Another Christmas cracker at Craven Arms
The journey down to our furthest flung outpost always comes around with an air of apprehension, but never fails to be the most congenial and easy going training day on the New Year calendar. Once we had arrived we slipped comfortably back into the almost Caribbean lifestyle of the Craven Arms. However, we seemed to be in danger of souring the atmosphere of the day, by our change of coms from Vodaphone to O2 in a nut shell its SOS only.
Helpful as ever, Dave was soon on the scene and solved that problem by offering up his Orange service phone for our express use, which immediately restored contact with the mainland and assured business as usual.
Dave also advised us of an opportunity to cash in on 30-1 odds on his horse running in the 14:45 at Southwell. So, we pooled all our resources and managed to get together a 93.76 stake between the three of us. But no sooner had we finished dreaming of how to spend the money than the realization occurred that it was already 14:20 and the nearest turf accountant was more than 20 miles away. All bets were off. But sometimes, as life does, it turns around and gives you a big kiss on the cheek, so as the results started to filter in it appeared we had actually won 93.76kind of!
After a hearty lunch it was down to the days business, and as the afternoon progressed countless issues where resolved on scheduling, health and safety, logistics, rates and holidays. All in all a very productive day, rounded off by a lager shandy and a game of killer darts. The game had an entry list of 22 players, paying 1 each to enter but yielded 7 and a 20p-off petrol voucher for the winner. Hows that work then? Oh and a speedy recovery to Pete who was taken ill after sitting next to a draughty window without his vest tucked in and consequently had to be carried home!
A big thank-you to everyone who had given up there time to attend and we look forward to seeing you all next year.