The Leeds University Challenge Team 2002 - By Steve Kidd
5: Summer Break
This page has nothing to do with University Challenge really, It is just an aside describing a retreat the team had to Coniston Cold, and the author's perspective of the gap between the second round game and the start of the New term, along with the imminent screening of our first game then our quarter final.
The quarter final is due to be played at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday 12th October, the semi final and final to be played the day after. The television screenings of the season started on the 2nd September and our first game is due to be screened on the 7th October. The entire summer holiday was like exams, i.e. one could have a good time, BUT.. there was the inescapable awareness of the Sword of Damocles poised above the head.
If someone gave you the option of working real hard for three months, at the end of it you would be given £10,000, you would probably say fine. What would you do if you were told you had to double or quits it three times on the toss of a coin as part of the deal? Eighty Grand or nothing? Logically you'd have to go ahead and work for it, so you do
In the car the kids ask you questions, in your free time you amass and learn the answers, after the pub you get the buzzers out, you even buy a telly too watch 15:1. You buy books, download reams of gear, and the thought occupies the majority of your free space. Walking the dogs you take a book along (the dogs love that 'cos they can run off) and you compile CDs with classical music intros on, which you get sick of playing and you still can no way tell the difference between Bizet and Verdi and Puccinni (Though you recognise Mozart and Bach)
A heartfelt plea to the producers of University Challenge:- Please reduce that waiting time.
The Coniston Set
On Tuesday 17th September we had a short holiday in the Yorkshire Dales at a cottage called Fogga Croft, near Gargrave/Skipton.
Tuesday 17th: James, Gareth, Jenny, Emma (James's girlfriend) and Steve met at the University and went to Steve's pop quiz at the Mill House, Gildersome where Jenny and Gareth were undefeated and won the four pints.
Wednesday 18th: Students do not tend to get up early. We had a trip to Ribblehead and Wensleydale, visiting the cheese factory at Ho's and Hardraw force. In the evening we drove into Skipton and won the quiz at the Albion, though how we didn't get Ricky Thomlinson in the picture round I don't know.
Thursday 19th: Emma and Gareth had to leave us, but Adam joined us. Hooray! Bolton Abbey and the fascinating bookshop, then to Cononly, the Railway hotel, and a scraped victory in their quiz, though how we didn't get the Flying fox I don't know
Friday 20th: A walk round the lake, goodbye to Adam and a trip to Malham Cove. We called at the Coniston Cold Hotel but no pub quizzes today.
Saturday 21st AM: Home.
The entire stay comprised sleeping, driving and visiting as described, eating, and drinking to the constant backdrop of questions, games, and competitions. We had bought and brought books, which were always open, but the daft thing is, it was great. We all love questions, and it is difficult to find like minded individuals. We have been undefeated at pub quizzes over the last few months, and when we played each other either the victories were shared, or their were an inordinate amount of draws.
Has it made any difference? We may never know, but I feel satisfied that I am now 'Up for it' I can do little more to improve our chances of further success, and chose what happens I can be proud of my preparation.