Well that wind was blowing a hooley last night.  I wouldn’t have liked to be having dinner or a drink even in a pub garden at 9.00 pm!  It’s not surprise that the hospitality industry is asking that indoor dining be opened earlier than 17th May!  However, it might be a lot warmer by then and everyone will want to be outside anyway!

It may be windy today and therefore chilly, but at least it’s sunny.

Windsor & Eton have confirmed 4 Mixed Triples for Saturday which is good.  If you are selected to play, please ensure you have a face covering if you wish to enter the club to use the loos.  The changing rooms will not be available, so we need to go changed.  The most important point is that they are not permitting spectators in the club grounds, so if you are intending to come over, you will only be permitted to watch from the gate.  Still Windsor is a lovely place to walk along the river, see different shops etc.

Yesterday’s match v Masonians resulted in a draw … from our perspective 2-2.  Masonians considered it a win for them with 69-67 shots across the board!

Wins for Gym, Gordon & Audrey and top rink for Sarah, Lucy & Kevin.  Congratulations!  The rest of us must try harder next time.

Alas the match v Ashford away tomorrow has been cancelled but Sunbury is still going ahead.  Not everyone likes playing away, but it’s good to play on a different green and learn how to adapt to different lines, pace etc.  If we don’t fulfil our away games, then those clubs might not want to come over and play us, resulting in less games.

Isle of Wight Ron had some good news on the medical front yesterday and, as a result, hot-footed onto a ferry across to the Isle of Wight so he can go ‘home’ for a few weeks.  Well done, Ron!

Anyone watch Line of Duty last night?  I haven’t watched this series, but several of my musical theatre friends said the final episode was rubbish but had be praising all the other episodes up until then.  What did you think?

Enjoy your Bank Holiday.  Umbrellas after 3.00 pm!

That’s a bit of a shame as the match v Masonians is due to start shortly after that!  (It’s lovely out now – crisp and sunny.)

It was supposed to be 3 rinks this afternoon but we think it might now be 4 triples to give us an extra bowl each.

Teams:

Sarah, Lucy & skip Kevin

Tricia, Scott & skip Steve

Audrey, Gordon & skip Gym

Ray V, Ange & skip Dawn

Unfortunately Brian C has a bad neck so is now unable to play.  We wish him better soon.

There are only 2 names up for Ashford away on Tuesday.  Please let Norman know asap if you are now available, as we don’t really want to cancel a game.

Thanks

A few roll ups including this morning Friday – from 10.00 am – 12.00 pm with bar open for outside drinks

Tomorrow, Saturday, from 2.00 – 4.00 pm

Monday 10.00 am – 12.00 pm as usual even though it’s Bank Holiday

For all the above, the maximum of 24 on the green applies.  After 17th May, we can have 30!  AND …. don’t forget to bring your own spray disinfectant and hand sanitiser for all the roll ups.

On Sunday afternoon, we have our first match of the season v Masonians away at 3.00 pm.  Good luck to all those playing.

Well we’ve been back on the green a few days now.  Are you enjoying it?  How are your muscles?  I hope they’re not aching too much!

The green was playing very well on Saturday – more like the speed of an end May green.  Maybe this will encourage a few indoor bowlers to come and have a go outdoors with a chance to top up the old Vitamin D levels?

The news this morning that even after the first dose of vaccine, you are unlikely to pass the virus on to your family and people to whom you are close is wonderful.  We hope that India in particular can get the programme rolled out there and curb the horrific spread of the virus.  Spare a thought for the famlies and the medical teams battling so hard in such a traumatic time.

Yesterday, I was stationed outside the vaccination centre welcoming people as they arrived.  There were nearly 500 through the door over the day, which was fantastic.  There were still a few who were unsure about getting the vaccination.  If you haven’t had your first dose and are worried about the negative press, please go along for your appointment and ask the vaccinator about your concerns.  Whatever you want to ask, there is no doubt that someone since December has asked the same question and also no doubt that someone today, tomorrow and any time over the next 6-12 months will ask a similar question.  The vaccinators are medically trained and can give you any advice and re-assurance you need.

We had a few turn up on spec and we were allowed to let 42 year olds and older enter without an appointment.  There were half a dozen or so who didn’t look old enough so, having delicately asked their age, my additional comment “Because if you’re 42 or over, I want to know what face cream you are using!” seem to go down well with a lot of laughter and confession that they were only in their 30s!  Alas, they had to be turned away to await their turn over the next few weeks.   No one was offended or aggressive towards us or grumpy.  Just accepting.

The ethos behind the whole team at the centre is “Be kind”.  Two little words.  If we all actioned this whether it be at the vaccination centres, in shops, in clubs, in pubs etc. wouldn’t the world be a better place?  Human kindness has made an immense improvement since the first lockdown in March 2020.  Let’s do our bit to keep it going and going and going well past 21st June.

Don’t worry, I won’t be ruining another song – if there is one called Five Months More!

If we’re playing from now until the end of September, that means 5 months of outdoor bowling.  Let’s hope that North East wind disappears soon!

Now, HUGE apologies to Ann M, who organised a raffle on Saturday and I completely omitted to mention her in  yesterday’s post.  With her lovely hampers, Ann raised a magnificent £166 for the Club from our members and for our members too!  Well done to Ann and Margaret who folded up all the tickets for the draw.  David Pitt shared his prize cakes with us yesterday.

David H is going great guns with the Monday afternoon league teams and now has 8.  It might mean the start date is now 17th May rather than 10th, but we should all remember 17th as it’s the next roadmap date and indoor bowls should be able to start again in some form.

Put an extra jumper on when you go out.  Lovely in the sun.  Very chilly in the shade!