Pax Ho Camp June 2007

Words and photos by Isobel Gower - Guide Leader 46th Sheffield Guides

This year we went to camp with 45th/99th Sheffield Guides. It all started at Carsington water with a picnic, although I forgot to take any lunch! And then it was time to go mountain biking. Most of us managed the 8 ½ miles and 7 hills to complete a circuit of Carsington Water although some of the hills required pushing our bikes!

If that wasn’t enough exercise for the day, we then had to walk to the campsite at nearby Pax Ho. Although some of us were tempted to stow away in a car, it was worth the walk, as I decided to take a shortcut across the fields, unfortunately the footpath disappeared and we ended up having to take a short diversion, needless to say we were all glad to see Sue and realise we were almost there.

Next it was time to put our light weight patrol tents up, which was a new experience for quite a few of us and then we had to cook our own tea on fires, all good fun once we had our fire alight! By the time we washed up it was time for bed.

Saturday dawned misty and after bacon and eggs for breakfast we had to do that walk back to Carsington Water for the days activities. Some of us went sailing, some kayaked, and some canoed and most of us got wet.

After another picnic lunch and a who can make the longest daisy chain competition and it was time for raft building, races and another opportunity to get wet. Then it was time to go back to camp and to cook dinner, dessert had a twist, we were given swiss rolls, bananas, chocolate and custard and there was a competition who could make the best pudding, the train won, but there was also a picture of a tree, a butterfly and some more abstract creations.

Sunday was sunny and bright, breakfast was leisurely and then it was time to go and visit the llamas. They were all tied up in the field waiting for us. The older ones of us (you had to be 11) got to lead the llamas they were quite flighty so we had to hold on tight. When we got back to the farm we got to hold some chickens.

Then it was back to camp for lunch and then a South American wide game. We were journalists trying to find animals for a Nature magazine. And then it was time to finish packing up the camp and go home, all feeling tired but looking forward to going camping again next year.....

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Last updated 4 July, 2007