Walking in Petts Wood and The Hawkswood Estate Page 7

Saturday November 22nd 2003 The Final!

Today is the final of the world rugby union cup. England are playing Australia. Australians call the Engish POMS (Prisoners of her majesty) Since many of the original Australians were sent from England as prisoners of her majesty to a penal colony, the Australians should really be calling themselves POMS! But in Australia everything is upside down!

I shall probably miss my morning walk as I will not miss this match whatever else happens.

I'll let you know the result later. I have money on England to win. England has won!

After one of the most nailbiting finals in the history of the world rugby cup England beat Australia by 20-17. Both sides scored one try each and the rest of the points were from penalty goals and from a drop goal in the last 20 seconds which won the game and the cup for England.

One of the Australian papers had urged its readers to use a cutout of Johnny Wilkinson (England's master kicker) as a voodoo doll. The paper urged readers to give special attention to Johnny's left foot ( his favourite kicking foot ) Ironically it was this left foot which won the game for England when the final points were scored by a drop goal.

The Australian press had consistently insulted the England team by calling it a boring team. The English players were grumpy old men - a Dad's army. But these grumpy old men still had a bit of a kick in them as one person observed. The England Captain commented at the end of the match that England had answered the insults in the best way through deeds and not words. Another great lesson for us all. To be fair to the Australian paper doing most of the pommy bashing, they did say that all the insults were in jest and they did like the English.

Back in England, the Bath club rugby team were not allowed to watch the final even though three of their players were in the English team. The Bath Australian coach said that his team should concentrate on their own team meeting and match as this was the only thing under their own control. They should focus on what was important to them

It might of course have helped the Bath team to have seen England 'on top down under' but I agree on the whole with the coach. We spend too much time worrying and agitating about things we cannot control instead of getting on with the things we can.

In one way, England did not deserve to win because although they were on top, they kept making one silly mistake after another including telling the referee what he should be doing. However, we all make mistakes and sabotage our own success but England have shown that we can still win despite our failures. It took courage and self-belief to come back after each mistake. The coach admitted he was furious about the errors but now "Who cares - we've won. I'm speechless. It has been an awesome night here. I'll never forget it."

Johnny Wilkinson, the hero whose last minute drop goal won the match, commented later

"I missed 3 drop goals but got on with it and the 4th went over"

A Scottish commentator remarked that Wilkinson had been criticised throughout the 6 weeks of the world cup but got on with it. He is now the 'drop-idol' of the world cup.

The England defence coach commented on the bottle and courage of the England team.

"It seemed they never thought they were going to lose", said another commentator.

Another remarked that "Their preparation gave them belief". They have achieved a moment that can never be taken from them and will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

The Australians were gracious in defeat and acknowledged that England currently are the best team in the world. Australians never give up in any sport and today was no exception but their best efforts were not quite good enough. After the game Australian and English fans could be seen embracing each other. No sign of violence.

The English players and staff commented on the extra energy the huge number of fans gave them. This extra lift made all the difference in a close game. These fans had made a 20,000 mile round trip to get to Australia even if they did not have tickets. They would just get anywhere they could encourage the team even if it was only at their hotel. Many had spent far more than they could afford to get there.

Perhaps the lasting impression from the game is the look of sheer determination on the faces of the England players. Even the singing of the national anthem was done with 100% gusto and effort. The look on the face of the England tryscorer, Jason Robinson, after he had scored was amazing. He was yelling at everyone "Come on!!" with a look of ferocious triumph and will to win.

Much of this determination came from being told by the Southern Hemisphere rugby teams that they were superior to the Northern Hemisphere. Now at last the first Northern Hemisphere team has won the world cup. Years of humiliation are over.

Another key factor in England's success was the willingness of every member of the team to do the dogsbody work of tackling in defence. Even Johnny Wilkinson, the glory boy, never shirks a tackle. The fast Australian backs never got a chance to get going. Jason Robinson, the other main glory boy also tackled like a hero. He saved an almost certain Australian try in the last few minutes of the game.

With 20 seconds to go in the final minute of extra time, Wilkinson scored the winning drop goal." All those years of practise and determination distilled into one sublime moment." The England players could hardly believe it. Their dream had come true. With this final kick they "had walked into history".

It is now 11:17 p.m. and I have watched this match almost three times. I just feel sorry for all the England supporters who have died recently before they had a chance to watch their team win the world cup.

The cup was first won by the New Zealand All Blacks in 1987; then by Australia in 1991, then by South Africa in 1995 and then by Australia in 1999 and then by England in November 22nd 2003.

Sunday November 23rd 2003 Commitment

Three of the England team came from Stonyhurst college in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Several of the current students were out practising their rugby at 8 a.m at minus four degrees. The headmaster put the success of his students down to the long tradition of commitment at the college.

Commitment to anything is obviously a key factor in any success whether it is marriage or business. This often involves doing what is tiring and boring. However some people still try to make their commitment an easy one and take shortcuts

Humping iron in the gym is tiring and boring so many even educated people take anabolic steroids to speed up the process of being powerful and better looking. Boys as young as 14 are taking steroids to make them look more like their heros. These steroids have bad effects like kidney damage and impotence but it seems people will do anything to avoid the way of patience and hard work.

I try to fit my weight lifting into the time immediately following my daily walk. The momentum of the walk carries me into my gym and into my workout. Having a gym at home obviously helps greatly as it saves the time and energy necessary to get to the gym. You do miss, of course, the inspiration of working with other people but have the freedom to workout whenever you wish.

I did not get to Petts Wood today but went to a Martial Arts seminar instead. I was in two minds whether to go or not but do have a commitment to improving my self defence knowledge. The seminar was outstanding and well worth going to.

Monday Nov 24th 2003 Pain motivation

I took the bridle path through the woods this morning. It was cold so I broke into a jog/walk.

Many motivators suggest that the desire to avoid pain or discomfort is a greater motivator than the desire to gain a reward or pleasure. I am not sure if they are right but love the cold weather because it encourages activity and movement as opposed to sitting around. This usually makes most people including me feel better physically and mentally.

Tuesday November 25th 2003 Say no and focus on your training

The England Rugby team arrived back to a huge reception at 4.30 a.m. Many people had reached the airport about 13 hours in advance to make sure they would welcome the team.

Thompson, the England hooker, commented that the team had not played well in the world cup but 'bloodymindedness' had got them through. Other players felt humbled by the reception. Johnny Wilkinson said he felt hugely humbled and massively uplifted.

Later Johnny was asked whether he would want to hide from the fame that was now his. He replied that he wanted to be able to train as before:

"I want to train hard so I can enjoy my rugby at the weekend
I want to go into the games knowing I’ve prepared well"

His coach, Clive Woodward, commented: "Nothing will stop him practising. He is very good at saying no." When asked about the way Johnny focuses on his training to the exclusion of more enjoyable activities, Woodward asked "Why should he change?""

Thursday November 27th 2003 Frozen door

Over a month after having a bad dose of the 'flu, I went on the long walk through Petts Wood today. It was a beautiful winter's day.

My students were graded for higher belts in the evening. I stupidly parked my car with the non-driver's seat closest to a wall. The driver's seat was more exposed to the elements. As a result I could not open the driver's door after the grading. Fortunately one of my students had a lighter with him and heated the car key so I eventually got into the car.

Friday November 28th 2003 Put the most into it.

The Rugby World Cup is still inspiring enthusiasm all over the country. Youngster's are asking their PE teachers about rugby in the breaks from lessons and several are out on a pitch with a rugby ball for a run about.

The motivational power of a big win is enormous even if you haven't yourself won the victory. It is enough for someone you can identify with to win.

There was some great advice from the England Player Josh Lewsey

"You enjoy Rugby most by putting the most into it."

This is true about every worthwhile project or sport. Enjoyment follows effort.

Saturday November 29th 2003 Follow up good work with more

Today; it was raining so walking day became watch the boxing day. Boxing like any other sport has many lessons to teach about life in general.

The first match I watched was

Carl Froch v Alan Page Nov 29th 2003 Super middleweight Championship of England.

One key difference between the fighters could by summarised by this comment from one of the commentators:

"Froch lands a good punch and capitalizes on it.
Page lands a good punch and stands back and admires it."

Froch won the match

In the other match, Roddy Doran won against Damon Hague. Hague fought well at the start and then took it easy in the middle. Then in the last two rounds "He fought like he really wanted to win; fighting like a warrior."

However, his sense of urgency came too late as often happens in sport and Hague lost the referee's decision. Maintaining a sense of urgency is a key lesson and doing one's best at all times is an important lesson in any activity.

Many football teams suddenly wake up in the second half and start playing as they should have been all along. Some times the late burst of energy works; sometimes it fails. Whatever the result, why not start with a sense of urgency and play throughout as if victory is the only goal in mind?

Sunday November 30th 2003 We must have passion too

No walk again today as we had guests for lunch. The influence of the world cup rugby rumbles on. David Beckham no less commented:

"We saw the passion in the rugby boys' efforts. We have to have that too"

That passion was visible in the faces of the rugby team even during the national anthem at the start of the games. It was visible when a try was scored. It was less visible but still there as one exhausting tackle after another went in. It was visible when victory came and the drop goal went over in the last minute of the game.

We had a great lunch today with old friends but I left a bottle of mineral water in the freezer which exploded. It took me nearly an hour to clear up the mess. A stitch in time would have saved nine.

I did sort out one priority early in the morning, however. I have always hated the idea of priorities. But am now realising how important it is. I read a great article yesterday. The writer had planned to call a dear relative but kept putting it off. Eventually the relative died the day before she planned to make the call.

I had an aunt who wanted me to go with her to a Jane Austen meeting. I never got round to it and eventually she died before we got to a meeting. My priorities were all wrong. Life is too short not to decide on one's priorities. At the moment I spend too much time reading email instead of getting on with my goals. From now on I will make a more energetic effort to list my priorities.

. Monday Dec 1st 2003

One priority is to make a start on Christmas cards as the weeks before Christmas shoot by.

In fact the year before Christmas shoots by. These days I don't even put the Christmas tree in the attic after Christmas. I keep it easily available for next year!

Heavy rain this morning! No walk.

Tuesday December 2nd 2003 The injured fox

I went on the short walk today and ended up by the oak tree oracle talking to two good friends Reg and Inge. The conversation turned to where we would like to be buried. Reg mentioned that many people these days are buried in biodegradable coffins with trees planted over them. Inge preferred ashes thrown over a beauty spot.

I suggested burial under the bench by the oak tree so that one could hear what was going on. On second thoughts I prefer the Red Indian custom of burial in the trees. At least you could climb down if you woke up. The photo shows some possible burial spots in or under trees near the bench by the oak tree.

Later in the day B who often walks in the woods with his wife C rang my door bell and asked me to phone the RSPCA. He had passed a fox which was standing on the front lawn of one of my neighbours. It wasn't moving and looked groggy. C was standing by the lawn keeping an eye on it. After phoning I checked the fox out for myself. It was just staring into the grass and seemed to be trying to move but couldn't.

A young lady from the RSPCA showed up in just over an hour and managed to get the fox into a cage. This must have taken some courage and skill. She told me she would take the fox to a vet to check it out. One can only thank God for people like B and C and the RSPCA lady.

Wednesday 3rd December 2003 The Good Samaritan under suspicion

Apparently the fox had probably been hit by a group of young people in a car. They stopped but drove on without helping the animal. I heard later that the fox probably had spinal injuries and would be put down in a humane way to save it further suffering. Fox hunting is a big issue in the UK at the moment. It is still legal but there is a large group of people both for and against. Anyone who had seen that fox suffering quietly on the lawn would probably have been influenced against fox hunting.

I remember several years ago passing a drunken man with an alsatian in Chislehurst. I passed him in my car even though he was wandering down the road in a drunken stupor in imminent danger of being run over.

After a few minutes driving I realised that, as a Christian, I could not just drive by a man in danger but should, like the Good Samaritan do what I could for him. I drove back and offered him a lift home. He climbed in the front seat and his Alsatian jumped in the back seat and was practically breathing down my neck.

After a while he started slamming his dog lead down on the dashboard. He seriously felt that I was a burglar out to get into his house and steal from him. I assured him I was not a burglar and dropped him off at his house. It is a sad state of affairs when people suspect an ulterior motive behind any helpful action.

The woods were misty this morning. Two people I spoke to said the mist was fog because it was thick and heavy. Two others said it was mist since fog involved the kind of pollution which did not exist in the woods.

Thursday 4th December 2003 Inane ramblings

The woods were clear of mist today. I met R and B (the wit) near the oracle by the oak tree. The topic of the day was the over use of mobile phones. Some people phone home communicating gems like: "I am now walking down the High St and am wearing my overcoat." etc. Still I should not be too critical. Maybe my ramblings in this daily log are just as inane!

I saw B and C just as I was leaving the wood. They were delighted that the fox had been taken care of.