Good Morning from Camp – Day Three Begins

Good morning from Sunny Meadows, where the kettle is beginning to whistle, the birds have already beaten everyone to breakfast and another beautiful day at Summer Camp is about to begin.

Before I tell you about yesterday, I apparently have something to address.

People keep asking, “Where’s Eira?”

Even more amusingly…

…people have now started asking, “Who is Eira?”

I rather like that.

The truth is, I’m usually the woman hiding quietly behind a notebook while everyone else is busy making memories. I much prefer writing about wonderful people than talking about myself. Sometimes my work calls me away unexpectedly and yesterday was one of those days, which meant I missed most of what was happening around camp. I finally arrived back rather late last night where the lovely Steve had very kindly kept me an evening meal waiting.

So, armed with food and curiosity, I joined with Steve, Jason and Busker Dave and asked the important question.

“So… what have I missed?”

As it turns out…

Quite a lot!

The day began exactly as every camping day should, with Busker Dave producing sausage baps and mugs of tea before leading everyone into the morning’s field games and what I’m reliably informed became an extremely competitive rounders championship. Apparently there was plenty of running, plenty of laughing and just enough questionable sporting ability to keep everyone entertained.

Meanwhile, Quantum Dave had everyone busy with a wonderful whittling workshop where campers carved their own Celtic wands ready for a little magic later in the week.

Now…

I finally got to see Quantum’s own wand.

Honestly, I stood there admiring it far longer than was probably socially acceptable. The craftsmanship was absolutely beautiful. Every tiny detail had clearly been shaped with patience, care and a great deal of talent. It’s one of those pieces you instinctively pick up just to appreciate the work that went into it. He clearly has magical powers as he plunged the camp into darkness enroute to bed as last man standing 😂🤣

While all this creativity was happening, the younger members of camp had apparently decided the swimming pool was the place to be. From what I could gather, the pontoon became a launch pad for spectacular dives while water pistols were deployed against absolutely anyone brave enough to wander within range (special thanks to Brian & Pete for being such great sports). They did emerge occasionally to join Tom and Tanya (yesterdays champions) for a fiercely contested game of Mölkky before disappearing straight back into the water again.

As the afternoon drifted into evening, Adam prepared a communal meal of fresh steak and chips for everyone. Apparently he’s quite good in the kitchen….? Possibly due to the absence of tech and buttons to press and we might now have found his new role? Note to Tanya: prepare the transfer papers for Adam 🤣

Sadly…

…I arrived just in time to discover there wasn’t a single slice of Guy’s chocolate birthday cake left.

I feel this deserves a formal complaint.

Still, a huge Happy 70th Birthday, Guy! I hope it was a brilliant celebration surrounded by good friends. Many happy returns of the day from us all here in Wales.

Later came another game of Werewolf which, by all accounts, was an enormous success.

Although poor Nev seems to have spent much of the evening trying to work out whether he was actually a werewolf or not. Apparently his identity changed depending entirely on which way the wind happened to be blowing.

Which brings me neatly to Comet.

Several eyewitnesses insist Comet the dog somehow managed to influence the prevailing wind throughout the entire day.

I’m not saying I believe them…

…but I’m also not saying I don’t.

Huge thanks also go to Graham and Libi, who kept everyone supplied with watermelon and snacks throughout the day. It’s often the quiet acts of kindness that people remember long after an event has finished.

And then there’s Tanya.

I have reached the scientific conclusion that Tanya operates on a carefully balanced mixture of coffee, conversation and kindness. Thankfully, plenty of all three were available yesterday because everyone tells me she was on excellent form. She really is one of life’s genuine sweethearts.

Finally, thank you to Adam for the thoughtful little gift he quietly left for me.

It genuinely made me smile.

Today promises another wonderful day here at Summer Camp. Busker Dave is back with more field games this morning before Jason takes over with crafts and community games. This afternoon Neal will be helping everyone unwind with a Crystal Bowl Sound Bath before we all gather this evening for hot dogs, beer, another round of Werewolf and, to finish the day, a night of classic rock.

If you happen to spot me today…

…please do come and say hello.

I promise I’m real.

And if you tell me your story…

…there’s every chance you’ll find yourself in tomorrow morning’s blog.