The International Chap-athlon were held in early December, allowing all able-bodied and like-minded Chaps to gather together in the spirit of Athletics and Spirits. Both were in good supply, the latter mainly in the form of Gins & Tonics and Port.
Sipping the inaugural and inevitable G&T
After taking care of the necessary hydration, we weregetting serious & ready for the Athletics. This required
us to walk over to the Market Square. The weather was
not cooperating, so these Games were cut somewhat short.
1
The first event was to be Velocipede Polo, but due to bad
weather and lack of proper equipment, we settled for
Cricket instead. A proper Victorian Gentleman must be
able to set up a game of Cricky anywhere, anytime:
In the excitement we lost count of the wickets and pointsand such, so no winner was declared.
2
Next event was something less familiar to us Gentlemen, as the
sport is of Far-Orient origins. Maj. Coastnail once brought a
chinese Shuttle-cock from his cruises, which implored us to
try our hand (or foot, to be more precise) in this challenging
second event. However, we decided to ante up the challenge
by continuing to drink our G&Ts while playing, yet not
allowing to spill any!
sport is of Far-Orient origins. Maj. Coastnail once brought a
chinese Shuttle-cock from his cruises, which implored us to
try our hand (or foot, to be more precise) in this challenging
second event. However, we decided to ante up the challenge
by continuing to drink our G&Ts while playing, yet not
allowing to spill any!
As this sport has, actually, no competitiviness, and is
in fact rather a pass-time of skill, cooperation and dexterity,
no winner was declared in this sport, either.
3
The last event was Duel. This, also, becomes very naturally to all British Gentlemen. Due to recent unpleasant events involving fire-arms in Finland, we decided to use water-balloons instead. The range and aim of balloons is radically different from guns, so a few rounds were "lost" to experimenting. For example, the 10 steps were reduced to 5, and then only 3, in order to keep the event more exciting and successful. Even so, only 2 or 3 hits were recorded, which proves that the Duel is quite difficult a sport!
No winner was declared in the Duel, either. It would, therefore, be rather proper to say, that all of us were winners at the Chap-athlon MMVIII! All had a good time, and the 'Thlon will very likely become an annual event. We will keep you posted for the MMIX Games with the Society Newsletter.
After the sports, we headed back to the Club, where many Important & Topical Matters were discussed in concerned yet constructive spirit, but as this is not the "Society for Historical Studies & Geo-Political Theories", there is no point in disclosing those discussions here...
The Society Staff wishes a very Merry Christmuchwanzaa to one and all!!
PS: Most of the photos in this Issue were by Dr. Jones, Esq, for whose services the Society thus expresses hearty thank-yous.
