One of the nice things about our group aside from the lovely walks we go on every week and the odd splendid weekend (or longer) away is our healthy social programme. One such event we have done over the years is the horse racing either at Newbury or, as in today’s social, at Ascot.
Our turn up today may not have been the highest but all seven of us – six regulars from our group and a good friend from our sister group the Weekend Walkers – had a great time out.
Having planned the trip a couple of months in advance I hadn’t reckoned on the train to Ascot from Reading being rammed full of Rugby fans as well as fellow race goers. I was getting rather hot in my suit to say the least. Anyway, after a while we all met up having first taken a short walk around the concourse. Today’s event had the added bonus of doubling up as a Wine and Food festival so naturally we would be indulging a little later on, some more so than others (oh well, I was enjoying myself!). It is always tricky deciding how to place a bet, do you go for a outright win or try to minimise any potential losses by going each way. My system as a non risk taker was to go each way and it paid off as off the five racers I had four places and one winner although my winner was the favourite in a small field of four. I ended up with a small profit of £5.
The others in our group had mixed fortunes but the undoubted winner was Alex who had beginners luck on his side certainly as having never attended the races before he ended up with two out and out winners! Would you credit that! Not only did he win but they were reasonable odds as well living him with tidy winnings of around £50. Another person fortunate to get a win was Tim.
There was plenty to see aside the racing with some food demonstrations, stalls selling various food stuffs – I went for a lovely nut roast burger, without the bun while others preferred to keep to the more traditional affair of beef burger or hot dog. Various bottled ales and ciders were also being sold as well as various spices, nuts and oddly shaped chocolate , in the style of a ladies shoe as one example and, off course ,not forgetting the wine tasting. They seemed to giving out more generous portions as the day came to a conclusion, that I can remember.
Inevitably the days card came to a conclusion, with Clare finally be rewarding some money back on her each way bet in the final race. Perseverance and all that! A day at the races is well worth a visit if you have never been and I speak as not a really a racing fan but there is certainly an exhilarating feeling when the horses race past, especially if you have a small flutter at steak. I’m sure we will repeat the event in the not too distant future no doubt.
The day ended for most of us at a drinking establishment we know very well, The Wheelwright Arms in Hurst where we settled down to look back on the days events and grab something to eat.
Thanks to Jenny for the photos.