Taster

Last time the local cycle club ran a taster session no one new turned up. The weather was to blame. It was arranged for a  few weeks back, and was the same day as my mosaics course (which was my excuse for not being there) – but it  was also the day that Oxfordshire had a complete downpour of heavy heavy rain.

So this Saturday I was honour bound to turn up for the next taster session, despite the fact it was the day after an exhaustingly enjoyable trip to the Chelsea Flower Show, followed that evening by hosting a dinner party for 10 (and having maybe one more drink that was advisable for an early-ish start.)
Thing is that the clubs rides normally start at 9am and we had a 6 mile ride to get there, so the alarm was duly set and zombie fashion I got up, donned Lycra, rehydrated and breakfasted.
It was only as we drew up to the station (meeting point) that Cycloman groaned. Continue reading “Taster”

Hay ho

Something about being at Hay Festival compels me to sit and scribble. This is what I wrote yesterday.

So here I am back at Hay Festival again. A lively breeze is whipping the tops of the trees, the creaky aluminium-framed tents are protesting and the tall pastel ripple-edged flags are waving as though frantically trying to catch some attention. We are surrounded by green pastures. Continue reading “Hay ho”

The Monaco GP

I have just been watching the Monaco Grand Prix. Once again we are told how very glitzy and blingy and expensive it all is.  Is this just to boost the ego of the commentators?

Having been to Monaco and the Grand Prix, I know that eating there can be very reasonable.  Taxes in Monaco are lower than in France and, although you can presumably go as wild as you want,  ordinary visitors do not need to bankrupt themselves.  I am sure that hotels put their prices up in Monaco and France, but Italy is only a few stops along the railway line with reasonably priced accommodation.  The only drawback there is the mass of Ferrari fans.

My son was amazed at being able to find lunch near the race track so affordable.  The other great benefit of Monaco is that everything is so crammed together that it is easier to spot drivers and other “celebs” moving around.  Tickets for the race itself are priced to suit all pockets.

So why this unnecessary emphasis on the luxury and glamour?  It must put ordinary F1 fans off going, which is a pity since it’s a great event and you’re not stuck at a circuit miles from the nearest town.

No such thing as a free lunch?

“Two free tickets for Chelsea flower show, with two supplementary tickets – each for a free glass of champagne from the champagne tents. Friday. Anyone like them?” said NB (New Boy), “I can’t use them.”

This question was raised at the start of my Monday writing class. No one else put their hand up.

“I’d be interested,” I said, “but I’m working that day.”

A few phone calls later (after class) and I had swapped my usual Friday for Thursday, phoned NB and said ‘yes please’ to the tickets, and rung my friend to see if she could come with me.

My friend, Rose, a gardener, had to swap work commitments around, but by Monday evening our trip was arranged.

On Friday morning we set off a 6am: Rose drove her yellow peril car and I provided navigation with the help of Tom Tom. Thursday had been a day of sudden downpours amongst wind and grey cloud, but Friday was better… still a little windy, but no rain and only white cloud, with the occasional outbreak of temporary sunshine. Marvellous. Though a little chilly.

Continue reading “No such thing as a free lunch?”

Living in a postcard

Algoa Bay

I visited a family member yesterday, this has been the view from his lounge these last 25 years. I recall friends of his visiting and exclaiming “it’s like living in a postcard” they are quite right. While I was there yesterday, a school of dolphins meandered along the shore very close to the beach, cargo and fishing boats were slowly sailing to and fro, I could see families walking along the sands in fact never a dull moment! I thought that I’d share…

Here’s another Continue reading “Living in a postcard”

A Poetic Counterblast to the Cavalier Fellow Traveller Araminta

Not a lot wrong with the boy Lovelace, to be fair. A fine pome and fairly memorable for a couple of lines, quote-wise.

https://charioteers.org/2011/05/23/to-althea-from-prison/

But, utterly trumped by the Parliamentarian Andrew Marvell, in my opinion.

‘To His Coy Mistress’
Continue reading “A Poetic Counterblast to the Cavalier Fellow Traveller Araminta”