The very generous Mr S Claus bought me a Fives lesson for Christmas, and after much arranging I finally too the tutelage today.

 

Fives, for those who didn’t attend private school (nope, me neither) is a bit like squash, but with gloved hands instead of a racket, and a cork and rubber ball instead of something squashy. There’s also a range of curious and obstruse rules, some gentlemanly conduct, and a big wall sticking out into the middle of the court to make the flight of the ball at times utterly random. It plays like a mix of real tennis and roulette.

 

My right arm hurts, my left hip bone is bruised, and my mind is agog at the quirkiness of this charming game. I dare say I’ll ache tomorrow. Which isn’t the ideal way to approach a 13 miler.