YORK, YORKSHIRE 2010 (Murton Grange)

SCRIPT SNIPPET FROM THE PIKEHANDS ARCHIVE
Each pike was appointed the district within which he lived in the following:-

Bryan and George were organisers. Also attending were Alan, Bob, Gra, Jeff, Neil, Nick.C, Nick.T, Pete and Rich. Our digs was a complex designed for Stag and Hen parties. It so happened that one block was already occupied by a hen party. We don't think they had as much fun as us though. Read into that what you will!! A feature of this weekend, that for us is unusual, was we consumed such a large amount of alcohol of all sorts which kept the organises busy re-stocking.

One cultural activity was a trip that the organisers had not planned well. Relying on satnav they lead the convoy procession on a merry dance. Eventually they did get us to our destination all together. Well they are, "Always Right," after all. There was speculation in one car as to what we were to engage in. It was decided that it was a strong man contest. Ideas ranged from pulling caravens to heavy lorries and such. But then pulling with what? Macho man could pull with his teeth. Even more macho with his ears. Pulling with pins through the nipples made us cringe but the eye watering suggestion was pulling with the scrotum. Gra's retort was, "Nurse! Nurse! Have you got a plaster?"

In reality it was, "Go Ape." With passing years this proved that some older Pikes could no longer rise to the challenges they would have taken in their stride in previous years. We were harnessed up in safety gear and given instruction in its use. Pikes were on, "Bob Watch," as he was the elder of us. He made quite a hash of the low level experiment, regularly corrected by the watch, and eventually made it. Every Pike had to pass to be allowed to proceed. From then on we were on our own, almost. We climbed up onto tree platforms. Once high up we soon became aware of the need for diligence in the use of the safety gear. Various obstacles confronted us. Each ended in a zip wire ride. Not all of us got the hang of the rides landing backside first. Pine needles down the underwear resulted. Persistant itchers, finding aggravating places to embarrassingly exert their influence hours later.

Neil, as is his wont, was not paying attention when walking down some steps by one tree. He twisted his ankle and was in pain for the rest of the weekend and for some time after. Naturally we gave him the usual simpathy extended to Pikes. Ignored him.

On another day we arrived in convoy at a woodland. We were going Paintballing. Over the years we had avoided this activity for fear of upsetting Alan. Sons have no such trepedations. George as one of the organisers he was, "Always Right!" His dad kitted up, safety trained and sharing with another group to make up the numbers Alan went to war. The other group were experienced but Pikes were not. So Pike casualties (being struck with a paintball) quickly mounted. The process continued for several battles over different terrains and obstacles. Pikes began to tire of the sameness and began calling it a day. So the final battle of the day was brought forward. A battle where there were to be no survivors. Pikes watched on as Alan, in full battle mode, violently took to the field. He was on the winning side (presumable elated as his opposing son was destroyed). Was this his revenge against an organiser? Does he remain the same man in Claire's eyes? Will Pikes ever know?

Pikes had been pre-tasked to be ancient heroes, give themselves names, provide a suitable costume and provide us with an account of their deeds. We prepared our own banquet that we had to attend attired in our costumes. What a mottly lot! what was your name and account?

There was a little free time during the weekend which was spent in York. We went our own ways separately or in groups to meet at a particular point and time for return to our digs. can this be put into order?

See Group Photo 2010 Slideshow

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