The below report by F.W. Rowswell appeared in the parish Magazine.

ST. MICHAELS SCOUTS IN SWITZERLAND AGAIN.

The local. Press has given an account already to which we only need to add some other items of interest.

As usual, a record of observations was kept, which shows that birds observed included osprey, nuthatch, grebe, buzzard, alpine chough, swallow, house-martin , woodpeckers (greater green, and lesser spotted) , cuckoo and nightingale. Animals adder, grass-snake, lizard and squirrel. Plants included gentien, wood-anemone, wild strawberry, comslip and the ubiquitous vine.

We saw a great deal of mountains and glaciers. On the Gornergrat, at 10,200 feet altitude we found ourselves overlooking seas of glaciers, with a mile long moraine in action (if that is the correct word) , carrying masses of rock, scooped from the mountain slopes, down-hill at the rate of one foot a year—the world's oldest, slowest, and surest conveyor belt. The customary overnight mountain top camping was done again. Neil MacCuilum 'and E. White ascended the Jura above 3,000 feet, but eventually pitched tents on an artillery range.

Prices in Switzerland were not greatly increased since the war in terms of native currency in fact, a twenty-year-old Baedeker proved remarkably accurate. Chief expenses in foodstuffs were butter (five shillings a pound) and meat (four to seven shillings). The Swiss are almost as much compulsory vegetarians as ourselves. Their cooks show commendable skill in providing meatless menus. Because of these prices, we were cunning enough to take our own rations with us to keep down prices. This succeeded to the extent of making the cost of travelling, food and red-tape as low as £6. 10s.

We were very fortunate with the weather. Snow had fallen two days before our arrival, but we enjoyed a hot, rainless, sun-burning fortnight, and rain fell heavily the day after we left. Our first post-war visit to the Continent a great success in every respect and we hope we can be as fortunate again.

FROM THE GROUP ANNUAL REPORT

In August we visited Speyside, Invernessshire, camping at Coylum Bridge, near Aylmer. Of this camp we recall the almost endless daylight, the perfect weather, the expeditions afoot lasting until early morning, the long swims across the lochs; the ascent of Braeriach (4248 ft.) the Larig Ghru pass (2730 ft.) and its snowfield (3700 ft.); the visit to Ross-shire, Inverness and Loch Ness and the repeated returns on the night mail; the ascent of Cairngorm (4084 ft.) and the utterly unprecedented over-night camp, without tents, on the summit; the Venturer badge journeys with a night in the heather on the Byvoan Pass (1600 ft.); and the culminating achievement -F H. Shelton and J. Thorpe in climbing Cairngorm, descending the 1400-ft-precipice beyond and camping under the shelter-stone by Loch Avon. The disused log-book cover from this remotest hiding place in the British Isles now adorns the Troop den, We were the first Scout Troop to make a real exploration of the only extensive area of Britain which lies 4000 ft. above the sea. Among the denizens of these heights were ptarmigam, dotterel, red-deer and mountain hare; at lower levels we recorded a wild-cat print.

FROM THE GROUP ANNUAL REPORT

In April we revisited Powerscourt, County Wicklow, Eire, for the first time since 1936, and were the first April campers ever to set up there. In fact, we were only the second British Troop to visit Eire since 1939. We endured an incessant five-day gale without disturbance, a record for rough weather even in this Troops camping history. The usual mountain ascents were made: Djouce Hill (2400 ft.) and Great Sugar Loaf (1700 ft.). Our chief recollection is of abundance of food, and a return to pre-war quantities.

FROM THE GROUP ANNUAL REPORT

In August, the Troop camped in one of England's loneliest and most mountainous villages: Llanthony, Monmouthshire, among the highest ridges of the Black Mountains. One of our neighbours proved to be Reg Gammon, the well-known artist of the "Scout" and "News-Chroniole." An immense amount of climing was done, for the hills rose steeply to 2000 feet from the site. Among the hikes made were a 2-day 30 mile trip to Hay, in the Wye Valley, and an ascent of the summit (2660 feet/810m) 8 miles distant, which was climbed in rain and mist; the party steered their way back by compass and survived a 24-hour in the course of which they cooked supper, breakfast amd dinner without missing or spoiling a single dish. As a triumph over wetand sunless weather, this camp has no equal in the Troop's history; despite the immense amount of cooking due to bread rationing, not one meal was missed or even curtailed, and no food was spoiled. Apart from exploring at 2000ft altitude, time was found by some Scouts for building huts on the ground and in trees.

Amoung living things observed were wild horses, red squirrels, pine marten, polecat, badger, fox, mountain-lark, several unidentified alpine insects and the rather rare plant known as bog-cotton.

FROM THE GROUP ANNUAL REPORT

In April, the Troop camped by the seaside in the Isle of Man. This was the first visit of any English Scouts to the Island since 1939. High standards of camping were maintained, and many Scouting activities were enjoyed, such as raft-making, rowing, hiking and climbing. Memorable journeys afoot were those to Dhoon Glen (above cloud level much of the way), Ballaglass Watermill, Maughold Lighthouse (where machinery was started up for our benefit) and, above all, the 2-day hike over Snaefell Summit (2034 feet/619m), camping there, and along the mountain road to Peel, giving us views of the Scottish, Irish and English mountains on the way.

We greatly admired the comfortable and efficient H.Q. of the Manx Scouts, where we were lodged for our,last night on the Island.