Challenge Hike 2006

31st March - 2nd April

Saltney Ferry Scouts took part in the Flintshire District Challenge Hike in 2006. Eight Scouts, four Explorers, and one Leader took part. The previous evening was spent sleeping in our headquarters, to ensure an early get away on the Saturday morning. We then drove up to Llandegla, and put up our hike tents in a very muddy field! In fact everything was the colour of mud when we returned, nothing new in that really. The Scouts completed two hikes, one of 12 kilometres and another one of 8 kilometres. A very good achievement bearing in mind most of them were 10 years old. The Explorers completed a different walk, carrying all their gear along the route of the Offa's Dyke path. This was to prepare two Explorers for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition. Whilst on the hike one big moment came in trying to get one of our youngest Scouts past a horse on the route. However later on that was proved to be a minor achievement. Whilst walking down a path one Scout says "are those bulls alongside the path ?", at which I sensed the young Scout stop. Then another Scout said "but they are standing either side of our path, with no fence either side". After which I looked around to see our brave little Scout stood like a statue, and glued to the path. After somehow convincing him that the two scariest looking bulls you have ever seen, were quite friendly, and saying just look at the floor. We guided him through the middle of the two bulls. In two months the new Scout has overcome fear of cows, horses, and bulls a very big achievement. The hike was completed with a walk through the forest. Not any normal walk, but a very funny one. Especially when one youngster fell on his back, and could not get up again for laughing. A very enjoyable weekend was had by all. 

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