Well that's pretty much it for another year. All but the last guests have left and slowly but surely the devastation is being cleared. We must have set a new recycling record for the year having done 3 trailer loads. It seems we had numerous vodka drinkers as there were 6 large bottles that I recall just in one trailer.
Every year I say that improving on the previous year will be hard work but, once again, we have done it with some style. I wasn't initially kean on the idea of pirates and dressing up but, looking at the pictures of me in my costume, I know it was the right thing to do. Big thumbs up to Dave for making it happen by rallying the votes. Contemplating heroes and villains for next year as Dave will be able to come as a pirate again.
This years tournament kicked off earlier than any previous ones with the first proper influx on the Tuesday night when the Holland posse rolled up at dusk with music blaring and rocking the valley.(this could have been Wednesday night but I may have been drunk.) I'd had an inkling that a sight seeing tour might lose out in a battle against a few extra days here but I certainly hadn't expected such an early kick off. Party night 1 was under way.
Rob, Adam and Jenny also joined us Tuesday along with 3 kegs of ale, a new computer and Norman, the most exceptional suit of armour. What can one say? other than I was blown away. Seeing Norman on parade on Sunday night bought tears to my eyes and has made many happy memories for the people who were here. I hope that he enjoys his new home here and continues to bring pleasure to the masses. Cheers uncle Bob.
Wednesday (which may have been Thursday) saw the arrival of the second half of the Honey badger pirate tour with Dave & Kirsty aand Khim, Tim and Caitlyn joining the bash. Later that evening the party monsters arrived complete with beer having walked from the ferry port. Felix and Florian you should be very proud of your achievement and it means there are less excuses for any future visits you plan to make.
In the back ground of arriving guests, Jane was organising operation "Saving private Bailey". With his international roaming not working on his phone, Jakes mission to cycle from Calais to here had gone pear shaped and he was cut off from the whole planet. Fortunately he was bright enough to phone here and a rescue mission was sorted which resulted in Jules also getting a few extra days to party with the mob.
The pictures just keep getting posted, each and every one helping to remind me what an amazing event we have just pulled off. I must thank all the budding photographers for their efforts and I shall keep my fingers crossed that perhaps Flora will produce another video for us. Big thumbs up for Christian for being a great sport and letting me give him a mohawk and also for his great job at etching plastic cups.
Possibily the greatest wind up of the weekend was on Monday night when the Gendarmes turned up. Although it wasn't taken with my usual humourous spirit, looking back it was most excellent so big thumbs up to Adam and Rob for pulling it off.
Plenty more to write but don't want to bore too many peeps with my ramblings. Big thanks to everyone for chipping in and making the event what it was. Special big thanks and loads of love to Jane for letting me have a few friends over to play again.
Next year is closed doors to newbies unless sponsored by one of the existing mob.
Now it's time to sleep, night all.
