TREASURE HUNT CAR TRAIL
The treasure trail last Sunday 9th April , took place on the hottest day of the year so far and we all met
at Sonning Cricket Club car park at 2pm. There were 3 convertibles and one saloon car with a total of 12 persons in all.
John and Christine in their car, Sheila and Brian with 3 passengers, Romy and Stuart in their car and Mark and Angella and Sue in their car. After a debriefing and hand out of the clues, I waved them off, not without some trepidation, thinking will they get too hot, fed up, lost or frustrated and will I receive some desperate phone calls from lost participants !
I thought my first clue wasfairly straight forward and easy but to my dismay one car set off in the wrong direction! Anyhow hoped they would soon get on the right track and went back home to complete the answers and the scoring system before heading off to meet them at their final destination.
At 4.30 I left for the LandsEnd pub which is where they would all hopefully meet up. There I spoke to the landlady who was aware of the trail and briefed her again regards their final task at the pub which was for each driver to pull themselves a pint ! She was very supportive and happy to cooperate, and fortunately the time of arrival was not a busy time behind the bar!
I sat down in the sun with a half of Brakspeare s and kept an eye out for the first arrival. I had received an email from Angella an hour before to say how well I had done with the trail and what fun it was which gave me a sense of relief. I didn’t have to wait long as, to my surprise the first car arrived at 4.45 pm with the occupants triumphant and waving and looking suitably exhilarated from the experience. It was Angella, Mark and Sue !
The route set was more or less a circular one around the local villages this side of the river. The route from Sonningwent as far as Wokingham and on the borders of Maidenhead and back, passing through Waltham St. Lawrence, Littlewick Green and Knowl Hill with lots of cryptic clues, anagrams, and various tasks to complete and photos to take at various places of interest.
The second car to arrive, just 5 mins later was Sheila, Brian and passengers, followed 10 mins later by Romy and Stuart and 25 minutes later by John and Christine. After completing their last tasks and recording it with a a photo, we all sat down in the garden to discuss the events. Everyone was very impressed with the planning and the route itself which was very gratifying but what was most pleasing to me was that even some keen walkers and cyclists amongst us had discovered new places and interesting facts. They also remarked on how beautiful the villages were and so close to where we all lived. The weather, spring blossom and flora being in an open top car, had all helped with the enjoyment of the event.
After checking the answers, photos, literature collected and considering the finishing times, the winners were announced. First place with 149 points, Angella, Mark and Sue, 2nd place (even though last back) John and Christine, followed by a close 3rd Romy and Stuart, and 4th Sheila, Brian and party. Prizes given (for all) were presented, a round of applause for all and a thanks from everyone to me for the organising, we headed home. I left after thanking the staff of the pub and feeling relieved that my first trail, which I had thoroughly enjoyed planning, had been so successful. What a great way to explore the countryside and discover places of history and interest in a fun way ! So here’s to many more !
Anyone who would like to participate or organise a treasure trail in the future please let me know !
Hope to see you on the tennis courts and more fun for the coming year !Keep checking the website.
Mary Primrose
Social Secretary
12th April 2017