Page 7 - The Light Blue Volunteer Journal 2022

Ex BLUE STALK
Readers, it is with a confused sense of pride that this review begins with an apology. One would be quickly forgiven for assuming that the story of five officer cadets in Britain’s answer to the Wild West would be riddled with slapstick peat bog rescues, flooded roll mats and deer-spookingly bad field admin. But it is not, and for that I am sorry. Instead, as I write on the 12-hour journey back from Achfary, North Scotland, I reflect on a resounding success: 4 stags, 5 days, hundreds of miles walked, and countless vistas enjoyed.
Thanks to the courageously careful driving of Maj. Bate and Capt. Tilbrook, we waved goodbye to sunny Cambridge and charged into the night (and the
rain). Feeling fresh for a full day’s
stalk on Monday the team was split in two, confronting the weather with a gluttonous covering of Gore-Tex that
left the assigned Ghillies (professional hunters and guides) wondering who,
if any, had been further north than Birmingham. Nevertheless, we quickly settled after a few teasers on the
range and the stage was set for Ocdt Nwachukwu and JUO Fordham to take their first stag. With the promise of a sit-down shower and a cup of tea the group were reunited in the larder to learn how to butcher the stag. While certain Japanese delicacies were offered, and politely refused, the same could not be said for Maj. Bate’s Venison Bolognese.
An opportune clearing of the weather was a sign for greater things to come for the group, whose plan to stay in a dilapidated barn was, at the expense of
Ocdt Buckenham’s open-air wardrobe,
in many ways ‘full of holes.’ The sunny skies brought fortune on the hills for JUO Boreham, accompanied by her private sailor, Sherpa, and designated morale officer Ocdt Nevin. A particular highlight was the spotting of a rare Sea Eagle and the endemic Ringle Dingle - the latter not in fact being a bird but instead a telling insight into Ocdt Nevin’s frustration and exuberance on the Ghillies’ behalf.
The third day saw the very worst of the weather and unfortunately stalking was called off all together. But fear not, Maj. Bate was quickly at hand with his tried and tested ability to always ‘pull something out of the bag,’ and so the team boyishly embarked on a ‘brief’ 3 and a half hour round trip to see a misty beach and go to the fish and chip shop. Enough said.
Charged by a full days rest and
an entirely deep fried meal, Ocdt Buckenham and Ocdt Nevin were eager to claim the one remaining prize in the
final day’s allotted time. Horizontal rain and gusting winds set the scene of the duel, with whispers of Ceasar’s famous ‘Et tu, Brute?’ rippling through the lochs and hags. But betrayal there was not, and the gentleman’s sport was undertaken just so. To his very saturated delight, it was Ocdt Nevin who was in the best position for the final shot, perfectly
taking the top of the heart to complete a successful mission. A special mention must also go out to Ocdt Buckenham for his resilience and unwavering confidence, who arguably learned the most valuable lesson of all after two unfulfilled stalks: always hang up your wet kit to dry.
In our off time, there was by no means a shortage of things to do; the hidden waterfalls and winding rivers that surrounded the barn were a welcome change from a featureless Stanta and affirmed to all Officer Cadets the thanks we owe to Capt. Tilbrook, Maj. Bate, and all at the Reay Forest Estate.
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 7