The first was Pete's school camp out, which meant a huge campsite and packs of kids prowling with little-to-no supervision. There were seven of us in our tent, which was nice and cosy although the youngest and smallest turned out to be the loudest snorer. We needed the cosiness because the temperature dropped precipitously - not just cold for Houston but really cold. Given the multicutural mix at Pete's school, with Colombians to our right, Chileans to our left, and Aussies behind, I proudly flew the Welsh flag, which led to many questions and at least one claim I was displaying a revolutionary symbol, which of course I was.
After a week of mild weather and a garage piled with camping equipment, we set off again, this time to Cub Camp, where temperatures (if you can believe it) were even lower. Packs of kids continued to prowl, only this time they were dressed in uniform. We were also split into our units, where Tiger Den 15 under the auspices of my leadership enjoyed hiking, s'mores, campfire skits and gaining Bobcat badges. Not much has changed since I was a Cub, which is understandable as that was only ten, twenty...let's say a few decades ago.
But now we're home, and after another few days of our car being displaced by airing canvas all the equipment is away, hopefully for a long, long time.
Flying the flags with our next-door neighbours (and tent-mates).
I have to cycle to school with these two every day. That's why I look so old.
Pete and Elena, still an item.
Lexi directs proceedings from her chair.
A weekend later, at the beautiful Martin Dies Jr. park.
Breakfast. When I was a Cub everything was a lot more tidy. Hmm.
Opening ceremony.
Becoming Bobcats (the first rank in US Cub Scouts).
His highlight of the ceremony: Pete gets to paint his parents' faces.
Proud father!
Let's all play in a huge muddy hole in our uniforms!
Camp cooking, Texas-size.
Off on a hike.
A fellow camper. There were a lot of big spiders around. Another reason to avoid the outdoors.
A flag retirement ceremony, something else UK-cub-me never got to do.
Waiting in line to burn a flag. I need to do some reading up about what was going on.
Flag lowering, and the end of two long weekends.
