Pickwick Club Summer Party 2010
Vestfold County, Norway
A pleasant day, with a pleasant termination. Recordings from the Summer Party 2010 of the Pickwick Club in Vestfold County, Norway
“Pleasant, pleasant country. Who could live to gaze from day to day on bricks and slates, who had once felt the influence of a scene like this?” The General Chairman looked upon the pickwickians with these words from the Pickwick Papers in mind.
The last Saturday in June, the members of the Pickwick Club in Vestfold County and their families met for midsummer party at Holmen near Tønsberg. In the idyllic garden surrounding the red wooden cottage, fresh prawns, grilled meat, shortbread and cream cakes were served
The General Chairman, wearing the presidential night cap with two balls, addressed the Club: “I have good news! Our Club has been affiliated to the Dickens Fellowship in London! Moreover, we are invited to a meeting and a dinner in London in November.” (Cheers!) Four of the gentlemen immediately and with loudly cheers confirmed their participation.
The Contemporary Member, a librarian of profession, was bestowed the night cap with one ball. The night cap symbolizes the forthcoming admission as ordinary member – or, perhaps, as Vice-President!
In the Pickwickian Summer Games a laid-back Perpetual Vice-President was propelled impressively fast over the lawn by his daughter.
The Contemporary Member had another strategy. He propelled his daughter. Unfortunately without success. The wheel of the barrow got stuck in a water vole burrow! Poor chap! A genius tactic was spoiled by a rat! Everywhere a Jingel is waiting to tear you down…
A member of the Club taught his son to be enthusiastic in the search for night caps in the trees, one of the events of the Summer Games. The spirit of the young gentleman looked indeed promising.
No reindeer or titlebats were observed this evening. In Vestfold County reindeers are, in fact, only seen at the butchers’ counters. Nevertheless the Perpetual Candidate and Chief Photographer of the Club took photograps of two elks. It was outside the nature reserve; actually the elks were thumbing their nose at the hunters, passing a hunting tower before the legal hunting period!
The future of the Pickwick Club in Vestfold County is, after being affiliated to the Dickens Fellowship, bright as the midsummer nights in Norway. In the moonlight plans were made for the pilgrimage to London in November! Even the photographer was invigorated, but only because no blitz was required still one hour past midnight...
All the best
Fred-Ivar Syrstad
General Chairman
