Autumn brings back some great memories of my school days.... playing Conkers!
"I have searched the Internet and pilfered some images to tell this tale"
"I have searched the Internet and pilfered some images to tell this tale"
It was a serious game for a schoolboy........... playing Conkers.
I took this image a few day's ago.. .they are the seeds of the Horse Chestnut tree.
Horse Chestnut seeds are better known as Conkers.
A Horse Chestnut tree covered in it's spring flowers... lovely to see.
In the Autumn they produce a wonderful big seed in a spikey case...
We used to throw sticks up at the trees as kids hoping to dislodge the biggest and heaviest we could find.
We put a skewer through the centre and fed a string through the hole.
Battle could then commence.
You dangled your prised possession in front of your opponent for him to swing his in a downward manner hoping to smash it to pieces.
A win by a single conker were added to it's name... a sixer (six wins) a sevener some reaching double figures before being smashed to defeat.
We soaked them in vinegar and baked them in the oven to toughen them up.
Playing "Conkers" is still played by children and adults today...there is even a World Championship.
The Health and Safety brigade have taken some of the fun away though...... Safety Glasses ?
17 comments:
We did the same Andrew. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Putting them in oven and soaking with vinegar is what called a "cheater". And, you said................
Lovely stories and beautiful photos.
what an odd game/tradition! learned something new!
Hi Andrew....I loved this post!!
I wondered why they where called Conkers...I thought maybe it was they would fall and conk you on the head lol!!!
What fun things we used to do for intertainment..Nice to see that this tradition does go on!!
Grace
HHHMMMmmm... and what happens if you're NOT wearing safety glasses? Does someone call the 'conker police'??!!
Like Grammie thought, so did I. So, today I met my quota and learned something new. Thanks Andrew.
Such an interesting game ... and, really, safety glasses?????
I'd almost forgotten about conkers. A hard hat would be appropriate during collection.
Very cool post. Lovely shots!
This is such a cool game!
Wonderful post, very good illustrations! I never heard of the game until a couple of years ago - on another British "ramble" blog in fact. Since then I've also seen it on TV in an episode of the series Lark Rise to Candleford, where rules about "cheating" by baking them etc was also mentioned. I have no recollection of ever hearing of this game in Sweden. And it wouldn't be for lack of horse chestnuts!
very intersting info and I love the photos of the children and the chestnuts. we don't have them here in Florida but some of the Northern states do. thanks for your kind words on my post yesterday. I love the photos under your beautiful headed, clicked on a few to see up close. the hawk is beautiful
Nice contribution, great job!
Welcome to Tina´s PicStory! I hope you enjoy the journey :)
Fun to learn about the game of "conkers". Chestnut trees are lovely trees. Have a nice weekend. Mickie :)
Wait till my grandchildren figure out how to use chestnuts as bonkers!
Joyce M
I read about "horse chestnuts and conkers from Miss Reads books. That's where I heard of "vegetable marrows"! Thank you for this info and you're beautiful pictures. I live in the USA in Florida.
Post a Comment