24 years and 265 kilometres on are two very large figures in both time and distance. But that is what James Doyle of Friday Night Scouts and Venture Unit achieved in gaining his Explorer Belt last week.

James shows the route he took through Netherlands,Belgium and Luxembourg by foot

Its 24 years since the last explorer belt was achieved in the group by Edward O’Donnell and Johnny Leonard. No problem to James who hiked over 265 kilometres and came out the other end with his award.

The expedition crossed three countries Netherlands , Belgium and finished in Wiltz, Luxembourg. James  trekked through the country side, visiting villages along the way and keeping a log his journey and experiences. In addition he had to attend to projects and live on a limited budget.

The Explorer Belt 2010

As James explains “you are  dropped off at a starting point given your tasks that need to complete within a tight time frame”

Well done to James on his achievement from all the members of Malahide Sea Scouts

Departing at Terminal 1 - Ferryport Dublin

Although Malahide Scouts have camped on the Isle of Man many a time , this would be a first on how they transported the whole troop to the Island.

IOM Steam Packet Co.

A pleasant crossing with winds from the west at force 5 .

Later that evening 3 yachts and one motor launch with 17 watch leaders and scouts  slipped their moorings at Malahide and headed down the estuary on the evening tide in to the Irish Sea towards Rockabill.

Yesterday's Bus Stop - but not today's Bus Stop - Kirk Michael

By now darkness was setting in and not long off Rockabill a dim light in the North Eastern Horizon appeared .It was our direction and beacon to the Calf of Man. Wind picked up from the South West which made the sea lumpy. To continue and steady the roll engines were turned on and motor sailed through out the night . Fishing boats appear in the dark like lit up Christmas trees.

Light appeared in the sky with the coming of an early dawn .Visibility was now very poor with a thick fog covering our surrounds and the Isle of Man. Navigation was still possible with Sat Nav on the screen.

Tents erected and time to feed the ducks

Back on the site the shore crew had erected tents and prepared the site for an early arrival of the boats crews .Heavy rain had prevented all tents up by the first night.

All boats now arrived off the Port of Peel and had to wait awhile ,while they called up on their VHF Channel 12 to gain access to Peels inner harbour , through the harbour gate.

Gorge Walking

The days on camp unfold with a new adventure everyday . Kayaking in the morning always followed by a swim. The off site activities rolled in  gorge walking , commando course ,archery and zip wire.

Three new scouts invested in Peel Harbour on Annie Bennie

Three new scouts to our troop also had a first as they were invested on the fore deck of Annie Bennie.

Island Transport

Getting around the Island was always a fun adventure whether by the bus or the Manx Electrical Railway. The Island is ideal for Scout camps with opportunity of good camping sites , easy and cheap public transport  , hill walking , kayaking and stepping back in time on the trams.

Glen Wylilin - Kirk Michael

We camped at Glen Wyllin near Kirk Michael on the West side of the Island. The camp was for 9 days which passed quickly. The return passage for the sailors was Peel with an over night at Ardglass Co.Down .This crossing took 6 hours . Early next morning we started the 2nd leg for Malahide  taking us 11 hours .The return journey was longer. As the week closed we were searching for a window of good weather that came in two half’s.

Full Parade!

We wish to express our sincere thanks to  Skipper Padraic Somers of Annie Bennie , Skipper Robert Murphy of Gisselle ,Skipper English-Boyle of On the Rocks , and Skipper Eamon Mc Gratten – Mandown.

Wednesday troop a section member  of the 9th Port of Dublin Sea Scouts had spent their evening meeting night on “The Island” Malahide .

Resting ! On the Beach

The flotilla of kayaks , pico’s  , BP18 ,East Coast Skiff  and shadowed by two rescue powercraft left the Sea Wall at Malahide and proceeded down the estuary towards open sea .The scouts spent the evening on the beach at the Island  .

returning by kayak

A wide variety of games took place .

Returning to the Slipway

By late evening the flotilla returned to the Sea Wall at Malahide just in time to have last parade in the den

Members of the Neala troop who received their Intermediate Oars Charge Certificates. The theory part of the course had been run over the winter months while the practical was completed in May 2010.

Certificates awarded to new Coxswain's of the Neala troop

Congratulations to all who particapated

All the crew!

The kayaking team of the group Robert McKernan,Dan Riordan and Ivan Barrett and their crew mobilised the parents and leaders of the group to go kayaking.

Bouyancy Checked

This was the second night organised by the team to get persons on the water .Most present hadn’t kayaked before or had not been in a kayak for a very long time. The crews put everybody at ease by going through the safety equipment and checking the kayak fitted and was ready for the water.

The kayakers stepped into the water and away they paddled towards the Marina and over to the  Arches. The outgoing tide would make  the return journey easier . A stop on the way back turned into a canoe polo match with blues and greens winning right out .

We're ready

Back to the shore and disembark up the slipway for a short debriefing . Gear washed in fresh water before storing away .

Not been in a Kayak for a Decade!

Thanks ,must go to the Groups canoe team and their crew Rachael Barrett , Chris Newman, Kevin Casey ,Oisin Klinkenbergh , Stephen and Philip O’Connor.

When going on annual camp you must have your tents waterproofed ,with correct poles, plenty of pegs and good sturdy guy ropes for windy days. Neala troop from early morning were checking all equipment before making  the sea crossing to the Isle of Man in early  July for their annual camp.

Laying the canvass out and checking the equipment

Like all adventures the trip will start by making the short sea crossing by ferry . However on this occasion half of the thirty strong troop will be by car ferry while the other half will be in  sailing boats.

Colour co-ordinated

For some of the scouts this will be a first under sail over a 70 nautical mile trip up the Irish Coast and across to Peel on the Isle of Man. The camp will be for eight days and return journey will be made by swapping crews about so all will have had the opportunity to go under sail

Since 1978 the Friday Night troop have  been tracking through the Boyne Valley trail. Ten leaders and scouts started out today from the Den on the 160 mile round trip. From early in the morning old tyres  replaced , wheels pumped and a bit of 3 in 1 .

Cycling the Boyne Trail

The cycle group plan to  visit both ancient and historical sites .Visiting Mellifont Abbey , the passage graves at Newgrange , Knowth , Dowth . A favorite with all is the Hill of Slane with great views over 4 counties. Overnight is planned at a Hostel in Donore.

Certificate presented

Recently 3 scouts of the 9th Port of Dublin Sea Scouts -  Malahide (Wednesday night) receive their Intermediate Oars Charge Certificate and Badge . It will just in time for the up and coming Annual Camp this Summer being held in Portlick(near Glassan) Co.Westmeath on the shores of Lough Ree.

Although Malahide Sea Scouts are well established they are helped so by  the many adults who volounteer to take up leadership within the Group. For many years now  scouts coming up the ranks and other adult leaders who volunteer are introduced to Scouting by an informal get together  3 to 4 times a year called  “Welcome to Scouting” . The evening brings volunteers through the aims and objectives of Scouting ,their role in Scouting , commitment , code of good practice , group history , scout method and law and promise.

Volunteer leaders at recently held "Welcome to Scouting" in The Ward Room

By the end of the evening volunteers have the choice by continuing in scouting and take up a leadership post in one of the sections . The evening also is the first step of formal training through the Woodbadge scheme . The next step is to complete warrant application , garda vetting form and attend Child Protection Course.

A sizeable portion of the Adult Volunteers of the group celebrating an anniversary

The group is supported by 85 adult volunteers . This course is the eighteenth to be run in twelve years. In that period the course leaders Stephanie Mc Cann and Kevin Rowan have put through 195 volunteers.

In 1918, Sir William Fry presented a very handsome silver cup to the Port of Dublin Sea Scouts.  This was to be used for an annual seamanship competition and has become our most prestigious trophy.  The Fry Cup Competition has continued without interruption to the present day.

The next time your passing the Ward Room put your head around the corner to see the magnificent Fry Cup that was won by the 9th Port of Dublin Sea Scouts – Malahide (Friday Night).This is a senior seaman competition held annually.

Crew members of 9th Port of Dublin Sea Scouts with Fry Cup , Dunlaoghaire

Crew : Oisin Klinkenbergh, Paul O’Sullivan, Ciaran Costello, Joey McCarthy, Rory O’Farrell. Vincent Varley