An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY quack remedy, for in every village there used to be a " tapper" for rheumatism, elc. On the 11th April Dr. J essopp motored over to see me at Lammas, and I think this was the last time I saw him. Soon after I got to shoot a little better, 20 at 60 for roo. The 2 Ist April was the first fine day of the year, and I bot one good dozen of 9 hits for 4 r. On 2nd May I rode by Acle, lunching at Dr. Back's, and back by the main Yarmouth road almost to Norwich,. then catching the train, about 30 miles. D.M.R. came down for a few days in May and on the 10th I rode back from Aylsham just inside 30 minntes for 5 miles, which was my last respectable performance, I then being in my 69th year. I inspected the roof of Cawston Church then being restored, but gout in my knees and ankles made my progress– up the ladders, and along the platforms to the roof, very unpleasant and creepy work. Gout in my fingers practically stopped my archery,. but on 27th I did a very good half dozen of 9.1.9.5.5. and 1, 6 hits for 29. My finger was still very bad at our archery meeting here, at which Mrs. Hales shot marvellously well, scoring 327. The 6th June was the opening of the " Greenland Fishery" Museum at Lynn, where I met F.G.R. and H.G.R., but it was not much of a success. On the 8th we had the Pre-historic Society at Lammas, after a visit to Burgh Pits. On the 13th I got 25 on at 60 for 127 in practice. On the 20th I shot vilely at the Yarrow meeting, and was so tired that both Purdy and I slept through the big fire at Foulsbam which destroyed a windmill there within ·a few yards of our bedrooms. On the 25th R.H. came down, next day we investigated certain mysterious Roman discoveries at Norwich. Next day I saw four bumming bird hawk moths at one time on the valerian on my gate. On the 29th I shot better than I had done for a long while, viz., 30 hits at 60 for I 34,. but as usual in public was no use at all. On the 17th, 18th, and 19th, I was at Mr. le Strange's at Hunstanton where I had an interesting time in his record room, and greatly admired his moat and old world garden, the fine tapestry,_ etc.