Sleepover on the Golden Hinde

 

Our unusual and exciting finale to the end of term was a sleepover on the Golden Hinde, the first English ship to sail around the world in the 16th century.

Cubs took the train across London

En route to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich

Cubs revelled in the snow outside and immersed themselves in the exhibits. It was a rather brief visit as we were due at the Golden Hinde where the Cubs donned Tudor garb and the crew began to immerse them in Tudor life:

There were sessions on the barber-surgeons of the 16th century and a hands-on experience of the gruesome tools of their trade; life as a 'powder monkey' on the gun deck of the ship, preparing and firing cannons; and, navigating the high seas using cutting-edge tools of the day.

It was hungry work going through all the activities, so it was a good job we had a hearty stew to fill our bellies, served on traditional implements:

For a grand finale after dinner, the Cubs got to practice their swordsmanship skills on deck:

After all that excitement, it was time to get comfortable for the night and get some rest. To help the Cubs drift off, Akela read them a bedtime story:

The Cubs showed their resilience and shook off the chilly night with a typical Tudor breakfast of fruit, bread and cheese coupled with a warming hot chocolate:

This set them up for some sightseeing around the City of London crossing one of three bridges across the Thames and walking through 2,000 years of history. This included a piece of the original London Bridge, the Tower of London, the site of the Great Fire of London to some of the more modern buildings around the Square Mile. For some, however, it became too much so a coffee shop pit stop helped revive flagging spirits.

Cubs showed great endurance and an adventurous spirit in participating in the sleepover.  They gained a practical insight into the life of a Tudor sailor and had a unique and unforgettable experience.