Training Abseil FOMM IR-RIH

Last Sunday's Training Abseil was superb. The weather was brilliant (not too hot!) and the site, Fomm Ir Rih is spectacular; easily the nicest and most breathtaking abseil site we've been to in a while. Abseiling down the cliffs next to the sea, with the nature reserve as our backdrop was quite a change from the last abseil (Wied Ix-Xaqqa).

Yours Truly

It's a pity that the little bay is littered with plastic stuff that gets carried in by the sea. Its also a pity that all the roads have 'RTO PRIVATE' painted on them - imagine how many tourists miss out on a nice walk around the nature reserve coz they believe these signs!


After rigging the VSL had one jump to test the rope only to realise that the rope wasn't long enough! Thats right, he was left hanging a couple of metres from the ground so he had to make an extension to get down onto Meli's shoulders. We've come to realise that this particular exit is a little over 50ms! Quite a long abseil!

AVSL Bono Abseiling down the cliff face.


Debono practice various techniques such as forward rapelling, rebelay and abseiling with his left hand while Meli practiced his Abseiling and Gerada experienced his first ever Unit Abseil! Gerada even learnt how to lock.

A view of the bay with Bono and Gerry walking up the Hill

Anthony and stefan are currently working on their Advanced Abseiler, while Gerada was asked to join us on the activity to help with the bottom safety and carrying the stuff.







Another good desktop image curtesy of SVS

The Unit is meeting on Tuesday 6th for the 1st official Summer meeting.

Yours in Venturifying
Mo$es










Fomm Ir-Rih

















AVSL forward Rappelling
















VSL before he realised that the rope was about to end!











Gerada and Meli abseiling





















The Maquis landscape of Fomm Ir-Rih














Myself in a very non-cholant pose.

End of Exams, Unit Update, Training Abseil and much more...

SVS are back in action!
As of the 6th of June we will be resuming the weekly meetings and we have lots and lots to discuss.

On Sunday the 28th there is going to be another Abseil Training Session. Check the blog again after the Activity for pix and info .

We are awaiting a new shipment of recruits which will form part of the M-Coy (the other half has already crossed the line). These Recruits will start their Basic Training the day they join the Unit.

The Sliema Venture Unit Basic Training is unique in that the programme is our very own although all the skills we practice are essentially practiced in very many Scout Groups. The idea is a rigorous 12 week period in which the recruits learn and practice basic Scouting skills - navigation, First Aid, estimation, Ranging, outdoor cooking, Pioneering (etc) which are essential for carrying out the rest of the Activities that they will in the Unit. The training is a means to an end and not the ned itself. The REAL fun begins even after the training when the Challenges get much harder and the members raise the bar themselves. For those that think that the point of the basic training is the legendary GRADEX the truth is that the year or two after your training is the time when YOU (the Venture) must challenge yourself and try out daring and challenging things.

This Summer we're working on some refurbishments in the Unit part of HQ and these are also starting very soon. We have loads and loads to do.

Also we have a new 'Part-time' Special Officer in the Unit and he will make an appearance sometime in July (i think at least). This new guy will bring a new dimension to the Unit and I'm looking forward to seeing him in action. I'm afraid I can't reveal his identity and purpose at the moment but you will all find out in due time. We did have a covert meeting with him in his secluded Ops room, this morning, and we liked what we saw.

More on everything - Later.
Your's in Venturifying,
Mo$es
Official Unit Mascot

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PPS: Check out the previous Blog entries on the right