This November, 84s Universities Scouts and Guide Group (BUSAG) are co-hosting Oktoberfest rally for SSAGO. As such she decided that at the upcoming summer rally she would do some fundraising.
For this 84, decided that to keep on brand they shall make and sell pretzels so this afternoon she tested a recipe. I could not let 84 have all the fun so I decided to help her.
We decided to use the following recipe which can be found here and below is me helping her make them.
They were very tasty and I give them 4 out of 5 stars. I can’t wait for 84 to make them again so I can steal them to eat.
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.
sunset on Thursday night
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.
Briefing
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.
Blue in ‘The Lid’
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.
Campfire!!
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.
Good 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.
Blue Watching the Coronation
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.
At the Scouts Own/Closing Ceremony
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.
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.
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.)
Where is 84 taking me?
Have you guessed it yet?
Skyline of London
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”.
Inside the White House!!
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!
Recently 84 has got a new mascot (don’t worry, I am not being replaced yet!!) from BUSAG (Birmingham Universities Scout and Guides). It’s called Orinoco, after the Wombles and 84 has him due to being on the 2022-23 committee as publicity officer. I hope to become good friends with Orinoco and I am planning on interviewing him soon.
When 84 told me that we would soon be enjoying some Brownies I thought wow, Beavers and Scouts weren’t enough each week and that she was volunteering to do Brownies as well. Well that couldn’t have been further from the truth when I realised that she wasn’t taking about the ones who wear yellow and brown uniforms but the gooey yummy delicious ones baked by Sam at The Sugar Rose Kitchen.
Valentine Brownie Selection
My taste buds are now on high alert, I’ve had them before and they are the best brownies north of Brownsea Island.
The Christmas selection was divine with a true mixture of flavours – Mince Pie, Mint Chocolate and Cranberry and Orange Tiffin, my bear senses are now in overload at the thought of trying the valentine selection.
First up from 84 was the hot stuff chilli chocolate brownie, oh my that tangled my taste buds, a brownie that tasted of chilli con carne!
Next up was triple chocolate, a smooth tasting gooey delight which calmed my senses after the hot stuff one.
Following on from the first two 84 gave me the raspberry ripple blondie. Sweet sticky raspberry goodness in a light golden brownie.
After a brief break to enjoy a cuppa I settled down to try the rest, sweetheart rocky road – a rocky road with mini marshmallows and gummy hearts ❤️
Eating a Brownie (look how big it is!!)
Turkish delight came next a gooey brownie containing Turkish delight pieces and topped with edible flower petals.
Lastly was the Oreo brownie, two of my favourite things Oreos and brownies. Large pieces of crushed Oreos in gooey rich chocolate brownie, what’s not to like. This one sent my taste buds out of this world and I ended up sneaking most of the slice much to the disappointment of 84.
In conclusion (pulling out the big words now, go me) brownies from The Sugar Rose Kitchen are divine. I can’t wait to taste the next one’s or I might switch it up a bit and have cupcakes or cookie sandwiches.
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.
One year ago, I returned home from the best summer of my life. Over 21 days, I made new international friends, learnt about different cultures and was able to share my stories. Since my return a year ago I have been on a reunion camp, raised funds for EJ2020 (let’s not talk about that), met up with my Shropshire friends, been on a day trip to Poland, become Maths captain, written some more blog posts, been in lock down and finished year 12. I am still so grateful that it was COVID-19 and not COVID-18 but I never expected a year after returning from WSJ the world would be a completely different place.
Over the past weekend I completed online Strategy and Evolution. For the past 2 years I have helped out with Strategy and attended Evolution as a participant. The weather has usually been warm and sunny during this camp and this year also lived up to the warm weather.
Blue painting my nails
During this weekend we would complete different activities on the Saturday earning points as a team. Different activities would include; nail painting, obstacle course, wire maze, first aid, bag check, ring toss etc. For the online version we were set 15 activities to complete. These included; spending a night outside, nail painting, first aid, drinking a pint of water, designing a new weapon, making ice cream, creating your own campsite, etc.
Blue and I both participated together and Blue tried to paint my nails in triple blue. I really enjoyed participating and so did Blue and we cannot wait until we can go camping again.
