Monday 8th October #1763 from Labrador Bay CP, OD Church House Inn at Stokeinteignhead. Hare Ollie
We gathered in the Labrador Bay CP on a dry, windless, autumnal evening full of promise. Ollie had decided to go coast side for his Harvest Festival Auction hash trail before decanting us down Deane Road to the Church House Inn for the auction fun.
Thirty five, including Polyfella and AH3 Avatar, made the dark circle to listen to GM Piltdown, precariously balanced on the bank betwixt the car park and the Teignmouth Road.
Ollie was summoned and outlined two L/S splits and no RGs as time was of the essence. His stratagem was 'keep it simple, keep it safe' but the irresolute and infirm would know all about the infamous coast path trestles, sooner rather than later..
The route was simplicity itself - even an idiot couldn't go wrong, Shirley. The longs would prescribe a clockwise, rectangular route from Labrador to Maidencombe low side and return via the high route to enjoy the splendid views out over Babbacombe and Lyme bay. The shorts would go the same route until turning off right into Blackberry Lane, just above the Mackerel Cove VP.
Ollie, gent that he is, had kindly marked my card beforehand and in truth, I was unable to run, so I stuck to my two words of undeniable wisdom pertaining to navigation of this coastal strip: Stay high (you fools).
The hash had quickly settled into known groups of ability and I felt sorry for the Teapot group of Wetfart, Able and Twin Buffers who descended into the lower reaches of the RSPB Reserve, heading for the first of the trestled climbs - and possibly the most demanding. Known as the 'alpine curves', it was an ascent so severe that it had to take in several hairpin turns to gain the summit.
A lifeline and a way out was offered. Some maniac with a shunting horn was heard (and seen courtesy of his headlight) high up above the trekking file. 'Do you see the light? DO YOU SEE THE LIGHT?' * Well, Teapot's little group did and wisely scuttled for the exit. Others did not and upon breasting the alpine curves, the vanguard of the shorts - Squashed Balls and #69 saw a steep trestled descent unfold. 'I really don't want to go down there.' muttered Squashed Balls forlornly and there miraculously was James Brown, complete with shining light to give solace to the clearly suffering duo.
Atop Labrador summit, the toiling trail of lights, barely moving, was a fine sight to behold, though the super heroes of the long had already descended to Maidencombe led by Deep Throat and Poacher, locked in mortal combat. Grinder was a little way behind but Beefy had somehow managed to get into an argument with some brambles and had lost contact. Surprisingly, Manopause had got the better of his mentor Wet Johnny and was having a fine time out there under the stars. WJ lamented later in the pub 'The legs had gone, gone I say!'
Finally, after our sightseeing tour, we arrived back at the scenic car park to find a 'semi' long Wigwam already changing. 'I dun the first long guv, honest!' Twin Buffers and the 'Saw the Light' crew had already made it and were first down the hill to the bar.
The Church House had Otter, Jail and Doom Bar on tap and plates of gratis chips were promised for the TVH gannets - many thanks Simon.
The DDs were got out of the way before the main event:
Deep Throat (substitute Checkin' Chicken hat) to Poacher for 'Forgetting to charge his head torch.'
Manpig (Hashit Pillock shirt) to Shitfaced for filming T Humper's epic karaoke turn on the TVH away day Brewery Tour.**
A joint DD for Squashed Balls and Twin Buffers celebrating their 8th anniversary meeting at this event.
The auctioneer was, as ever, Teapot and the bidding was frenetic and keenly fought. Poacher refused to be outbid on many a produce lot prompting the classic comment from Only Here: 'The caullies must be selling well!' However, Poacher finally relented on the last lot, a sought after copy of Soapy's Havoc book - allowing Melissa (chair of St Marychurch Traders) to take the prize.
Totting up the figures, the amount raised for Rowcroft was a new auction record of £505 - Ollie's Magic Monkey indeed!
POSTSCRIPT
A lovely evening and grateful thanks must go to Ollie for travelling down specially to lay the trail for us. It was just reward for his efforts that so much was raised on the evening and he was justifiably gratified by the generosity of TVH.
* James Brown, The Blues Brothers (1980)
** Soon to be made into a film: Teign Valley P**s Up (2018)
ON ON to next week from the Castle Inn at Stoke Gabriel with Wigwam.
We gathered in the Labrador Bay CP on a dry, windless, autumnal evening full of promise. Ollie had decided to go coast side for his Harvest Festival Auction hash trail before decanting us down Deane Road to the Church House Inn for the auction fun.
Thirty five, including Polyfella and AH3 Avatar, made the dark circle to listen to GM Piltdown, precariously balanced on the bank betwixt the car park and the Teignmouth Road.
Ollie was summoned and outlined two L/S splits and no RGs as time was of the essence. His stratagem was 'keep it simple, keep it safe' but the irresolute and infirm would know all about the infamous coast path trestles, sooner rather than later..
The route was simplicity itself - even an idiot couldn't go wrong, Shirley. The longs would prescribe a clockwise, rectangular route from Labrador to Maidencombe low side and return via the high route to enjoy the splendid views out over Babbacombe and Lyme bay. The shorts would go the same route until turning off right into Blackberry Lane, just above the Mackerel Cove VP.
Ollie, gent that he is, had kindly marked my card beforehand and in truth, I was unable to run, so I stuck to my two words of undeniable wisdom pertaining to navigation of this coastal strip: Stay high (you fools).
The hash had quickly settled into known groups of ability and I felt sorry for the Teapot group of Wetfart, Able and Twin Buffers who descended into the lower reaches of the RSPB Reserve, heading for the first of the trestled climbs - and possibly the most demanding. Known as the 'alpine curves', it was an ascent so severe that it had to take in several hairpin turns to gain the summit.
A lifeline and a way out was offered. Some maniac with a shunting horn was heard (and seen courtesy of his headlight) high up above the trekking file. 'Do you see the light? DO YOU SEE THE LIGHT?' * Well, Teapot's little group did and wisely scuttled for the exit. Others did not and upon breasting the alpine curves, the vanguard of the shorts - Squashed Balls and #69 saw a steep trestled descent unfold. 'I really don't want to go down there.' muttered Squashed Balls forlornly and there miraculously was James Brown, complete with shining light to give solace to the clearly suffering duo.
Atop Labrador summit, the toiling trail of lights, barely moving, was a fine sight to behold, though the super heroes of the long had already descended to Maidencombe led by Deep Throat and Poacher, locked in mortal combat. Grinder was a little way behind but Beefy had somehow managed to get into an argument with some brambles and had lost contact. Surprisingly, Manopause had got the better of his mentor Wet Johnny and was having a fine time out there under the stars. WJ lamented later in the pub 'The legs had gone, gone I say!'
Finally, after our sightseeing tour, we arrived back at the scenic car park to find a 'semi' long Wigwam already changing. 'I dun the first long guv, honest!' Twin Buffers and the 'Saw the Light' crew had already made it and were first down the hill to the bar.
The Church House had Otter, Jail and Doom Bar on tap and plates of gratis chips were promised for the TVH gannets - many thanks Simon.
The DDs were got out of the way before the main event:
Deep Throat (substitute Checkin' Chicken hat) to Poacher for 'Forgetting to charge his head torch.'
Manpig (Hashit Pillock shirt) to Shitfaced for filming T Humper's epic karaoke turn on the TVH away day Brewery Tour.**
A joint DD for Squashed Balls and Twin Buffers celebrating their 8th anniversary meeting at this event.
The auctioneer was, as ever, Teapot and the bidding was frenetic and keenly fought. Poacher refused to be outbid on many a produce lot prompting the classic comment from Only Here: 'The caullies must be selling well!' However, Poacher finally relented on the last lot, a sought after copy of Soapy's Havoc book - allowing Melissa (chair of St Marychurch Traders) to take the prize.
Totting up the figures, the amount raised for Rowcroft was a new auction record of £505 - Ollie's Magic Monkey indeed!
POSTSCRIPT
A lovely evening and grateful thanks must go to Ollie for travelling down specially to lay the trail for us. It was just reward for his efforts that so much was raised on the evening and he was justifiably gratified by the generosity of TVH.
* James Brown, The Blues Brothers (1980)
** Soon to be made into a film: Teign Valley P**s Up (2018)
ON ON to next week from the Castle Inn at Stoke Gabriel with Wigwam.
