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Kandersteg August 2005 When someone tells you it will cost £400 plus sterling pounds to go as a leader on a scout camp for a week in switzerland, you need not look at the Student account bank statement, but simply turn the gentleman away and tell him you can't come. However when a few of your mates say they can do half the week with a plane ride, hire car and a night in Geneva thrown in, you begin to think twice. Thus it came true. 3 Tognarelli's and a Humpherson made the long trip south with Franc the hire car to Kandersteg, Switzerland to llink up with marples finest Halfway into their holiday. And so we begin midway on a quiet Wednesday night in Switzerland where it had apparently just stopped raining and where the scouts had been for a few days. Wednesday Word is, that on the Wednesday they had gone into town either Interlaken or Bern and witnessed the flooding of the area. Helicopters lifted people from roofs and cars filled up with water in the streets, all very entertaining if you're a scout. Us latecomers, however having located the campsite eventually and discovered Marple's rent a - campsite close to the river, stopped travelling and began to take it all in. Several tents in a large circle with 2 tents of Explorers, and four full of scouts. We had brought our own but stayed in a vacant store tent instead. Pie and John Spreck welcomed us to the palatial surroundings. The sky was misty and cold, the ground wet and the fire non existent. First plan was to get a fire going in this miserable excuse for a campsite. The Explorers were corralled into getting wood on a big trailer trolley and bringing it to our site. We arranged the wood as a bench to sit on, and the fire began. It was only later that we were informed that the wood was stolen or that we were supposed to pay for it. Doh. Everyone hung around chatting and messing until they were rounded up from the various covered rooms and areas by tennish and soundly off to sleep. Tomorrow would be our first day. Thursday Someone had forgotten to book the brilliant sunshine and blue sky so we were left with cloudy dull mist again. Today we would visit a nearby lake and partake in the many activities involved at such an altitude, yes quite a few. Having wandered over to the dining room, eaten some dry bread and jam with tea, and made up our grey packed lunches, we set off to explore Kandersteg and beyond. Having walked through the town it up was a chairlift ride to the top. Yes, we cheated. Sat in doubles in wooden seats with just a chain to stop you falling out. Everyone made it, some probably more happy about it than others. Once up, we looked around at the views. The surrounding mountains had suddenly shown themselves to us and much picture taking occurred. Then we gradually ambled towards the lake. The plan there was to go for a swim. More people than not went in or tried to go in. Some deeming it too cold for anything more than a paddle. After the short swim, packed lunches were opened until someone allowed us to go on the boats. Scouts clubbed together for a rowing boat while the leaders paid extra for the peddle boat. Once the mess about was complete, scouts were told off for splashing and piracy while some leaders made a swift exit having broken an oar off. Back to the top of the Chairlift and this time, to the left, we found the toboggan run we had all been promised. A weaving, gleaming, metal piped, downhill feast. Pie negotiated 4 rides each for us and this was going to be fun. First run was a tester, before everyone decided they didn't need brakes on the mock bobsleigh course. Rain stopped play after the second run as some spitting made the course dangerous allegedly. It cleared up within minutes and we were back on, a final set of speedy runs down with only one crash scout eddy sent flying at the end by not holding on I think. He had recovered enough for the walk home down through alpine fields, and to throw pine cones at his mates. Dobby swiftly punished for doing the same. Back down at camp We were told what time to appear for tea and time must have passed till then. It wasn't great, but edible. Then the rain began, it couldn't stay away all night. This, though did not deter 4 leaders taking on 9 scouts in a wet and dinghy game of manhunt. It whiled away the hours before bed, and a last trip to the drying room etc.. Plans had already been made for an early start tomorrow so the scouts had to be sorted. Friday The scouts were up early with a readymade breakfast and put on a coach to a small rural town to be followed by a trip up the jungfrau by mountain railway. We part timers meanwhile stayed in bed for a few more hours the trip too expensive for poor students £70 return. We had compromised to meet them half way so drove to the base and caught the train halfway up. Then a phone call. Their train had lost power on the way up, was delayed and so they would be unable to meet us. We consoled ourselves with soup, chips and later ice creams. The scouts meanwhile had believed they were in mortal peril, one / molowko? really believing he was going to die as the train rolled backwards as it lost power. Apparently they had a nice time up there in an ice museum, and the weather had cleared making the trip a great success. We met them at the bottom, escorted them to their coach and then went to find our hire car which we had trouble doing. Back to the site and this was their final night. The usual communal tea and kicking out of the dining room took place before we had to settle for cards in the reception area. Eventually, back on site, there was enough to form a campfire sing song and it all went down well. The scouts were under instructions to pack et al, while us lepers were under no rush to leave in the morning. Several explorers were out of their beds to say goodbye to their recently acquainted girlfriends, despite it being forbidden, but no one told on them. Saturday Usual boring bleary eyed Breakfast then Action stations men. Pack your bags, collect stuff from the drying room, take back the leftover wood (which we never paid for) and Clear the site: today we make for Calais! The usual summer camp frenzy and panic, (or lack of,) took place, before the bus arrived half an hour late after sitting around in the carpark. We had already had team photos and then swapped neckers with other English groups. The scouts boarded the bus and waved us goodbye. Part time leaders. We drove in "Franc" our hire car back to Geneva. Found our hostel easily, walked around town, found 20 euros and blew it on tea and coffee. Spent the night playing cards in our room. Lots of cheating and unsportsmanlike behaviour went on. Scouts Sat on a bus driving across France. They stopped for a restaurant meal and then were given 10 euros each to spend as they wished. Wow. Back on the bus, and an early sailing crossing and they were back in England first. Sunday Part timers We awoke lateish and Drove to Geneva airport, dropped off the hire car and boarded our plane. Adrians big maglite torch was confiscated from his hand luggage. Arrived in Liverpool at mid day and proceeded back to HQ Marple. Parents were waiting for their beloved devils and we went and stole their thunder admitting we had been out there and what conditions were like etceventually the scouts arrived, after a fry up at the co op, and were reunited with their parents. It was a week they all seemed to enjoy, and we had a little fun on the way. Big shout out to the Piemonster for organising it and fretting and faffing all the way. Look out for the Morris dancing if it ever reaches the light of day all pictures, videos, gratefully received. I've written too many endings to camps and can only think to sum it up in the style of every other scout forced to write an article "It was good". No, no, no, Marplescouts, it's all wrong this reporter hasn't even got porridge for brains and his grammar is shocking. This is what really went onSend it to Kandersteg@Marplescouts.co.uk Chance of anything being received at this address? Twenty thousand to one. |
