The assembled group of Tony, Viv, John, Peter, Derek and Mark met at 10, but weren't ready to depart until 11 (mostly Viv's fault for bringing extra champagne).
Eschewing the Gate (from their poor showing from the last walk), the group set off directly towards the Granville. A pleasant start across the Butts and over the
old railway line, then through the woods. As the track descended through the woods, the path got wetter and wetter.
Reaching the Granville, Peter was appointed whip master and set about ordering in the beers. A couple of games of Crib were also played. (note Tony's hand... shame about the 8 turn up)
Duck soup anyone?
More crib was played at the Duck Inn, washed down by a very pleasant brew called "Over the Moon" from the Dark Star brewery in Burgess Hill. Of course, soup was ordered too.
The Somme Revisited....
It was supposed to be a drier walk than November's, but the logging trail proved as muddy as ever...
Never downhearted, the Pot Boys overcame all hurdles (or sat on them)
What's being said here?
On the way from the Somme reenactment to the Mermaid, the sun shone and there was a lovely view
across to Higham Park.
Signs? What signs?
At the Mermaid, the walkers were devastated by the news that there were no pickled eggs to be had.
This could have resulted in an immediate walk-out, but as at that point the heavens opened, it was felt that
a game or two of crib and a pint or two of beer was a far better plan. Derek wandered off to make use
of his bus pass and go back to Herne Bay to get ready to meet us at the Unicorn later (hmm, odd planning)
Just before the cards appeared at the Mermaid
Leaving the Mermaid, Peter headed back to Bridge Down, leaving four to trek through the graveyard in the dark and across the sheep field and thence to the Plough and Harrow in Bridge. On arrival at Bridge, Viv headed back to Patrixbourne for a pre-dinner shower.
At the Plough
John felt unable to walk the last stretch, so a visit to Mervyn (who was still working) resulted in a lift for the final three to the Unicorn, where they were reunited with Vivian and Peter and later Derek. Also joining the party were Mervyn (obviously), Terry, Bob, and Janet.
The President
It was also a total eclipse of the moon that evening - one of the most spectacular seen. The Pot Boys made frequent forays into the garden to watch the Earth's shadow moving across the surface of the moon, turning it red.
(OK, the last picture came off the web - it was too dark for the camera to see the moon, or perhaps the photographer was too drunk to point the camera the right way).
Many thanks again to Tony for organising the whole thing and for providing breakfast. Thanks also to Peter for looking after the kitty, Mervyn and Bob for driving the others home and to the staff and management of all the pubs along the way.