Tag: Rugby

#365daysofbiking Deer in the mist

 

November 3rd – Sunday meant an afternoon trip over to Burntwood to help a relative with a job, which on such a dull, overcast and periodically rainy afternoon was a welcome diversion.

Returning as night fell, my attention was snagged by a very localised, patchy inversion, leading to a trapped cloud on mist on the secondary pitches at Chasetown Rugby Club.

And who was luring by the goal in the murk? Possibly Englands new front line, corvine-style…

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November 35th – I passed through Chasewater in a splendid, cold golden hour, hoping maybe to catch some red deer. Sadly, the deer were elsewhere as there was a rugby match on over at the club, so they’d probably wandered to more peaceful environs until the shouting and cheering was over.

What I did find, however, was a beautiful north heath which, as Ian Anderson would have put it was ‘Glowing in the evening cool’ – and the view of the Paviours Road footbridge in low, golden sun was gorgeous.

Not a bad ride at all today – but bitterly cold and still with the treacherous, slippery conditions.

I have a feeling we’re in for a sharp winter this year.

July 30th – The deer are busy around Chasewater at the moment. I thought I’d spotted yesterday’s group of reds on the north heath, where I got pretty close without spooking them at all; but when I passed the rugby club the deer from the day before were still there.

That I can take a short journey around the park and see two listing groups of deer shows how populous they are becoming lately, and I do wonder if this might become a difficulty as they move around. 

Deer are not known for their traffic sense and I worry that environmental pressures making them move around are forcing them into contact with traffic more.

They are so lovely to see, but with no predators I fear that soon the herds may need some management…

July 29th – Returning from a ride out on a grey evening threatening rain I came through Chasewater and was heartened to note a group of deer browsing the grass on the Rugby Club by the Chasetown bypass. The herd was disjointed, with six adults spread around the pitch and a fawn getting some rest on the far side.

The animals were calm, inquisitive and not particularly troubled by my attentions. I noticed what good condition they were in and how shiny their coats were.

I’m also amused by the idea of some visiting rugby player going face down in the Chasetown turf during a tackle and getting a face full of fresh deer raisins.

Can’t be many pitches where that’s a hazard…

January 7th – Out and about today on various errands, I spotted a rather muddy rugby match going on at the club in Chasetown, just on the edge of Chasewater. I’ve never been much of a sport spectator, and know little about rugby, but looking at the assembled crowd, the mud, the barked instructions and the seriousness, I could tell this was important.

I have no idea who was playing, or who was winning: but to be out there in that mud, chasing a ball and getting pulled around bodily by strangers, I developed an instant admiration for these guys.

There seemed to be a spirit here one doesn’t see much in football; a willingness to get stuck in at whatever cost. It’s quite impressive.

I watched for five minutes, but had to be home. I must return though, as like village cricket on a sunny summer afternoon, there was a magic to it I’d love to explore further.