| From far and wide came more than 200 eager Adventurists to see the great explorer Benedict Allen tell tales of adventure. Starting the weekend’s joviality at Eldon House, the trusty Adventurists folk filled the local ale hole to meet and talk of adventure mishaps past and future and to drink themselves into oblivion with some opting to spend the night sleeping in a horse box… Arising to a somewhat groggy morn, these gin-soaked adventure chasers joined with fellow Adventurists at St George, Bristol to continue the weekend’s festivities over a spot of tea, a few rather nice pieces of cake and a splendid talk from Benedict. Various adventuresome types, veterans and novices, from the Mongol Rally, Africa Rally, Rickshaw Run, the Mongol Derby and the Adventurists’ latest South American frolic, the Mototaxi Junket, gathered around the adventure maestro to hear his chronicles. From Crocodile Man Initiation Ceremonies in New Guinea to crossing the Amazon Solo – on foot – at its widest point – to entering the Gobi Desert with three temperamental camels, Benedict regaled his audience with his past adventures. And lest you thought he was the type not to pass on his adventuring wisdom to those less experienced in the ways of the explorer than he, Mr Allen Esquire stayed on to pass on tips and insights to eager Adventurists, ready to use his advice on the adventures they will undertake in the next few months. This was in between signing autographs and revealing his Crocodile Initiation scars to a gaggle of admiring young ladies…and men. Once the tea had flowed, the cake had been devoured and the tales of adventure exhausted, a number of keen Adventurists returned to the Eldon, doing their bit to secure the financial future of the landlord and dreaming of the many adventures they have to come whether upon semi-wild horse, tiny car, rather unreliable rickshaw or even more unreliable Mototaxi. What a perfect weekend… | --> |
Tea with Benedict - splendid
By Andy Place