After a lapse of some years, the Grumpy Old Men have taken up skittles again, this time courtesy of the Royal British Legion in Hucknall.
After initial surprise at the length we were supposed to bowl the, very heavy, wooden bowls and some effort in getting to grips with the rules, we played two rounds, which were admirably scored by Alan (‘nul points’) Snape.
To further confuse us, we changed the teams after the first round, after a suitable pause for the buffet. Some Grumpies were more consistent in their scoring than others, and not always in a good way!
This was an enjoyable evening, with thanks to Pete Wall for organising the game. We always welcome new members, just get in touch via our website or have a chat at our monthly meeting.
On 22nd August, 11 of us really enjoyed the 3 mile River Leen walk from Wilkinson Street tram stop back to Bulwell. It was so peaceful and a bit of a nature reserve.
We saw a heron, ducks, a swan family with 4 nearly adult cygnets, a moorhen and sparrows in the blackberry bushes.
Our ad hoc coffee stop was at the Riverside cafe. We sat outside enjoying the sun and were surprised when one person had a message asking if they needed a lift as it was raining, 10 minutes later, the rain arrived, but nothing spoiled our walk.
On the 3rd of September, a 7.9-mile circular walk began at Laxton Visitor Centre, near Newark, known for its unique medieval Open Field System. The walk started by crossing this historic landscape, where the communal strip farming method, still in use today, showcases a living piece of England’s agricultural past. The open fields offer expansive views of the countryside, providing a sense of the area’s long-standing traditions.
The route continued toward the Manorial Earthworks by Curtin Woods, remnants of Laxton’s medieval past. These earthworks are believed to mark boundaries or serve as defensive structures from an earlier time. Nearby, Curtin Wood provided a peaceful contrast to the open fields, with shaded woodland paths, rich in wildlife, adding a sense of seclusion to the walk.
Next, the path led to the Old Fishponds, which once played a role in medieval Laxton’s self-sufficiency, as fish were a key food source during this time. The ponds now offer a scenic, tranquil spot surrounded by lush greenery and abundant birdlife.
The walk then progressed into Egmonton Woods, an ancient woodland with a mix of old trees and rich undergrowth. This part of the walk offered a serene, forested environment, perfect for birdwatching and enjoying the sounds of nature.
The route concluded by looping back toward Laxton Visitor Centre, once again passing through the patchwork of open fields, ending a walk that beautifully combined history, rural landscapes, and natural beauty in one. This walk is a rich journey through Laxton’s medieval heritage and countryside charm, offering varied scenery and peaceful surroundings.
In late July some fourteen wannabe F1 drivers descended upon the Lockwell Hill Karting circuit near Farnsfield. After a safety briefing, getting dressed in one-piece overalls (the most demanding of physical contortions for some) and fitting of gloves and crash helmets we were ready to start racing.
No Le Mans start for us, as some would probably still be walking to their karts as the leaders came round. No, we lined up in orderly fashion, our carts were started for us and off we went. Well surely the first away would win! Despite some deniers this is the twenty-first century and all our lap times were recorded automatically to the nearest one thousandth of a second. Mind you a calendar would have done the job just as well for some!
Selling cars
The target when racing was who could set the fastest lap-time and who had the fastest average lap-time. They would be the overall race leader/winner. We had two fifteen minute sessions, which is quite enough as the ride is bumpy and the steering is incredibly heavy. As is always the case, when put into unfamiliar situations some people thrive and others just cope. John “Red Mist” Saunders put in the fastest lap, carving through much of the field at will, but he couldn’t maintain his flying lap throughout the course of the race and Mark Jackson recorded the fastest average lap time – it’s all that practice in his BMW round the roads in Linby!
Some went slowly enough to be captured in oils
Afterwards we retired to the Corporate Hospitality Suite, better known as White Farm PH, where we swapped endless tales of how we’d all been cut up by John and Mark whilst pursuing their bitter rivalry.
Thanks to Greg and Barrie for making it all possible.
