Well... It's All Over... The Quest For The Bolney Grail is Found!!!

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For those of you who wanted to know, I have to boast a brilliant day was had by all who competed in The Quest For the Bolney Grail, as well as those who didn't actually go off on the figure of eight car trek I set them, with one hundred clues. They gasped when they saw how many, but I wasn't unfair on them, as I tried to set the clues that couln't be stopped at, in places where there were longer drives... just to keep them alert and interested in the journey. lol. Where they could stop, I found several clues within a very small space, like Slaugham, with seven, and Warninglid with eight. I made two sets of clues, one red starting southwards, and one green starting in a northerly direction, and staggered the start as well as I could. Having done the run myself and stopping to write down clues, it took approximately three and a quarter hours. The day was hot and sunny, with a nice light breeze, so I set up my registration table in the pub garden, and off we went! Those teams taking part, registered names and took their clues, having a drink, whilst trying to suss out the route from the clues. lol. I hasten to add that I didn't mention many village names. :) Off they went, car by car and I was left alone at the pub, waiting for phone calls to say they were stuck somewhere, but nooooooooo, they all managed the routes, and the first team, who were youngsters and must have driven round like bats out of you know where, got back after two and a half hours, but it didn't end there. he he he. They were given a tie-breaker to make as many three letter and more words they could from a village name, and I gave them a six o'clock deadline. Then I marked the papers. Sarah's Girls had wone by twelve points, and received the final clue for the Grail's hiding place, which was in the boughs of an oak tree, overhanging a bench, in the Churchyard, where I often sit. I had gotten hold of a pewter goblet, decorated it with purple gems, and packed it in a polystyrene box, bedded in silver crepe. Then, I coated the lid with glitter, decorated it with four oak leaves, and tied it round with a glittery, pale pink ribbon. (I had no purple or red to hand). Then it was set in its place and the Girls given their final clue. Off they went, coming back with big smiles, the Grail and four scrolls, which at the bottom, entitled them to one free barbecue meal and one free drink, (donated by the landlords). The day went very well, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The first ones back, had covered a plaque on the well in order to stall the others, so they got three points deducted. Then, one of the lads came and tried to get me to cheat for him, so they could win, and all this whilst I was trying to mark papers. So, I told him, in quite a loud voice, to go away, or I would deduct more!!! ha ha ha. Despite this, which was quite funny as it happened, they all loved it. The Grail has been placed on a shelf in the pub, and they've asked me to organise a challenge each year. I was awarded with a free cajun chicken salad and a pint for my efforts, and was handed even more donations during the evening quiz. So... all was happy. In the pic, the Bolney Grail, in the box, before the start.