Aunt Sally

For some sporting groups of guys, this past Saturday morning's rain was enough of a deterent to forgo playing cricket. I know this as I ran into this same group at about 4 in the afternoon in the local pub, The Kite.

They were playing - in the rain no less - "Aunt Sally". My curiosity got the best of me and went to investigate. Turns out, it is a game that consists of taking wooden batons - that weigh about half of a baseball bat - and throwing them at a wooden 'head' painted all white about 25 feet away. The object is to knock it off its stand cleanly (i.e. not hitting the pole it is on or bouncing it off a friend or nearby wall).

Seemed easy enough and as soon as I opened my mouth was invited to learn this new sport. As Nick handed me the batons, he announced to everyone, "We'll stay here til he gets one!" and under his breath to me he said, "I got to be home at 11". It took me about 15 batons but I finally got a clean hit.

For the truly interested: http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Aunt-Sally.htm

Kites, by the way, are birds of prey - raptors - with long wings and weak legs which spend a great deal of time soaring. I say this as The Kite has a big bird on its Arms and I am often misheard when mentioning this pub.