Of rain. In southern parts and atop high Downs…
Rain yesterday in Sussex. Fleeting. Short and sharp and wet. But several furlongs away from being ground changing…
The Sunday before Goodwood. Course walk. The place looking fabulous as hammers banged and drills drilled to finish the final touches. A green carpet set amidst baked Serengeti brown. England, their England….
The most beautiful racecourse. A biased view of course. But hard to beat that view to the north over ancient downland. A view that will not have changed much in centuries. An old barn in the far distance, but barely a dwelling in sight. A pedigree herd of cattle in the shadow of trees at the bottom of the valley. Dust trailing as a tractor trundles….
To the south, The Isle Of Wight picked out crystal clear away over the Solent. Countless boats of all shapes pottering hither and thither…
England, their England…
Ed Arkell and his team have done a fabulous job. Taps have been turned full on to produce fast but fair summer ground. Warming up again through the week, and Ed’s weather watch of weather Apps will tell of mid thirty degrees by midweek…
Let These Games Commence…
My favourite meeting of the year. A full house of Barney and Tallulah’s mates. Wine stores raided – and probably will be again through the week. Great friends. Placepot pontificating. Some fabulous racing. Inevitable hard luck tales. But for some the luck will fall fine and happy and good. High boxes with generous hosts…
England, their England…
What fun…
