Wave Him Off

My boy was off to scout camp this morning. We packed his large rucksack full of stuff which will remain in the bag for the duration. Ideally I would like to send him off with just a sleeping bag, because it's all he will use.

I filled a flask full of warming hot chocolate and packed a lunch full of energy and nutrition, as I know he will be living off stuff I refuse to feed him while he is away. He has a pen knife, so sticks can be whittled into many different and useful objects like a water carrier holder, or a clothes line for when you fall in the river accidently on purpose and would rather freeze in your underwear until your clothes dry, than search in your rucksack for your spares.

As we left for the pick up point I was quite taken aback to realised that the street next to ours was having a street party. Union Jacks all over the place, bunting, tables and chairs, balloons. Every car that passed almost stopped in its tracks when they saw it. It really is such a rare sight. Tonight when I passed all signs of merriment had disappeared and the residents, well those still safe enought to climb ladders, were up there taking down the bunting. By tomorrow there will be no sign of a party and everything will be back to normal.