Aparently I'm supposed to write more stuff. Well, I'm going to Sainsbury's tonight to get the weekly shop. Here's the list.....no. I'll keep you all in suspense, you'll have to wait until Friday.

Should I mention the district explorer nighthike competition? Not much to report, other than that it all went swimmingly well, without a hitch - a remarkable achievement in itself & worthy of a mention, could it posibly be related to the fact that Sea Dragon ESU didn't enter a team?

Andy, Emu, Paul & myself flew the flag for the unit, along with the two Steves from the cub pack at 2nd Fareham. We ran a checkpoint between East Meon & Old Winchester Hill. All the teams turned up on time, all achieved their objectives, none got lost, and we were all safely tucked up in Andy's tepee long before daylight. Worst nighthike competition I've ever been on.

Last weekend we took Andy's tepee to Everett's Copse for the working weekend. On the Friday evening Andy showed the explorers how to tap a birch tree & collect the sap - tasted just like water with a hint of more water. Not unpleasant, if you like water.

Tried to tap a Bacon tree as well, but it turned out to be a Ham bush - we were lucky to escape with our lives!

A brisk northerly wind meant a cold night - but only for Tom in his hammock. Andy now has a stove in the tepee. Had to sleep with the door open!

On the Saturday, more explorers arived and a surprise visit from Network. Spent the day mending fences, building bridges & clearing out ditches.

Another cold night (for some), & then home. Family wasn't too impressed with their souvenir bottle of birch sap though. Don't know why I bother sometimes.