It was a grey and dank morning in the Shires as Gandalf (Pugwash) and the Hobbits, along with Thorin Oakenshield (Dave Wat) and his band of dwarves gathered round the Market Cross. Our task this morning was to seek out the sustenance offered by the Bells Mill café in the far flung Driffield region of middle earth. Gandalf suggested following the route to South Dalton then on to Bracken road to Hutton and Skerne.
On setting off, the band were shadowed by an Orc aboard a Warg as they passed along North Bar. Despite the Orc’s best attempts to scare the band by skimming close by, we soon gave him the slip as we dropped into Tiger Lane. A racing fit Legolas (Brett) took up the pace to lead the band over the Westwood. Joining our band today from the southern shires of Bristol was Radagast the Brown (Bob), a wizard on a bike, sent by Galadriel (Sharrin) to aid in our quest.
As the happy band proceeded ever onwards towards the Northfarthing, the pace setting changed hands several times with Beorn (Mathew)sporting his latest time trialling battle helmet and Bofur (James) taking the lead at the hobbit village of Etton. The band took a wide route around a local hobbit riding Fatty Lumpkin before heading to the Misty Mountains of South Dalton. With a following wind, the pace along the Bracken road was swift. At the top of Bracken ascent the band almost split, with some heading towards TJ’s while the rest continued towards Southburn. After regrouping, the band headed for Hutton, where Beorn took charge of the run through Skerne and into the café.
For the rather hungry hobbits it was time for “second breakfast” as they gathered round the serving counter to place their order. From the other side of the counter a voice was heard “Let us see what you’ve got in your pocketses”. At a price to satisfy even King Thranduil (Neil), the refreshments were served quickly. Mission accomplished, it was time for the band to return to Hobbiton.
Retracing our steps back to Skerne, we then headed towards Wansford. On the way, Bilbo Baggins decided to leave a trail of breadcrumbs by throwing his money out of his pocket, however very quickly had second thoughts and stopped to recover his hard earned cash. Turning south to North Frodingham the band encountered adverse winds. Now led by Thorin, living up to his name of Oakenshield, taking a long turn on the front and maintaining an impressive pace. Continuing our journey to Brandesburton and Leven, the lead changed hands several times as the hobbitses, dwarves and wizards worked together to battle against the wind. The final leg of the return saw the happy band following the cycle path to Tickton Grange where there was a bit of a free-for-all as everyone found their own way to negotiate the Orc / Warg crossing leading to Tickton village. With everyone safely clear of the Wargs, it was time to seek out their own little patch of green, where they can while away the time and dream about the next adventure.