(July 18th, 2015)

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This is related to the following event:
North Downs Chicken Run
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Captain's Quick Report: North Downs Chicken Run

  
   Well!  What a journey, from the Shire to the North Downs, through Bree and even Trestlebridge -- the Hobbits and folk which Farmer Sandson arranges to help herd his deliveries of chickens to far away places across the land are surely quite steadfast in their duty, and the feathered-friends themselves were large in number again today, at least a small pocket of this generation was of the daring sorts too, risking plump meat and feathers to have adventures ahead of the caravan! 

  I was lucky to have heard of the herding from that Bramblebury Gazette publication abundant in the Shire; a rarity to obtain a fresh copy back in Bree-town.  Later on a posting also appeared on several public event bulletin boards managed by The Grey Repository.  It was a good showing at Master Sandson's Farm, well over a dozen and a half, perhaps two dozen even, of folk turning up for the important delivery to the North Downs today.  And off both lively poultry and herders did go upon the launching of a starter's firework by Master Simbo of the Grand Order of the Lost Mathom. 

  The stunning landscape of the Shire did quicken by and before we knew it, the Brandywine Bridge did the group reach, with a short break overlooking the great Brandywine River, and then off into Bree-land, and soon after through the West Gate of Bree-town!  A flapping around of feathers outside of the Prancing Pony for a brief period, while enjoying a musical performance by a band I sadly did not catch the name of in time, and then the party was back off onto the Greenway -- the road which would continue onwards through northern Bree-land and into Trestlebridge, and the beginnings of the more dangerous North Downs.  I err, sadly got carried away with something just before the West Gate leaving Bree-town, and was not able to accompany the group during that part of the journey, until catching up at Trestlebridge.

 Upon arriving at Trestlebridge, the clucking chickens were already resting well with Miss Amorey plying enchanting music to the feathered friends by a nearby fountain.  Shortly after the herders and chickens set out once more into the more rugged wilds of the North Downs; crossing The Trestlespan and leaving the safety of the town and beginning the final leg of the adventure north and then eastwards to their goal's end.

 It seemed to fare well, though as we crossed a final bridge over a woodland stream, and into the open plains of Kingsfell, it was on foot that I ran some ways behind the main group, as did several others near the rear at the time -- including a fellow Captain by the name of Draugarch, whom being the only other of the race of Man to have appeared to help with the herding, I was glad to have seen come along.

  Though the plans had mentioned to be gathering at an Aurochs Yearling by Gatson's Farm, and then later onwards to the refuge of Esteldin, it seemed most of the poultry dispersed before reaching the entrance to Esteldin -- several herders departed as well on good terms.  Those left of the herders, and a single chuck whom strongly resembled a Master Hooh -with a collared name tag on saying such even!- made their way into Esteldin and towards another fountain further into the camp.  There, after a few remarks from Hobbits such as Bounder-Shirriff Nimelia and Club President (of the Shire Angling Club) Ponso Pondhopper , particularly about herding this last delicious chicken to the kitchens, the company did decide to depart and declare the journey complete.  This was just over an hour or so ago, by the light of mid-afternoon I reckon, but by now it was my guess most had decided to begin early the travels back to the Shire, to let Farmer Sandson know of the results of the delivery.

  Still, what a travel it was all together!  Penning this early report, in lieu of a full and detailed one sometime in the future, I have managed to sort through a number of draft sketches and drawings to send along with this Quick Report, separated most likely into two main collections, with a third one showing a more general overview of the event from start to finish, if possible!  They should arrive with this report shortly, and I hope, Master Reader -- as always -- that if you ever should need a trustworthy company to help you with Hobbit-like tasks such as chicken deliveries in the Shire, especially if you are a Hobbit, you won't go wrong with the folks of the Grand Order of the Lost Mathom, or many of their close friends and kindred organizations elsewhere amongst the Shire-bounds.

  Now, goodness!  I must send this off then retire to rest in what lodgings are available here in Esteldin... I think there may be a nice tent just over yonder by that fire...

Signed,

Captain Naismithea Willarc

Watcher of Roads
Representative of the Bree Captain's Guild
Officer of the Sworn Wanderers




P.S.
 Word has it that massive celebrations all over Middle-earth to welcome the season of Summer will be starting sometime soon (( July 22nd - August 5th is the planned Summer Festival! )), where contests of fortune fishing, picnics, and other summer season cheer and festive activities will take place from Ered Luin to the Shire, and even Bree-land!

 Later, on the 28th of this Month, the OAKS musical event in Oldfurlong, amongst the Shire-Homesteads, will be happening with the famed 'the White Flames' band -- part of the wider renowned kinship known as the Order of the White Flame amongst the land.  Like most OAKS events and musical cheer organized by Miss Acorne, this isn't one to miss too lightly!  Perhaps I'll even get to see Master Silon if I'm lucky in attending!

 The last rumour I've heard is that tomorrow on the 19th of this Month, a 'Ultimate Drunkard's Challenge' organized by a Master Hobbit named Prithbo was planned to happen, involving a stunning ride from Thorin's Hall and onwards east, perhaps even past Moria, in search of inns and good ales and drinks to get merry with.

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Scribe's Note/Addendum:  Greetings, Reader.  With the permission of this Captain Naismithea individual, we have been asked to include some news you may be interested in, concerning better quality drawings, paintings, and colorings from this event from a number of other reported sources, not directly associated with the Grey Repository Archives.  For your benefit, here are directions to where you can find some other wonderful drawings that have appeared elsewhere:

Note #1  (( Twitter image/post by Amorey, Beautiful shot of chucks around a fountain! ))
Note #2  (( Twitter image/post by Neti, Lovely perspective of herders and chucks! ))
Note #3 (( Some excellent ones from Pennyroyal on the Grand Order kin forums! ))

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Overview Collection




(( Disclaimer: Hello folks, I'd like to caution you that taking a look at the picture slideshows coming up below will likely not go too well if your in a hurry, and hoping to just get a 'general gander' at what the event was like.  The 'Overview Collection' above is more suited for that!

  Viewing the albums embedded below is more geared for those folks looking to get a /slightly/ more play-by-play spirit of how things unfolded.  In fact, I only recommend having a browse through if for some reason, you have an urge to well... just look at a lot and lot of screenshots -- many of the shot angles/perspectives being repeated in other screenshots but at different times during the event, etc!  Thanks for reading. ))

First Collection



Second Collection