Waiting

WEDNESDAY

This week is the Colwyn Bowls Festival, with a full programme of competitions and social events running throughout the week. Crown Green Bowlers have travelled from all over the UK—some even making a holiday of it.

Because so many greens are in use for the festival, most of this week’s league fixtures weren’t scheduled. With no matches to play, I decided to enter the Over-60s competition.

I was drawn to play at Vardre Deganwy—a 40-minute drive from home along the A55. Practice started at 9:00am. I had a bye in the first round, so I had to wait over an hour while the early matches were played. Then, a bit frustratingly, my second-round opponent didn’t show, so I went through to the next round automatically so even more waiting!

Whilst hanging around, I had a good chat with the Vardre members who  were officiating, marking, refereeing, and measuring. They are a great  bunch—and the coffee and cake helped pass the time.

In the third round, I finally played—against Gary from the Midlands. He already had two games under his belt on that green and bowled very well. He got off to a cracking start. I nearly caught him, but he pulled away in the end and knocked me out.

Afterwards, I headed over to West Shore for a crab sandwich at the Bay Café before making my way home via Llandudno and Rhos-on-Sea..