YOU READ THE TRUTH...MUCH BETTER IN VERSE

BONDING IN THE RAIN,

The TIC team went on a familiarisation day
In deepest Yorkshire, over Gargrave way
Falconry was to be our theme
To let us gain knowledge
And bond as a team

Came the day and it was wet wet wet
Just as wet as a day could get
Should we call it off because the weather was rough?
Not a chance! We are made of stouter stuff

After our host gave us morning tea
We boarded a Landrover the team and me
And all the time the rain was pouring
Well it might be wet but it wouldn’t be boring

The Falconry manager asked what we wanted to do
We saw his Hawks, Buzzards Owls and Eagles too
Then someone said "lets take a Hawk on a hunt"
I thought “In this rain that’s a hell of a stunt”

Three of us were given Wellies so we could tramp through mud
The others had wet feet and that’s not so good
We squelched our way to the hunting ground
First glanced told us not much wildlife around

Second glance told us our first glance was right
Even the Ferret was in a bit of a plight
No Rabbits to chase, no rabbits to see
Our bored bird was somewhere sheltering in a tree

All this time the rain poured down giving all a soaking
My leg sank calf deep in mud, no I am not joking
At last our guide said “sorry folks the hunt is off
The weathers just too bad”
I was not at all sorry in fact I was glad

An offer was made to Cathrine and Sue which would thaw out their bodies
So they went to relax by a roaring log fire drinking warming Hot Toddies
Peter, Angela and I still wanted to see the Eagle fly
And all the time the rain poured from the sky

The Eagle flew to my hand, a magnificent Bird of Pray
The thrill of this bird landing really made my day
I forgot the rain I forgot the mud
But the thought of log fires and Hot Toddies still sounded good

Dried out by now Cathrine and Sue their faces glowing pink
Was it the fire doing this or was it the drink?
The hot toddies started to warm the cockles of our hearts
What more could a man want (perhaps a pint and a game of darts)

By now life was looking very pleasant
We dined on Chicken Fish and Pheasant
Our day of bonding was over, time now to hit the road
Back through the wind and rain, back to Barrowford.