efog-blog
Recent outings and activities...
St. George, the Dragon and the Maiden
Members of EFOG, well-fed and watered after a St. George's Day feast on 23rd April 2015, were well-entertained and thrilled by the enactment of a tale about St. George and the Dragon, not often seen in these parts. The fearsome Dragon was a sight to behold, spouting fire and poetry as it told the tale; Jess, the dog growled savagely in truth, the sound reverberating around the hall, even up into the rafters – but the dragon growled back. Thank goodness Jean was there to restrain the hound, otherwise a fearsome battle might have ensued.
Enter Lynne, fairest of maids in all the land. Those who know her will not have been surprised when she, gentle in manner and kind in heart, listened to the dragon's tale of woe and soothed his stormy heart. 'Twas indeed a sight to behold.
Then our noble St George (sometimes known as Clifftus) came on the scene, tall in stature, lithe and bold. Swiftly he unsheathed his long sword, leaping to protect the maid, as he bethought, to save her from a cruel fate (worse than death some say) in the clutches of the beast. His courage could not be denied, how well-deserved his fame.
Sighs of relief ensued when the plucky maiden quickly leapt free from the beast's embrace and used her lovely frame to shield the dragon from the cruel sword. 'This poor beast's reputation is maligned,' she announced. 'Full gentle is he, in truth misunderstood. To take his life you must first rob me of mine.'
Astonishment bathed the knight's bearded face, but he believed and sheathed his sword, to the relief of all who looked upon the scene. Surely that night will live long in the annals of EFOG. A St. George's day to remember.
Pam, 28th April 2015
Background to the story...
No, not the background to the story of St. George - you can find that elsewhere - the background to EFOG's version...
I had intended to present a Mummers-style play to the Group around Christmas time last year (2014), but circumstances prevented that. Mummers plays are traditionally English-speaking seasonal plays performed by a troupe of players often known as Guisers. They usually revolve around the idea of the death of a character and then the restoring to life of the character, usually by a "doctor".
I suspect that the ideas go way back to such times when the seasons were all-important to the life of the community, particularly relating to the shortening of the days as Winter falls, and then the lengthening as the Spring approaches. Hence, the death of the Sun and then the re-birth. Noticing these things - and appreciating them - would presumably been a lot more important, before electric lights and instant warmth for example, than it is for most of us now.
Cliff had made a wonderful dragon's head for the Christmas play, and I had one or two people lined up for the players, Lynne being one of them. So as not to disappoint either Cliff, Lynne or the dragon, the idea of a St Georges Day Mummers Play was developed.
Now I have always been a bit annoyed with George killing off a dragon - and in the usual St. George story there is no resurrection - so I decided on a decidedly bio-diversity-encouraging plot for our play - with the dragon not being such a beast and George only intending to act in the maiden's best interest. So - lonely dragon, not doing too much looting or burning people up, maiden seeking a companion (pet or otherwise), and George doing his rescue-rounds, but quite happy to sheath his sword if asked politely.
Cliff made all the costumes for the dragon and for George, and I left Lynne to design her own - no fear there - she looked lovely. All I did was write the script and sort of suggest the moves. We didn't do any rehearsal - hence reading our scripts in-play and a bit of hesitation en-route. Jess the dog's part was totally unrehearsed and unexpected, but I suspect she stole the show.
Paul Ferris, 29th April 2015
Thames Path Walk: Part Three - Putney Bridge to Westminster
Poor Brenda! Our newest member has been with the group only a couple of months, but in that short time, she has been injured in a team game and on Saturday, on her first walk, she picked up another injury getting off the train at the start! It is just coincidence, we promise!
Wisely abandoning ship to rest her injury, Brenda and Ray left the group who then crossed Putney Bridge to start the walk with a refreshment break in St Mary's Church cafe, where we finished on the last walk. The church has a long history, not the least bit of which was that the Putney Debates were held there in 1647, with the successful Parliamentarian Army members discussing the constitution they intended the country to have after the English Civil War.
Once we hit the path, in gradually clearing weather conditions, it was a pleasant walk through Wandsworth Park, moving ever closer to the hubbub of Central London. This part of the Thames still has some nicely converted warehouses and views of the more expensive conversions at Chelsea harbour on the north bank. We also passed Lotts Road Power station (on the north bank) which a few of the group confused with Battersea, a couple of miles further along the river. Lotts Road at one time supplied all of the power for the London Underground system, but is now, as most things are, being converted into luxury flats.
An obliging heron stopped and posed for us at Ransome Dock, and we broke step across Albert Bridge, as requested by the signs, to head into Battersea Park for a lunch break. As luck would have it, the fountains were on and the sun came out so we were able to enjoy a nice view from the park benches.
On leaving the park, we continued along the south bank until we reached Chelsea Bridge where, to avoid the building site that is Nine Elms, we crossed to the north bank to get much better views of the goings on around Battersea Power Station. Proceeding along past Lambeth Bridge, the group stopped at the Tate Gallery for an almost end-of-walk cup of tea, and to allow some of the group to stay in the gallery. Everyone, though not all at the same time, finished the walk along the Embankment, through Parliament Square and to Westminster tube station, where we shall start the next leg.
Sue C., 27th April 2015
Redbridge Lakes and Claybury Woods.
A bright though slightly chill-wind 12th April became a bright and not un-warm very-Spring day as Jacky led a group of 10 of us on a visit to Redbridge Lakes and Claybury Woods.
I'd known of the Redbridge Lakes, but had never visited, and it was a new area to most of us, I think. It is really planned for the benefit of anglers, I would say, but is called a conservation area and is a nice place for a family visit, with bee-hives to see, tadpoles to dip for and a bird-hide to hide from birds from. There is also a cafe, so of course that was our first objective.
After walking around one of the two lakes, we made our way across an adjacent playing-field then up Roding Lane North to enter the west end of Claybury Woods, crossing a Roman Road as we did so. Although probably two or so weeks early for the best show of bluebells, the sunshine and warmth had encouraged enough to begin to flower to at least give a tinge of blue. There were chiffchaffs singing all around, and a few butterflies, too.
Jacky gave us a choice of two routes to cater for different levels of ability; with a number of recent injuries and ops. amongst our contingent this was a sensible thing to do. One of the routes began with an uphill climb and was more strenuous and the other was a lower-level route and easier underfoot. Always for some odd reason wanting to go uphill rather than down, I choose to join the group of 6 who took the higher one. This led us up and through the woods - where wild garlic wasn't yet in flower, but wood anemones were. We met up briefly with the others, arranged a meeting place further on and continued through the ancient woodland, with a surprising amount of green-leaf showing on the hornbeams.
Meeting the others – who were relaxing by the pond – we made our way back to our cars from where some of us went to a nearby inn for a meal.
Not at all a bad day. Thanks to Jacky for organising it and being aware of people's needs. Those of us who did the whole circuit covered 3 miles.
Paul Ferris, 13th April 2015
First Night
So - our last evening at the "old" hall of Rovsco last Thursday, and our first evening at our temporary accommodation at Endeavour Hall this.
For most, it was a question of finding it in the first place. Explicit instructions sent by email by Maz and posted on the website - together with a map and even a direct link to Google Maps, enabling you to walk almost to the hall, at least virtually.
The next issue was parking, with only road-side rather than hall-side being available, and "feeling" where might be convenient.
The chairs weren't much of a problem, with plenty available - as well as tables - in a cubby hole adjcent to the room itself. The kitchen facilities were felicitous, but requiring some sorting and a little getting used too. Fear of setting of an alarm by allowing the water-boiler to over-steam were carefully considered. Heating was adequately provided for by an adjustable thermostat by the door - but with a real need to remember to re-set it to its off position before we left.
Pam organised a seminar-warm-up-style session for our evening's entertainment. We were all asked to write on a card a memory of a "First" in our lives. When these were read out - by Pam - we had to try to guess whose first it was. Ian G. got them all right, but he was lying, some got about eight correct - which I thought was remarkable because I didn't even get my own one - but I believe Cliff got something like twelve. Some wonderful money prizes in the form of gold-wrapped chocolate were awarded to Cliff and also to Maz, who was the only person to come up with a poem about the move from the old hall - the original suggested activity for the evening. The poem is appended below.
The hall was OK - my personal reservation about it being the terrible sound-quality. It is one of those places where you can hear everybody speaking at equal volume at the same time. The other problem I foresee is the necessity of clearing the hall (and leaving it in clean and tidy condition) by 10pm. We are so lucky in our Rovsco Hall that we can over-run more or less as we wish. It makes for a much more social atmosphere.
Paul Ferris, 10th April 2015
Here is Maz' poem (and her first, by all accounts!)
FAREWELL TO ROVSCO HALL
Rovsco Hall has been EFOG's home for roughly 20 years,
So saying a fond farewell to it was bound to bring some tears.
The animal paintings on the wall have given us some pleasure,
The hall has seen activities which have given us all much leisure.
Our food evenings have always been an important part of the fun,
And I know they will continue - bangers and mash is the next one.
We rescued most of the primroses with Marian's help and advice.
They are spread around all over the place - but we had to leave the squirrels and mice!
Endeavour Hall will be our home for the next few months or more,
Then we hope to return to Rovsco Hall, rebuilt and with a new floor.
We'll have to take care with a brand new place, and not leave marks anywhere,
But it will be our home for many years, so I know we'll take some care.
So farewell to old Rovsco Hall, we'll look forward to your rebirth.
I am sure you will give us much pleasure once more, and we'll have many good evenings and mirth!
Easter in Eastbourne
Back from another great break with EFOG. Easter weekend in Eastbourne was cool but not very wet and the sun did not desert us completely. The journey there went smoothly; the mid-morning travel avoided potential Bank Holiday crowds, giving us time to look round and have lunch before booking into the hotel. Many of us even had sea views.
Saturday was the “long walk” day – for most – walking up and down all of the Seven Sisters. A few of us did a shorter walk - from East Dean to Belle Tout Lighthouse, then to Birling Gap, where we fortuitously met up with the others for a bite to eat before going on with them to Beachy Head and thence to Eastbourne. The Downs were lovely, the views spectacular, even under an overcast and occasionally drizzly sky.
Unfortunately, because of her leg injury, Lynne was unable to join the walks this weekend. However, she found lots to do, including visiting some of the places we walked to – and giving us ideas of places to visit if we had time. We also had the pleasure of Parviz's company on the walks and Frances's company in the evenings.
The evening meal that night was particularly good – the huge, “pink” moon fantastic. There's sure to be a photograph here – Paul may have difficulty choosing which one to use.On Sunday most of us took the bus to Alfriston, a lovely “olde English” village. Soon we were back up the hills and on the South Downs again, searching for The Long Man of Wilmington. On the way we saw a chalk horse in the distance and some hang-gliders (it was certainly a good day for it). We were treated yet again to fantastic views, good walking and, of course, splendid company.
Some thought the long man needed a bit more definition (he was better seen at a distance perhaps) but we greeted him anyway. The weather was improving all the time – no rain today – so delicious ice-creams were enjoyed by many when we got back to the village. Back to Eastbourne, where there was plenty of time for a lovely stroll through the gardens, shopping or just “chilling” out near the sea before another nice meal – and “bingo” for those who fancied it. Did anyone win this time?
Quite a few of us used the 'Hop On Hop Off' bus on Monday to re-travel to places we had already seen and to go to places we had missed. We did brave the top deck at first – but the wind was a bit strong on the second bus we boarded (less cover). It was good to be able to “just look” rather than concentrate on walking as well. It was a good way to end the break – before what proved to be a pretty easy journey back home. Thanks for organising it, Ken.
Pam, 7th April 2015