Potters Bar on Tour to Gunton Hall

By 9 at the club we were told to arrive but Frankie was stuck on the M25.People got flustered and some were quite shirty, but eventually, coach loaded, we left at 10.30, a stop for the elderly for a drink and the loo saw us landing at Gunton sometime around 2, Lyn and I were in 13 Hawthorn, just a short ride.  The chalet was perfect but dodgy neighbours each side.  After checking the rooms and unpacking the bags we went to the bar for a drink with our wags. From there to the restaurant with so many choices the table behind us was loud with raised voices David said “sorry it’s Richard to blame, ever since we beat Harpenden he’s not been the same”.  We all had our fill and went back to the bar, the music was 60’s or sometime afar, the singer was wanting to be “Bobby’s Girl” when a voice next to me said “my middle names’s Bobby as well” this raised a laugh and a shaking of heads with this we all wilted and went to our beds

Tuesday was so hot, it brought out peoples freckles, but no need to worry, we were bowling at Beccles.  when the coach reached Beccles, we split to two greens, one for the have nots, the other for has beens

Onto the green dressed in all club apparel, the one naughty person was a lady called Carol “I’ve only got one shirt, and that’s on the line” but Jan rubbing his hands said “that’s another big fine” with five rinks all sorted Jan was having a fit a person was needed to get him out of the shit. Young Pat Thompson was available and willing to play, but she had no woods on this particular day, Jan said “use mine, but i will want them back, No need to worry they’ve never been near the jack” at age 92 a blinder she did play, she offered to buy them but Jan said “no way, I’m going for coaching when i get back, then perhaps when i use them they’ll get near the jack”

While this was all happening “wrong bias” was the cry Dave Arnold and Barry Woodman were being so sly they hoped no one noticed and the misdemeanour would pass no chance with old Pearcey, the cunning old grass back off the coach, Brenda hit the ground hard someone said Barry tripped her, so he got a red card she was soon on her feet though, Brenda’s no wimp spent the rest of the week with a very slight limp.

Sometime around 3, nine of us all got away like leaving Colditz I guess back in the day, Out the back entrance to the road we took flight we walked and we walked, not a bus stop in sight we sent scout Lucas ahead to survey the land. Finally boarding a bus with bus passes in hand

we eventually reached Lowestoft and went for a stroll, as we walked through the centre Carol said “what a shit hole” onwards we walked till we reached the front line we sat for a rest, Barry reminising about time.

After a break and an ice cream with flake the return on the bus we decided to make we crept back in the back way as sweet as a nut.

No one had missed us as we entered our hut,  That night after dinner to the lounge we did go all hoping that England would win two games in a row.  The 0-0 scoreline brought out a collective moan with some people thinking perhaps it’s not coming home.

Wednesday was hotter as the coach left the site, with a journey to Caister and Martham in sight Jan, playing at Caister, had a problem that day It just so happened that Pat couldn’t play, she still went to watch though and cheer the guys on and when the bowling was finished she met her friend John, he offered a drink, “perhaps have a whisky” “no thanks said Pat, it might make you frisky”.  A photo was taken as she made for the door, Pat was just wanting friendship, but John wanted more.  That night back at base camp, people falling in fits poor Warwick and big Chris they both had the shits, Brian too had a migraine, they were falling full throttle, Carol’s problem she said was a leak in her bottle.

As darkness fell, quarantine brought real fears, Barry was worried we’d be here for years.  Ron was watching the football, it was making him ill, Scotland well beaten by a rampant Brazil.

Thursday’s the last day, but don’t shed a tear we’re heading to Freethorpe the same as last year.  Another warm day and quite a long ride seven rinks we were playing, against a very strong side, the game was shortened so we didn’t end late we ended up losing by the small score of eight.  After having some eats and queueing up for the bar,

Keith started serving a right little star. Now it’s late Thursday, the heat’s at it’s peak it’s time to thank Jan/Jan for another great week, all the organisation and time that they spend the phone calls and emails are appreciated no end,  Several other club officers are here with us too

There’s Julie and David and Ron without Sue.  Now Ron is Club Captain, makes out he’s a Scot, he’s mad for the madri and drinks quite a lot, but a very good Captain who’s honest and fair, even when some selections get the odd Penney stare.  It’s my turn next year to give it a go, hoping that my Vice is that human dynamo, I’ve asked him but he’s still playing so hard to get, I’m sure he will do it when the correct terms are met

This week I witnessed a miracle that just blew my mind, for me at my age it was the first of it’s kind   On Monday Chris Budden in a buggy, crippled with pain, by Thursday he’s up and he’s walking again.

So that’s it from me at the end of the week, I hope David’s happy with my little speak, It is what it is and it’s how things are.  A really good week with team Potters Bar.

Alan Oldham

Vice Captain

June 2026