Harris Tim - Mr Bambuckles Remarkables Go Wild

Meet your new assistant principal Miss Frost!

Uh-oh, that's not good.

At least we're away on camp.

Mr Bambuckle lets us eat marshmallows before dinner!

Is that a spark-maker beetle?

Shh! What was that noise?

The class in room 12B are having fun in the wilderness. Until Miss Frost crashes camp

The yellow bus rolled away from Blue Valley School with an air of excitement. Its driver, the much-loved Mr Bambuckle, whistled a tune that matched the sparkle of his blue suit. While it was usual for the children to be taken away on a yearly camp, it was completely unusual that they knew nothing of this years destination. In this case, Mr Bambuckle had been arranging the surprise for quite some time.

Do kindly close your eyes, said the charismatic teacher, for we will soon approach a section of the journey you mustnt see.

The fifteen children obeyed without the slightest delay. They had come to learn their teacher operated in remarkable ways, and this was something they were beginning to relish.

You may now open your eyes, dear students, said Mr Bambuckle.

That was quick, said Sammy Bamford, straightening his baseball cap.

Approximately nine seconds, said Albert Smithers, a blond-haired boy who wore glasses and liked to read a lot.

The bus passed beneath a stone bridge the children had never seen before. To the left wound a river, shimmering like diamonds in the afternoon sunlight. Thick forest lined the opposite bank.

Where are we? said Albert. Ive studied every map of the Blue Valley region and there are no stone bridges.

Mr Bambuckle grinned. Its amazing what you miss when you close your eyes for nine seconds. Dodger chose this location especially, you know.

Only days before, the secluded camp site the bus now chugged towards had been discovered by a lively blue jay Mr Bambuckles beloved pet, Dodger. The destination had been carefully selected to accommodate top-secret schemes the teacher had been hatching.

I cant believe you let a bird choose the camp site, said Miffy Armstrong.

Theres a good reason for it, explained the teacher. Dodger has the ability to locate GPS black spots.

GPS dreadlocks? said Harold McHagil. Id like to see that.

He said black spots, you funny bunny, said Scarlett Geeves, with a chuckle.

Im confused, said Miffy. What do GPS black spots have to do with anything?

My dear Miffy, said Mr Bambuckle, I would love to tell you more, but that would be taking away the fun of the chase. Youll work it out when the time comes.

The chase? Miffy shrugged her shoulders, though she could tell by her teachers tone that he was plotting something quite extraordinary. It sent a tingle down her spine, and as far as tingles go, this one was particularly delicious.

The bus slowed down and turned left, bumping over another stone bridge that crossed the river. The road straightened out and stretched deep into the forest. Albert adjusted his glasses and squinted outside, determined to find a landmark that sparked a map-reading memory.

The black bitumen soon turned to dirt, and the road curved around to the left, taking it back towards the river. The trees tall and impressive cast shadows that blinked over the windscreen.

I need someone to take the wheel for a moment, said Mr Bambuckle. Slugger, would you be so kind?

Slugger Choppers, a bulky boy with arms as thick as the trees outside, lumbered to the front of the bus. Me?

Thats right, Slugger. I believe you have experience.

Sluggers mind flashed back to a few weeks earlier when he had taken advantage of a government typo that allowed anyone older than eight the same rights as eighteen-year-olds. He had spent an entire day behind the wheel of a 42-seater. Yeah, I can drive for you.

Mr Bambuckle slid out from his seat and stood near the door while Slugger took control.

Whats happening? said Evie Nightingale, a small girl who was easily frightened.

I have an urgent matter to attend to, said Mr Bambuckle. Slugger, would you please? He tapped the door.

Open it? said Slugger.

Thats right.

Slugger shrugged and pressed a button on the dash. Wipers suddenly swished across the windscreen. Oops.

He tried another control.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, baby, you make my heart go wiiiiiiiiiild.

Thats the radio, Slugger, said Mr Bambuckle.

Sluggers meaty fists fumbled over the dash as he punched yet another button. The toilet at the back of the bus flushed loudly. Ill get it in a minute, he apologised.

Try the orange switch, said the teacher patiently.

The door swung open and Mr Bambuckle stepped out of the moving vehicle.

The students gasped.

Is he okay?

I cant see him!

Where did he go?

Did we run over him?

Before they had time to fully register what had happened, Mr Bambuckle stepped back onto the bus seemingly out of thin air. All is well, dear children. It appears Dodger had flown into some difficulty.

The blue jay fluttered its wings, perched on the teachers shoulder. He chirped sweetly.

Dodger! cried Sammy. Is he all right, Mr Bambuckle?

The teacher nodded. Yes, though the speckled-dagger vulture can be rather nasty this late in the afternoon. I managed to get there just in time.

Albert shot his hand up. Ive read over twenty-seven books about birds and theres no such thing as a speckled-dagger vulture.

Vinnie White, a tall girl with curly brown hair, laughed. Over twenty-seven books! What does that even mean?

Twenty-eight, said Albert. And there is no such bird.

Thats because it hasnt been discovered yet, said Mr Bambuckle.

While Albert would usually argue a point, he was beginning to trust his teachers knowledge. Oh, he said. You learn something new every day.

Dodger fluttered off Mr Bambuckles shoulder and looped around the inside of the bus. The students clapped as the blue jay performed some difficult spins and dives.

He really is a beautiful bird, said Slugger, who usually reserved words like beautiful for cooking.

He most certainly is, agreed Mr Bambuckle. And, Slugger, keep an eye on the road as youre no longer on it.

Argh!

The bus slammed to a halt, inches from a giant, twisted gum tree.

Were very close to those branches said Carrot.