Beware The Injured Pig

When last we spoke, Big Fat Pig was looking forward to his trip to the refined golfing environment that is Woburn. He was still looking forward to it when he went for a run on the day before his departure. He was still looking forward to it as he rounded a corner at the two-thirds mark of his 5k route. Then he stumbled. He inclined forward but hoped he might be able to rescue his balance. He was wrong and he still has the vivid recollection of that moment in time when he started assessing how least injuriously to land. In the end he favoured his left side and took particular care to avoid hitting his head on the dwarf wall. Outcome - bloodied left knee; bloodied left shoulder; bloodied left hand; grazed right hand. All of this he can live with, can even deal with the lack of dignity associated with these mishaps (a nice lady walking her dog enquired after the Pig's well-being) but the real damage has been to the Pig's ribs. Not to put too fine a point on it, they're bloody painful. The Pig forgot himself yesterday and allowed a sneeze. The effect is rather akin to how one imagines it might feel to be stabbed.

The Pig was not to be put-off his trip to Woburn. And he was right to soldier on. The healing powers of Ibuprofen and the quality of the company combined to make this another memorable trip. At the root of all the fun was the stellar hospitality of VB and MB. Alcohol should not be underestimated as an anaesthetic. WM and ViperJohn joined the Pig as guests.

I have written about Woburn before but I must say that, if anything, I was even more impressed this time. We played the Marquess on Thursday and the Duke's on Friday. I had, in particular, forgotten just how fabulous a course is the latter. This despite a mildly grumpy starter on the Duke's who gave me a very dodgy look as my sore ribs and I duffed two drives (I played a provisional) into the trees on the right. Out of his caustic sight I played tolerably well and ViperJohn and I wiped the floor with WM and MB. All a far cry from Royal Pype Hayes but linked by the joy of a game played in good company. I had to cry-off Pype Hayes on Monday as the ribs took their full revenge on my daring to play at Woburn. The picture is of the fourth hole on the Duke's - arguably the most stunning hole on the property.