An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY On the 8th July I had a long slow ride of 30 miles rnund Ranworth in the (unsuccessful) hope of seeing Machaon again. Soon after, on the 16th and 23rd July, having joined two Archery Clubs, the Fakenham and Dereham, and the Beeston Clubs (I always had a great hankering after archery, and had tried it at Wandsworth and St. Leonard's Priory), I made at Briningham the first of very many unsuccessful attempts to become a decent shot, which have of late amused both me and the spectators. In private I have ever shot more than respectably, but in public I was hardly second, and more often, third class, suffering greatly from the nervousness which practically spoiled me as an athlete. At the end of August I went up the North Walsham and Dilham Canal in an open boat to North Walsham and returned to Dilham "Castle," and so, frequently on one wheel only of the dog cart, to the station. Soon after I went over the old Hall of the Drury's at Freethorpe and saw what is said to be their old tilting ground, and the next day took part in the . & N.A.S. Meeting at Thetford, the £1.int– kuapping being as interesting to witness as the st8 bling of race-horses in monastic buildings was sad to see. It was one of the wettest days I can remember. My autumn tour this year was a short one, the weather being against cycling. With R. H. I railed to Holt, and then by the coast road to Cley to Burnham Market, and so (by the reverse of my usual coast ride) by Hunstanton, aud Heacham, where I punctured, so by train to Lynn. Next day we trained to Terrington intending to do all the Marshland Churches, but the weather was too wet, and the sloppy progress along the top of the Roman Bank was too co~d and miserable for my friend, so we took refuge at Wi beach, where we were as usual extremely well treated at the " Ship." Thence he returned to London by rail, and I rode to Lynn. Next day I rode 28 miles without a dismount to East Dereham. Another day I r0de over to Wymondham and back, but was out of sorts aad seedy, and bad to call in Dr. Howlett. On the 6th, I supervised the flaking off by Argent of the coatings of paint from the beautiful pargetting work on Bonner's House, East Dereham, which I had recently bought, which he ultimately restored mo t carefully and