The Inkwell
#Writephoto #Fantasy
For years that place in the middle of the sea was
a folly, a place for the well to do’s to admire from their
nice windows of the lakeside apartments
today, its so much more than this – it’s
a place where your imagination can go mad
somewhere you can land your boat and pitch a tent
you’ll think you’re back to your schooldays – some say its better
#Scouts #Cubs #Beavers #Supper
The ingredients were simple enough,
Taters in the embers of some dying beechwood
Corned beef, Some Carrots and a very big onion
Butter for frying, and some stock cubes for flavour
The Metallic billy can protected by the finest washing liquid
as flames licked the sides of the can
As the potatoes softened, the onions went see-through
hiding amongst the beef
and as the bubbles rose bringing the feast together
chef prepared his serving spoons – as it was served in tin mugs
in the other can ? usually tea but not that night
as chocolate buns were served for afters – with hot cocoa.
Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Ventures all headed for bed after Campfire – with Smiles on their faces.
They said “Ban Soap at Camp”….but this rule didn’t apply to the cookware….as the recepticles enjoyed a dip in the bubbliest of alfresco baths and a scrub getting rid of charcoaled washing liquid
#SoCs #Holidays
Packing our bags again
as we head off for a country break
camping under some national park stars
key to this essential journey – notepad, camera and pencils
if needed – wellies and wet weather gear
navigation and maps essential for hiking and
good sleeping bag for kipping under canvas
#CYW #Brown #Wet #Mud #Footprints #Camping
Camping out in the wilds, has its disadvantages
As the weather can be particularly nasty
Making your way across the field to the washroom as
Persistant little raindrops land on your head
If you gave it some thought – you would have moved the tent
Now everyone will know who disturbed their sleep – as you’re
Going to leave a trail – right up to your tent!
the triangle a simple one
heat air and fuel
started by a little spark
amongst the smallest of shavings
Little flame eating
everything around it
kept at bay
by logs and bricks
Starting off slowly
the flames begin to grow
dining on everything near it
apart from the Billy can above
bread on a green stick
changes with the dancing flames
from dough to delight in seconds
with help from the makeshift grill
smells of the barbecue
rise in the air
as backwoods sausages
add fuel to the flames
light and warmth
dancing slowly in the moonlight
till all that are left
are the glowing impish coals
staff of life
the end of life
for the fire that maintained life
Round the campfire circle
A summer morning, Worsley woods, west of Manchester
the sun just peaking through the nest of trees
circle of tents in various spots
and a scout leader starting the beginnings of an altar fire
little faces pop out of the niger tents to grab a view
breakfast served at 8 am sharp
but first, a mug of tea
some make a break for the toilet block
as sausage and eggy bread sizzle in a pan
orders given to the sous chef … he keeps his eye on the food
and slowly the camp leader makes his way to the pole
and all stand still in observance
the flag is released from its bonds
and flies high in the gentle breeze , proudly to attention
and all present give a salute
before breakfast is served
This ain’t no restaurant “French toast”
it’s made over burning logs
in the country air
Foundation for the morning
Set against a glorious sunrise
and cups of camp tea
Thick crusty bread
absorbed in a lake of
golden runniness
Bacon awaits its partner
as it cooks away
in its fat
Poor Man’s omelette ?
after a night on the hills
it’s the food of kings.
Knives and forks ?
or eaten as a sandwich
only quandry – sauce Red or Brown ?
Salford 16th May 2017
Back in Nineteen eighty two – i started taking this long woolly blanket to camp
Like many other scouts i stuck it at the end of my tents sleeping bag, and
As it got cold, i wrapped it round me to keep warm
Now, each camp i went to – i picked up a patch from the campsite – and these were
Kept on the woolly blanket…covering areas from Cumbria to Derbyshire – I
Even had a whole heap of locations such as
Torquay , paignton and brixham and these found a spare spot on my sleeping spot
You can pack an awful lot into forty or so years.
That Kodak Extra-chrome box camera captured an awful lot of them as I grew up in my home town.
I have the briefest of recollections of my Great Aunt, Nellie. She was a great woman, and we visited her regularly by the park in the flats by the great tower block called Nine-acre.
During the Queen’s Jubilee in 1977 – a number of Street parties were held and she and her husband Bob, joined us in the celebration where two lines of tables went up and down the street. Union Jacks sprayed up and down every available wall
Little blister coming onto view in 1979 – and in the early 80s eating every Daffodil in sight.
Trips out with the neighbours featured prominently when I was younger – when we all clubbed together for the coach trip to either Blackpool or Prestatyn Zoo…Walks on the beach in bare feet, sometimes it was lovely – sometimes ice cold!
(Funny how penguins are one of my favourite birds!)
Camping out with the local scout troop to places i’d thought were an eternity away – sleeping in Nissen huts at Middlewood (just down the road in Worsley) or more further afield at Bispham Hall (to the in-initiated , Not that far away, in Wigan) or Dunham Massey (Almost in another county! Altrincham, just down the A56)
Every camp – you would see me growing up
First communion pics – only not mine this time – My little sisters
First foreign holidays with another Great Aunts – Millie – another wonderful relation of mine. I’d also capture pics of Dad, Mum and my Uncles during this time. Fun and games at seaside resorts and my bucket and spade.
Then there was my great achievement – graduating university – me outside the steps of the Free Trade Hall in Manchester – where I picked up my HND
Then came the volunteering exploits at Manchester’s commonwealth games…and I’ve got plenty of ‘behind the scenes’ shots of that time…together with other pics from events I volunteered at since.
#Napowrimo #Day17 #Knots
#Blogging101
A Dictionary poem for #Day17 of the Napowrimo challenge. Based on my old scouting days! enjoy.
Don’t get stressed,
in time – you’ll master it
creating an artform from two ends of rope
bridges don’t need wood or metal but a few simple knots
Reef Knot, Clove and Timber Hitch are handy for a pioneer
and some west country whipping will soon get those old ropes into shape
Loop your ropes tight around the tree to maintain tension
Sheet bend and bowline and the old Round Turn comes in here
The half hitch keeps these in tight.
Be careful with your left and your right though
as one wrong move with your rope work could spell disaster
Can’t have a Granny Knot where a Reef Knot is Needed.
