Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Would you fancy a day at the races?

While I sat waiting for this morning's Air Berlin flight to Stansted, there was a noisy buzz in departures.

The cream of local society was waiting to board flyBE's flight to Birmingham on their way to a day at the Cheltenham races.

A party of twenty. Dressed in sharp blazers and striped suits, handkerchief hanging out of top pocket, high heels and carrying bulging brown envelopes. No joke. Thick A5 envelopes of cash inside their folded copies of The Racing Post.

It wouldn't be unfair to call them the "chattering classes" ... the departure's area is a lot quieter now they've gone through the gate.

Though one or two were less than enthusiastic about the day ahead at the gee gees. One woman commented dolefully, "Nothing much to do ..."

I've a tip for them - keep your hands and your brown envelopes in your pockets and you'll come home having only lost your plane fare! Better still, stay at home, watch it on Channel 4, and if you really have to have a flutter, help your local bookies make up for their alleged election losses.

But maybe I lack an appreciation for horse racing. Maybe I'm prejudiced through my ignorance? Not much different to the fear we sometimes feel when confronted with people unlike ourselves. With localities unlike our own. With language and culture unlike our own.

Maybe I'm horsist? Or equinophobic?

4 comments:

Stansted Taxi Services said...

Stansted Taxi Services are running a daily service to Chelenham National Hunt Racing Festival from Stansted Airport where they are based at a rate of £45 return for the same day and £60 for an open ticket that covers any of the 4 days of the Festival.

Stansted Taxi Services said...

Cheltenham is normally spelt in this way not 'Chelenham'. What would English racing be without 'Tea'

Alan in Belfast (Alan Meban) said...

I nearly deleted the comment as spam ... but since's it witty, you can keep your plug.

So roll up, roll up. Anyone landing at Stanstead Aerodrome is encouraged to avail of the focussed-on-driving-and-not-spelling Stansted Taxi Services!

Stansted Taxi Services said...

Hi Alan, just found these old comments and had to smile again. Since then my Stansted Taxi Services business has grown and I now run a team of 6 Cars at the Airport. So the next time you need a Taxi to Stansted Airport I'll make sure you get it at a very special price.

All the best, Peter