What a full day of walking, and Challenge Hill

It was heaps cold here at Woodhouse. There was frost on the grass and it steamed as the sun came up over the trees. It was good to be able to sit there and watch while having a hot drink. Just a pity Akela couldn’t get any hot water in the showers this morning! So needless to say, the shower this morning got missed. Good thing she has deodorant!

 Once everyone had arrived, and tents had been set up, it was time to make lunch and get them into the day packs. The plan – to walk the Hysen Trail to Arbury Park and have lunch there. The walk counted towards the Nature Play badge that has just recently become available for Joeys to earn. While on the trail at different parts, the joeys were asked to stop and listen, to explain what they could hear. It was also about this time that the adults were trying to convince the Joeys that Drop Bears live in the trees they were walking under. We’re not sure they were convinced. Except when maybe Akela pointed out to Koala poo and told them it was Drop Bear Poo they gave it a bit of serious thought.

 After lunch was eaten, and the Joeys had run around the park and explored around the lake areas, we headed back to Woodhouse. It was definitely a nice day for a walk and a great day to take in the surrounds.

 Back at Woodhouse, it was time to get in touch with the On Duty Warden and have a safety talk about Challenge Hill (even if Akela wants to call it the Comando Course). The Joeys did VERY well and attempted every piece on Challenge Hill.

 On the way back to the Lones Hut, it was time to pick up pieces of wood for the campfire. There was certainly a lot laying around to use and everyone carried what they could back to the campfire area. It was important to have a lot of hot coals to cook tea as it was being cooked on the campfire pit. Well, the main course was – dessert was being cooked in the oven in the Lones Hut (apple pie). The tea turned out very well (sausages and veg) and the parents were surprised that the meal worked and that it even tasted good.

 After tea, it was time to simply sit around the camp fire and enjoy them warmth. It was kind of hard to do any singing with only two Joeys. However, they were quite happy to watch the flames and poke the wood before being sent to bed. A defiantly warmer place to be.