Reading Central Explorer Scouts Activity Weekend - Wye Valley, Glocs.
27^th - 29^th September 2002.

Click on the thumbnails to see full-size picture.

This was the first weekend trip away for the newly-formed Reading Central Explorer Scout Unit. 5 Leaders took 9 Explorer Scouts (a mixture of boys and girls) away to the Forest of Dean for a couple of days of activities. We all camped at the Holly Barn, which is conveniently just down the road from Symonds Yat.

Friday
We all arrived fairly late in the evening at about the same time, setup camp and then set about arranging some supper for us all. Emily & I nipped out to the pub and were amazed to find that "The Rock" (a long-time old haunt) had closed and was now a motel! We settled for a pint in "The New Inn" instead.

Saturday
In the morning the Scouts went on an organised mountain biking expedition whilst Emily & I went round to visit Sparkie. We then went in to Coleford to do some shopping for ourselves and to get a few bits and pieces for Sparkie. We all met back up back at the campsite and had lunch. The afternoon saw some Scouts going canoeing down the river Wye whilst the rest of us went up to Yat Rock to do some climbing. Ian gave us a fairly extensive tour around the area, including a peer over the edge of "Snoozing Suzie" before we set up a couple of climbs and an abseil and got on with the main event. Everyone had a go at climbing and abseiling and some of the Scouts also practised belaying each other under our supervision. After the evening meal we went off in the minibus to the "Dog & Muffler" in Joyford only to find that it had transformed almost beyond recognition into a near-gourmet posh restaurant! What on Earth is the world coming to?! We resorted to the Pike House at Berry Hill instead who generously opened up the skittles alley for us all to sit in. The adults had a couple of beers and the kids had cokes and skittles before we took Sparkie home and returned to the campsite, quietly going to bed (or as quietly as is possible with a group of excited teenagers)...

Sunday
Today the previous day's canoeing and climbing groups swapped over (with the odd exception) and we went back to our relevant activity locations. We got plenty of climbing and abseiling done and then walked up to the view point to take in the scenery (see photos). Then it was back to camp to meet the canoeists for lunch and take down our tents. Once was all packed away we called it a day and went our separate ways.