Weekend
On saturday, the Loan Wolves entered the Lastball tournament. Which, for some reason, is nowhere near the last tournament of the year. Lovely sunny day in Richmond Old Deer Park. By the time our first match, against the "Werewolves", a new development side, was due to start, we only had seven players. Most of the others were still on their way in Michael's car. So we were taking our time at bat, letting strikes get past us to give ourselves more time, and praying for rescue. We had just run out of batters when we spied the others, running across the field to our rescue like the Seventh cavalry in Stagecoach. Despite the chaotic,. unprepared start, we won the game comfortably. Next up were Comer's Homers, who defeated us solidly. Then the Thundercats. The Sword of Omens must have been working overtime, as we started with our worst ever fielding inning in a tournament game. Although we got our act together by the end, we were never in contention. Only a sterling base hit by Donnacha prevented their pitcher from achieving a perfect game. We were wilting in the sun by that stage, but we still should have done better.
As there was a "plate" as well as cup competition, every team was assured of a semi-final. We found ourselves playing a mixed Meteors and Marauders team, and though we started better this time we couldn't quite force the win. We then had a warm-down practice among ourselves and including ex-Wolf Ben, while a couple of our women players filled in for the Mob who were short of girls for their final. It was a fun end to the day, and I noticed we were the only team not in the finals to have stayed around en masse. Which was good, because we were there for the prizegiving. Ben had set another quiz - this one much harder than the last - and we had won once again. As we had a tournament victory of sorts, we went to a pub to celebrate. Nice place, but a bit pricey.
After a late night on saturday, I had an early morning on sunday to head over to wascally_weasel's place. He'd been up even earlier, and had already fitted in a cycling time trial in Richmond Park. We then headed out to Teddington, to do a proper maiden voyage with his inflatable kayak. After assembling the boat and donning bouyancy aids (just in case), we set off (aided by a helpful push from a friendly fisherman). WW had studied the tides, and knows the river from years of rowing experience. We learned by trial and error how to make the kayak go forward, and often in the direction we intended. We headed up past Eel Pie Island, avoided a flotilla of sailing boats, tried not to foul fishing lines and enjoyed the river on another hot, sunny day. We pulled into Richmond at midday, beached outside the White Cross, and had a couple of pints as we deflated and packed up the boat, then lugged it home. Funny how your kit always feels heavier on the way back from any activity - you don't mind carting camping stuff, sports gear, boat or whatever, out to use it, but when you're done it's so much dead weight.
We had a couple more beers, then WW made a chilli and when Bryony came back we watched Watchmen on DVD.
As there was a "plate" as well as cup competition, every team was assured of a semi-final. We found ourselves playing a mixed Meteors and Marauders team, and though we started better this time we couldn't quite force the win. We then had a warm-down practice among ourselves and including ex-Wolf Ben, while a couple of our women players filled in for the Mob who were short of girls for their final. It was a fun end to the day, and I noticed we were the only team not in the finals to have stayed around en masse. Which was good, because we were there for the prizegiving. Ben had set another quiz - this one much harder than the last - and we had won once again. As we had a tournament victory of sorts, we went to a pub to celebrate. Nice place, but a bit pricey.
After a late night on saturday, I had an early morning on sunday to head over to wascally_weasel's place. He'd been up even earlier, and had already fitted in a cycling time trial in Richmond Park. We then headed out to Teddington, to do a proper maiden voyage with his inflatable kayak. After assembling the boat and donning bouyancy aids (just in case), we set off (aided by a helpful push from a friendly fisherman). WW had studied the tides, and knows the river from years of rowing experience. We learned by trial and error how to make the kayak go forward, and often in the direction we intended. We headed up past Eel Pie Island, avoided a flotilla of sailing boats, tried not to foul fishing lines and enjoyed the river on another hot, sunny day. We pulled into Richmond at midday, beached outside the White Cross, and had a couple of pints as we deflated and packed up the boat, then lugged it home. Funny how your kit always feels heavier on the way back from any activity - you don't mind carting camping stuff, sports gear, boat or whatever, out to use it, but when you're done it's so much dead weight.
We had a couple more beers, then WW made a chilli and when Bryony came back we watched Watchmen on DVD.