The first of this year's summer expeditions was a kayak trip down the River Tweed, staying at Hope Bothy along the way. We were lucky to be under the expert supervision of Ian Stewart again.

On Monday 4th June we set off from Manor Bridge, where the Manor River joins onto the Tweed. We spent the day kayaking down the Tweed, passing through Peebles, over a rather tricky weir. Along the way we learned lots of new skills and, even more important, lots of new games, which involved us all getting really wet. Our first day ended at Horsbrugh Ford. We spent the evening in Peebles later staying the night at Hope.


On the Tuesday we drove down to a part of the Tweed between Walkerburn to Thornylee, where we put the kayaks in the water. We paddled underneath Ashiesteil Bridge near Caddonfoot and down to the bridge and rapids at Fairnielee. Here, Alan and Becky took a ducking, though Becky did at least have the decency to wait until she had completed the tricky part first.

The trip was a great success, and brilliant fun — a great introduction to Explorer Scouting for your newest member!

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Sixteen North Face Explorers attended the annual camp, which was held at Megggernie, near Bridge of Balgie in Glen Lyon. This was a green field but with the advantages of having toilets and showers in the nearby building.

The first three days were spent on activities such as kayaking, rock climbing and hill-walking. There were two kayak expeditions on Loch Tay and a descent from Aberfeldy to Grandtully. The three Munros that were climbed were Meall a' Choire Leith, Meall nan Tarmachan, Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers. The climbing was done on slabs to the south of the campsite.


The activity days were followed by a two-day expedition when everyone (except the Leaders) were out of camp for the night, the girls cycling to Killin and spending a night in the Youth Hostel, the boys back-packing and camping wild in a nearby glen. The cycling was brought to a rapid finish when Shona came off her bike. She was, of course, wearing a helmet, which was just as well.

Friday was a rest day in camp and we all had a long lie. Eventually work began on a trebuchet and a friction bridge (built from pioneering spars without lashings). Some of the girls tried some human pioneering without spars as well as without lashings! After the pioneering, the Explorers set up a slippery slope and all got thoroughly wet.


On Saturday, most of the Explorers cycled from camp to Kenmore, where they were met by Alan and Martin (as well as Shona). We all went into a local cafe for hot chocolate and cakes; some also took the opportunity to buy postcards to send home.. The evening brought a final dinner followed by a campfire, bringing a splendid camp to a splendid close.