Far too many choices of title

Quite frankly, there are so many puns that I could have used for this week's blog, I just couldn't decide. A few of my favourites:

Camping: it's intense (you have to say that one);
Not quite all geared up;
You can't have your Kayak and eat it, trust me.

I think you can guess it's been a busy week.

You may remember me telling you last week that I was very tired (as I am again this week). The reason that I was tired, is that I had just returned from camp with the NTC (TS Intrepid, havn't used that link for a while. I made that website by the way!). After over 48 hours of non-stop children, it was nice to be home. So that you could fully appreciate the camp, I also put together a movie. Well mainly for advertisement for the youth group, but you guys can watch it as well.

Streamside Camp video (on YouTube).

After that tiring week, I then went to University. As a full-time student, I attended 6 hours of lectures this week (and I'm not even joking). How can six hours be full-time?!?!?! I miss my friends. So because of this (or maybe inspite of this), I actually went and did some work in the library, and I was shocked to find some books...

Did I really go to the library because I wanted to do some work? Of course not. Ernie, my beloved Ford Escort has an oil leak. And being that he is 21 years old in June, and fast coming up on the dreaded 100 000 mile stage, I wanted him checked over in the garage. So with nothing better to do, I thought I'd drive to the library instead of going home again.

And how did I get to Uni I hear you cry. A courtesy car of course! As some of my more long suffering readers will know, W. Jones (my absolutly, can't endorse them enough garage) have given me an interesting array of cars in the past. And it works out, that if I get a good courtesy car (2 litre Ford Focus Ghia was nice), Ernie will only spend a few hours in the garage. If I get a crap car (eg Ford Ka), it could be days...

I walked over to the showroom, and spotted my car. A lovely looking, flame red L reg Fiesta. Dagenham Dustbin I hear some of you cry, but I like the older Fords. This one had alloy wheels. The man came out, with a very sorry expression. 'I'm sorry this is all we have that's taxed...' No problems I replied, it looked great. 'Well, no. As you drive along, the car just... chokes. We've no idea why. Then it'll keep going. And also, the front doors can't be unlocked from thge outside. But if you do lock yourself out, you can always go in through the boot!' Marvellous.

Missing a white stripe somewhere I feel: Was quite nippy, and I had fun.

It was actually quite fun, and I liked it. So sure enough, the garage rang me at 1.30. 'Loads of seals need replacing (fair enough for a car as old as Ernie), but no one has them. We'll need to book you in. Cost about £90.' Lovely job. But there's always a but isn't there. 'Two of the seals indicate that damage could have been caused to the gear box. You may need to have it rebuilt soon, unless the new seals work really well. Thats more like £350!' Bugger.

And to finish off my week, I have been kayaking today (again with the NTC). I had great fun, and I have finally managed to master my bow rudder! Hurrah! (that's a technical Kayak move). But I am now really getting into this movie making. So I made (yet another) video. This one you really need to watch though (don't worry about the one above). Wait for the end, when I do a 4-5 ft launch off of a wall, into the canal (known as a 'seal launch'). All fun and games.

Kayak Day video (also on YouTube)

But not quite all fun and games. At the very end, all the kids capsize. So after they were out, I said I would do an Eskimo Recovery (I capsize, put my hands up, someone kayaks into my hands, and I pull my self up). Easy. Well no. My partner didn't kayak into my hands, so just before I nearly drown, I decided it would be a good idea to come up for air, and look for the kayak. Unfortunatly, the other kayak then found me. Right in the chops. And one broken nose later, I have a splitting headache. Swell. 'Ouch my dose', and another carefully selected phrases were said. Well done to one of my cadets who caught this on my camera, almost straight after it happened (little so and so...).

Well that's all for now. See you next week, when we'll find out what courtesy car I get, how much my car costs, and how big my nose actually swells after being broken. Ciao for now!

If you think that it's about time someone shoved a kayak in my face, why not leave a comment, starting with 'Well done Chrissie'.

If you think that I'm mad after watching my video, why not leave a comment starting with 'Do you really think you should risk your life like that, all in the name of entertainment?'

Quote of the Week: At Chesswood Middle School, we were talking about where you might find dangerous spiders: 'Asia', 'Africa', 'Austrailia', 'Er... What about the Isle of Wight?' Muppet.

Song of the Month: 'Golden Skans' by The Klaxons.