Cadets Saycell, Hannah Parker and Sallie Matley attend HMS Bristols summer camp in Portsmouth.

Below is Hannah Parkers take on her week aboard ship.

Friday, 23rd July 05

Charlotte, Sallie and I all met up at Manchester Piccadilly to get the train down to Summer camp aboard HMS Bristol in Portsmouth. We boarded the train and got off it at Southampton Central. It took a bit longer than expected though because we kept being diverted. We then Boarded another train which took us to Portsmouth Harbour. Unfortunately, it was the wrong stop, so we rung up the summer camp office for details
on where to go. We weren't the only cadets that made that mistake. We had to get back on the train to get to the right stop - we then got the shuttle bus which was full and some people had to sit on the floor. Finally our long journey was over, we were at HMS Excellent. We boarded the ship and were given a number (for activities throughout the week) and our mess desk. Charlotte and me were in Mess 3 and Sallie in 4. After
we had unpacked most of our stuff, we were taken to tea and then led to a hall to be briefed on what was going to happen. I was then told what I was going to do - Yachting.

Saturday, 23rd July 05

We were woken up at 6am, some people were already up - packing for the day ahead. We got changed into our No4s and marched over to Breakfast. After breakfast, I had half an hour to get changed again and pack my stuff. At about 10am we boarded the small Yacht that would be sailing to the Isle of Wight. There were 10 other people in my group, so we all talked on the way there and got to know each other properly, whilst some of us had a go at steering. We eventually arrived at the coast and got anchored down. We then ate lunch and were allowed to jump into the sea. I didn't though because it was really cold, people jumped off the bow of the boat and swam round and others pulled each other in with a piece of rope - it was really fun. When we arrived back at the ship we got changed quickly and marched over for tea and then marched back. We then stayed in our messes and got to know the people who we were sharing with. I found out that I had ET the following day.

Sunday, 24th July 05

Another early start and I had to get up early to pack all my stuff for camping out in the wood. We quickly went for breakfast and came back to get changed. We then boarded a coach that was about an hours journey to where we would be staying. It was pouring down with and all the tents were wet inside and out - as were we. We got issued with a big waterproof jacket, water bottle and rucksack. I was the only person in my group who had brought walking boots so at least my feet were dry. We then set out on an 8 mile trek; Luckily our walk had been shortened due to weather. We were taught loads of things about wildlife and equipment etc. When we arrived back the rain had stopped but the sky still looked dark; We were then given an option whether to chance staying out and then go back in the morning, or to go back to the ship that night and repeat the walk and stay over again. We all decided on chancing it so we were issue with more things - two mess tins, a hexiburner, a 24 hour ration
pack and a sleeping bag. There were no toilets or showers, so after cooking our tea we sat in a circle and got to know each other more. Then the instructors suggested a game of manhunt in the dark using our torches. It was really good but all my team were caught. We then got told loads of scary stories before we had to return to our tents and go to bed.

Monday, 25th July 05

We had a lie in this morning, which made a change. We had breakfast and then split up into four teams. I was the leader of one of them. We were given maps and grid references to go to for a treasure hunt in the forest whilst we waited for the coach to arrive. Along our way we also had to find 5 types of plants. There was no treasure to find but we went to the grid references and my team managed to find 4 out of the 5 types of plants. The coach still hadn't arrived so we were told to collect as many pine cones as we could find to spell out the name of the area that we could decide on. We ended up calling it TS Spamelope because one of the instructors kept on teasing us, saying that it was a real animal. When we had finished, we were allowed to add out TS names, so I put TS Quantock underneath it. After another hour and two games of football the coach arrived to take us back. When we got back everyone had a wash and got changed for tea. After tea we then went up on the flight deck to meet some new people.
I had shooting in the morning.

Tuesday, 26th July 05

It was a normal routine in the morning and then my group had to fall in to march to the weapon stores. When we arrived we were issued a rifle and got on the mini bus to take us to the shooting range. We then had a short brief and were taught drill, how to clean the weapon, and how to shoot it. After lunch we then shot at the targets. I didn't hit the target but I shot near it and it was shot in the same place a few times which they thought was good for my first time. We were then taken back to the ship for the normal routine. I was told to prepare for canoeing.

Wednesday, 27th July 05

We marched to breakfast as usual and came back. I had to change into my wet suit and pack some arm clothes. We went over to the canoeing cabin and were briefed and put into groups - experienced never done canoeing before and no badges. I went into a group where we would be doing out 1 star. So we got warmed up, took canoes down to the water and canoes round the boat. We had to kiss the very front (bow) of the boat until we were allowed to canoe back round. We were then taught the essentials and played a few games as well as racing. At the very end of the day we had to capsize - I did it but the water was absolutely freezing and it tasted horrible. I was then sent back to the ship because I was shivering. We then went for tea and marched back. I then found out that I had damage control and PT the next day.

Thursday, 28th July 05

We had to go for breakfast first as there was another group for damage control in the afternoon. I chose fire fighting instead of
sea survival, so we marched to the fire fighting centre and got change into our fire fighting gear (we got issued with it) We were then told about
the different types of fire extinguishers and what causes fires etc then we had to put out a fire with an extinguisher in a kitchen. We were then
led to another room where we got taught how to refill an extinguisher.

Then upstairs we experimented with different hosepipes and we made a firewall etc.

In the afternoon we went to the Navy leisure centre for PT.
I played tennis with Sallie and two of our other friends that we had made. Then we got made to play netball and then we could just sit down and chat or watch television whilst the boys played basketball.

We then went back to the ship for tea. I had ships visit the next day.

Friday, 29th July 05

We went for breakfast and then straight to our first visit as we had many places to go. The first on our list was a submarine museum.

The guide took us around and told us of his experience on the submarine about what he had to do, what the conditions were like and about how much they have changed. The next stop was HMS Victory. Our midshipman told us all about the conditions and
about Nelson etc we also saw where Nelson fell and died and how he lived on HMS Victory.

Although many things we weren't allowed to touch. We then stopped for lunch which was followed by a Naval museum. We learnt more about Nelson and watched a show about him which had moving dummies and enactments. Our last stop was Action Stations where we watched a film about the navy and the missions they do. Then we split up into groups and completed a quiz around the museum. The team I was in came first but we only won a small packet of biscuits. We then went back to HMS Bristol for tea. Tomorrow I had boat work.

Saturday, 30th July 05

We did the usual routine and then got issued with spary suits. I chose power boating and we were in a champ. We drove around for a bit and took turns steering the boat. We then get ready for the disco. After I had packed my stuff and was ready, we went to the hall for a debrief and whilst the foreign cadets gave presents to the staff. There were people from Belgium, Canada, Australlia, Sweden, America and many more places.

We were then given a ticket so that at the disco we
could get free drinks and crisp. We danced a bit but we mailing sat down and had a laugh. Sallie and me got bored and started arm wrestling with everyone. After the disco we walked back to the ship and said goodbye to everyone.

Sunday, 31st July 05

We had breakfast and then got dropped off at the station. We missed about 2 trains so we then had to wait another hour or so. On the way back we got the train with 4 other people that were from our district that we had made friends with.

"I had a really good time at summer camp and I made loads of friends that I will never forget. I am still in contact with most of them even the foreign cadets. I did things that I probably wouldn't be able to do again so I am really glad I went. I would really like to go again next year as I enjoyed it so much this year".

by Able Cadet Hannah Parker

Want to know how to get involved in more activities or go on courses with the sea cadets then talk to the training officer.