This year's traditional craft activity was making fruits from marzipan. Skippy was on hand to oversee the operation along with the other 6 leaders to try to contain the food dye and stop the Cubs from redecorating the hall.

After the chance of rain, Akela decided to cancel the planned walk from Lonan Church. Instead we went a slightly more tame one to the Beach and along through the woods, stopping for a few games.

Leaders: Akela & Kaa.

The third annual bunkhouse trip took place on Friday 15 September. This year we had more Sixers & Seconders than ever before due to the addition of an extra six. We were also able to accommodate the female Sixers. The Friday night is the traditional "rough it" style activity. Watertrough Cottage is fairly basic with no toilet, wash facilities or lighting and only a basic kitchen area and stove for cooking and eating. Upon arrival the Cubs were sent to collect the wood necessary to keep the place warm overnight. Not unsurprisingly the boys went about 6 miles away and came back hours later with about two twigs each. Following that they thought about the various issues involved with camping on their own and we simulated their arrival at the bunkhouse after a day’s hiking as best we could. After a brief hike and a couple of widegames in South Barrule we headed back for something to eat and a few games before Akela’s arrival. Ghost stories then ensued until about 01:30 when his breath ran out.

Those of us who managed to get some sleep then got up reasonably early and went to collect fire wood again (Akela had decided sleep was not necessary and thus stayed up stoking the fire all night). Next job for the leaders was to drag Frankie from his bed whilst the Cubs began the job of burning the bacon. 20 minutes later they had their breakfast and the leaders even sampled it…2nd Onchan had asked us to try and get rid of the rodent infestation so we did our best and throw the remaining bacon into the undergrowth. Next the onslaught began with the arrival of the rest of the Pack at 10am. The mornings program was then shelter building, a blind fold trail and a couple of games before lunch (…this time cooked by the leaders). The Cubs then had some free time which turned into stick fighting and increased our number of cuts and scratches dramatically. Finally we returned to South Barrule planatation for some games before tiding up the hut and going home…

(No photos were taken due to an exploding battery in the camera!)

Our first badge night was spent completing the personal safety packs brought along by our new leader Tabaqui.