Yorkshire economy suffers blow

July 22, 2010

tags: Currencies Direct, Living In France, Moving To France, Sunny France, Valbonne, Wike Ridge Golf Club

And so it came to pass. The Yorkshire economy has suffered a reverse and is £5 worse off as a result of my predicted and well deserved golfing win against “old git” and former captain of Wike Ridge Golf Club, Dave Wurr.

His 12 at the 3rd did nothing to help his cause but overall, despite his having played the course 1000 times, and my never having even seen it before, and my giving him 3 shots start, the best man won.

My picture today shows the dilemma the golf course manager faces at Wike Ridge. Being a Yorkshireman he will obviously not want to waste money by purchasing sand to put into the bunkers, mud will clearly do, but then, given the amounts of rainfall, and these have been copious over the last few days, the temptation must be to consider instead using the hole as a water hazard. He has clearly become caught in two minds.

bunker or water hazard? you decide

Our last evening in Yorkshire was spent celebrating my great victory and spending nearly all my £5 winnings, less than the normal 10 euros or £8 at today’s exchange rate, due to the tightness of Yorkshire betting precedents but very welcome nonetheless, at the Windmill at Linton, near Wetherby.

Today, with a song in my heart, despite the glowering clouds, drizzle and wind, we will head back to slightly sunnier climes, to Henley, where we will try to dry our clothes on something other than peat fires, and we will once again be able to enjoy the benefits of electricity.

A wedding on Saturday in The Oratory in Oxford, where old friend Linda Warmbottom has finally snared some poor unsuspecting foreigner into marriage. I suspect we will not be partaking of the excellent advice to get the park and ride bus into Oxford for the ceremony, I would happily pay whatever the fine might be for having the car towed away to avoid a 45 minute bus ride to a church! Sounds like a cue for that well-known AC/DC anthem “Highway To Hell”

The no doubt well-intentioned suggestion was made by the bride to be, who has a simple and honest heart, but personally, I don’t find it an exciting prospect to be dressed in my finery, seated alongside those remarkable human beings that reside in the likes of the Blackbird Leys estate or on the Cowley Road, out for a quiet afternoon of pickpocketing, perhaps a little mugging.

I am sure that it will be a wonderful occasion for Linda and I for one will be looking forward to the reception at Kidlington, although the edict that stilettos will not be allowed may cause me to rethink my costume for the night.

The prospect of 2 nights in Henley and some Fullers London Pride is enough to make my heart sing after the deprivations of the frozen but now just muddy north. The delights of France are merely days away. Paul and Claire Warner will be our hosts, Claire of course renowned in this blog for her inability to remain fully clothed in most social gatherings, and is thus an excellent host. The better the party the more likely are her indiscretions, so the prospect of their wedding anniversary coinciding with our visit is as delicious as Claire herself.

Chris France

buying a house in France, moving money? www.currenciesdirect.net/chrisfrance

Latest local news? http://www.fr2day.com/

Best Estate Agency in Valbonne? http://www.rivierarealty.net/

Best French Riviera Property Agent?

http://www.afa-international.com/

http://frenchriviera-properties.com/

rent my house in summer? http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p412514

Best on line resource in Valbonne? http://www.valbonneonline.com/

Secret supper club http://www.red-radish.com/

Wedding reception? http://www.bastidestmathieu.com/

Valbonne Tourist Office http://www.tourisme-valbonne.com