News Blog

This is a live feed from the Lochearnhead 2008 Blog. Whilst we're away, the blog will be updated so that parents and friends can see what we've been up to.

• Everyone's out on the Hills
  Posted by Keith on 21 August 2008 | 10:43 pm
  Today, most clans are out on the hill.MacBeth are climbing Ben Nevis; McQueen and McFly are in high camp on Ben Lawers, McPhee and McMullen are camping on Ben Lui.McDonald, McFlurry and McVitie are on bike camp at Invertrossachs. This is them cooking dinner:The bike ride was obviously too much for Joe:Back at the station we had pork chops with stuffing followed by jam roly-poly and custard. Eric the Viking has joined us for a few days.
  
  
• The Wind Returns
  Posted by Keith on 21 August 2008 | 10:03 pm
  It's back - so we were back on the loch this afternoon:I didn't realise it was that windyand you really didn't want to do that!
  
  
• Sailing on the Platform
  Posted by Keith on 21 August 2008 | 9:12 pm
  Another windless start to the day, so some more theory work on the platform for the sailors.Seems to have been a laugh!
  
  
• Scaryoke (Karaoke Scottish style)
  Posted by Keith on 21 August 2008 | 11:57 am
  Even when it rains we can enjoy ourselves.Last night (Wednesday) Karaoke came to the station. Wilkins Bob suely wouldn't approve?Please pass the cheese!
  
  
• Foody Disaster
  Posted by Keith on 20 August 2008 | 10:56 pm
  A food delivery arrived today. As you'll see, this is more than your average family shop:There were six full cages delivered - but unfortunately only five of them were for us. The sixth had a variety of items for which we had no use - small ketchup portions (we get it by the bucketload), 1000 OXO cubes and 200 individually wrapped toilet soaps amongst other items. Even our legendary catering team would have trouble cooking up something intersting from that mixture (Ian H [prolific blogger] may disagree and send us a recipe?)The cage that was missing contained our "luxury items" - chips, ice cream and chocolate sauce.We've got around it - for dinner tonight we had chicken curry followed by pineaple upside down cake with custard.
  
  
• Laura and Stephen's Bithdays
  Posted by Keith on 20 August 2008 | 10:44 pm
  We've had two birthdays today - Laura Tomlinson and Stephen Norris.Laura celebrated by doing the highland fling on the summit of Stuc a Chroin - for clarity, Laura is the one not wearing the skirt.As a birthday gift from all of us, we allowed Laura and Stephen to open the karaoke night with their very special rendition of "You're the One That I Want"Stephen is now off campaigning for Mayor of London again. Jeffrey Archer is advising.
  
  
• It's Raining :(
  Posted by Keith on 20 August 2008 | 10:31 am
  Since breakfast, it's been raing here. To add insult to injury, there is no wind either - so sailing isn't much of an option.Sailors have been catching up on their theory work in this hastily constructed vessel on the station platform:Everyone else is out enjoying themselves!
  
  
• a sunny day in the mountains
  Posted by Keith on 19 August 2008 | 10:09 pm
  We've had a fabulous day today with sunshine all day.Three groups have gone biking for two days and others were up Ben Vorlich or on the loch.This evening we had Linda's very filling lasagne and rhubarb crumble.Robin Warren, our chief kayaking instructor, celebated his 53rd birthday today with a cake that we cut into 130 pieces!
  
  
• Arrival II
  Posted by Keith on 19 August 2008 | 8:20 am
  The sun is shining and the midges are still in bed - and 80 odd happy faces have just turned up in the village - safe and sound.
  
  
• Arrival
  Posted by Keith on 19 August 2008 | 8:15 am
  The coach is 8 miles from the station
  
  
• Advance Party Arrival
  Posted by Keith on 18 August 2008 | 11:27 am
  20 or so leaders have arrived in Scotland and are staying just down the road at the Invertrossachs Scout Camp.Photo's seem to be a problem at the moment - but trust me - we had breakfast sitting outside in the sunshine!
  
  
• Weather Update
  Posted by Keith on 11 August 2008 | 12:31 pm
  I've had reports from Bishops Stortford District of wet and dreary weather this week at the station. However, I have just received the latest 10 day forecast which covers the beginning of next week.What does it predict? ..............Certainly the beginning of our trip looks to be good, with sunny afternoons and only 10% chance of precipitation. More updates when I get them!
  
  
• Evening Activities Programme Launched
  Posted by Keith on 4 August 2008 | 1:32 pm
  There will be a full programme of evening activities whilst we are away - all put together by Christine and her team.Included (in no particular order) are:Mountain Rescue talkHighland GamesThe Big Birthday PartyKaraokeKilt MakingVideo NightAbseilingand the Final Ceilidh (a Scottish Party)Also, Lisa and Keith will be leading the Singstar® competition.Here's a picture of their last effort:
  
  
• Water Training Weekend
  Posted by Keith on 30 June 2008 | 10:39 pm
  Here's the campsite after the high tide: Emma working hard again and this is Ollie over the other side of the lake Lisa will love this shot This is the Expolorer's attempt at a Flintsonesque raft and the video:
  
  
• The before breakfast challenge
  Posted by Keith on 25 June 2008 | 1:26 pm
  Whilst in Scotland I did the short walk from Ardvorlich to the top of the ben and back.here are some shots from the top:Looking back towards Loch Earn along the ridgeand finally towards Ben More
  
  
• Recce Trip to Scotland
  Posted by Keith on 25 June 2008 | 1:12 pm
  A few weeks ago I visited the station to sort out a few odds and ends. Here are some photos:The station in spring colours View from the Lochside towards Glen Vorlich The hut at Invertrossachs (our mountian biking base) and the camping area at the same place
  
  
• a couple of pics from the Orchard Farm Training weekend
  Posted by Axle on 6 June 2008 | 3:41 pm
  
  
  
• Newbie posting !
  Posted by Axle on 5 June 2008 | 5:17 pm
  First time on a blog !Orchard Farm was excellent, looking forward to the main event now.
  
  
• Lets hear your thoughts
  Posted by Axle on 4 June 2008 | 12:44 pm
  I had a really great time at Orchard Farm on the Training weekend. I have posted some pics on my facebook account which some of you may have seen. I will soon be posting some here too.Stay Tuned !!Alex
  
  
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  Posted by Keith on 3 June 2008 | 12:25 am
  
  
  

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