Around 1pm, the nature hikers (see yesterday’s entry) caught
up with Claire and 7 others who had agreed to come on the Dragon’s back hike as
step 1 of Claire’s birthday celebrations. Hats off (or indeed on – it was sodding hot and sunstroke
beckoned for the hatless) to all who made it out. Especially Charis. Who came
from Singapore.
I worried our motley crew was poorly composed - for over
2km, almost nobody talked. However, when chat began to flow, I realised it was
because the a) worst of the climbing was done; b) We were now in the shade; and
c) Claire had sparked everyone into life through her perpetually, cheery demeanour.
Step 2: beer and games on the beach. We elected to play Clairey’s Game of Birthday
Fun, with all-new players. The game is, essentially, rounders. With a champagne
bottle bat. See above (many thanks to Chris for the rainbow-framed picture I 100%
purloined from facebook).
To facilitate this, Charis and I had carried the bottles
amongst our hiking gear, and then bought a bucket and spade and some ice. So we
had cooling fizz nestled in a gaily-coloured, child’s bucket. Incongruous.
The game took place in a natural rock arena with a rock pool
as a natural backstop. Highlights of our pair-based game included: an overexcited
player (you know who you are) letting go of the bottle and almost murdering 4th
base; Abi (girlfriend) smacking ball directly at Chris (boyfriend) who over-elaborately
dived as if to sportingly drop the ball, only to cling on for dear life; a
drinks break consisting of beer carried in via the backstop-cum-rockpool;
Claire wining for possibly the first ever year.
Step 3: Assembled yet more people in nearby Stanley
to watch the Lions thump the aussies over a meal. 16 of us settled along one
long table to watch, and toast Claire’s birthday, for the umpteenth time. Star
of the show was 4-year-old Connor, who came armed with a rugby ball. Which,
overarm, he could sling at quite a rate of knots. At crotch height. Which, when
playing catch, I had not anticipated.
A great day, that ended in the pub with jaeger bombs and
juke boxery (whose rowdiness has unhinged other guests – Claire’s mum is in all
likelihood barred from the establishment…).
And a timely poke in the eye for my gloomy 05.7.13 blog (I
had been drinking a little when I wrote it. Could you tell?) – a sincere thanks
to all our lovely new friends below who made the effort to come out and
celebrate with us :)
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