Trip to Victor Harbor

Today, Akela and I (with Rufus) went to Victor Harbour. We had to leave early, but it was definitely worth it.

When we arrived, we met up with Akela’s family, who were staying there, before going to Port Elliott. In Port Elliott, we went did some window shopping and Elliott Hotel for lunch. From there, Akela, her family and I went for a walk around Port Elliott, before heading to the station to catch a steam train.

When we got to Victor, we went for a walk around the Bluff. On the walk, we found a geocache, which we logged. It was a very good view from the top of the bluff and we were thinking we would look for another cache which was close by. However, there were a few too many people around, so we will come back at another time to have a look for it.

Once we had finished the walk, it was time to head back to Akela’s parents house, for tea and a evening of laughter with the family.

Christmas Day 2015

Today, Akela and I took Rufus to Akela’s family Christmas Day activities. We went swimming and lay in the bush to dry out. It was a warm 37C (98.6F) for most of the day, so using the swimming pool was definitely the coolest place to be (apart from under the cooler maybe!)

We enjoyed the two meals we had. It is a good thing we are going to the Jamboree in the New Year, as we will need to do a lot of walking and this will help us walk off the Christmas food.

We hope everyone had a great day and that for those who are missing people who may no longer be with us in a physical sense, they will always be with us.

T20 Big Bash - Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars

This evening, Akela, took Wilbur and Rufus went to the Big Bash T20 game at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars.  

Adelaide won the game, and Rufus really enjoyed it, despite the heat. Akela said she will take us to the next home game on the 31^st of December.

Hanging out with Akela

Today, Akela took Rufus and Wilbur with her to sell raffle tickets for the Playford Christmas Pageant. They are selling tickets to raise money to cover the costs of the road closures for the Pageant. It is a volunteer committee that put it together and one of the major costs is for the road closures to ensure safety. Sitting in the air conditioning at the Shopping Centre was certainly welcome today as the temps got to 41.1C!

We think Akela was good to help out when needed and demonstrates that Scouts are helpful (one of the scout laws!)

Cubs 100 – The Wildest Birthday Ever! (Clip from Scout Association in England)

2016 will see the Cub Scout Section celebrating worldwide 100 years of Cub Scouts.

Scouting itself started in 1907, with different sections for the different age groups being added over time.

Cub Scouts as a section started in 1916, and Scouts Australia – SA Branch will be planning activities to help packs celebrate this milestone.

In the meantime, have a look at the clip produced by the Scout Association in England about the 100 years of Cub Scouts.

Mawson Lakes Scout Group Christmas Break Up

This evening was the Scout Group Break Up at the Hall. Rufus the Joey Bear has come home with Akela for the summer holidays. I am sure we will be having a great time together and gives us another person to hang out with for the summer. He has brought his diary folder as well, so Akela can write up our adventures over the holidays. We are going to have such a great time. I think he might even get to attend the Jamboree in a few weeks with us!

 

 

Salisbury Christmas Pageant 2015

Today was the Salisbury Christmas Parade. Once again, Mawson Lakes Scout Group was involved.

 This year, the group even scored free Krispy Kreames, which the youth members seem to enjoy. Akela declined as she isn’t really keen on glazed donuts.

 Overall, it was a great day, the youth members had fun and I am sure we’ll be back again next year to do it all over again.

Branch Commisioner for Cubs Train Challenge visit

This evening, the Cub Pack, with the Joey Mob and a couple of Scouts, visited the National Railway Museum at Port Adelaide.

 The visit was a part of the Branch Commissioner for Cub Scouts Train Challenge for 2015.

 It was a enjoyable night and the Cubs certainly had a great night exploring the museum.

 

 

Heysen District Observation Hike

Today, some Mawson Lakes Cubs, Akela, Bagheera and myself went into City to participate in the Hysen District Cub Observation Walk. We met at Mawson Lakes Train Station, before catching the train into town.

The weather was great, the questions challenging for the cubs (especially given their idea of observation needs to be worked– they were more interested in  watching the ducks and swans on the River Torrens)

While we didn’t finish all the questions, we answered what we could. Bagheera and Akela think we should be able to use the questions as a basis for another activity through town in the new year (Akela is already thinking of when and how). But it was a good day for a leisurely walk around the Torrens

September Cub Camp Sunday

Today, the cubs were a bit slower to get out of bed, but the day was looking gorgeous and the Cubs were really looking forward to going on Challenge Hill.

After breakfast, the Cubs packed some of their personal gear into their bags, before they got to have a bit of time to explore. Then, it was time to start the activity of doing some photography around the campsite. Mainly centred on the Creek that runs through the property. But also included walking around the Old House, and having a explore of the gardens and chapel area (where Akela ran a impromptu Scouts Own)

From here, the Pack headed to Challenge Hill and the Cubs were definitely challenged, but excited by the challenges they tackled and achieved while doing it – especially the slide at the end

Once we finished here, we headed back to camp for lunch. The cubs finished packing their personal gear and shifted it out of the tents, before having lunch. It allowed the tents a chance to air before they were taken down after lunch and packed up. All to soon, the parents arrived and the cubs were loaded into cars for the trip home. I know that we are looking forward to hearing how many fell asleep on the way home, and that most, if not all, are looking forward to sleeping in their own beds tonight – Akela and I definitely are!

 

 

September Camp - Saturday

Today, as usual, saw the Cubs getting up early. Akela has decided that she is going to work on this for the next camp! It was frosty, but there was no sign of clouds, or rain, which is a bonus. Being cold is one thing, but being cold and wet is another, and one Akela is glad she didn’t have to deal with.

Once breakfast was done and dusted (and the cubs had worked out it was warmer in day clothes than PJs), it was time to make lunches and pack day packs. The plan was to have lunch at the look out at Mt Lofty, and this certainly went according to plan. The Cubs found the work both enjoyable and challenging. The view at the top of Mt Loft was definitely worth it.

After lunch and the group photo that Akela insisted upon, we headed back to camp, still via the Heysen Trail, but via the loop that takes in the Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens. It was certainly a nice afternoon walk. Certainly a nice day to walk through the gardens. The Cubs were doing really well to walked so far, and did so well.

 Once back at camp, it was time to just relax and collect some firewood for the campfire. A couple took the chance to go have a hot shower before tea preparations started in earnest. It was a relaxing evening cooking the meal and some free time prior to tea for the cubs. The cubs enjoyed the campfire and even Akela’s 1^st attempt at a new Apple Crumble recipe worked well! So much so, that one of the cubs said it was better than the one her mum cooked at home.

It wasn’t long after the meal was finished that the cubs were in bed and asleep for the night. They were tired after the walk and were quite willing to go to bed – in fact, one cub even asked to go to bed! We will admit, it wasn’t that long before Akela and I headed to bed as well and the sleeping bag was a welcome sight

 

 

1st night at Camp

Today was the day Mawson Lakes Cubs headed to Camp. It was a evening of setting up tents, walking around Woodhouse as a night time explore – with cubs complaining about the cold (it got down to 3.5C when Akela and I headed to bed at 11:30pm) and a cub or two getting concerned about the dark. But the energy levels were high though and there was the usual smattering of talking as the cubs went to bed….

Urban Art Australia - Scout Hall Project

We were on facebook this morning and came across this very interesting Urban Art Australia Project, where they painted a Scout Hall interstate (in New South Wales – we live in South Australia).

Anyhow, we decided it looked so interesting that we would share it here via my blog. It is certainly a interesting joint community venture between two community organizations.

What is AFL? Aussie Rules Explained

One thing that Wilbur has done, with Akela, has attended AFL games.

We appreciate that many overseas people reading my blog may not understand this game. So, when we saw this on line this evening, we simply had to share it, so that people could learn more
about Australian Football.

We hope that you find it useful and educational.

Ridley District Cub Hike

Today, Akela and I attended the annual Ridley District Cub Hike. We had 4 cubs and 2 brothers attend the hike today, and it was certainly a nice day for it. While there was a forecast of rain, it didn’t arrive. This meant while it was a little cool, it made the hike pleasant as it wasn’t overly hot and the Cubs enjoyed the hike (as did the parents and aunt who attended the hike with the Cubs)

Overall, a great hike and one we hope will happen again next year.