CANTERBURY TALES

In 1387 the pilgrims of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales assembled in the yard of the Tabard Inn, London before riding to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Thomas à Becket. 630 years later, four hockey pilgrims rode the Canterbury Way with much banter as was the way of Chaucer’s pilgrims. The Knight of Sidcup was up first with many a tale of animals happy and sad. Then the Wyfe of Chelsfield bade forsooth get thee on thy bike, to which the Miller of Kingsdown West brought forth many a hand-held tool of navigation. The knight of Sidcup showered all in the company with many a babe of jelly to assuage rising angst, whilst the Prioress of Africa South poured joy on the journey with navigational guidance from her homeland afar.
Despite a match start time imminent, fun emerged as the English countryside and coastal seaside towns of Whitfield, Dover, nearly France, Deal (with its fine castle) and Whitstable hove into view, the latter being famous for its oysters, which you can eat in many a fine local pub along the way to the Bay of Herne, apparently.
Beside the sea en route to the Bay of Herne, you can see the square towers of medieval Reculver Abbey, built on the site of an older Roman stronghold, but only if you travel as the crow flies. Blackheath HC, ye olde medieval hockey club of 150 years, awaited the pilgrims four as whistle start time blewed. The Wyfe of Chelsfield scored the first goal, she assisted the Prioress to score a brilliant second goal, the Miller of Kingsdown was still sensing the proximity to France and its being one hour ahead scored the third goal an hour too late as it entered the goal of the Bay of Herne. The Temptress Beccs fought hard to thwart Herne’s goal attacks with insatiable aerial and terrestrial vim but the Bay of Herne reigned supreme at 5-2.
The Miller of Kingsdown West won the Thanks for Coming and scoring a superb goal too late and The Prioress of Africa South won Pilgrim of the Century for adding value to a worthy cause.