We set off at 10:30am on a nice Sunday morning ready for anything (or so we thought)! With a deadline of 11:45am to be registered at Great Ormond Street Hospital we set off on our way. Once on the station we found out that the District line was having repairs done to it and we would have to change at Barking, catch a train to Fenchurch Street and make our way from there. Needless to say we somehow managed to make the deadline with 2minutes to spare.

We registered and were sent on our way with a list of 25 objects to find without purchasing anything except refreshments as well as 25 (VERY HARD) questions. So off we went clueless to the station I'm not sure of the name but do know that it has never ending stairs. Our first stop was Glouster station where whe had a quick BK for lunch. Straight after we were back on our feet and our first stop was Baden Powell House(stopping at Starbucks on the way to scavenge a coffee bean). We had to find what was written on the plaque outside which was "COMPAY OF TYLERS". Our next stop took us too the Natural history museum to find out when the dinosaur which you see as you go in was brought to the museum. That then somehow lead us to Sloane Square to find out that Mr Sloane was the first to put coca and milk together, followed by a trip to Madam Taussades To find that she died in 1850.(See I even educate in a report).We then stumbled upon the Hilton hotel where Maria and myself (due to Matt and Lance not wanting to go in) went in searchind for some horse radish to no avail. A few moments later we found a lovely old lady owning a flower stool to donate us a rose for our list.

We then arrived in Baker Street doing our best to get to London Zoo only to find we got on the wrong bus and were a bit lost. Luckily our beloved beaver leader Maria had been prepared and brought along an A to Z to help us out. We then relaxed in the very helpful "I.C" in Baker street and then continued our journey after scavenging a Twister wrapper and a jelly baby.

We then we on to look on for a Starlight Express leaflet which ended in us not getting one thanks to the very unhelpful lady in the Exchange place. We did however end up with a laminated tube map! Our last stop of the day took us to Covent Garden where we managed to scavenge a balloon and a GAP bag (after a lot of hassle) We then found that we only had 15 minutes left until the end of the hunt we hurried back.

Lance decided to hurry ahead with the answer to the questions and the items so we did not lose any valuable points. We hurried to the finish line watching a poor girl Gide slip right on her backside on the way. As we approached the hospital with 5 minutes left we could see Lance waiting for us as the judges would not let him in with out the whole team. We got to the finish at 4:58pm with 2 minutes to spare we waited in vain as the items were counted and answers marked. Lance informed us that he had found us some Feo2h (rust - more education) but had cut his finger. We were so proud of him! He had bleed for our team!!!

We came joint 8th out of 23 teams that entered. The Country Commissioner of Central London presented us with our certificates too. We had a really great day and over all around £2000 was made for the children of Great Ormond Street. We would all recommend this to every one it is a really great day and is for a good cause.

We Paul, Maria, Matt and Lance would like to thank the following: The 17th Holborn for organisation the event Everyone who donated us the items on our list The "I.C" in Baker Street ( a bit pricey £3.00 for 30 mins!) The lady on the lower floor of GAP in Covent Garden.(Not the lady on the top floor!)

See you all later, Paul Little, Maria Bugeja, Lance Horsey and Matt Spencer. 4th Barking and Dagenham Scout Group.

Paul Little (4th B &D)

Today, 7th April 2002, 3 ventures/explorers and myself (leader), went onthe 17th Holborn Scouts & Guides Scavenger Hunt around London, for Great Ormond Street.

Paul Little, Matt Spencer, Lance Horsey and myself had a really great time and we managed to get most of the 25 objects and a fair amount of questions done (although the questions were quite hard!!!). We called ourselves the "4th Barking and Dagenham Venture Unit!) Out of 23 groups that entered, we were the only ones from District and County to enter.

We came in joint 8th!

Maria Bugeja (4th B &D)