Evil Sid Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 last night 'Wednesday' was the first game of our teams bowling season. the green was fine apart from the fact that there were several craters dug in various places some of which had been filled, seeded and covered with a fibre paper to help them grow and keep the birds off. it turns out that the holes were not the result of vandalism but that of a fox which has taken up residence nearby. electronic counter measures are in place and more are planned in a effort to protect the green. talking to the secretary of the bowling section of the club was rather interesting as he had been doing research into how to deter the 'little critter'. (his actual words are not suitable for on here). to that end he is now almost a leading expert on foxes and what you can and cannot do to stay their nocturnal deeds. now for the best bit. during our game with about thirty people present what should come sauntering out of the bushes but the said fox. without even batting an eyelid it walk along and disappeared through a hole in the hedges only to reappear about five minutes later and saunter nonchalantly toward the main road. not once did it seem bothered by the presence of people which leads me to wonder if some local residents are in actual fact leaving food out for it. as a side note it was still light enough not to need the floodlights on for bowling possibly eight pm or round about that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 We occasionally get them in our garden, but they’d have a bit of a hard job digging through the Astroturf. Jaws dropped a couple of years back when one walked right through a load of people at the nearby Dog and Partridge. Clearly it wasn’t the least bit bothered, just like a dog out for an early evening stroll. Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 12 Author Report Share Posted April 12 had a quick look at deterrents on the internet, range from the electronic devices that emit a high frequency blip when tripped to flashing lights. several recipes for odour based deterrents the favourite being garlick and chilli powder, not sure if it is to scare it away or to flavour it prior to cooking. have seen the odd one wandering along our street in the past having sankey valley on our doorstop it is not so surprising as it may seem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 12 Report Share Posted April 12 I think there’s quite a few of them around Woolston Eyes and Paddington Meadows. That might explain my sighting at the Dog and Partridge and why so many of them end up as roadkill on Manchester Road. Good luck with trying to keep them off your green, that’s not going to be easy. I could send you a few pairs of my smelly old socks if you think that’d help? 😊 Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 12 Author Report Share Posted April 12 probably attract more of them bill....🤣 there is a stream running past the property, alford hall, so that will be an attraction as part of a foxes des res. "handy for the town. running water and the pick of any dustbin you can get into" said the sign in the estate agents window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 13 Report Share Posted April 13 If you bowl at Alford Hall Sid you’ll have to let me know when you play so that I can have a walk down and say hello again after such a long time. I assume there’s a bar in the place so I might even catch a pint if I’ve not spent all my pocket money. 😊 Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 13 Author Report Share Posted April 13 being the 'c' team we have to play our home games on a Wednesday. I usually get there around six for a practice, weather permitting and the match starts at seven. will be there this Wednesday, 17th and after that it will be 19th June. there is a bar and if you don't feel like walking there is a large car park at the back. wear some thing warm as it can get a bit chilly towards the end of the match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 13 Report Share Posted April 13 Sounds like a plan Sid. Wednesday’s the night I take my brother to his local in Cadishead and I normally pick him up at 7.00 so I won’t be able to stay that long. Just as well I’ll be driving though because Alford Hall is just about on the limit of my dodgy legs these days. No escaping the bowls at the moment. The Horseshoe at Croft where I go each Friday was their first night, so it got a bit busy when they all came in. It’s going to be much the same at The Grocers in Cadishead on Wednesday. Last year was their first season playing and unbelievably they came out top so have moved up a league. Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 13 Author Report Share Posted April 13 we are just there for a friendly game and to help get new players started. if we win it is a bonus. surprising how much bowling goes on during the summer. Monday/Wednesday league, Friday league, Thursday catholic league, Tuesday parks league all in the evening. then there is the the pensioners leagues in the afternoon as well as the ladies leagues and the mixed pairs league. if you were keen on you could be out bowling most of the time during the summer months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 14 Report Share Posted April 14 I’ve had a little go in the past but these days it’s out of the question due to the problems I have with my fingers and wrist. I can barely hold a cup of tea with my right hand so a bowling ball’s out of the question. Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 14 Author Report Share Posted April 14 i must admit to struggling nowadays. the hip has forced a change in the way i deliver the bowl. more upright than when i first started when i was down on one knee almost. also struggling with getting the length as well especially on big greens and more so if it is raining. they say bowls is an old mans game but as i have grown older i have come to disbelieve that. still it is good exercise in the fresh air and gets me out of the house once a week to socialise or at least be around other human beings.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 14 Report Share Posted April 14 I’ve had a little go in the past but these days it’s out of the question due to the problems I have with my fingers and wrist. I can barely hold a cup of tea with my right hand so a bowling ball’s out of the question. Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 18 Report Share Posted April 18 Good to catch up with you last night Sid after such a long time and just a pity there wasn’t enough time for me to have a pint and a proper natter. I told the bowls guys at the other place about your duck issue, and they all had a good laugh. Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 18 Author Report Share Posted April 18 that fox turned up again later on bold as brass. was good to see you again and a brief catch-up to compare ailments like us older people tend to do.... had a good game once that wind dropped and it warmed up to just under -10c or thereabouts...❄️ surprised this morning at the frost on the rooves around here didn't think it was that cold when i got in last night. (so much for global warming). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 19 Report Share Posted April 19 Reckon foxes like a bit of duck in their diet Sid so not surprising he was hanging about. Yes there were some big showers Wednesday night, and the bowlers at Cadishead had to pause their game when the green got completely covered in a layer of hailstones. They won their first match btw after being promoted to the higher league but given most of them are essentially beginners they doubt they’ll be quite so successful this season. We’ll have to try and arrange a proper sit-down beer sometime and have a better catch up. Wednesday and Fridays I have to play designated driver but I’m free the rest of the week. Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted April 19 Author Report Share Posted April 19 we were lucky in that the rain and hail stayed away so just the cold to contend with, difficult bowling with no feeling in the fingers. apart from the odd Wednesday or Monday during the bowling season and Thursdays during the domino season i am free as long as i have taken my medication, occasionally forget and that is despite having post it notes to remind me. mind you our next bowls match is not until May 20th, we have a bye on the 13th of may and the various bank holidays as well so about five weeks until i pick up a bowl again, so hopefully the weather will have warmed up a bit. might be tempted to try another bitter shandy, Wednesday was the first alcoholic drink i have had for almost twelve months. got hooked on lemonade with a splash of lime during the off season and not missed beer at all. alcohol tolerance gone right down the tubes (two bitter shandies and i am everybody's these days) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 Probably best I leave it up to you to pick a time and a place Sid as both my normal drinkie places are a bit far out for you. It’s a shame the forums been allowed to decline so much to the point where a gets together drink happens so infrequently and with just two people. Social media isn’t really living up to it’s name. 😊 Bill 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.