What the hell have I let myself in for

Some of you may know, or possibly not I'm a Beaver Scout Leader.  Have been now for just over a year and I love every minute that I spend with my little Beaver's.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about: Beaver Scouts are the youngest group of young people that can get involved in the Scouting Movement.  Beaver Scouts start at the age of 6 years old and are involved with Beavers until they reach the grand old age of 8 years old and then they become Cubs. 

Back in the day I was a Brownie and then I became a Guide.  I left Guides when I nearly drowned on Camp one year and never looked at the Scouting Movement again. 

Then I had kids and remembered that my brother was a Cub.  I remember going along one time with him, they made bivouac's in a nearby forest and it was such fun, shame he never stuck to it and that I couldn't join.  I was certain that my David would love it and should become involved.  After discovering that he was too young for Cubs I put him in Beavers.  David has separation issues with me and so I stayed with him.  I became involved and now I'm a leader.  David is now a cub and about to go into Scouts next year which he is apprehensive about but I think he will be alright.  My youngest, Thomas, is our colony mascot.  He is only 5 so not old enough for Beavers but next September he will be.

Anyway that is the kind of background of my involvement with the Scouting Movement.  I like doing stuff with other Scout Leaders and Scouts, I'm not just working with my colony I like to get involved with most things. I have got to know quite a few people throughout the Scouting Movement in a short space of time and from all across the world.  The Internet is a wonderful thing for this.

But now, it would appear that I have managed to be talked into a Winter Challenge.  I have done some stupid things in my lifetime so far including doing an abseil down the side of a hospital building, a bungee jump, climbed a few mountains and hiked across the pennines.  I did all this when I was a lot younger and a lot fitter.  Now it would appear that I am going through some kind of midlife crisis as I've agreed to walk 18 miles across the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire in February and that I have agreed to do this no matter what the weather is going to be like.

This year, my oldest son, David, did a sponsored walk for his school.  It was only 8 miles long but I had to run the first 4 as I was late meeting them up and they marched on ahead.  At the end of the 8 miles I could bearly walk let alone get home, eat and then pick the kids back up from school.  It took me nearly a week to recover and my feet were in such a bad way I wasn't walking........... I was staggering.  Now I'm doing 18 miles over rough terrain.  I think it's time I booked myself in for psychiatric assessment.

So as well as stuffing myself over the Christmas period (which brings me so much pleasure) I have to start training for the Winter Challenge.  I'm not saying that I'm unfit but if there is an choice of stairs or lift, I'll be the one pushing the button.  On a brighter side, it will be fun?

Christmas is Coming

I love Christmas.  The twinkling lights, the anticipation of what is under the Christmas tree, the present buying and wrapping, the making of Christmas cards and decorations.  I love the sheer enjoyment of the whole run up to Christmas and the big day itself.  Watching my kids get excited about the fact that Father Christmas is going to be visiting the house to give them presents is amazing.  I have always loved Christmas and that is because of my parents.  

Christmas is family and friends time.  More importantly is family time but some friends are family.  I have an open door in our house over the Christmas period when people can come and go as they please to stay for as long as they like (as long as they bring the wine).  It's important to me that my children grow up appreciating that Christmas is not just about the presents but the preparation of Christmas and the valuable time that we get to spend together with people that we love.

                                                    John and the boys playing in the snow

This year I'm going back to the traditional and making all the decorations that we have in the house.  Me and the kids made Christmas crackers with the help from EBay for the snaps and hats but the boys did some Christmas stamping on coloured paper.  They look amazing, me and the boys are really proud that we did them together on a cold miserable day after school.  

                                                  The Christmas Crackers we made

Christmas means a lot to me and to my family.  Like I said at the beginning, I love it. 

Merry Christmas Everyone.

xxx xxx