Friday, 22 August 2008
South Durham BBQ 2008
I think I must be missing something, I know we are in the midst of a global credit crunch and so forth but what has happened to support for a local pack of hounds. I went along expecting to see some new faces having been told to expect plenty of new members out this season but it was just the usual array of drunken gossiping women (whom by now I can't be bothered with at all, however I do have to point out that this is not extended to all of the women and a warm thanks must go to a certain farmers wife whose hospitality and kindness at her meet was extraordinary). Having finished the 2007/2008 season with the Bedale my days with the SDH I can see have come to an end. I came here looking for fun excitment and the thrill of it all what I found was a dishevelled bunch of people all fighting for control all wanting some role, no one happy with the fact that they were priviliged to be out in the glorious British countryside hunting they all just wanted a bigger better part, all wanted to feel self important. Quite sad I think. Got loads more to blog from past hunting days with the SDH will get to it shortly so keep checking in.
Friday, 8 August 2008
South Durham Hunt Ball - Wynyard Hall
What a brilliant setting, magical infact. I would highly recommend it to anyone for a wedding anniversary or just a special romantic evening. Suited and booted the woman all looking spectacular it was set to be a wonderful night. Wynyard Hall is set in its own grounds in the north of England the tickets had described a brillant night and I was sure we wouldnt be disapointed. Even the missus was looking forward to this one!
I was a little bit disapointed to find that all of the tickets hadnt been sold but then again at £75 a go for a summer ball it was a bit pricey but never the less I had hoped it would stop some of the riff raff attending ( I was wrong, obviously the dole gives them extra for nights out).
The night ran smoothly the speeches a little slow but the drinking was going even quicker and arguments gallor breaking out left right and centre! My wife kept a close eye on me as the single and maybe I suspected not so single women (their unsuspecting husbands had probably paid for their dresses and tickets) tried to gain the attentions of any men they could and lets face it Im no catch but they still tried!
All of that aside and I was assured by the organiser that most balls around the country are all alike, I have to say the food was fantistic. The entertainment was more to our liking (us being the older generation) but some of the younger crowd were looking dis heartened, the night went ok but not worth the £150 for the tickets and the god knows how much the missus spent on her dress shoes and everything else.
I was a little bit disapointed to find that all of the tickets hadnt been sold but then again at £75 a go for a summer ball it was a bit pricey but never the less I had hoped it would stop some of the riff raff attending ( I was wrong, obviously the dole gives them extra for nights out).
The night ran smoothly the speeches a little slow but the drinking was going even quicker and arguments gallor breaking out left right and centre! My wife kept a close eye on me as the single and maybe I suspected not so single women (their unsuspecting husbands had probably paid for their dresses and tickets) tried to gain the attentions of any men they could and lets face it Im no catch but they still tried!
All of that aside and I was assured by the organiser that most balls around the country are all alike, I have to say the food was fantistic. The entertainment was more to our liking (us being the older generation) but some of the younger crowd were looking dis heartened, the night went ok but not worth the £150 for the tickets and the god knows how much the missus spent on her dress shoes and everything else.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
South Durham Hunt Boxing Day Meet 2006
Having had a lame horse for a few weeks (we pulled a shoe off in the plough last time out only I was that drunk I hardly noticed!) I eventually got the go ahead to get back out again. Boxing day by tradition is a special meet and my expectations were met when pulling into Bishopton to a massive crowd of well wishers. Around 25 mounted followers were outside of a smashing country pub, The Talbot whose hospitality was fantastic. My wife at this point was looking somewhat bemused, apparently I had failed to mention that the majority of the field are made up with women who were very happily giving out christmas kisses leading to very disgusted looks off my wife! Needless to say I was pleased to be moving off out of her glare!
I'm not sure if I had just forgotten or whether things have changed so much since I was young lad playing the field but back in my day the women (especially the married ones) just didnt behave in the way these ones did. Mind saying that the few men in the field seemed quite happy as they obviously had their pick of the pretty young things.
Back to the hunting, and we yet again set off at a fast pace heading south out of the village with jumps gallore along the way as well as plenty of stops for the odd swig or two of the old flask. With no obvious scent the hounds ploughed on under the guidance of a brave huntsman who looked capable of jumping anything in sight, now this is what i call fun the thrill of being totally out of control and still being on at the otherside of tricky little fences. My fellow field compartriates on the whole appeared quite friendly although with the number of girls in the field the gossip was rife, who was stying in who's room at the ball and who was seeing this one or that one, oh to be young again!
I'm not sure if I had just forgotten or whether things have changed so much since I was young lad playing the field but back in my day the women (especially the married ones) just didnt behave in the way these ones did. Mind saying that the few men in the field seemed quite happy as they obviously had their pick of the pretty young things.
Back to the hunting, and we yet again set off at a fast pace heading south out of the village with jumps gallore along the way as well as plenty of stops for the odd swig or two of the old flask. With no obvious scent the hounds ploughed on under the guidance of a brave huntsman who looked capable of jumping anything in sight, now this is what i call fun the thrill of being totally out of control and still being on at the otherside of tricky little fences. My fellow field compartriates on the whole appeared quite friendly although with the number of girls in the field the gossip was rife, who was stying in who's room at the ball and who was seeing this one or that one, oh to be young again!
Friday, 18 April 2008
South Durham Hunt Opening Meet 2006
South Durham Hunt: Sedgefield opening meet.
Having missed Autumn hunting with the South Durham Hunt I was really geared up for a great day out, with new people, new horse and new country what more could a guy ask for? Having taken advise I parked at the South Durham Hunt kennels these took some finding and were a far cry from the kennels at the Bedale but never the less I figured looks aren't everything! Introducing myself to the secretary I paid my cap for the day and was amazed at the cheapness of a days hunting with the South Durham Hunt (alarm bells should have started to ring alas the whiskey had taken hold of my senses and I got swept along with the events of the morning).
Hacking into Sedgefield we were greated by a few more mounted members and yet more whiskey (these guys like to drink!). By now (and baring in mind we had yet to set off) I was feeling rather tiddly and my new horse was feeling rather elated at having other horses around him so we were not such an in control team. The first jump brought carnage thankfully my horse will jump even though I was wrapped un ceromonioulsy around his neck but a few of the younger members got left behind, this is where the day started to go wrong for me. In all of my hunting years I have never witnessed the field just simply leaving the kids behind who couldnt get over a jump yet off they went for the second which was a dirty trappy sort of jump knee deep in bog on both sides. I turned around to try to help out but was told to keep going that if they couldnt follow then they would have to try to find their way home or an alternative route! Not knowing the country I am very ashamed to admit that I kept going. The hip flasks being passed around helped ease the burden of guilt but not the drunken state I had now slipped into!
By the 6th jump the field had thinned considerably, me in my drunken stupor hardly noticed the people falling off or the fact I was pushing my horse onto extremes through plow. Coming to a hedge and quite a large hedge it was as well this proved to be my undoing. Thinking I could ride like John Wayne I kicked like there was no tomorrow and to my horror realised that my mount was no longer under me at the other side! Stagering around and trying to avoid other lose horses I decided before I did myself an injury I would say good night!
Having called my wife to pick me and my poor horse up I retreated to the pub where everyone continued with the drinking! Three pints later my wife dragged me out, oh how I hurt the next day!
Having missed Autumn hunting with the South Durham Hunt I was really geared up for a great day out, with new people, new horse and new country what more could a guy ask for? Having taken advise I parked at the South Durham Hunt kennels these took some finding and were a far cry from the kennels at the Bedale but never the less I figured looks aren't everything! Introducing myself to the secretary I paid my cap for the day and was amazed at the cheapness of a days hunting with the South Durham Hunt (alarm bells should have started to ring alas the whiskey had taken hold of my senses and I got swept along with the events of the morning).
Hacking into Sedgefield we were greated by a few more mounted members and yet more whiskey (these guys like to drink!). By now (and baring in mind we had yet to set off) I was feeling rather tiddly and my new horse was feeling rather elated at having other horses around him so we were not such an in control team. The first jump brought carnage thankfully my horse will jump even though I was wrapped un ceromonioulsy around his neck but a few of the younger members got left behind, this is where the day started to go wrong for me. In all of my hunting years I have never witnessed the field just simply leaving the kids behind who couldnt get over a jump yet off they went for the second which was a dirty trappy sort of jump knee deep in bog on both sides. I turned around to try to help out but was told to keep going that if they couldnt follow then they would have to try to find their way home or an alternative route! Not knowing the country I am very ashamed to admit that I kept going. The hip flasks being passed around helped ease the burden of guilt but not the drunken state I had now slipped into!
By the 6th jump the field had thinned considerably, me in my drunken stupor hardly noticed the people falling off or the fact I was pushing my horse onto extremes through plow. Coming to a hedge and quite a large hedge it was as well this proved to be my undoing. Thinking I could ride like John Wayne I kicked like there was no tomorrow and to my horror realised that my mount was no longer under me at the other side! Stagering around and trying to avoid other lose horses I decided before I did myself an injury I would say good night!
Having called my wife to pick me and my poor horse up I retreated to the pub where everyone continued with the drinking! Three pints later my wife dragged me out, oh how I hurt the next day!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)