Mini Marathon Part 1

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED.

Today’s rain was heavier, and steady. We drove to the Post Office in Hordle to replenish my stock of stamps and send the French water payment on its way. The next visit was to have been to the dump with our bags of hedge and other clippings. We didn’t fancy that so we went to Molly’s Den to seek out a belated Birthday present for Jackie. We were successful.

Vintage statue

This is it. No, not the lions.

Too much for us to manage, she will be delivered on Monday.

On our way home we pass fields full of sheep. Today we noticed that they had recently been shorn. Although Jackie observed that it was probably kind to remove the fleece from these creatures at this time of the year, I commented that I would not like to be stripped naked and shoved out in the rain.

Should you wish to see what happens when a sheep remains unshorn, you may like to follow this link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3220414/Enormous-Canberra-sheep-overgrown-fleece-gets-haircut-years.html

Sam 10.83 1

Towards the end of 1983, Sam participated in a mini marathon organised by his nursery school in South West London’s Furzedown. I had photographed the event. I made an album of prints and presented them to the organisers. I thought I had lost the negatives, until I was delighted to discover them alongside the Devon holiday ones I have featured over the last couple of days.

Becky, Louisa, Jessica 10.83

Even when supported by Becky and Jessica, Louisa didn’t think much of the idea of joining in.

Runner 1 10.83

This little chap seemed determined to live up to his numbering.

Sam, Matthew and others

Matthew, on the left, came along for the encouragement. The gentleman on Sam’s right offered his, too.

Man and two children 10.83

This Dad had his hands full.

Sam 10.83 2

No. Sam was not sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken. I sported his number earlier.

Man and boy 10.83

Some entrants needed a helping hand or two.

Girl in duffle coat 10.83

Despite appearances, I don’t think this young lady was about to go sprawling.

Runners and pushchair 10.83

Hallo. Number 13’s Dad has hoisted the toddler onto his shoulders, as the leader notches up another carefree lap.

Runner 11 etc 10.83

Sam, meanwhile is in hot pursuit of No. 11 as she drifts past No. 7;

Sam, Mat, and Becky 10.83

those two have Mums in support; Sam has Mat and Becky. Six months earlier they had run alongside me as I completed my first London Marathon.

Jessica, supporters, and Louisa 10.83

In a ring of supporters Jessica steadies the tally board. Louisa, on the right, still wonders what could be going on.

Tally Board 10.83

No. 1 retains his lead,

Runners 5, 3, and more 10.83

while the toddler on the grass appears to have wandered off piste.

I featured a photograph taken later at this event in ‘Out On Their Feet Amid The Confetti’. There it is clear that I had forgotten that Sam was the only contestant wearing a genuine marathon number, and that I had saved it from the Farnham Castle Marathon.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s superb sausage casserole, crisp carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and new potatoes, followed by apple pie and custard. She drank Hoegaarden, and I finished the madiran.

46 comments

  2. I can see that Sam tried his best: he even attempted to fly 🙂

    As to the sheep, the survival of their species is dependant on their usefulness to humans; they are not amongst the fittest mammals but they are the wooliest and some of the meatiest of them all. For that they must suffer the humiliation of defrocking to be spared a roasting.

    Reply

  10. Loved the photos! So much action and a precious moment in time captured. Wasn’t the sheep story amazing? I remember taking notice of it at the time. I used to work for a wool trader so had access to the auctions and wool warehouses. We’d sell wool tops to China and they would come back as men’s fine suits. I can’t imagine that fleece was good for much, but so lucky that the poor sheep wasn’t disease riddled.

    Reply

  11. What sweet memories in beautiful black and whites. I loved the statue too. In Dubai they sell many that are painted. It sometimes removes the beauty of the marble but sometimes it is done craftfully enough to enhance it.

    Reply

  14. I like how everyone is smiling; the kids are all enjoying themselves to the max. I confess I don’t get the bit about Kentucky Fried Chicken. What’s that about?

    Reply

    1. You’d probably need to enlarge the pic of Sam’s number to see it, but that bears the KFC name because they sponsored a marathon I ran in earlier in the year. Thanks for reading and for asking.

      Reply

  15. Little buddies!!!! And that statue will be a wonderful addition to your oh-so-lovely gardens.

    Reply
  17. Pingback: Out On Their Feet Amid The Confetti | derrickjknight

Leave a Reply