My Shout
It was Sunday and to go for a bike ride along the Penshurst cycle trail. It’d been quite a while since I’d made the trip and I fancied a ride out across our beautiful countryside. So off I wobbled on my wife’s bike which is a good one, but a lady’s one nonetheless, and they are different you know. I’m not sure quite how, apart from the obvious cross bar missing, but they definite handle differently so it took me a mile or so to feel comfortable.
Anyway, it’s a very pleasant easy pedal to Penshurst across the park, then along the river, across fields and through woodland. Then, after quite a steep climb, you eventually descend just as steeply down into the village with the majestic Penshurst Place looming in the foreground as you whiz along being careful to avoid the speed bumps! After a little tootle through the village I noticed that the Leicester Arms was closed and up for sale which must be a sign of the times.
Then I saw a notice for the village fete. Moments later I found myself sitting in the shade on a glorious summers day drinking Chiddingstone Cider and watching the world go by and listening to a fairly competent singer who was doing a good job of entertaining the kids centre stage. He did remind me though, a little too much, of the cabaret singer on that bad but addictive comedy, Benidorm. Incidentally at the cider bar they put ice in the glass which worked a treat and made it a really refreshing drink which, of course, I’d earned what with all that cycling..
Then came the announcement. The Leigh village team are the traditional challengers to the Penshurst team in the Tug Of War and they hadn’t turned up so they were looking for volunteer team members. Must have been the effects of the cider but, amazingly, I found myself raising my hand to offer my services which must have inspired others because, before too long, a team of eight reasonably burly blokes was assembled. We were fired up by a brief team talk and, do you know what, this scratch team of rowdy revellers made up of villagers, visitors and dads who just fancied a go didn’t half give the Spotted Dog team a tug for their money. We lost 2-1 but were by no means annihilated. Okay there was some cheating on the leg we won and we may have gained a couple of extra members but no one cared and it was all good, if not clean, fun.
Next came the tyre lifting competition which, again, people seemed reluctant at first to join in the fun. As you can imagine, after the high adrenalin of Tug of War, I was feeling well up for it and managed to lift what must have been a small lorry tyre above my head a full 22 times. Not bad for an old codger who rides a lady’s bike! Then, the reigning champ traipsed up to the centre and nonchalantly did 34 lifts with, I suspected, more left in the tank. So the moment of glory, not to mention the medal, just wasn’t to be. So close!
It only goes to show that sometimes you think you’re in for a dull day and it turns out bright and cheerful. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Contact My Shout with any stories at Mr. Books Bookshop, 142 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BB. Tel. 01732 363000. Email: mrbooks@btinternet.com
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