It was the longest thunderstorm I have ever lived through, about 17 hours. We had a Group Camp at Bradley Woods and Saturday had been warm and humid. During a campfire Sing to which the Guides came, the approaching storm gave ample warning of what we could expect. By bedtime, the heavens opened and the storm broke, cracks and bangs of frightening proportions assailed our ears and eyes.
In the morning, but very reluctantly, heads and bodies began to come out from behind tent flaps and an attempt was made to light a fire. After a lot of patience, a fire was however started, and at last, bacon could be smelled cooking.
I asked a Scout “Edwin” to fill a billycan with water and put it on the fire for me, with the intention of making a cup of tea. The next time I looked round he had poured the water all on the fire and the fire was steaming.
As Professor Joad used to say “it all depends on what you meant by put it on the fire”.
Tony Haigh
(Former Scout Master of 24th Halifax Tuel Lane)