January 2012

[Sweder]

In keeping with recent comments elsewhere I tucked away a slow, deliberate plod this lunchtime. Five miles at never much below nine minute miling, very gentle. It was refreshing to stay at an easy pace, taking in the views, feeling like there's still something in the tank. I noticed some discomfort in my thigh (left, high up) and my right knee, but nothing too serious.

I'm not sure what good pushing on would have done anyway. For one thing I appeared to be running in a wind tunnel set to 'Max' for much of the session. For another I've been on the verge of some sort of generic lurghie since before Christmas. The authorities popped 'round this morning to daub a cross on our front door, such has been the cacophony of sneezing and coughing eminating from Chez Sweder in recent weeks. I'm bored 'of' (what's all that about) it now, just wish the damn thing would break so I can have a good sweat-up before we leave for Almeria.

A couple of nights ago I attended a Residents' Association meeting, a gathering of blue-rinsers and do-gooders from our estate, chaired by a remarkably positive and enthusiastic fellow in a robust, home-knitted sweater and chunky brown walking boots. My interest here was specifically in the access paths to the downs and the fact that horse riders are using all of them in bad weather resulting in every path becoming a quagmire. Well, horse riders of Lewes, we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it any more! Heads were nodded, chins stroked and all manner of stern admonishments to the powers that be seriously considered.

A benefit of attending this tut-tut fest was hearing about plans to mark the 750th anniversary - in May 2014 - of the Battle of Lewes. I've referred to this clash in previous posts, noting that much of the fighting took place in Landport Bottom, the sheep field behind our house. The Battle of Lewes marked a pivotal point in the ongoing struggle between King Henry III and the rogue Barons over how the country should be governed. It was the second of two such clashes in what became known as the Second Barons' War (1264-67). De Montfort's victory in the Battle of Lewes allowed him to displace the power of the King and to become the de facto ruler of England. Perhaps more significantly the following peace settlement allowed De Monfort to call England's first ever representative parliament.

One of the reasons for De Montfort's victory was the fact that Lewes Castle, as undoubtedly stout and defendable as it appeared, did not afford views of all parts of the Downs. Indeed, at the three quarter mile point in my morning run, where the sheep field ends and the Old Racing Stables begin, there is a fairly pronounced hump. It was behind this hump that De Montfort hid his cavalry. As the King's men enagaged with the rebels (cue Star Wars soundtrack) in Landport Bottom (sheep field) the cunning Baron unleashed four-hooved hell to win the day in record time.

All this gave me food for thought as I chugged along, imagining the clash of sword on shield, the screams of men impaled on pikestaffs and the braying of terrified steeds spurred into the fray. Another tasty tidbit imparted at the meeting was the fact that sheep had occupied the field since this time. Not only that but this particular breed of sheep sired the very animals despatched on ships to populate the Southern Hemisphere. Yes MLCMan, the very same woolly bleaters I run through most days share direct ancestry with your common or garden Aussie sheep. Strewth!

Golf tomorrow, ParkRun on Saturday and another Snakelette early on Sunday. On, on!