Blue on Tour – Explorer Scout 84

Operation Golden Orb

Wow wow wow. What am amazing weekend I have just had celebrating the Kings Coronation with the Scouts. This blog is about my experience of the Coronation Camp.

After arriving on Thursday afternoon with lovely weather, we caught the shuttle bus to site. On route we stopped at a petrol station before continuing to head off to Gilwell. Once now at Gilwell, we registered in before putting up our tents and then going on a wonder. I helped with some cleaning before changing into my uniform for the briefing and uniform checks – as I did not have the Coronation badge, I asked the valet team for one. We then ate dinner before I headed off for an early night.

Friday was a very chill day. I waited about in the breakfast queue talking to some Australians and Canadians before grabbing my breakfast. I then sewed my coronation badge onto my uniform before handing it to the valet team to iron and then headed to our safety briefing. Here we learnt some basic safety training on how to look out for “HOT bags”, the procession route and how many horse drew each carriage as well as the name of the operation… Golden Orb. We then headed out for a walk around site with our Team Leader, Larry, before playing a Scottish game of “run, haggis, run”. We then grabbed a warm lunch before afternoon activities.

For the afternoon we could drop into varying activities, there was The Lid open with a climbing wall, ladders, a mini Jacobs ladder and other mini ropes courses. This was great fun as we queued and got to know one another more and played some cards. We then did some tomahawks before helping the valet team with sewing some badges.

In the evening, there was a small campfire and Blue and I, with my new friends, got to learn some new international songs such as “Hello Mr Worm” and the German Bear Hunt. We then headed to Buffalo Bar to compete in the Quiz, where we got 10/10 on the cryptic TV shows round, before heading for an early night to wake up nice and early Saturday Morning.

Saturday consisted of an early start at 4am to have a quick shower before heading to meet the rest of my group and grab our breakfast. We then walked to Chingford train station to grab the first train into London. The early morning tiredness was real as we made our way into London and headed for Green Park Station.

We shortly arrived in St. James Park and set up our base. At first the weather was gorgeous however soon it started to rain and proceeded to not stop raining throughout the rest of the day. We soon saw the King’s Procession towards Westminster Abbey before watching the main coronation at Westminster on the big screen. It was amazing to watch in a crowd with others cheering when he was crowned and joining in singing the national anthem, a lovely atmosphere. Before the Coronation Procession left the Abby, we headed out towards The Mall to get a good spot to watch. We then saw the Coronation Procession including the Golden Carriage and once the procession had finished we queued patiently to walk towards Buckingham Palace to view the Balcony Wave and watch the Fly Byes. As the weather was still very much raining, we only got to see the Red Arrows and I saw two of the Royals, who weren’t obstructed by the Victoria Memorial.

After queueing for the longest of time to escape The Mall we travelled to Victoria station to head back to Gilwell. There underground was long with delayed signalling and silly people obstructing the doorways we eventually made it back to Chingford before slowly walking back to site. I swapped out of uniform and played some cards before a delicious meal of lamb stew and then headed back to the Buffalo Bar. We did the macarena, cha cha slide and listened to music before heading to sleep.

Sunday morning was more relaxed, I said goodbye to my Scottish friend before heading to the Scouts Own/Closing Ceremony. We reflected on our Scouts Promise and how we did our duty to our country and King over this weekend whether it be by Stewarding or just being a friendly face. After some reflection and thank you, it was time for goodbye’s and Operation Cornetto. I finished packing my kit away before catching the shuttle bus to Chingford to head home. As I was early to my train, Blue and I went via. Liverpool Street to catch the Elizabeth Line. We then made it back home to Sunny Brum.

Gangshow Week 2023

This Easter I helped with my districts Gangshow again, helping out all and about backstage. Unfortunately I was unable to help with Fridays get in, due to travelling down to the seaside to get my dad’s new car. However, I was back for Saturday!

Saturday consisted of finishing assembly of different sets and then setting each set. For each set we’d move the rostrum into place, add stationary scenery followed by the hanging scenery. I got to help with lifting and tightening clamps on the rostrum as well as the wire clamps. At lunch we got chilli before getting back to work before leaving.

Sunday and Monday were both dress rehearsals with the cast and music. This was exciting as it was the first few times the show was performed on stage with lighting, sound, props, set and cast. It was very fun and I got to be on curtains again!

Tuesday was crew only rehearsal and this meant we had no cast on stage. We got to practice setting each set and had a bit of fun dancing on stage. It was a great evening before the official shows started on the Wednesday.

On Friday evening, Blue came along to watch the show with Mum84 and Dad84. He has a great time watching sis84 in the show, laughing and having a sing song. On Saturday, Blue came along and helped us backstage. He had great fun messing about on stage and helping to move scenery.

A Scouty day out for 84 and Blue

We started out early on a train journey that would take us into the capital. Then we took the underground overground (a bit like the Wombles) and a short hike to our destination for our day out. (Hint: it’s a Scouting place but not Brownsea Island as our journey didn’t involve a boat.)

Have you guessed it yet?

It was Gilwell Park, the UKs Scouting HQ!

You may be wondering why was 84 heading to Gilwell Park? Well she has an interview for a UK Deputy Youth Commissioner Role. As part of this she was required at Gilwell for a small panel interview followed by a team project challenge of designing the new “Squirrel Youth Shaped Award”.

It was a very relaxing interview process and she finished late afternoon. This left time for us to explore central London before catching our train back to University home. We even got a lift to the train station (due to my persuasion skills and adorable looks), became overground underground wombles again and eventually reached busy Oxford Street!

We headed through China Town to M&M world, followed by Piccadilly Circus, then Hamleys before a quick stop at Pret to grab some dinner (& coffee for me) before finally arriving back in Euston!

84 speed ran central to show me all the sights (as you can see below):

We finally got the train home and reflected on our Scouty Day by watching 84s current favourite tv show of Below Deck!

Gangshow Week 2022

A few weeks ago, I helped out with my districts gangshow. The following is what I got up to over the week helping as a member of the backstage crew.

On the Friday, I helped with the get in process. This required moving all the scenery from the districts hall into a lorry which would then be driven to the theatre. We had lots of Timbits to keep us motivated before then driving to the theatre to unload. I then helped the scenery crew completing some laminating (to make smiley awards) as well as tying lots of paper cranes onto string. At the end of the day, I had blisters after tying over 300 knots!!

On the Saturday, I helped to tie the previous paper cranes with string onto another piece of string in order for them to hang in rows on the stage. I then started helping on the stage where I found out my role was to move backstage staging and scenery – whilst also checking the staging was secure with tight clamps. We went through all the sets to check there positions with the producer and chair of the show, and when we were given the all clear, we marked the position of the set with tape. When setting hanging scenery, I got to help screw some wire rope clamps onto the metal wire which would be hung from the bars via. a carabiner: we had to make sure that this set hung evenly and was not wonky. At lunchtime, we had Chilli for helping out all day.

Over the Sunday and Monday, it was dress rehearsals with the cast. I became an honorary curtain puller, due to the designated curtain puller being unavailable. Luckily, I only went wrong once during the two rehearsals. On top of this, I helped to move set and was given a radio where some funny radio chatter happened.

The Tuesday consisted of a crew only rehearsal, where the musicians practiced whilst we quickly changed sets to become more efficient. It was a lot more relaxing during the practice and so we could get away with messing about in between.

Golden drapes fell down (which we had to fix)

Wednesday through to Thursday was the full show and it went well without running too far behind. On the Wednesday, I was given my new gangshow red necker which I was very excited for. I missed the Friday due to my university friends coming to visit however, this was when I made my gangshow newspapers gossip columns debut – all for hanging up some of the fallen set backstage in the wings.

Saturday was the longest day of the week but Blue came along for the shows. It consisted of two shows with a dinner break in between. We got free ice cream from the local ice cream factory during the break which was very kind of them. During both shows they were filming and so at the end we had to go on stage for our bow/ wave. The final show was the best show as we hid a pineapple during each singing number – it was a tradition dating back older than me. After the final show we had to have the get out process where we removed all the items, loaded up the lorry and unpacked at the districts scout hut.

Overall, it was a very fun week volunteering and I am already looking forward to next year!

Competition time with Judge Blue

Howdy, Blue here,

I’ve been a bit quiet lately, I’ve taken to hiding in 84s room to avoid getting this nasty virus which is about. I don’t want to be remembered as the first bear to catch it.

This evening I came out of my hiding place to undertake a very important role – Mum84 needed an adjudicator for the Rainbows Cuddly Toy Show so I ventured out.

I was introduced to the Rainbows, there were lots of new faces this time. Each Rainbow took a turn to introduce their cuddly toy and tell us a little bit about it. The contest for the biggest was a closely fought race with entries from P with Sparkles the Unicorn and M with Peggy the Pegasus. I needed a bit of help from the Rainbows to decide and Peggy the Pegasus was declared the winner of the biggest cuddly toy.

Another close category was the cuddliest cuddly toy, entries from O with Bunny, I with Lion and P with Sparkles, being on zoom this was very hard to judge as I couldn’t personally snuggle up with them and had to rely on how much they were being cuddled by their owner, but I eventually decided on Bunny who has been cuddled by her owner since birth.

Other entries included Sequin, Penguin and Lily who won the sparkliest, smallest and prettiest eyes categories.

Each entrant will be awarded a certificate and a rosette.

Mum84 says that some of the parents came up with a few alternative categories – most chewed, most washed, most bald spots and the one where Mummy hasn’t sewn the arm back on yet!

Maybe it’s not just me who needs to get out more … Lockdown is getting to us all.

Blue interviews Brian

Brain and Blue outside a Santander store

Today’s blog is going to be Blue interviewing Brian Florence Mount-Battenberg Winsor II.

Hi, Brian let us start with an easy question. Is it true you were stolen on the Jamboree?
At first, yes. I was just chilling with my pal Nick when these British girls came to speak to him and kidnapped me in the process. It turned out to be quite fun anyway since I was gifted a bowtie and they put me on a pole so I could look out upon the jamboree site and say hello to everyone who passed by. It was not a very long kidnapping either since I returned to my fellow Americans later that evening. The fact I remain with my British family now was all a completely legal adoption.

I see, what is your favourite food?
An easy win for vegan shrimp. It has been my favourite for as long as I can remember. Being vegan does limit my options and it is not the cheapest thing for mum to keep buying but man does it taste good. Thankfully, it does not seem to be top of many other people’s list so there is always a stack in the supermarkets.

Speaking of food, do your prefer double Gloucester cheese or Shropshire Blue cheese?
Hmm, being vegan I have never tasted either so that is a limitation. Equally, one of my parents is from Shropshire and the other is from Gloucestershire so that does not help either. I do live in Shropshire though and it is a great place so for that I will say Shropshire Blue cheese. The colour blue reminds me of the sea as well so that is a bonus.

If you could have a superpower what would you choose?
I can already fly, and I am convinced I am psychic so that would be pointless to have again. Maybe teleportation though? I know I can fly but it is a long way to Florida when I want to see my old family so that would definitely be helpful. Also seeing my British family would be easier as well but the world is scary without mum with me so it would have to be the kind of teleportation where I can bring people with me.

What is your favourite campfire song?
Oh, you will never get to Heaven definitely. I have only sung it once, but it was a lot of fun. It makes fun of all my British family since they are scouts but not flamingos, so it is a lot of fun. I do like most campfire songs since they are a time that everyone comes together with smiling faces. One of the best parts about camping is the campfire to me.

Brian you sound like a brave flamingo so, do you have any fears?
Well, I know I don’t like flying but I think that’s more because I have to do it with my legs in luggage below so that’s not fear so to speak. We did have a few lightning storms at jamboree which was very scary, and I had to go curl up with someone each time so that is probably my biggest fear. Second would definitely be supermarkets stopping selling vegan shrimp.

A controversial question, who is your favourite from Double Blue?
This is hard! They are all this one big family who I all love. I mean my parents, Leanne, and Hannah, they give me food and are always there for hugs if I am scared. My godparents, Frankie, and Liv, they are awesome and are always fun to be around. Jess and Jess are great people too who always sneak my extra food when my parents say I have had enough already. One of the leaders, Justin, is pretty cool as well. Oh, and there is also Jacob who is the reason I have my fabulous bow tie. Yet, I do not think I can actually choose a single person from the unit.

Finally, to conclude this interview, do you prefer England or Florida?
This one is hard, they are both so different. I love British accents so being in England helps with that. The weather in Florida is a lot warmer which I am used to and even when its sunny in Britain they seem to complain about it which is annoying. Vegan shrimp is easier to find in England as well which is important. So, I guess my answer is England, but I love both places dearly!

Thank so much Brian, go and eat some vegan shrimp.

Blue feeling blue

Yesterday I received the news I’d been waiting for; the European Jamboree has been postponed until next year.

To be honest I was expecting this outcome but it’s still a big disappointment, mainly because I now have the added uncertainty of whether I’ll be able to go next year as I will be turning 18 before the event.

I had a good chat to Blue about it all and he’s sure that whatever happens next will be just as amazing. He’s also feeling blue about the situation but is excited by the prospect of a new adventure.

Anyway back to the revision for my year 12 assessments – 84

Tea for Blue

Howdy Blue here,

84’s been a busy 🐝 recently, so I’ve taken over the reins again.

84 has told me that if I’m doing a take over I have to blog about something useful. Well I nearly said phnh to that but then I had an idea – I’m going to share with you how I make the perfect cup of tea.

Apologies in advance if I miss a few steps but I’m only a little bear. 🐻

Step one:

Fill the kettle with water and turn on the kettle.

Step two:

While waiting for the water to boil, get a mug and place a tea bag in it.

Step three:

Now here’s the shocker place your desired amount of milk into the mug.

Step four:

When the water has boiled, pour it into the mug.

Step five:

Leave the tea to brew for a few minutes

Step six:

Stir the tea to see how strong it is – check the colour I like mine strong so leave the teabag in for a while.

Step seven:

When the tea is the desired strength remove the teabag

Step eight:

Leave to cool for a short time – nobody likes a burnt tongue.
Finally enjoy the perfect cup of tea.

On the crest of a wave

So this week I have become involved in my district’s gang show. I am now a tea girl for the Sunday session as well as helping with the set painting and decorating as well as maybe being backstage during show week. Now Sis84 I do not think is very happy with me due to gang show being her thing due to her performing on stage. Nevertheless, I have started making paper cranes for one of the scenes as we need 1001 of them. I am aiming to be able to say that I have made 20% of the cranes on the stage but I have lost count of how many paper cranes I have already made. However, Mum84 has made 10 cranes so she is able to say that she has made 1% of the total cranes. Whilst I was making some of the cranes, Blue came along with me and made friends with Olivia the rainbow from a different unit to Mum84’s unit.

World Scout Jamboree (mini) reunion

A couple of weeks ago, I met with some of my World Scout Jamboree unit in Birmingham. The reunion included Blue the bear and if you remember Brian the flamingo. Yes, you read that right, we walked around Birmingham with a flamingo and a bear.

We started the day off with coffee before then heading to do a little bit of shopping. We went into the Worlds largest Primark where there was a Disney café, a Harry Potter section, and over 5 floors of clothing and sales. In the make up section, we decorated Brian (the flamingo) with some of the eyeshadow before we headed to get some food to eat. The downfall here was, we all agreed to meet at McDonalds, except we went too 2 different stores – however, En route we did see a Santander building. (I’m still a proud member of the International Anthony Santander Fan Club)!

After lunch we did a bit more shopping and went into all 3 Pandora shops looking for a charm for my friend. In the end, we managed to find the charm in one of the shops. We then wondered around for a little while before, one of my friends brothers (who did attend WSJ) met up with us and so he took a photo of us by the Bullring statue. We all then wondered around for a bit more until it was nearly time to leave – in order for everyone to be able to get the right trains home as in the morning there was a little bit of a train issue.

A couple of us went into Tesco Express before saying goodbye where we brought a meal deal to share between us all. The chicken and bacon sandwich was very nice – thank you! It was then time to say our goodbyes before everyone headed home.

As I then went to meet my parents, we spotted some bears in H&M home, so conveniently, Blue had to have a photo with them. Also, as we headed home we stopped at IKEA for our usual rendezvous before continuing to head home.