The Skipper Knapman Training Ground

Greetings from the Heart of Scouting

The weather warmed up this last weekend so I was a lot happier, as I detest wrapping myself up in layers of clothing and looking like a cuddly leopard that is looking for a place to show off his winter coat. Once again school interfered with my plans of taking all the members of the Troop to the Matopos, this time their dear teachers had all their students studying for their end of term examinations. Who had the audacity to suggest that, "your school days are the happiest days of you life". Well, I did take one fellow out with me and that was Dale. Now Dale was in the middle of writing his exams, but he quite rightly decided that he needed a breath of fresh air and so he came with me.

On the way out to the Matopos, I decided to once again try to make contact with Chief Moyo, in order to get his permission for the two day hike during the Centenary Camp to be undertaken in his area. So when we reached the Fort Usher road, we turned into it and followed it for about three and a half kilometres and then took a short cut along a track through to the Fort Usher - Toghwana road and then along this road for another two kilometres to Chief Moyo's homestead, which is in the Gulati Communal Land. To my delight Chief Moyo was at home. He welcomed us and said that he was expecting us as he had been informed by his children the previous week that we would return to his homestead.

I discussed with him the Centenary Camp and my wish to offer the Scouts a two day hike in his area as Baden-Powell had been scouting in the area in 1896. Chief Moyo agreed to the request. Thanking him, we bid him farewell and returned the way we had come. On the way, Dale noticed an eagle fly up from the bush close to the road. Looking from where it had been sitting on a rock, Dale saw a banded mongoose scurry away. I stopped Inguluvani and we searched the area. The eagle had flown into a tree nearby and on seeing us getting closer, flew off. It was huge and we identified it as a Martial Eagle. In looking at the small kopje, we saw a family of mongooses watching us. We then proceeded, stopping off to visit the National Park's Warden to ask if my letter concerning fee entry to Gordon Park for visitors attending the monthly service at Park.had been approved. No letter, so on to the Park.

On our arrival we had lunch and then carried out the usual chores before finishing off the project that those attending the Parent's Camp had started on a few weeks ago. Now that the project is completed and the article for the Parent's Camp written for Pioneer Trail, I can now tell of the ending of the project. . The story of its beginning features in Pioneer Trail which will be published in September. That will be the interesting part of the story about the project. (Whew! that was some long winded explanation, which I trust is as clear as mud) Quite simply, Dale and I fixed a brass plaque bearing the name; "The Skipper Knapman Training Ground" to the granite rock we had placed on the Skipper Knapman Training Ground during the Parent's Camp, which replaces the painted sign that was put in position in 1973.

Sunday morning saw us climbing Shumba shaba as usual and following breakfast we were about to prepare the Chapel for the monthly Service when Mr. Irwin, the Scout Leader of the 8th Hillside Troop arrived. He informed us that he had to pay an entry fee at the main National Park gate, even though he was in uniform. I immediately went to see the National Park's Warden to try and settle the issue before those who normally attend the services arrived. I was unsuccessful and so those who came out for the Service paid an entry fee. I will need to take up the matter this week, as it will affect the holding of the Centenary Camp in August. Despite this unexpected turn of events, the service was well attended and the day enjoyed by all. For our afternoon activity, our guests had a wood sawing competition, after which, the Park now has a fair woodpile of sawn logs ready for the cooking fires.

A busy weekend in which we had accomplished all that we had intended to do.

Temperatures for the week ending 12 July 2009: 34 F or 1 C and 75 F or 24 C

Cheers
Norman
Bulawayo, 14/7/09