Cubs Visit London By the Thames 28 Cubs from 7 packs climbed aboard the train at Otford bound for London Bridge. “I’ll let them know you are coming, “ said the Stationmaster. I’m not sure he actually did but it was a nice thought “And I’ll be here to welcome you back at 5.30. The sort of service we last saw in the film Railway Children. Of course being a Scouting event it was bound to rain, so the group hastily made it’s way to HMS Belfast where we were fast tracked aboard and the first visitors of the day. We bumped into a cub pack, which had spent the night on board so this is something we might consider for another time. Having spent an hour on board and not always knowing which part of the ship we were in we made our way back to land and along to Tower Bridge, St. Katherine’s Dock and the Tower of London. Unfortunately Beefeaters don’t seem to be able to brave the weather as well as cubs as we didn’t see any, but one lad did point out a McDonalds,we’ll explainit to him later! All aboard the DLR to Island Gardens and a walk under the Thames to Greenwich.  
By now the rain was coming down hard so it was a run past the Cutty Sark to the National Maritime Museum where the cubs ate their long awaited lunch. A climb up to the Observatory worked of a few calories and gave us a chance to get into the dry. Next on the itinerary, a boat trip to Bank and a chance to rest some weary legs. Due to a timetable change by the boat company we were now running a bit late so it was a quick run across the Wobbly Bridge a glance at the Globe and a toilet stop in Tate Modern before we made our way along the embankment towards the station. “I’m a scout “ I heard someone call “yeah and I’m an Explorer “from another then about half a dozen youngsters came over for a chat. “Where you form? We’re from Walthamstow. We’ve just done a Gang Show. Do you know what a Gang Show is?” Explaining that indeed we did know what a Gang Show was we all burst into a couple of choruses of Crest of a Wave under Waterloo Bridge and on we went. At last, the sun poked through the clouds as the cubs watched the skateboarders under the National Theatre. And now it’s a race to get the train, into Charing Cross, find the train, all on board, whistle blew and train pulls out. Timing! Almost asleep we arrived back at Otford to be met by our friendly Stationmaster. “Had a good day? I’ve been thinking about you” he said “I’ve put your receipt in an envelope marked Treasurer for you.” Tired and slightly damp I’m sure the cubs had a great day but it was the kindness of the stationmaster that made it for me.
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Sevenoaks District Scouts