake (for the leaders to collect later!) What happened to the legendary knot-tying skills?!! A chip run ensured that the Scouts were fed and ready for more activity in the afternoon. They had each ordered their own portions with complicated sharing going on "I'll share your fish, we can have chips between us and I've got a half a pot of Gravy from Johnny"- which Pie had gone to get. Funnily enough, when it came to giving the food out we were short of a few portions until a few of the Scouts were reminded that they were supposed to be sharing with each other as they had arranged earlier! The sun shone down on us in the afternoon. The last of the pushings-in took place, whilst others sun-bathed or got involved in water-fights. We all stood round to watch those who were going for their Canoeing Scout Badge perform Eskimo Rolls (it's when you actually try to go into the water?!), and then it was time to go. A fun day was had by all, and canoeing will definitely be back on the programme next year, by popular demand. |
