Category: misc

The Great Blue Sewing Bee

Hi everyone, it’s Blue here again, 84s been really busy revising for her upcoming GCSEs so I’ve decided to step in and help her out. Hopefully 84 will be back soon – she needs to take a break from revision sometime?!

Before the London trip I treated myself to a new necker. Unfortunately normal size ones are way too big for me so I thought I would raid Mum84’s hoard extensive fabric supply and make my own.

I did find it a little bit hard to use the sewing machine, reaching the foot pedal and ensuring that the material was sewing straight proved rather difficult so I roped Mum84 in to help.

After a long afternoon working together I finally had my new necker.

Here are the photos of my progress:

That’s not my quiz

it’s for Sis84

Last Friday I had a break from my own fundraising, to go along to a quiz being held to fundraise for my sister’s gang show. I didn’t really want to go but I was reminded that Sis84 has been dragged along to multiple fundraising events for me.

So off we went braving the icy roads to get to the scout hut. It turned out to be a very popular evening as they had to sort out extra tables as there were so many teams taking part.

It started with a table quiz of picture questions on Christmas best selling toys and an alphabet take from sweet wrappers which we had to name the sweet. We started off great, with Dad84 naming all the Lego variations and Mum84 doing well on the sweet wrappers due to her sweet tooth.

The first challenge came with the title of the first round ‘Sport’ well Fam84 are not particularly into sporting events so we dreaded this round. The first question was a complete guess, but had they listened to me they would have got it correct – cricket. Mum84 excelled in her sporting knowledge, knowing the answers to a few including who first ran the four minute mile.
We did so well that at the halfway point we were in 2nd place. Amazing …

The second half was also fun, yet again we guessed a few (OK more than a few!) Dad84 disappointed us by getting the name of the newspaper that Peter Parker works for wrong and Mum84 had a good stab at the musicals and film theme songs. The last two rounds were our best – dingbats and logos. I hate to say it but I just don’t get dingbats even though its say what you see. Thanks to my celebrity big brother guess for one of the logos Mum84 correctly got ‘Bird’s Eye’.

We had a great evening and ended up coming 3rd! Not bad for an amateur team. It has to be noted that the winning team consisted of the family of my Beaver Leader. Congratulations.

Residential

So this week I had the opportunity to go on quite the opposite of a usual camping trip. I went on a relaxing residential with my school as a thank you for doing so well as a year in our mocks.

We arrived and were treated warmly where our first activity was indoor curling. Even though we weren’t doing it on ice we still thought that we had to scrape/ brush the floor. We got told that we had gone wrong and the thing which actually looked like a brush was a stick to push the curls?

We then did t-shirt printing where I went for the flick paint on look. Followed by going to our rooms and then having a buffet tea.

Our evening activity consisted of a quiz where the only answer I’m sure I got correct was when we were asked where beavers lived. I knew the answer was lodges straight away through my scouting experiences. Nether the less, other rounds included, Disney characters, sport trophies, famous celebrities and brand names.

The next morning we did candle making and bisc painting. We then got our chance to go and use the swimming pool where there was a hydro spa and sauna.

In the afternoon, I did Bollywood and street dancing followed by ice skating. In the evening we had a disco where we had the classic school disco songs were playing; a bit of cha cha slide and macarena.

The next morning we played pool and then headed off back home with many new memories having been made.

Q and A with Blue (The mascot of Unit 82, Double Blue)

Wishing all my readers an exciting 2019. I still can’t believe in just over 24 hours time I can start saying ” I’m off to the Jamboree this year.” (I wonder how long it will take my family to get fed up with me saying it!)

To round up 2018 here is an interview Blue and I made while he was staying with me.

Happy New Year,

84

Hi Blue,

An easy one to start, what is your favourite food?
Mmm what a way to start the interview talking about food… Is human an acceptable answer!!
Only joking I can’t bear (do you get it!) marmalade or honey, what is with some bears they have no taste. I’m actually a bear of impeccable taste, my favourite food is Nutella on toast.

So Blue, what are you looking forward to doing most at WSJ2019?
Well that’s an easy one, I’m looking forward to meeting my cousins, I hear that I have a few who live in West Virginia.

Moving swiftly on, what 2 things would you take to a desert island?
Umm can I take 3 things?
No just 2.
Oh it’ll have to be matches and Bear Grylls.
That’s a pretty sneaky answer and I’m sure that Bear Grylls can light a fire without the aid of matches.

In human years how old are you?
Gosh you should never ask a bear his age.

Apart from Bear Grylls who is your favourite bear?
Well you’ve already heard that I’m not a particular fan of Paddington or Winnie so I’d have to say it’s definitely Yogi. If HoHo allows I’d love a trip to Yellowstone National Park.

What is your favourite campfire song?
What a toughie, I think Baby Shark is quite catchy and has potential, but I am quite a traditional bear so it really has to be Kumbaya.

Is there anything that you are afraid of?
Heights, I can’t stand climbing trees I get very dizzy.

If you could have a super power what would you choose?
That’s easy invisibility then I can sneak up on my food.

Since you mentioned food again, do you prefer Double Gloucester or Shropshire Blue?
I’m not sure it would be fair to choose between them. Can I go for a nice Camembert instead?

I’m thinking that it’s time to wrap up this interview, thank you Blue for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet me.

All happening in the run up to Christmas!

Well I’ve had an interested week …

On Monday I went carol singing with the Beavers at an old people’s home.

On Tuesday it got a bit more interesting. While getting out of the car having arrived at school, the lid to my flask of very hot squash came off. It covered the top of my legs and I screamed. My parents who were in the car thought I had seen a spider (see Strategy and Evolution Part 1) but no, I’d managed to spill hot squash down me and it hurt, lots and lots and lots. I got out of the car quickly explained what had happened and then experienced my Mum pouring cold water over me on the pavement near school! We headed into my school where I was given further first aid and then we headed to our local A&E. I was seen really quickly. I had some very large blisters on my legs and I needed to be seen at the regional children’s hospital the next day. I went home to try and get some rest and take more pain killers.

From Radio Times

On Wednesday we travelled to the regional children’s hospital burns outpatient department. We found the lift as we knew it was on the 5th floor and I couldn’t walk up the stairs. Being the children’s hospital the lift announcer was Wallace, from Wallace and Gromit! Going up Gromit, hold on tight Gromit. This made me smile for the first time in 2 days. Another short wait and I was seen. I had to explain what had happened again and eventually had my blisters cleaned and dressings applied. Then we were free to go home – via IKEA for meatballs of course!

On Wednesday evening I was supposed to be singing in my school choir for our annual musical, this year it was Annie. As this involves a lot of standing up and sitting down, I couldn’t take part so I watched in the audience. My sister was an orphan and several of my friends were in the orchestra.

On Thursday I slept, watched movies and went to Rainbows to help my Mum. Gosh, I thought that Beavers were noisy – well those Rainbows really gave them a run for their money. We made Christmas baubles and I ended up cleaning up the left over glitter.

On Friday I slept in and the we travelled to the regional children’s hospital again. Yet another short wait as well as being treated to a song about an emoji poo by hospital staff dressed as Alice in Wonderland characters. I was seen by two Elves! Yes, yesterday was National Elf Service Day and lots of the staff were dressed as Elves. I had good news in that I was healing nicely and don’t have to go back until after Christmas.

When I got home I got to open my mock GCSE results – I did a lot better than I thought I would.

Blue on Tour

Hello!

Guest blogger Blue here. I’m Blue the Bear and I’m the official mascot of Unit 82. At our last unit meet-up I got the chance to hit the road with one of our more distant members and I was shocked to find out they were the secret blogger! I though I’d hijack their blog and tell you a bit about what I’ve been up to.

I got to visit the Beaver Colony that 84 helps out with and see some of the fun and games they get up to. I met their own mascot Barry the Beaver. We were taught about some of the things to take on a camp and the following weekend I went along to their winter camp.  I wonder if any of the beavers I met will be a participant at a future World Scout Jamboree.

I’ve been to visit a museum all about the history of jet planes. It was interesting getting close to the planes. I can’t wait until we fly out for the Jamboree although I imagine the plane will be a lot bigger than the ones I saw. Talking about flying I was really excited when 84 told me about the travel details that had been released.

With Christmas coming up 84 has been out fundraising at Christmas Fayres. I’ve been along to some of these where I was on guard duty looking after the collection pot and keeping an eye on everyone looking at the things she had been making to sell. Fortunately no one tried to buy me because I’m sure I overheard her discussing with her sister how much she could charge for me.

You may have noticed in some of these pictures I’ve been sporting a Double Blue Bow-tie. While I’ve been staying with 84 there was a winter ball for the Explorers and Network members in her county. She went to this with some of her Explorer Group friends, but there were also quite a lot of other Jamboree participants as well and there are some nice pictures taken of them all. 84 made me a bow tie so I could dress the part as well.

As well as all things Scouting, 84 also took me along to a Rainbow meeting. There I met Olivia, the Rainbow mascot. The Rainbows were doing a craft activity with lots of glitter. I think we need more glitter at Double Blue unit meetings. The Rainbows taught me a new song while I was there, a Christmas Nativity song to the tune of the classic campfire “Pizza Hut” song.

This week 84 has been poorly and so been off school and at home during the day. It was nice to get the extra time with her although I am also a bit sad that she is unwell.  I hope she recovers quickly in time for Christmas!

Sadly my time with 84 had to come to an end. Today we went to a meetup of all her county’s Jamboree members where we learnt more about what to expect. At the end of this I hitched a ride back up North.

While I’ve been staying with 84 we’ve written some other blogs together to publish in the future so I’m sure this won’t be the last you hear from me.

Yours in Scouting,

Blue

My Top Ten Christmas Traditions

A countdown of my favourite Christmas Traditions

10. The first decoration to be put up (and last to be taken down) is always the jingle bells on the front door.

9. Being able to sing Christmas songs out of tune for a whole month. On the first day of Christmas …

8. Class Secret Santa.

7. Homemade mince pies (and using the leftover pastry to make jam tarts).

6. Welcoming back Eddie, our Elf on the Shelf. This year he also brought his girlfriend to visit. (She had a slight accident yesterday when my Dad and I saw her leap from her hiding place onto the floor!)

5. Not finishing my Advent Calendar (even if it’s got chocolate in).

4. Not opening any presents until Mum has had her first cup of tea of the day.

3. Arguing over whose turn it is to put the angel on top of the Christmas Tree.

2. Pretending not to notice that mum has rearranged all the decorations on the Christmas Tree after we went to bed.

1. Boxing Day lunch at my Nanny’s house.

13 things I hate about being left handed

Another weekend and another camp to recover from!

I’ll write about that another time but to give me a chance to rest here are 13 things I hate about being left-handed (Fact 42)

  1. When writing you end up with pen all up the side of your hand.
  2. You have to go out of your way to buy left handed scissors (all the supermarket school stationery sections only stock right handed ones)
  3. Bumping elbows with a righty.
  4. Being told you’re left handed by someone who you knows you and suddenly realises and asks how long have you been left handed.
  5. Having to self teach yourself how to do things oppositely like archery.
  6. Most door handles are made for right handed people.
  7. The mouse being defaulted to use with your right hand ergonomically.
  8. Having to buy left handed stuff in general i.e. can openers, rulers, pencil sharpeners, screwdrivers, etc.
  9. The constant threat of being burnt at the stake for being a witch.
  10. The annoyance of being the odd one out in a family of right handers.
  11. Everyone complaining that I’m not really a lefty as I used to eat right handed, although rather inefficiently.
  12. People always assume everyone’s right handed – in restaurants tables are set up for right handed people.
  13. Being told “I bet you’re really creative.”

But the best thing about being left handed is the left handed handshake comes naturally.

PS there’s a town called Left Hand in West Virginia.

84 facts about 84

I thought for this blog I would tell you some facts about me.

  1. I’m a girl
  2. I’m taking my GCSEs next year
  3. I went back to school last Thursday
  4. I go to an all-girls school
  5. I’m taking 12 GCSEs
  6. I took the equivalent of a GCSE this year – it was a HPQ (which is a higher project qualification)
  7. My favourite subject is Maths
  8. I dance frequently
  9. I started dancing at the age of 3
  10. I dance contemporary
  11. I started scouting at the age of 6
  12. I was the only girl in my Beaver colony
  13. I’m now a Beaver young leader
  14. My Beaver young leader name is Snail
  15. I went to a different troop for Cubs and Scouts than I did for Beavers
  16. I was a Rainbow
  17. I was a Brownie
  18. My Mum is a Rainbow leader
  19. My Dad was a Cub
  20. My Nan was a Brown Owl
  21. My Great Grandma was an Akela with Cubs
  22. My Aunt was a Guide leader and a Ranger leader
  23. I’ve been to Brownsea Island
  24. I’ve been to Australia
  25. I’ve been to America
  26. I’ve been to France
  27. I’ve been to Wales
  28. I’ve been to Germany
  29. I’ve been to Belgium
  30. I can understand 2 languages – Python (a coding language) and English
  31. I know a bit of German and French
  32. In binary 84 is 01010100
  33. I have a black cat
  34. I have a new kitten
  35. I have two Bunnies
  36. This one isn’t about me but it needs saying – cats are better than dogs
  37. I love hoodies
  38. My favourite colour is lilac
  39. My favourite TV show is The Flash
  40. I have never seen all the Harry Potter movies
  41. Fence posts are hard to hammer in
  42. I’m left handed meaning that I am part of the 10% of the population which aren’t right handed or ambidextrous
  43. I spent the last Friday of the summer holidays round a campfire
  44. I love to read
  45. It’s one of my many Auntie’s birthdays today – Happy Birthday
  46. I have 16 cousins (not all with the same Auntie)
  47. I like to tell jokes
  48. I’m on my 48th fact – backwards 84
  49. I went to the cinema today
  50. I’ve broken one of my habits over the summer holidays
  51. I’m rubbish at replying to emails – sorry guys
  52. I’m 5/8 through my fundraising
  53. I despise wasps
  54. I got stung by a wasp in the summer holidays
  55. I’ve been stung twice by wasps
  56. My favourite dish is lasagne
  57. I have my own domain name
  58. I’ve got an elf on the shelf
  59. Our elf on the shelf is called Eddie
  60. I’ve got around about 40 of the unit badges
  61. I am aiming to get all 100
  62. I’m lazy as I started writing this on Sunday and it’s now Wednesday (Edit: its now Saturday and I’ve decided that I’ll back track the date.  Edit: now it’s a week late!)
  63. My unit name is very cheesy
  64. 64 zoo lane
  65. My favourite Nintendo Switch game is Mario Kart
  66. I’ve got the same size feet as both my Mum and my Sister
  67. The year 2087 is when I’ll turn 84
  68. My favourite superheroes are all DC
  69. I’ve started bullet journaling
  70. I’ve got my bronze DofE and I’m going to start silver soon
  71. My sister is annoying
  72. My go to outfit is usually a striped top with jeans
  73. I know the whole of the phonetic alphabet – ish
  74. Pepsi Max is nicer than coke zero
  75. I own a Vaude tent
  76. Mint choc chip ice-cream is the best
  77. I’m learning my flags
  78. I have a west country accent (but I don’t come from there)
  79. My favourite kids’ TV programme was Charlie and Lola
  80. I love classic 80s music
  81. I’m a bit addicted to Costa mint chocolate chip Frostinos
  82. I’ve just walked out of Frankie and Benny’s restaurant
  83. I need one more fact as it’s very hard to come up with facts
  84. One of the above facts is a lie