We celebrated Andy Brockhouse's birthday last night. It was a grand party, with competitions, songs, poetry and much ale. Here are some pictures and a video!
Come wind or rain or hail or snow, Andy Brockhouse is always hard at work helping out hobbits with any burrow-related query. So last night, Simbo threw a party fer him!
Lots of hobbits and a couple of dwarves showed up for the celebrations near Andy's stall outside the Shire homesteads. Simbo started the party with a birthday song written especially for the occasion. After some starting songs by the Songburrow Strollers, which had the audience dancing around the stall, there was time for poetry by Tibba and Simbo. And then the competitions started.
[video type="youtube" clip_id="i3LPUKZZwM4" autohide="0"] Andy's birthday video! (full-screen view recommended)
Competitions aplenty
First off, the first-ever Shire ale-brewing competition was arranged, with Jadite and Nimelia enthusiastically helping out as judges. Although their enthusiasm were dampened somewhat by miss Pennyroyal's Hair of the Bear ale and Sevelda's Slug Ale, later entries (Rhinnie's Cloud Ale and me own Biscuit Brew) improved their moods no end. However, the clear winner was miss Bethlen's Thrice-Hopped Hunny Bunny Brew, which lead to requests for seconds. And even thirds. All really good things come in threes, surely! Although not necessarily in trees? Anyway...
After this, a riddle competition had the audience working hard to find names of Shire homesteads. This time, Sevelda was the quickest, fending off the stiff competition from the other hobbits (not least Mellam and yours truly). I bet Sev is used ter running and thinking fast, given her chasing her tricksy younger brother all the time!
Finally, a pony race around Songburrow lead to many complaints from the neighbours as 15-20 ponies thundered around the homestead. It was grand fun, though! The winners included Bethlen, Rubellita, Nimelia and Sevelda. Although it must have been hard ter see who crossed that line first!
Songs and dances and fireworks
As night fell, the party drew to a close. The partygoers returned to Andy and presented him with gifts, before the pitter-patter of badger paws were heard and a round of drinking songs were played. Finally, the Strollers returned and played two closing numbers. The birthday song had many hobbits joining in the chorus, as did the closing "Home Sweet Home". Although the party was not fully ended - a massive fireworks display lit up the area just before midnight. Boom!
As the partygoers left for home and said their goodbyes, Andy took his usual place in his stall, a fond smile on his lips. Likely, he was already looking forward to next year's party.
Here's to many more birthdays!
Pictures
Want more details than yer could get in the video above? Yer can see all the individual pictures from the night below! Else, take a look at the Grand Order party thread!
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