Many years ago when I was at Uni for the first time
I was a Brown Owl. Stop laughing at the back there...I'm being honest with you lot!

For those of you who don't know a Brown Owl is an adult leader in the Girl Guides Association and they run Brownie Packs - groups of girls from the age of 7 or 8 up to about 10.

Every year Brownie Packs go off on Pack Holiday - now it tends to be camping out somewhere, but back then it was all indoors - generally staying in either an activity centre or more likely a church hall somewhere.

We decided to go off to a church hall in wonderful exotic Cliftonville.

Cliftonville is on the outskirts of Margate.

Anyway, one of the other adult leaders was a lovely lady from Texas. When she wasn't with the Brownies she was a highly qualified nurse - in fact she did and still does lecture at one of the local universities and teaching hospitals.

She was our first-aider and gave me this extremely good piece of advice...

Whenever you can sit down and if it's possible, lie down.

So, back to the Pack Holiday...

Following this advice and general GGA guidelines, we always had a quiet period after lunch. The Brownies could either lie on their beds sleeping or reading a book and the adults would do likewise.
When you're in charge of thirty pre-pubescent girls a bit of peace during the day is a god-send.

Two days before the end of the holiday I was feeling a bit tired and when it came to the quiet period I went to have my rest.

Unfortunately as well as feeling tired I also developed a whopping headache and a dislike of bright lights....

To cut a rather long and rambling story short, the Texan lady suspected meningitis and here I was amongst all these kids.

Oh dear.

I was bundled into her car and driven off at speed to a hospital where I was rushed into A&E.

When you're on a trolley waiting to see a doctor they won't let you get off to go for a pee.

Have you ever tried squatting to pee into what looks like a takeaway box while on a table and a stranger holds your arm so you don't fall off ?

It's like surfing, but with only slightly less water, more danger and infinitely more chance of looking a fool.

Men, you don't know how lucky you are sometimes.

When the doctor came into see me he was very, very good looking.

And as he poked and prodded my stomach I broke wind rather loudly.

Not on purpose.

I was finally taken up to an observation ward where I stayed for the night. I can't say I slept at all because on one side of me there was a poor old soul who was deaf and dumb, had no one to understand her and she was very distressed. On the other side was another elderly lady who either had a nasty lung infection or a bad cough - I had to stop myself from shouting out to her, "For god's sake! Cough it up and spit it out!" But I suspect 'it' may have been her lung.

What has all this to do with the advice?

The following morning all the blood results were back and the doctor decided I hadn't got meningitis at all.

No. I was suffering from exhaustion.

His advice?

Sit down or lie down more.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 17:34, 12 replies)

much sympathies!
I too was a Guide Leader and a Tawny Owl
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 17:37, closed)

.
"Men, you don't know how lucky you are sometimes."

Ahem!
.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 17:40, closed)

Still, better safe than sorry
I had viral meningitis and that was enough of a bugger to be going along with.

I once went on a Brownie trip as a helper. Once. Never again.

We went to the fire station. I don't know who was more excited, the girls or the mums!
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Tue 24 Jun 2008, 17:44, closed)

@ Mistaspakkaman
Funnily enough I know that site and that method.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 17:48, closed)

At first I thought
that "Brown Owl" was a euphemism for something, and was afraid to keep reading.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 24 Jun 2008, 18:39, closed)

@ TRL
But this is *me* we're talking about...

I wouldn't be involved in anything that would scare you.


;)
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 18:44, closed)

OMG!
I have to master peeing standing up and then I can put it on my CV when applying for jobs.

I shall start tonight.
( girlinthehole, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 18:48, closed)

@ BGB
It's harder than you think.

It's safe to start trying in the shower - I know some will find that distasteful, but it's much easier to clear up pee in the shower than all over the bathroom floor.

Alternatively pee outside.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 18:53, closed)

I have a problem with peeing outside.
When last in America in the Blue Ridge Mountains I managed to overcome this problem but to do it standing up would be great.

If nothing else it will make having a shower more fun.
( girlinthehole, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 18:56, closed)

A Brown Owl giving a Golden Shower.

( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 24 Jun 2008, 19:30, closed)

Guess who's moving
to Cliftonville?
( Maladicta, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 23:23, closed)

@BGB
Do keep us up to date with your progress.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Wed 25 Jun 2008, 12:16, closed)