Friday, February 27, 2026

Pretend hockey?

My last post drew a couple of what I think are erroneous comments. I'm looking at you, Debra and AnvilCloud!

I did some research. Until recently hockey, in its various forms, was the third most popular sport in the world. It was recently overtaken by basketball.

The origins of hocky go back thousands of years with a sort of hockey being played in Ancient Egypt. Lots of nations put their own spin on it and it wasn't until the mid 19th century that field hockey as we would recognise became popular, largely in British public schools.

Ice hockey also came from the stick games like hurling and shinty and was played, probably a bit earlier than field hockey.

However there are between 1.5 to 2 million ice hockey players in the world today compared to 30 million field hockey players. Just saying.

I played hockey in school. Proper hockey that is! On a field on top of the hill (mountain) exposed to the elements. In my navy knickers and vest! All weathers. 

I say I played hockey; I took as long as it was possible to take changing beforehand to delay going out onto that field with some girls who were seriously tough. And because I was scared of the ball I stayed out of the action if I could. Which was easy as no-one ever passed to me.

* * * * *

I've been for a little outing today. A group, ten, of us ladies from church went to an art exhibition in Rhosilli followed by lunch together.

The last exhibition I went to there was very good but this one wasn't to most of our tastes. I did like the writing that accompanied it though.




This last one was my favourite mainly because of the words: From the stillness before time, chaos let go, and creation awakened. What beauty might emerge if you, too, allowed yourself to let go?

From the church it was a short walk down the road to the café for lunch. I'd ordered the Welsh rarebit and it was delicious.


The weather outside was frightful . . .





15 comments:

  1. Oh Liz, Liz, Liz. *shakes head sadly* Don't try to confuse the issue with facts. Every Canadian knows that "hockey" means, and can only mean, "ice hockey." All other alleged forms of the sport are indeed pretenders to the throne.

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    1. I can see the lawyer in you coming out, Debra! One day maybe I'll see a game of ice hockey and get its attraction. xx

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  2. I remember playing field hockey when I was in school. i was never very good.

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  3. Hockey on a field just doesn’t feel right!

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    1. Ha ha, I suppose it's what you're used to, Marie.

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  4. 😄👍 Well played.

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  5. I remember the field hockey players in college - the little sticks, the plaid skirts - strange thing to this small town American girl.

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  6. I hated hockey, but had to play it anyway. I no sooner got to one end of the field than I had to run back to the other. Still, it was the same for everyone.

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  7. I helped someone practice on roller blades with hockey many, many years ago. Playing goalie. It was fun. Hard and fun. Never tried it on ice Also looks fun.

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    1. Anything where my feet move without me is going to be a no-no!

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  8. Although I'm not a fan, ice hockey is massive here in Sheffield. The Steelers always draw big crowds of devoted fans.

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