Rugby

Two 40 minute sessions watching men tackle one another is enough for me.  My father played Rugby when he was a younger man and I, having been in England for so long, figured it was time to see what all the fuss was about.

My first game was the London Irish v. Worcester Warriors --Score 26-6 poor defeated Warriors. Anyway, it might as well have been the coldest, snowiest Rugby game of the season as well, which didn't help me enjoy it any more.

We arrrived at the stadium for the pre-party in the car park with a band stand (a proper one; not those rinky dinky little ones you find in parks the English call bandstands--those are gazebos people) and a live band. Surrounding us were plenty of food vendors all serving fish and chips or burgers. Why do we need 5 of the same burger vendors?!?!? Carrying on....

I'm not sure if this occurs at all the Rugby matches or just because this one happened to be near St Paddy's day, but there was quite the atmosphere in the car park. In American football (I'm going to use this game to reference a lot during Rugby), people "tail gate" before a game in the parking lot. So I'm wondering if this is the "English" version.

In to the stadium, the game starts. I can't explain the rules, but here is what I did learn. If you have the ball (which is shaped almost like a football), you're going to get tackled or beaten or both until you give it up. I don't see how there aren't more penalties in this game.....(*note: a penalty kick is worth 3 points--see, I did learn something). If you run the ball into the "end zone" you earn your team 5 points and another 2 points if you kick a "field goal".

Always be alert during this game, because unlike American football there are no nets between the field and the spectators and at any time the ball could come diving your way, so head's up! Sorta like baseball (but even that has a back drop behind the catcher). Regardless, I did it. I saw a Rugby match. I can now check it off my list and move on with my life. The mascot was fun, I think it was an Irish Wolfhound <3

PS. Dad, what were you thinking!?!?!?!

Falconry & Archery!

An entire day in wondrous Oxfordshire. We spent the morning at the falconry fields learning about birds of prey. After a 45 minute break for lunch,

(*Tip: pack your own lunch or pay ₤6.50 for a sandwich, drink and packet of crisps- the pub down the road has been closed since 2012. There are NO hot lunches here. The hotel on the grounds serves a wonderful cream tea, but this must be booked in advance [or stolen from the couple sitting across from you]). 

we then headed to the range for some target practice with the bows. Whilst none of us proved to be modern day Robin Hoods, we upheld the decree of English Law stating that, every English citizen is meant to practice daily with their own bow. Oh how times have changed. In the US they're taking away their countryman's weapons, and in the UK it's illegal NOT TO practice daily with your weapons. HA!

Here's something else I learned at the archery range: Medieval archers always aimed for the war horses, because they weren't as heavily armoured and the knight that fell from the downed horse could then be ransomed. Archery was about gaining money for a campaign. 

Also learned, was the term butts, go ahead have yourself a little giggle then come back to the circle of adults....

Butts are giant targets (comments to yourself please) used to shoot at and-- right here in the ol' town centre of St Mary's did they practice! Try that today during market time ;-) So this is how St Mary's Butts came to be in Reading.

https://www.milletsfarmfalconry.co.uk/

The birds of prey were most exciting!! This facility rescues birds from all over the world. Boo is a Cara Cara bird from the Americas. She does tricks like playing the shell game and also picks pockets (watch your money around this bird!) 

Other birds of prey consist of hawks, buzzards and Owls. It is here I learned that it is difficult to determine what bird is what whilst flying. Some hawks are actively mistaken for common buzzards. So I guess it's only fair I stop taking the mickey out of my mum for declaring she saw a hawk in the sky when it was actually a turkey vulture (buzzard). I also learned that hawks signal to their mates using their tails and that owl's eyes take up 1/3 of the space in their head. Carry on with the wise@ss comments now. I give thee permission. I even set it up for you ;-P

I highly recommend Fallowfields Falconry for a day out. It's sure to be a Hoot!

*2020 update: Fallowsfield is now known as Millets Farm