The Grade II Expedition Boys survived the Midgies!

The weather was great on Friday, nice a dry for the walk up to the campsite. I hear that they all got set up before dark and had to disappear into the tents for an early night because of the interest shown by the local wild life. The Midgies were out in force.

When I arrived at 9.30 am on Saturday morning our 4 Boys were heading out as part of a group of 20 Boys doing there 10 mile day hike for their grade II expedition badge. The 16 grade III Boys had left on their 15 mile day hike at 9 am. Some hardy soul told that the 8 Silver DoE expedition boys were up and away before 7 am and were not expected back much before 9 pm.

Myself and Robin went out the easy way to one of the first grade III check points at a river crossing next to an old croft building. We met up with Mr S and 2 Officers from Dalserf at that point. The grade III Boys were just leaving so we had a break and let them go on their way. We followed their route along to a bridge an a left turn in the track which took the grade III boys back round the hill back to the old croft building.

At that point the Officers from Dalserf went on ahead to another check point for the Silver DoE Boys, we actually caught sight of a team of 3 probably from 1st Bothwell, just before we turned back to catch up with the grade II boys and then the grade III boys at the river crossing.

We got back to the river at about 2.30 pm and then spent the rest of the afternoon sitting enjoying the sunshine, chatting and drinking coffee, while we watch for the Boys returning. The 20 Grade II made it across safely with only one wet foot. Eventually between 3.30 and 4.30 all 16 grade III boys made it back to us and crossed the river with out too much mishap.

35 of the grade II and III boys were all back on site by 5.15 and were eating. Mr S, Robin and I were slightly held back as we escorted the straggler from the grade III hike back down from the river. A little too much sun, not enough sun cream or water and too heavy a pack was just getting too much for him over the last couple of miles.

We left them to it at 6 pm and came home to a nice warm bath and some hot food.

I recieved a text from a PK on Sunday.
He said they were all fine.
He complained about the Midgies, and the amount of bites they all had.
He complained about the Scottish weather, (it rained up in Callander overnight).
He said they were tired.
But he did say that they had all had fun on Saturday.

Glad you enjoyed it Guys, that was grade II.
5 more miles next year, the year after, and the year after.
This years grade I, take note. Less talking, more walking.