Fun Day
2007
report by Alan Hill
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here for pictures of the day
If there is someone up there then he did us proud for fun day. After a couple of lousy weeks the sun shone down on us for a whole weekend. In fact I think I heard people saying , too hot for me!. Mid week we suddenly found out we're going to have to compete with a caravan rally for the use of the field. However after Dennis's discussions with their organiser and a few strategically placed obstacles we managed to reserve one end of the field and it turned out not to be too much of a problem.
Saturday morning arrived and I thought, Oh dear where is everybody! So we didn't rush to start and people began drifting in. First game was the now traditional up and over, down and under, down and out, (or whatever it's called) beach ball game. As usual this was extremely well organised, only taking 10 minutes to put together 3 teams. The winning team consisted of Carol & Alan (Cpt Toad), Geoff & Karen (Aquacadabra), Dot & Steve (Shimmer), Carol (Vanity) & Toby (Anatolia). I think they had youth on their side.
Next was a new game called Caterpillar Walking in which teams of 4 had to walk in unison on a pair of skies. Instinctively some people seemed to know their right from left but others were now beginning to be affected by the sun. All the teams nominated a leader to shout instructions but some seemed to have too many skippers and not enough crew. However, thankfully with no broken bones the winning team was Dennis & Jill (Emotion), Bob (John Bishop) & Carol (Vanity) in a magnificent time of 1min 20 seconds.
Then, another new game of skill, pouring water down a drainpipe into your partners bucket whilst blindfolded . All contestants were offered an apron (all be it only made from a bin bag) but all refused I think because the first person to ask for one was heckled with shouts of wimp, sissy, big girls blouse and such like. Instructions were shouted, left a bit, right a bit, hang on is that my left or your left. I kept telling my daughter off for getting it wrong when it was pointed out it was my fault for giving the wrong instructions, which I find hard to believe. There was a lot of contradictory instructions being called by the audience with a view to sabotage but miraculously I think a couple of people did stay dry. The winners with their softly, softly catchy monkey approach were Dot & Steve (Shimmer), Wendy & Pete (Sandringham).
After a short break to get dry and have a spot of lunch it was then onto the pentathlon. Because of the long grass the putting was slightly more challenging this year as was the crown darts, mainly because you couldn't see the target. However after some play offs and tie breaks we emerged with an outright winner in Trevor (Sandy Dee). Unfortunately, Trevor had to leave early so Dennis is guarding your medal for you!
The Round the Island race was won again by John & Shane (Vanity), they're so competitive. When I say Round the Island race, it was really Half Round the Island race. Because of the river conditions we didn't want dinghies going under Radcot bridge, so it started by the Swan went down river and halfway back up the backwater. Unfortunately when Geoff & Karen (Aquacadabra) crossed the finish line no one told them to stop. They should have had a medal really for being the only ones to go right round the island.
The sneaky conundrums devised by the overseas section (Chris and Heather Winter) was won by Kevin & Heather (Badger VIII).(Again, Dennis is guarding your medal
And so to the evening. Our two new gas BBQ's went down well, a lot easier than messing about with charcoal and the sausages come out just as black but in a shorter time. Thanks to Paul for assembling them and Joan for cleaning them.
Due to various commitments some people left after the games so there was quite a lot of room in the marquee for the evening. John Douse did another great job with the disco coaxing people up to dance, (not that they need much coaxing). He finished about eleven and despite offering to double his fee we couldn't persuade him to carry on any later and so it was off to bed.
Thanks to all those who attended, all the helpers and to Ian Harrison (Pegasus) for the loan of the disco equipment. Best wishes to Ellie (Bilbo Baggins). Breaking your ankle is a bit extreme just to get out of playing a few games.
Click here for pictures of the day