Today has been a day for enjoying the off-beatness of English culture at its best. One of my sons and his family are with us for the week-end, and so we thought we would take the day out in order to see two local events.
The first was the Oxenhope Straw Race. This madly silly event involves teams of two having to run about 3.25 Km. along fairly hilly local roads, carrying between them a bale of straw. The catch is that there are four pubs along the route and it is obligatory to drink a pint of beer in each pub. My casual reckoning today estimated that about 200 teams took part, most of them in fancy dress. My son wanted me to form a team with him, but I would need some time in order to psych myself up for that one….and some training!
Leaving Oxenhope we headed off to Shipley, where the annual Northcliff Gala was taking place. The principal reason for our going was that my step-son manufactures cider in his spare time, and has a stand at the Gala from which he is selling it. I’m not a great cider drinker, but it all seemed very professional. We were diverted, while enjoying our cider, by the displays of Tai Chi, ferret racing and belly dancing. The latter was unfortunately English, although undertaken with great aplomb. Why can’t we English move our hips?
While at the Gala we bumped into the woman who modelled for my latest picture, and I was able to show my wife that she really does have blue hair (and wear cowboy boots).
I think I’m glad I went, really.