Saturday 5th November

Lillian's new path from the balcony

After the cold but enjoyable evening last night it seemed slightly warmer this morning.  Saturday is the routine of ‘jobs’ before bowls and for me it was pinning the climbing plants, that are doing well, so that they will make an arch across the garage area and changing the bulb on the light above the front door to an ‘energy saver’.   Once completed, some breakfast and a quick dig for ‘Charlie’ then it was off to bowls.

There were 24 members present this morning and it was the usual chatting whilst shoes are changed and dues paid (2 euro per player unless you have played on Monday and Thursday when Saturday is free) to the new Treasurer ‘Super Bob’.  The previous Treasurer Ellie and her husband have left Cyprus to go back to the UK after 7 years to be nearer to family and grandchildren.  Will that be us in a few years time?  We certainly haven’t thought that far as yet.  So the draw was made and once again Lillian and I were drawn on the same team.  This had not been a ‘winning’ combination before with me taking the position of Skip.  However we both played very well for a change and supported by ‘Big Chris’ (6’5” at least) we kept our nerve to finish 13 - 6 winners.  On a ‘Roll’ with this victory which followed on from our win on Thursday to make two wins in a row.  Easy game this.

After the first match of the morning everyone sits for a bit, chats and drinks coffee or juice or whatever they have brought with them.  Soon the bag is brought round again and the draw is made for match two by each selecting a key fob with a mat letter A-F and either Lead, 2 or Skip, the position that you would play. Amazingly with 24 in the hat that Lillian and I should be drawn in the same team again, this time with me as the Lead on rink C.  We waited at the end to see who would be our third team member.  Who was this walking towards us carrying his polished woods with two dazzling blue rings and the assured look of Spartacus entering the gladiator arena ......... its ...... ‘Super Bob’.   Hip hip hurrah our win is ensured.  ‘You  Blue Bob?’ says I with a wishful tone. ‘Red’ was the reply.  We were to play my hero.  ‘Super Bob’ is the opposition.  The pressure of playing lead, on a new mat, with one notorious downhill slope towards the road is too much.  I am long off the back, short not even crossing the play line and then off the side.  3 bowls and none even on the mat but Lillian and Jennie hold their own and after 3 ends we are all square. 3-3.  Then it the dreaded moment happened.  Super Bob got his eye in and the Reds raced to a 13 - 4 lead in the blink of an eye.  Enough said win one lose one.

Home after our customary stop at the supermarket and lunch Lillian busied herself with making the blue bedroom perfect by ironing the the voiles once again ready for our visitors ‘The Plastows’ who arrive on Wednesday.  Feeling tired after our late night an afternoon snooze is called for and it was a walk into the village for afternoon football watching.  For the second week in a row we arrive after the games have started to find that ipswich are already losing 0-2.  Disaster so I mope all afternoon hoping they will make a fantastic comeback but as they are losing 0-3 at halftime depression sets in.  Back home instead of our normal eating out after the results have come in.  It is cold as we walk.  Really need a jacket to go with the sweater and will certainly be bringing one back when I return in December after the US trip.