In my pomp, and various circumstances!

Facing facts (apparently!)

It has come to my notice, if nobody else’s - that my bi-weekly companion, has rapidly taken charge of my relatively sedentary habits.  Not, may I point out, that the lad himself; isn’t up for companionable periods, watching various sporting events from the comfort of the couch!

But - it has to be said (apparently) that I am not as energetic as I was in my youth (again - apparently!)

It was my luck to have an older brother, who excelled in sporting matters, and I, in the eyes of our school P.E. teacher – came a very poor second to H-Taylor major!

I of course think I never really stood a chance.  I recall arriving at my first day of secondary education, and gazing with great eagerness at the ‘house’ board in the school foyer. I can see the house names now – DRAKE, RALIEGH, LIVINGSTONE, CLIVE and SCOTT – great heroic figures from our past.

The year I arrived, a new house was introduced. I reckon that, either NELSON or WELLINGTON were top choices to join the pantheon of heroes – for some unexplained reason they went for *Elgar!

You’ve got it in one, into the new house I went, with all the other ‘nerds’ – how did you guess?

Now let me say immediately, I’m a huge fan of Edward Elgar. As the years have passed I’ve mellowed to the idea of being one of the noble Bart’s ‘house’. BUT - at the age of 12, dear old Sir Ed, was not a chaps idea of the fleet of foot, goal scoring, run chasing and most importantly -speedy ascender of ropes during double Gym with Mr Scott! (No relative to the aforementioned polar explorer.) Thus a very average sporting career lurched into action – and I took my place in the ranks of ‘also-rans.’

Therefore, young Bing has decided this old ‘huff and puff’ needs to raise his game, particularly as (once again, apparently!) I’m mighty quick to be-moan the efforts of many an overpaid footballer!

The truth has to be faced, I’m not as lithe as I think I once was, and even a tad more exercise would be of benefit. Thus, on occasion, should you happen on this area of Epping Forest, you will see an extremely ‘sporting’ chap towing a panting idiot in his trail!

Hey-ho.

*Since the first appearance of this scrawl, Elgar has been 'outed' as a supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers...to the extent that he even wrote a chant for the supporters!