Camp Leader - Louise Slee & Helpers Paul Calleja-Gera, Steve Hanks, Sharon & Mat, Steve & Julia Radnor with Josh.
Camping were - Oliver Roberts, Anthony Hanks, Tom Wardell, Tom Richell, James and Elliott Thurland,
Matthew Evans and Joe Pritchard.
The Hut - An ex Milking Barn converted into a 13 bunk camping hut by Bill Henkinson some years ago, with several acres of field and trees. Next to it is a listed cider press house.

(Photo Album - 3 pages)

The Hut

The Campers

A toaster. Gift left for Bill & Kate in appreciation of their hospitality.

Wednesday 28th July 2004 - Advance party, Louise and Paul, arrived at Checkley at noon, having laid out road markers for the main party. First things first, made a cuppa. Inspected the hut - brilliant venue, acres of fields. Bill Henkinson, owner of the site, and daughter Kate, an Explorer Scout, turned up and proceeded to cut the fields for tents and walkway. We were introduced the six cows, one in calf. their dog Rosie quickly made friends. Main party arrived 2pm and settled in after exploring the site. Bell tent pitched and Leader tents thrown together quite professionally. Games followed, fire lighting, Leaders rested, and off on a night hike through the orchards. Back home in pitch dark and to bed about 11.45pm, four in the Bell and four in the Hut. Sharon Kirkham and Mat turned up.

Thursday 29th July 2004 - Up at 7am, full English breakfast, cleared site and hut, and braced ourselves to tackle the hike recommended by Kate Henkinson, the Mordiford loop. Sandwich lunch prepared and packed in rucksacks, bottles of water filled and checked, and we set off about noon. The loop is some 6 miles long, when you consider the vertical rises from 120 feet above sea level to over 550 feet. The Loop passes through some beautiful countryside, and is the habitat of the SMALL WHITE Butterfly, Pieris rapae. In several places visited, Scouts were asked to give as accurate a map reference as possible to where they stood. This was checked with a GPS system, and both Mat's team and Anthony's team gave a fair good guess on two occasions. Ice cream enjoyed outside Mordiford Post Office, and lunch was had sitting by the River Lugg, with the Scouts IN the River Lugg seeing how far they could walk out, and skimming stones. We also visited the beautiful church and the warden kindly filled our water bottles, with what some Scouts thought was Holy Water. They felt so much better after their first sip!!  Back on track we encountered a frog, small whites, ground wasps' next - vicious lot!, a herd of cows, a wild looking dog guarding a footpath who turned out to be quite loving and tame, and a young cyclist perched like an imp on top of a signpost, who gave us directions. He apparently owned the loving dog! An excellent day's hike. Steve Hanks turned up tonight, and Scouts built bivouacs. Steve Radnor arrived, and late evening Sharon and Mat said goodbye. Off to bivouacs, but it rained hard tonight so Scouts quietly raced for the shelter of the bell tent. 

Friday 30th July 2004 - Up early for cereals juice and toast, wishing Anthony a happy 13th. Visit Hereford day. Louise left for the day to attend to family business. Paul and the two Steves drove to Murdiford, and parked in the Moon Inn car park (b y prior arrangement) and waited for the 10.46 bus to Hereford. It didn't show for 1/2 hour and Municipal offices confirmed it was running 1/2 hour late. It finally showed and the day was spent exploring Hereford. First trip to the Cider museum, then to Hereford cathedral for a visit and sandwich lunch. Then to the Swimming Pool complete with water slide and wave machine. Mid afternoon we all headed for the shops and spent some money on souvenirs and tuck, and gift for Bill and Kate. Bus back to Murdiford at 4.30pm and enjoyed ice cream from the Post Office - our second! Julia and Josh were waiting for us at the Moon Inn. Drove back to camp. Louise returned from her long journey, very welcome as she had the packs of meat balls for supper. Meat balls, sauce, mash and veg were absolutely fabulous. Followed by slices of oranges and drinks.  Joined tonight for lunch and overnight sleep, Danny Cox who lives in next door cottage with mum Lucinda and sister Rose (aka Tom). Wide game in the upper field and everyone so tired they retired! Anthony, Mat and Oliver slept under the dining shelter near the hut, and the rest, with Danny, in the Bell tent. All rested well.

Saturday 31st July 2004 - Early up all round, with breakfast of a few hundred eggs turned into a scramble, with bacon and toast, and some left over meat balls. Not much left over! Scouts were given free time whilst Leaders rested and chatted. Then it was time to strike tents, pack up and clear up the hut. Parents turned up at noon, and trailer unpacked by 2pm. A brilliant camp, thanks to a chance encounter by Louise with Bill at Gilwell 24 - living proof of Scout Law No.4. - We'll be back to Checkley soon...