Transcription:

Now it was getting late so we all went and collected some wooden poles ready for our own camp fire. At the camp fire we had a final lesson in how to treat our American friends that were due to arrive tomorrow. After that we had a game of Moo, in which Jonathan Smith was the cow, but good old Stephen Hatteley spoilt it and the moo was on him. The supper was done so we all ate and then went to bed.

The next morning, Wednesday 20th August, we all rose about 7:30am and the breakfast was dished out. At 11:30am there was flag break. This time, as well as our ensign, we rose the stars and stripes. From then on we had quite a few people who asked us if we were American. That morning we made some more camp gadgets and we had the first inspection where Cormorant gained 11 out of 10 and went to the top of the points. After flagbreak we waited for the arrival of the Americans. They were supposed to arrive at around 12:00 noon but no-one arrived. 12:10pm passed, still no-one. Finally at 12:40 we saw a blue van with Andrew Adey hanging out of the door come through the gates. We waited anxiously to see what they looked like.

All of us then sat in a circle and one by one introduced ourselves. After that we meet up with the Americans and each showed them to their tents. The patrols were Seagull, Gannet, Redshank, Cormorant and Kingfisher.

After dinner, which was ploughman's lunch, we mingled together and swapped a few things. In the afternoon we had another game of mazes. But before that we went on another guided tour by a mister Nigel Possumby Smythe. All the Americans were amazed at this pompous English creature, taking in most of what he said. He even had some Gilwell stewards bewildered, especially some Irish Scouts. While we were rolling in stitches the Americans were amazed. Finally Paul convinced his real identity and we all returned to camp.

Then the Americans taught us some American football and we learnt them some English soccer. Then we had an inter-patrol 5 'n' side tournament, which Redshank won. While playing football we had an offer from some Welsh for another game, so while the Americans practised their calling out ceremony we played football against the Welsh. Although we were losing 7-1 they submitted.

After our evening meal we went to a film show which was organized by the Americans. It showed a multimedia story of Tamarack and the Order of the Arrow. After the slides and a brief talk by George we went to a camp fire hollow. Well just outside a camp fire hollow we saw Pete Bissam and Pete Ippilito dressed in only bridge cloths and carrying flaming torches, and Walter Bearse in a white Indian outfit portraying the calling out ceremony.

After this we returned back to camp and had a little sing song. After supper we returned to bed.

Thursday August 21st. We rose again about 7:30am and had our breakfast ready for flag break at 10:00am. After flagbreak we had a roundabout, which the patrol leaders and John and a few others ran. This lasted until around 12:30pm. We then had our dinner.

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