The Balloon game. Bit of a misnomer actually - it is probably better known as The Gondola Game. However, for those who did not manage to be there - weather and winter ailments took a heavy toll - it proceeds like this.
Members each take on the persona of an author, with the theme having been previously decided. They are in an imaginary hot air balloon that is slowly sinking because it is too heavy. Some must leave to save the others. Each defends his work, and the members vote to decide who should be chucked out.
In this instance, the theme was 20th Century popular novelists - five members elected to join in. Unfortunately, two of them were ill, and we were reduced to three, until the happy appearance of Terry Gifford who volunteered to join in.
Anne Griffith played the part of Barbara Cartland, and she was magnificent. Suitably made up, and with pink scarves flowing. Alan John was excellent as Douglas Adams, quoting liberally from his quotes: "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." and " Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." Etc. Terry was amazing in his role as DH Lawrence, with not a mention of Lady Chatterly, defending himself as the greatest contributor to English literature - compared anyway with the fourth occupant of the gondola, Jeffrey Archer. He was personified by Rod, and he was immediately chucked out. It has been widely reported that Jeffrey landed safely on a soft haystack and is now writing a best-seller about his experience. I'm sure you will all be pleased.
Also tipped out, unfortunately, were poor Barbara and Lawrence, leaving Douglas Adams, a la Alan, to rise majestically over the Montgó slopes to land gently somewhere north of Denia next to a rather nice restaurant. He has not invited Jeffrey to lunch.
Many thanks to Christopher, who introduced and chaired the game with aplomb and humour, and to Norma, who assisted him and collected and counted the votes.
|
