Croquet, ESSA style
	September 2004

I don't think they play at all fairly,' Alice began, in rather a complaining tone

September = Spring.

Surely the 19^th of September would qualify?

Sure?

Mmm…Not so sure.  That is what I thought when I conjured up pictures of sunny croquet on lush green lawns, basking in golden sunlight and dainty ESSA people dressed in white, sipping Pimms cocktails and conversing in measured tones.

Not so much. 

The wind blew, the clouds came tumbling in. 

Frank W.’s lawn looked like a plattelandse rugby field

ESSA people arrived sporting garish Nike gear or muddy adventure-racing clothes. 

The drinks went fast – the games slow, with croquet ricocheting off plants, walls and ermmm…. terracotta patio tiles, shot off competitive and wicked ESSA-swung mallets.

Wild laughter and nasty grins.

Interesting. Lively, but oh so not Oxford