My apologies for missing my intended publication date yesterday, I was unexpectedly distracted as son Oliver’s final match of Festival Week became an away match at the last minute and I spent all day admiring the fine scenery around Glynd and Beddingham Cricket Club. A short arpeggio from Glyndbourne, home of great outdoor opera, Glynd sports a genuine old village forge, that will make anything from a wrought iron gate to impressive architectural masterpieces, a Post Office and Village Store that serves almost anything you could want, but only until 2pm as I discovered to my cost at 2.10pm and a former Pub that is now somebody’s private residence. So no food and nothing to drink. But the Forge was fascinating. Thomas Gontar is younger than the archetypal image of the village blacksmith and talks willingly and enthusiastically about the flourishing business he has built up. The smithy dates back to 1909 and looks it. It’s large with two furnaces, anvils, a three ton block of old shipyard iron, bits of metal scattered everywhere and many ages of dirt and grime. The place smacks of an intriguing history.
It was a glorious day, made more enjoyable by a good win for our boys and some excellent off spin bowling from Oliver. However, he then opened the batting and got a Golden Duck (out first ball) for the second match in a row. It made for a long afternoon. It’s funny how these things happen when you don’t practise and play at every opportunity. Still, he knows best.
I’ve just been shopping at Tesco Express. I didn’t really need anything but after months of Lockdown and social constraints there’s a huge desire just to be able to do something “normal”. The enforced wearing of masks reminds you that nothing is really normal. I am one hundred percent in favour of face coverings, but it’s pretty annoying how many shopkeepers aren’t following the rules. One of the Tesco assistants was doing some shopping for himself and eschewed any disguise whilst also ignoring social distancing rules. Slightly irritating.
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