Olney Pancake Race

Today was the Olney Pancake Race, which means that the town was full of people, so off I set.

It's funny, there is a saying about how you are never so lonely as when you're in a crowd, and at first I felt that; so many people but how on earth was I going to say anything to any one of them? But I bumbled around and was very glad to see an old friend I hadn't seen for ages. We chatted and swapped fund-raising promises - it turns out she is doing a triathlon/ endurance swimmy thing in September but was also interested to hear about Homeopathy for Health in Africa.

Luckily she was with the Caller from our local Barn Dance band (remember a couple of weeks back?) and I told her too - before asking about the possiblity of having a Barn Dance in September/ October. She gave me some tips on Barn Dances (oh yes, there are some) and said she would consult with the band. Sounds promising.

As for the race, it was a jolly event with many housewives of Olney taking part. I got a key position on the bend before the final straight - the race is only a few hundred yards long, but I feel I must use racing terms here.  And yes, it was just like the one-and-only time I saw the Grand National; from the middle distance the runners emerged, racing with an outright winner leading the pack, they whizzed around the corner and were gone.

A few flickers of dust, and then nothing.

Amongst the crowd we all looked at each other as if to say "was that it?"

Fortunately, the age range of competitors spans a good few years and there were a welcome stragglers bringing up the rear which gave us the opportunity to cheer them on and feel more part of the race.

Hooray for slow people!