Britain Plays Korfball

Date: 22/08/2009

Venue: Britain

Comments:

Bloody Salisbury, Winchester, Windsor castle, Ascot and never mind the Etonians!

Most of our targeted landmarks proved great fun and despite some hair raising parking and imminent arrests we felt we did a pretty good job with our photo opportunities. However, if you ever want to visit Salisbury cathedral, take a photo of Eton or enjoy Winchester – don’t go by car.

A beautiful view of the iconic Eton greeted us as we drove toward Windsor castle and we felt that Windsor was going to be a prime location to pick up a few landmarks. Windsor castle, Eton, Legoland and Ascot all in close proximity! RESULT! First up - Windsor castle. Windsor proved challenging with many pedestrian areas and nowhere to pull up in a car and unload a base. After skirting the castle, drawing the attention of the surrounding constabulary by precarious driving in pedestrian zones, and

circling traffic islands we found a lovely view of the Windsor rear – job done. Next up Eton – this had to be easier – we’d already seen it. Well after hunting high and low for the road to Eton we made our way into the aforementioned town only to discover that close up there were no good views of iconic Eton buildings – merely lots of lovely architecture pretty challenging to place. Give up – oh yes! We still had Ascot up our sleeve anyway. So off to Ascot it was. Bemoaning our lack of proper hats we pulled into Ascot. The race course greets you immediately with it’s vast area of land and stunning building. Novices on the Ascot circuit and fresh from the wounds of Eton we spotted an awesome view of the Ascot building across the racecourse from the service area, the only small flaw being the wire fence. Nipping in we located ourselves a couple of tourists and posed our photos. Back in the car and round the front to head for legoland we discovered the rather grand front of Ascot building with no fence – but equally nowhere to park for under a tenner. After waiting at an equestrian crossing and marvelling at the fine fillies we were on our way to Legoland.

Now practiced in the back end of buildings where there is no access out front or you just can’t find the way to the front we merrily drove into the carpark for the Hilton hotel in Winchester. This just happens to be at the back of Winchester Cathedral and offers a fab view of it’s backside. One charmed security guard later we had our photo and were off to visit the statue of Alfred in the centre who proved to be one of our biggest leaflet distribution centres. Good old King Alfred.

Salisbury was perhaps our biggest disappointment. With the cathedral obvious from the motorway and towering above the horizon we felt confident we would be getting a prime shot to add to our collection. Once we entered Salisbury itself however it was an entirely different story. For the first time visitor Salisbury is made up of a number of 1 way streets in the centre- all of which seem to circle round the cathedral or start off toward it before cruelly veering off. Despite our best efforts to get close (including accidental wrong direction down one way traffic back roads and ending up in a pedestrian only zone) we just couldn’t get close. After an hour we grew tired of our endeavours and realising we had ended up right on the cusp of Salisbury – AGAIN – we gave up and headed off to Stone Henge!

Lovely Lego Land and Spectacular Stone Henge

Windsor was saved by the wonders of lego land. It’s exciting from the moment you spot the entrance sign made up of all the little bricks and surrounded by giant sized versions. Then there is the drive to the carpark.

As you enter the driveway – little lego figures (by little think pretty big for lego – around knee high) line the driveway playing with the letters that spell out legoland, Windsor. They get more exciting as you go along for example the W is being fired from a giant catapult. Our favourite however was the giant 0 chasing one poor lego man down the hill thanks to his buddy pushing it!

Once at the car park we decided our best photo ops were the O and the giant bricks so round and out and down we went. Quick stop at the O for photos and then on to the entrance sign. Post up and full on game in progress surrounded by giant lego bricks, bemused passers by and lego mania.

Our visit was only cut short by the arrival of the security car and the information that we couldn’t play here! During the end of the penalties Sam and I chatted to the guards, handed out our leaflets and had a lovely conversation. Post down and off we went. Leaflets were also distributed to entertained bystanders and Korf and the competition got a good amount of recognition.

Stonehenge was another favourite. I recall visiting Stonehenge when I was about 15 and being horribly disappointed by the distance from the rocks that you were allowed. Jonathon had similar memories so hopes were not high. Add to that the horrendous traffic along the road and we were wondering if we had made a foolish choice.

On arrival however we were delighted – the view over the fence was almost as close as the view inside. The car park had moved! After staring in awe and wonder we set to it, first putting up the post and of course avoiding parking attendants. It’s pretty exciting playing korfball a shot away from Stonehenge and one that I certainly won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Penalty shoot out!

Jonathon and Antony decided to add to the

excitement and potential for arrest by holding a penalty shoot out at each location. So after we had crazily erected our post, organised the camera and posed we couldn’t hastily pack away and peg it because the penalties must be taken! The competition started neck and neck and looked like it would be a tight finish.

Unsurprisingly this gave the odd security guard or traffic officer time to get up the courage to come and say“Excuse me, what exactly are you doing? I don’t think you should be here!!”Dedicated to the last Antony and Jonathon would not be deterred and as Sam and I explained away the ‘National competition’, the game itself and charmed the security officers, they continued to take penalty after penalty. Antony obviously found the pressure a bonus and ended up winning the competition with a convincing 18 ½ to 15 . Jonathon with more awareness of the impending ‘situation’ feeling the pressure that bit more!

Severn Bridge

One of perhaps our most daring and traffic

defying feats was in fact the Severn Bridge en-route to Wales. As we drove over looking for an in car photo op we realised that the far lane was coned off for repair works. A prime opportunity if ever there was one. With a big swoop we found ourselves crossing through the cones and parking up before hastily assembling a post, ourselves and the camera for a mid-bridge shot!

Once back in the car and on our way we had gained enthusiasm and daring so decided a second stop by the toll booths would be no worries (despite the rather obvious police vehicles). As far as we know, no one batted an eyelid – although I have no doubt it was on camera and will await the letter with anticipation!!

Other highlights

It’s hard to pick from the highlights of the trip as there were

so many – be it looking for the crucible, only to be met with what appeared to be a

building site!! (“it should be – there!!”), playing on the bridge over the M25 to a chorus of honks, being cheered when playing by the river at The Grand union Canal – Stoke Bruerne, or meeting the Cambridge Ozzies by the Roman Bath House. I will however endeavour to put together a few.

The M25 experience for example was unforgettable. Watching Jonathon and Antony taking penalties with the potential to cause major road accidents if the ball went astray was heart stopping. The sound of honks and whizzing cars vibrating the bridge only adding to the fear and excitement.

The cathedral at Lichfield was awesome with a prime parking location metres from the front, the morning dew still wet on the grass and the Sunday morning church goers heading in past our post for the morning service.

The stunning crooked church spire at Chesterfield also caused moments of hilarity as we placed our post under the sign, arranged the camera on the other side

of a 2 lane road, set the timer and had to contend with traffic and timing to get Antony into the picture. The police car that circled the road 3 times in the process was clearly unsure whether of not we were crazy, hoodlums or innocent tourists!

The Peak district was beautiful and playing Korf in the middle of nowhere and in an ice cold beautiful stream was pretty special!

The cool buildings in Birmingham (photo’d with the post in the middle of the road…) and at the National Space Centre (in Leicester) were awesome. But the building that caused the most joy for one of our team was Old Trafford where he scored all his shots and ran round like a toddler with a new present!

The snootiness we encountered at Wedgewood potteries, the generosity of Parking attendants and security guards across the country, the kindness of strangers pandering to our attempts to get the perfect action shot, the hectic attempts to upload the photos despite varying internet availability and dying signals, having my card refused due to ‘unusual activity across England’, the fact that we don’t have Sat-nav and the crazy mileage (834 miles) we covered on the busiest weekend of the year is also not something I’ll forget in a hurry.

36 hours, 17 Counties visited, 39 Landmarks photographed, 834 miles travelled, and 3 hours sleep. Brilliant!

Nicki Proietti