DIARY – NEWBURY
SATURDAY 26 MARCH 2011
EBF MARES’ ONLY FINALE DAY
|
Choc
returns to the Winners’ Enclosure having been
victorious aboard Turbo Du
Ranch in the ‘bumper’ It was eight days since
I’d gone racing, although that had been the last of four consecutive days at
the 2011 Cheltenham Festival! I had a
backlog of 4 racing diaries to write but, as my working week had been one of
the worst I’d ever experienced, all related to overwhelming stress which
resulted in tears being spilt on more than one occasion, I felt I needed to
go racing and get away from my work-related problems ... and, of course, it
gave me the opportunity to see the lovely Choc, which always cheers me up! Besides, he was scheduled to have 5 rides
today, at the final fixture of Newbury’s 2010/2011 National Hunt season. The gates at Newbury
are always opened more than two hours ahead of their first race and today was
no exception. The first race was due
off at 13:45, gate opening time being 11:20; so I calculated that if I set
off just after 10:00 I would arrive at around 11:30. I awoke just after
06:00; I showered, washed and dried my hair, watched Channel 4’s Morning
Line, ate breakfast, applied make-up and got dressed to go ... but it was a ‘faffing around’ kind of morning as l
didn’t manage to set off from home until 10:25! Spring weather had
arrived earlier in the week, but the forecasters warned of colder
temperatures and possibly a few rain showers for Saturday ... south of the
Thames. Having suffered from the cold
at Cheltenham last week, I wasn’t about to take any chances; two thermal
vests, a purple sweater, black frilly edged cardigan, neon blue fleece, black
skirt, black 40 denier tights, black wedge shoes and cerise pink short length
coat. I took a chenille scarf too but,
in the event, didn’t wear it. My route took me
around the M25 and I had intended to leave the motorway at Junction 15, the
M4. However, as I approached Junction
17, there was a warning of delays at Junction 1 of the M40 which, as I needed
to take a split-second decision on whether to continue on the motorway or
bypass the next section, my initial thought was that it was the M40’s
junction with the M25 but, in hindsight, I realised that was Junction
1A. So, stupidly, I left the motorway
at Junction 17 and my route then took me through Maple Cross, Denham,
Gerrards Cross and Stoke Poges to Slough; although it is a route I am very
familiar with from the year I spent working in Bracknell. Once in Slough, I
turned westwards along the A4, and then joined the M4 at Slough Central. Traffic was moving well on the motorway,
although there was a short 50 mph section at the Junction with the A404,
where bridge repairs are being undertaken.
I left the westbound carriageway at Junction 12, Reading West, and
travelled the remainder of the journey along the A4, through Thatcham to
Newbury. One of the things that annoy
me as a driver, are vehicles which pull out of side-roads, forcing me to
brake, when the road behind me is clear for miles and miles – what is that
all about? Can’t they see further than
the end of their stupid noses? It
happened to me when travelling at 60 mph on the A4 today. Anyway, I finally
arrived in Newbury, deciding to drive through the Industrial Estate and under
the railway mainline bridge to reach the car park. The lane is in a desperate state of repair
once again, the potholes having been filled prior to last winter’s bad
weather; but there’s no way the repairs are going to last if they are not ‘sealed’ to prevent the ice getting
in. It was 11:55 when I
parked up; I was directed to park on the end of a row, immediately next to
the entrance road. Following my
Cheltenham experience last week, I can’t believe that I always seem to arrive
at the wrong moment but, fortunately, the Newbury car park entrance road at
this point is concrete not dusty gravel. Oh dear, when are
Newbury racecourse going to ban the gypsies who patrol the car park on
racedays? They are such a nuisance to
the racegoers; I object to them peering in through the windows of my car,
like a thief, and then invading my space as I lock my car door. Before setting off
for the turnstiles I ate a couple of the cheese rolls I’d prepared earlier.
Having bought a Grandstand enclosure badge (£15 today) plus a racecard for
£2.50, I popped to the loo, and then went to see what activities were planned
for racegoers today. As I was later
than usual in arriving, these activities had already commenced. At noon there had
been a ‘Celebration of the Horse’
Parade in the Paddock; as it was now 12:20, a demonstration by Yogi Breisner
and Eventer Lauren Shannon was just getting underway in the Pre-Parade
Ring. At 12:30 a ‘Behind The Scenes Tour’ with ex-jockey Colin Brown was due to
commence. I noticed a number of people
gathering outside the Weighing Room, so I decided that I’d go on the tour
today. There were supposed
to be a maximum of 20 people on the tour, although I was well up the list,
but Colin did permit everyone who wished to attend to tag along. Our first port of call was to the Weighing
Room, where Colin explained about the weighing out procedure. One of the young members of our party was
persuaded to stand on the scales to be weighed, whilst Colin slipped the
tablets of lead into the weight cloth for her to hold. Safety equipment
doesn’t count towards the weight carried, so the jockey doesn’t wear a helmet
when being weighed out; and two pounds excess is allowed to take account of
their safety vest. The jockeys need to
carry the horse’s headgear such as the blinkers, but we were told that this
doesn’t include cheekpieces as they are attached to the bridle. But surely they are ‘velcrowed’ on, and easily fitted and removed? In the days when Colin used to ride, he
said that far more equipment had to be weighed! The jockeys are
permitted to come back half a pound light and up to one and a half pounds
heavy. If their weight differs from
this, the Clerk of the Scales reports it to the Stewards and they interview
the jockey in an attempt to discover why.
If the jockey is more than half a pound underweight, the horse is
disqualified and the jockey is given a suspension; if over the weight
permitted then the jockey also gets a suspension but the horse keeps the race
(as it won despite being disadvantaged).
Once weighed out,
the jockey must remain in the Weighing Room until the trainer or
representative has arrived to collect the saddle; they can then return to the
changing room ... although they should not change any of their riding gear
(such as boots) however much they are tempted to do so! Following the race, The Clerk of the Scales
doesn’t ‘weigh-in’ all the jockeys;
just so long as those placed are weighed in. The old fashioned
scales were replaced by electronic scales only within the past three years;
and linked to a computer system only within the past 3 months! So much for technology! Whilst we were in
the Weighing Room, Sam Twiston-Davies set off to take a run around the
course, and Dominic Elsworth walked through too. Our next port of
call was the Judge’s Box; this is located at the top of Berkshire Stand. A number of the group went by lift to the
top floor, the remainder (including myself) walked up the stairs. The judge today, Guy Lewis, is an
ex-jockey. He explained that he has a
coding system for the colours; for example, he calls black and white colours
COW. Colin mentioned that
he still rides out, but prefers to ride two year old horses these days, not
National Hunt horses which take a longer time to exercise! Having completed
this part of the tour, we returned to the area outside the Weighing Room
steps, and made arrangements to meet up again in 15 minutes’ time, near the
Saddling Boxes to see a horse being saddled ahead of the first race. Whilst I was waiting, it was announced that
Choc’s intended ride in the first race, Balerina, was to be a
non-runner. However, he would now ride
Alan King’s second string, Franklino, owned by the McNeill family. Once the tour group
had re-grouped, we watched as Nicky Henderson and his assistant saddled Moose
Moran. Colin explained that, these
days, just one girth is used, with a surcingle being secured over the top of
the saddle to ensure safety. Ex-jockey Graham Thorner, who won the 1972
Grand National aboard Well To Do, was nearby and spoke briefly with us. I’d forgotten that he was part-owner of the
ill-fated Marching Song who had been electrocuted in the Parade Ring incident
last month; but he did refer to it briefly and a number of people said how
sorry they were that his horse had died.
He also mentioned that he would be taking part in a Charity Race at
Aintree on Grand National Day. Tour complete, I’d
missed the opportunity to find a space to stand on the raised steps surrounding
the Parade Ring; I therefore went to stand beside the Parade Ring exit
walkway to wait for Choc and Franklino to leave the Paddock. Having seen him depart for the course, I
went to find a vantage point near to the course-side rails. When interviewed by
Nick Luck of Racing UK prior to the race, Alan King mentioned how
disappointing the McNeill family owned Franklino had been; he was hoping to
continue running the horse during the summer months, after which he would
probably be placed on the ‘transfer
list’. The horses cantered
past the stands to reach the start, which was at the far end of the home
straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Two Kisses, who was bumped by the Nick Scholfield
ridden Ultravox when jumping the first flight, but
this did not affect their momentum. In
third was Comedy Act, followed by Kahfre on the
outside of the field, Franklino on the inside, then
Moose Moran, and in rear was Promised Wings.
Moose Moran damaged the orange protector strip when he hit the top of
the second flight. Two
Kisses and Ultravox disputed the lead around the
top bend, Franklino now alongside Promised Wings
and Kahfre at the back of the field. Down the back straight for the one and only
time, the field was closely packed; leading was Ultravox
alongside Two Kisses, then Comedy Act, Moose Moran, Kahfre,
Franklino and Promised Wings. The latter appeared to be struggling by the
final flight therein and received a couple of reminders. Moose
Moran looked to be dropping out around the far bend, with Promised Wings
still being pushed along and receiving more reminders in rear. Turning in, Ultravox led the field, from Kahfre
and Two Kisses; Comedy Act became the next to struggle and drop out. Nick Scholfield’s
mount led over the third flight from home, Franklino
now making progress to become his nearest pursuer. Moose Moran was pulled up before the
next. Ultravox led over two
out, from Franklino; Kahfre,
a close third, stumbled badly on landing and lost any remaining chance. Over the last Choc’s
mount was just half a length down but despite not giving up the challenge, he
was unable to close on Ultravox, who had extended
his lead to 1½ lengths at the line. In
hindsight this wasn’t a bad effort from Franklino,
as this would be the first of a sequence of wins for Ultravox
(the next would be at Ascot on 10 April 2011, beating another Alan King
inmate, Jubail; following that would be a victory
at Haydock Park on 23 April 2011). However, Franklino
would run in a Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Ayr Grand National
Festival 21 days later, and would finish a disappointing 5th of 14. Perhaps the gap between Franklino’s
races holds the key – on the two occasions where there have been gaps of more
than 50 days, he’d finished 2nd in both his subsequent races.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc and Franklino
arrive back and in preparation for Choc’s second
ride of the day, aboard Asturienne in the Mares’
Novices’ Chase Finale. Asturienne, who was very
much on her toes today, wore cheek-pieces.
She shied away from her handler as Choc was about to exit the Parade
Ring; so he kept his feet out of the stirrups in order to calm her. I set off to find a vantage point near the
course-side rails to watch the race. The
start of this event was in the back straight, with one fence to negotiate
before entering the bottom bend.
Then
they were off. Smuglin
initially took the lead, from Cool Friend, Evella
and Douryna.
Evella soon took up the running, from Douryna, Cool Friend, one of the greys Smuglin, and Kerada; Asturienne had moved up on the inside into 4th position
as they turned into the home straight for the first time. Easter Legend and Cobbler’s Queen were at
the rear of the field. Evella led the field
over the first ditch; Barry Geraghty took his
mount, Kerada, wide to the outside of the field as
they travelled up the home straight for the first time. Evella led over
the water-jump; around the top turn Smuglin was in
rear and received reminders; she was preceded by the other grey Magical
Legend, Cobbler’s Queen and Easter Legend.
Evella was still ahead
over the second open-ditch (the 9th), from Douryna,
Asturienne, Kerada and
Cool Friend. In rear Smuglin was struggling (I’m a poet and didn’t even know
it!). Evella led over the 11th; Asturienne
travelling well just behind the leaders.
Barry Geraghty’s mount took over at the head
of affairs over the 12th, the long-time leader dropping out quickly. Easter Legend’s distinctive white face now
noticeable in fourth. Douryna held a slight
advantage as the runners jumped the cross-fence; Asturienne
making a slight error here, as did Cobbler’s Queen, the former receiving
reminders. Douryna
led into the home straight, from Kerada, Easter
Legend, Asturienne, Cool Friend, Magical Legend and
Cobbler’s Queen. However the
favourite, Kerada, fell at the fourth last,
hampering Cobbler’s Queen in the progress, the latter flinging Andrew Tinkler out of the saddle as a result. Barry appeared to have been kicked as
Cobbler’s Queen galloped over him. Easter
Legend soon took up the running, from the grey Magical Legend, Douryna, Cool Friend and Asturienne;
the former a little clumsy two out, but it didn’t stop her momentum. The flashy mare cleared the last and
galloped on to win by 5 lengths from Magical Legend, who could make no
impression on her lead on the run-in, Douryna and
Cool Friend. Asturienne
was last of the finishers, in 5th.
A
good result for the sire, Midnight Legend, having sired the winner and the
runner-up.
I returned to the Parade Ring to see Choc
unsaddle Asturienne and in preparation for his third
ride of the day, aboard Way Back When, in the Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle
Finale. Having a connection to Choc’s intended ride, Robert Waley-Cohen
(father of Sam) came across to speak with Alan King and Choc as the latter
waited to be legged-up onto his mount. Once Choc has exited the Parade Ring I set off to
find a vantage point near to the course-side rails. Jeremiah (Jerry) McGrath replaced the
injured Barry Geraghty aboard Line Freedom,
although both Barry and Andrew Tinkler had walked
back in unaided following the previous race.
Trainer Nicky Henderson had four runners in this race. The start
of this race was in the far corner of the track, the horses cantering past
the stands to reach it. At the start,
the vet took a prolonged look at Annimation, but
she was passed as fit and allowed to take her chance.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Wistow, with the Sam Twiston-Davies
ridden Definitley Lovely soon taking over, although
jumping to the left over the first flight.
Francesa didn’t jump the first particularly
well when in rear. Choc and Way Back
When were travelling near the outside of the field, approximately 4 from the
back. Definitley Lovely hit the
third flight, her nose touching the turf, but it didn’t affect her
momentum. Past the winning post with
one circuit to go, Sam Twiston-Davies’ mount still
led, from the Nathan Sweeney ridden Mizzurka, Emmaslegend, Semi Colon, Wistow,
Empress Orchid, Aneyeforaneye, Whoops A Daisy, Kells Belle, Line Freedom, Alverstone,
Violin Davis, Annimation, Molly Round, Way Back
When, Malindi Bay, Francesa,
with Shop DJ at the back. The
field was closely packed on the top turn; as a result Alverstone
stumbled and unseated her jockey, David Bass.
Her jockey was fine, but the mare sustained a suspensory
injury; connections uncertain if she would make a full recovery. Mizzurka soon went on
from Emmaslegend; Definitley
Lovely losing ground quickly having relinquished the lead. Francesa was at
the back of the tightly bunched field, which was spread wide across the
track. Line Freedom had lost a little
ground too; Sam Twiston-Davies giving his mount, Definitley Lovely a few reminders in rear. Wistow dropped
out too. Mizzurka led over the
final flight in the back straight, having regained the advantage over Emmaslegend, Semi Colon and Molly Round. Way Back When was now struggling near the
rear of the field. Having turned into
the home straight, Nathan Sweeney’s mount held a very narrow advantage over
the third last. Approaching two out,
Line Freedom, Semi Colon and Violin Davis were challenging for the lead; the
former going on after the penultimate flight.
Line
Freedom retained her lead over the last, Semi Colon still in second place;
Ruby Walsh brought Violin Davis up the stand-side rails to challenge but
Jerry McGrath’s mount held on by 1½ lengths at the
line, Shop DJ having made an error 2 out, finished 3rd, with Mizzurka 4th and Semi Colon fading into 5th. Way
Back When completed in 11th.
I
returned to the Parade Ring to see Choc unsaddle his mount before returning
to the Weighing Room. It
was now time for the fourth race of the day; Choc didn’t have a ride in this
one. AP McCoy substituted for the
injured Barry Geraghty aboard the David Arbuthnot
trained Theatre Dance. The
weather, having been beautiful earlier in the afternoon, was now overcast
with the threat of rain on the horizon.
Having wondered if I was wearing too many layers of clothes, as
compared to those in ‘summer’
outfits, my choice of clothes would soon be vindicated! Once
the horses had left the Parade Ring I went to find a vantage point near to
the course-side rails. The start of
this race was at the beginning of the back straight, with two circuits to
travel. Andrew
Thornton, who was engaged to ride in the NH Flat Race, the last event on the
card, was doing his customary pre-race jog around the course!
Then
they were off. The field was led away by
the blinkered Double Dizzy, followed by the visor wearing Theatre Dance,
Ogee, the grey Scots Dragoon, blinkered Noble Crusader, Maktu,
Briery Fox, cheek-piece wearing Rey Nacarado, with Burren Legend in
rear. Briery
Fox hit the third fence. Double Dizzy
and Theatre Dance were soon disputing the lead and continued to do so as they
turned into the home straight for the first time. Maktu was
disputing third with Ogee, Rey Nacardo
was to the outside of the runners near the rear of the field. By
the top turn, Briery Fox had slightly lost touch
with the remaining runners. Josh Moore
aboard Double Dizzy and AP aboard Theatre Dance disputed the lead; followed
by Ogee and Ruby Walsh aboard Maktu; Burren Legend cleared the first fence in the back
straight slowly. Rey Nacarado, with his unusual one-sided blaze, had begun to
make progress down the outside of the field.
Double Dizzy was soon being pushed along to keep up with Theatre
Dance. Ogee
hit the 15th fence. AP sent his mount
into a clear lead as they turned the far bend, heading for the
cross-fence. Ruby’s mount was soon
cruising upsides Double Dizzy; Andrew Tinkler
aboard Rey Nacarado in their slipstream. Theatre Dance led into the final straight
but hit the top of the 4th last and fell, leaving Maktu
in the lead. Rey Nacardo
had now taken 2nd from Ogee, with Double Dizzy plugging on in 4th. Andrew
Tinkler administered encouragement to his mount,
and was one length down clearing the penultimate fence. Maktu was now
under pressure from Ruby Walsh; Rey Nacarado led
narrowly over the last and went on to win by 2 lengths. As they crossed the line, it was noticeable
that Andrew Tinkler’s saddle had slipped back; with
tack flapping loose under the horse’s belly! Scots
Dragoon stayed on to finish 3rd, with Ogee in 4th. A
win for the bottom weight (10 stone 1 pound) over the top weight (11 stone 12
pounds).
I
returned to the Parade Ring to see the horses arrive back in the Winners’
Enclosure. When Andrew Tinkler unsaddled his mount, it was clear that one of the
girth buckles had come undone during the race, the saddle now secured by a
mere sliver of leather! The
weather had well and truly taken a turn for the worse by this stage so, as I
was feeling hungry, I decided to buy some French Fries. It was raining heavily, so having made my
purchase I went to shelter under overhanging edge of the Dubai Duty Free
grandstand to consume my purchase. I
didn’t return to the Parade Ring to see the runners ahead of the next race,
but instead went straight to the course-side rails to watch it. There was plenty of room by the rails, as
many of the punters weren’t feeling brave enough to venture out of the stands
yet, although the rain would soon stop and the sun put in a re-appearance! The
start of this race was half-way down the home straight, with just over one
circuit to travel. Due to the
unsuitable ground conditions, Newbury electrocution survivor, Kid Cassidy,
was one of the two non-runners in this race.
Current Event took a keen hold on the way to the start; the favourite,
Tony Star, overshot it as he was pulling so hard!
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Katchmore; Tony Star fighting for his head and
gaining the advantage over the first flight.
These were followed by Current Event, Cheney Manor, Fontano, Surf and Turf, with Only Witness in rear. As
the field passed the winning post with one circuit to go, Tony Star had
pulled his way into a clear lead from Current Event, Katchmore
and Cheney Manor disputing third; the former was 3 lengths ahead over the 2nd
flight. Surf and Turf was now bringing
up the rear. As
the field approached the fourth flight, a pheasant which had been standing in
their path ran for cover at the side of the track! Tony Star still led from Current Event,
Cheney Manor and Katchmore. Current Event hit the top of 4 out. Only Witness and Surf and Turf appeared to
be struggling in rear. Tony
Star led around the far turn; Current Event soon cruising up alongside
him. The latter was sent into the lead
after 3 out, as Richard Johnson’s mount began to struggle. Fontano soon his
nearest pursuer, with the Cheney Manor in 4th position, and these clear of Katchmore. Current
Event was never under any pressure; after the last Ruby Walsh checked behind
to see if there were any challengers ... there weren’t. He ran on to win by 18 lengths from Fontano and Tony Star; Only Witness staying on to finish
4th.
I
returned to the Parade Ring in preparation for the next event, in which Choc
would be riding the McNeill family owned Norman The Great. Once Choc had set off down the horse-walk
aboard his mount, I went to find a vantage point beside the course-side rails. The
start of this race was half way down the home straight, with just over one
circuit to travel.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Qianshan Leader, followed by Lord Singer, Quipe Me Posted, with Norman The Great to the inside,
then Mister Matt and Coach Lane. Jumping
the water, Lord Singer under Andrew Glassonbury had
taken a clear advantage, Qianshan Leader still in
second, Quipe Me Posted in third, then Mister Matt,
Coach Lane, and Norman The Great relegated to last position. Andrew Glassonbury’s
mount had a 5 length advantage over the 4th fence, from Quipe
Me Posted. Norman The Great landed a
little steeply over the next, the open-ditch.
Lord
Singer still led over the final fence in the back straight, from Quipe Me Posted, Mister Matt, Coach Lane, and Qianshan Leader; a gap had opened up between these 5 and
Norman The Great, the latter struggling.
Choc pulled him up after jumping the cross-fence. Lord
Singer led the field into the final straight, from Quipe
Me Posted; the latter taking the lead 4 out.
Lord Singer remained in second position until a slow jump at the
second last fence, a staying on Qianshan Leader now
assuming the runner-up spot. Quipe Me Posted galloped on to win easily,
by 14 lengths, from Qianshan Leader, Mister Matt
and Lord Singer. The other runner,
Coach Lane, was pulled up before the last.
I
returned to the Parade Ring to see Choc unsaddle his mount and return to the
Weighing Room ahead of the final race of the day. Choc’s mount in the
bumper race would be the Warren Greatrex trained
Turbo Du Ranch; the colours were those also carried by Crack Away Jack. The
start of this race, being a ‘Junior’
bumper and a mere 1 mile 4½ furlongs in distance, was at the beginning of the
back straight. Therefore upon exiting
onto the course, the horses cantered from the horse-walk exit point to the
start just a short distance away.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Trevis, from Forgotten Promise, Rachael’s Ruby, Ginger
Fizz, Conigre, Silver Stirrup, Judge Davis, Duke of
Monmouth, Jumps Road, Broomfield, Dark Shadow, Lady Kathleen, on the inside
Turbo Du Ranch, Frolic Along, with Cailin Maghnailbhe at the rear. Trevis led the field
out of the back straight, and into the home straight too; he relinquished the
lead 3 furlongs out, Forgotten Promise taking over. Ginger Fizz took the advantage over 2
furlongs out; it was then Judge Davis’ turn to lead for a brief spell. Broomfield,
ridden by Ruby Walsh, took the lead over 1 furlong from home, but it was not
to be the final throw of the dice. Choc’s mount, having made progress from over 3 furlongs
out and, although green and hanging a little when pushed along, came to
challenge the leader and he stayed on under pressure to take the lead close
home. Turbo Du Ranch had won by a
neck. A 16-1 winner!
I returned to the
Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc and Turbo Du Ranch arrive back. It was the first time I’d seen Choc win ‘live’ at Newbury. Once dismounted,
Choc unsaddled his mount, and spoke with trainer Warren Greatrex and Claude
Charlet (who I recognised from his appearances as a presenter on Racing UK)
who was closely connected with the horse, which runs in the same colours as
Crack Away Jack. Claude had also been
responsible for purchasing Current Event, a winner earlier in the
afternoon. Like 2009 Grand
National winner, Mon Mome, Turbo Du Ranch is a French AQPS non-thoroughbred horse. It was Choc’s
999th career winner, although I wasn’t aware of this at the time ... as I’d
forgotten to count his 6 flat-race winners in the total or, perhaps, I’d
decided (erroneously) that these wouldn’t count towards his total! Having returned
to my vehicle, I polished off the two remaining cheese rolls but setting off
for home. Initially cars queuing from
the main entrance/exit had been blocking my escape but, by the time I left,
the roadway was clear. I set off in
the opposite direction, towards the golf course, to return whence I
came. And you
certainly see some sights ... as I drove out I was confronted with the rear
view of a naked man! It was a bit cold
for that I would have thought! And
further down the road, a group of people, some possibly drunk, were wandering
along the centre of the road. But,
fortunately, they soon cleared out of my path. My route took me back through the
Industrial Estate and onto to the A4. It was an event
free journey back to the M4 towards London; after which I took the M25
clockwise carriageway back to Hertfordshire.
Upon reaching Junction 22, I decided to visit the petrol station at
the nearby Retail Park to top up the tank of my car. And my visit was not uneventful. Firstly, as I was at the pump, a car sped
out of the station, screeching tyres were heard as it took the corner at the
far end of the forecourt. Then, as I
went inside the shop to pay, I was confronted with the tail-end of an argument
between the staff and a group of yobs.
Often when I’ve visited the filling station during the hours of
evening, there are police traffic officers having a break from their duties;
it’s a pity they weren’t there tonight!
Fortunately, as
these events didn’t affect me, having paid my bill I was able to soon set off
for home; although on the way into St Albans, a police car with blue flashing
light sped past me in the opposite direction.
Had the filling station staff raised the alarm and was the police car
heading for the petrol station perhaps?
I arrived home
at 19:15. Time to eat an evening meal,
write my daily blog, upload and select photographs for my website before
turning in for the night. Not too late
an hour tonight, especially as British Summer Time started at 02:00 in the morning
and I would lose an hour’s sleep. |
