So just when you think the England cricket tour to Australia can't get any worse, you switch on Radio 5 Live Xtra for ball by ball commentary and you get a couple of 'Shiela's doing their best to make it interesting. One was clearly an England Ladies past or present player, the other was just a female commentator. I am sure they are well versed in the lovely game, but neither of them had a radio voice, their inflection and pitch were awful.
Now as an 'old git' I do think positive discrimination has been overplayed in recent times, three out of four Wirrilian MP's are women, for example, with only one being gay. Frank Field would probably be replaced by another woman if he was not so high profile. Positions of power should be earned by right. Women priests, lady firefighters and linesmen being renamed assistant referee's to allow women to wave the flag at football matches are all manufactured positions aimed at appeasing the equal opportunities campaigners. The opportunities are there provided you are good enough not just for the job, but in the job.
So please BBC will you protect us from these lady commentators who have hugely irritating voices certainly not fit for radio, and who add nothing in the way they paint pictures of the game. Let's return to the traditional calm tones of an older statesman, able to add something to the listeners enjoyment of the match whether it be a 20 over slog or a 6 hour rear guard action to save a test match.
Brian Johnston must be turning in his grave, probably a leg break!
Friday, 31 January 2014
Thunderbirds are GO.....
I attended the Wirral emergency volunteer scheme kick-off meeting last night. It was hosted by Wirral council in the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton. There were over a hundred people there and we heard the head of risk management, Mark Camborne, outline how we could help out in times of unexpected events and emergencies. He was backed up by speakers from the blue light services. It was all very professionally handled and did give a level of confidence that the Council do know what they are doing, although it doesn't always get done in the way it's planned.
There are training sessions scheduled for later in the year, so I will be enrolling for snow clearing, manual handling, rescue centre management and stewarding, then I can sit back and wait for the phone to ring.
I am already planning to be a steward at the Open golf in Hoylake this year, but that will be a course based role. The Council will be managing the roads and facilities outside the Club.
The Council did all they could during the high tide alerts in early December but the regeneration project at New Brighton was flooded out, with Morrisons, the Travelodge, the casino and most of the restaurants under water for several days. The storm force winds also washed away the Black Pearl, a pirate ship built on the beach, out of drift wood.
There are training sessions scheduled for later in the year, so I will be enrolling for snow clearing, manual handling, rescue centre management and stewarding, then I can sit back and wait for the phone to ring.
I am already planning to be a steward at the Open golf in Hoylake this year, but that will be a course based role. The Council will be managing the roads and facilities outside the Club.
The Council did all they could during the high tide alerts in early December but the regeneration project at New Brighton was flooded out, with Morrisons, the Travelodge, the casino and most of the restaurants under water for several days. The storm force winds also washed away the Black Pearl, a pirate ship built on the beach, out of drift wood.
The Pearl will be reconstructed during the coming months, and I now have my hiviz vest so FAB Scott.
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Storming round
Yesterday was a very wild Saturday up here in Scouserland, although it did not stop me playing golf. We got 14 holes in before the skies darkened and we headed back to the 19th hole for an all day breakfast and coffee. They were two wise decisions. Firstly, some moments after adjourning to the bar, the heavens opened and shortly afterwards a procession of drowned rat golfers came scurrying in, all looking enviously at our scoff.
Having that was the second wise decision, as later in the afternoon SWMBO and I were attending a wedding in St Georges Hall. It was a 4;30pm start so solids would not be available much before 7pm.
The wedding was a civil ceremony held in the small concert room. The room is a small amphitheatre which holds about 500 people and was restored to its former glory between 2000 and 20007, its centrepiece is a crystal chandelier which is made up of over 2,800 pieces .It was in this venue that Charles Dickens held many of his readings.
St Georges Hall is a magnificent building, and one of the finest neo-Grecian buildings in the World. It holds a Civil Court and a Crown Court although neither are used in anger now, but they do feature regularly in TV and cinema drama. The cells in the basement are also maintained for the same purpose.
Its most impressive feature though is the grand hall. The hall boasts the third largest organ in the country after the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall. Its floor is constructed of Minton tiles and is protected by special flooring for all but two weeks a year when it is exposed and put on view for the public.
We went into the wrong end of the Hall when we arrived so we were lucky enough to be walked along the gallery of the grand hall, and saw that it was laid out for a 500 people Burns night dinner that evening.
We were all taxi'd to the reception in another elegant building in Water Street, and bailed out in the early hours. Luckily the storm had passed by the time we left, but the joy of weddings is that there always seems to be one brewing the next morning, only time will tell.
Having that was the second wise decision, as later in the afternoon SWMBO and I were attending a wedding in St Georges Hall. It was a 4;30pm start so solids would not be available much before 7pm.
The wedding was a civil ceremony held in the small concert room. The room is a small amphitheatre which holds about 500 people and was restored to its former glory between 2000 and 20007, its centrepiece is a crystal chandelier which is made up of over 2,800 pieces .It was in this venue that Charles Dickens held many of his readings.
St Georges Hall is a magnificent building, and one of the finest neo-Grecian buildings in the World. It holds a Civil Court and a Crown Court although neither are used in anger now, but they do feature regularly in TV and cinema drama. The cells in the basement are also maintained for the same purpose.
Its most impressive feature though is the grand hall. The hall boasts the third largest organ in the country after the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall. Its floor is constructed of Minton tiles and is protected by special flooring for all but two weeks a year when it is exposed and put on view for the public.
We went into the wrong end of the Hall when we arrived so we were lucky enough to be walked along the gallery of the grand hall, and saw that it was laid out for a 500 people Burns night dinner that evening.
We were all taxi'd to the reception in another elegant building in Water Street, and bailed out in the early hours. Luckily the storm had passed by the time we left, but the joy of weddings is that there always seems to be one brewing the next morning, only time will tell.
Thursday, 23 January 2014
SR-N1
It seems that the Wirral is about to embark on a pioneering water transport system which will see passenger carrying hovercraft take people to the North Wales holiday resorts (some mistake surely) of Rhyl and Llandudno as well as to Blackpool further up the Lancashire coast.
The service is due to be launched in 2015 and will use the New Brighton lifeboat slipway as the embark and disembark platform. Travel times are due to be in the region of 30-40 minutes which in all cases is considerably quicker than making the journey by road. It will be interesting to see how the enterprise maps out.
Sir Christopher Cockerell was thought to be the forefather of the hovercraft principle, and most young boys in the late 1950's and early 1960's had a model of the SR-N1 as part of their play group. The concept has been used for passenger transfer before, of course, primarily across the English Channel. It was first used though when the passenger-carrying hovercraft , Vickers VA-3,in the summer of 1962 carried passengers regularly along the North Wales Coast from Moreton, Merseyside, to Rhyl. So it seems the new service is trying to resurrect the old.
This is another initiative generated as a spin off from the investment in the Wirral waterways, by Peel Holdings. This large land developer has the objective of making the North West of England the leading economic region in the Country. It first built and managed the Trafford Centre shopping complex near Manchester, but it has sold that as it now focuses on the Ocean Gateway.
This project is aimed at linking the new port of Salford with a new port called Liverpool 2, via the Manchester Ship canal which it owns already.It is also driving the development of Wirral Waters and Liverpool Waters, the first of which is already underway and has approved planning permission for a trade centre and other early return projects. The Chinese are already active in their involvement with it.
To complement these developments Peel Holdings have acquired Liverpool John Lennon airport, the Lowry shopping complex in Salford and own and built the Salford media city into which the BBC recently moved.
Interesting times for the North West indeed.
The service is due to be launched in 2015 and will use the New Brighton lifeboat slipway as the embark and disembark platform. Travel times are due to be in the region of 30-40 minutes which in all cases is considerably quicker than making the journey by road. It will be interesting to see how the enterprise maps out.
Sir Christopher Cockerell was thought to be the forefather of the hovercraft principle, and most young boys in the late 1950's and early 1960's had a model of the SR-N1 as part of their play group. The concept has been used for passenger transfer before, of course, primarily across the English Channel. It was first used though when the passenger-carrying hovercraft , Vickers VA-3,in the summer of 1962 carried passengers regularly along the North Wales Coast from Moreton, Merseyside, to Rhyl. So it seems the new service is trying to resurrect the old.
This is another initiative generated as a spin off from the investment in the Wirral waterways, by Peel Holdings. This large land developer has the objective of making the North West of England the leading economic region in the Country. It first built and managed the Trafford Centre shopping complex near Manchester, but it has sold that as it now focuses on the Ocean Gateway.
This project is aimed at linking the new port of Salford with a new port called Liverpool 2, via the Manchester Ship canal which it owns already.It is also driving the development of Wirral Waters and Liverpool Waters, the first of which is already underway and has approved planning permission for a trade centre and other early return projects. The Chinese are already active in their involvement with it.
To complement these developments Peel Holdings have acquired Liverpool John Lennon airport, the Lowry shopping complex in Salford and own and built the Salford media city into which the BBC recently moved.
Interesting times for the North West indeed.
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Y H M Q P R
Yesterday was moody Monday, so called because it's when most people go back to work or school after the festive break, but, of course, I don't do that any more. I am imagining that retirement is a bit like farming, it doesn't change just because it's a weekend or a Bank Holiday, everyday there is something to get on with, although unlike farming, in retirement, it can wait until tomorrow.
Anyway it's a new year, so it's a new pair of glasses, and as chance would have it, my latest venture into the world of commerce allows me the opportunity to be paid to have my eyes tested. Yes, I have become a secret shopper but please don't tell anybody!!
Tomorrow is my first assignment when I have to attend at a branch of a well known optician and act like a well intentioned punter, then feed back against a number of criteria towards which the shopping experience is geared. I had a test booked anyway, so why not earn some beer money while I am about it.
The objective is to get free holidays, meals and merchandise but I guess you have to start somewhere. I have already earned 70p filling in a couple of on-line surveys.
I'm playing something called 'flying snooker' on Friday. Apparently all the colours are set up as are a limited number of reds, and as a group you have one shot each in rotation. If you miss a ball you're out, and it's play to a finish. There is an all day breakfast to follow so that will be my detox January compromised almost before it starts.
I would like to tidy the garden, but the weather has been so inclement that it might be another week or so before I can do that. The garden would probably benefit from a week of thick frosts to kill off the bugs who have thrived so well in the last couple of mild Winters. There seems to be an up side and a down side to everything these days.
Mentioning down sides, I was saddened to hear that my old mate from rugby days, Derek Forrester, died suddenly of a heart attack just before Christmas. Although only 55, he had packed 155 years of living into that short timespan.
He was a class one tourist, and a bit of a lad in his day, although he had settled down into fatherhood and become a very caring family man. He was a six foot eight second row who you always wanted on your side, could hold his ale and debate politics whenever required. I remember him almost biting his wife's nose off on one tour to Paris, and when the ambulance turned up they would not take them to hospital without a police escort......those were the days.
Sleep well my friend.
Anyway it's a new year, so it's a new pair of glasses, and as chance would have it, my latest venture into the world of commerce allows me the opportunity to be paid to have my eyes tested. Yes, I have become a secret shopper but please don't tell anybody!!
Tomorrow is my first assignment when I have to attend at a branch of a well known optician and act like a well intentioned punter, then feed back against a number of criteria towards which the shopping experience is geared. I had a test booked anyway, so why not earn some beer money while I am about it.
The objective is to get free holidays, meals and merchandise but I guess you have to start somewhere. I have already earned 70p filling in a couple of on-line surveys.
I'm playing something called 'flying snooker' on Friday. Apparently all the colours are set up as are a limited number of reds, and as a group you have one shot each in rotation. If you miss a ball you're out, and it's play to a finish. There is an all day breakfast to follow so that will be my detox January compromised almost before it starts.
I would like to tidy the garden, but the weather has been so inclement that it might be another week or so before I can do that. The garden would probably benefit from a week of thick frosts to kill off the bugs who have thrived so well in the last couple of mild Winters. There seems to be an up side and a down side to everything these days.
Mentioning down sides, I was saddened to hear that my old mate from rugby days, Derek Forrester, died suddenly of a heart attack just before Christmas. Although only 55, he had packed 155 years of living into that short timespan.
He was a class one tourist, and a bit of a lad in his day, although he had settled down into fatherhood and become a very caring family man. He was a six foot eight second row who you always wanted on your side, could hold his ale and debate politics whenever required. I remember him almost biting his wife's nose off on one tour to Paris, and when the ambulance turned up they would not take them to hospital without a police escort......those were the days.
Sleep well my friend.
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
One more sleep....
I thought I might do a 'round robin' this year just to boost my blog numbers. My efforts to exceed last year have failed, and my target of 50 or so has been woefully missed. Hey ho, will try to do better next year.
So lets start almost a year ago, when I made a New Years resolution, and I am pleased to say I have kept it for 12 months, and shall be extending it into 2014. The resolution was quite simply to buy no new clothes except for socks and underwear. I have masses of NWT polo shirts in my cupboard, trousers and jackets that barely see the light of day, enough jumpers to knit a sheep and coats, scarves, windcheaters and waterproof clothing, that I need for nothing in the wardrobe department.
During the year we have been blessed with two new additions, GC3 and GC4, aka Archie Beet and Nell Harris, and both are progressing well. Nell is three weeks old now and Archie is fast approaching the crawling stage. GC1 will soon be bossing them around, and I now communicate with GC2 in London, by Skype. Technology eh!
It was good to have GC2 and her parents visit us a couple of times this year and she is now beginning to know who we are and where we fit in. She has also visited her Great Grandmother Joan who lives up the road in Hoylake, and GGJ will be joining us for the turkey tomorrow, one of 17 adults and budding adults around the table.
Holidays have been sparse this year. The two week trip to Mexico was a disaster as SWMBO broke the elbow joint and six months down the line is still in considerable pain with no end to it in sight. I had a few days with the rugby chums, London branch, in Norfolk during October which was a blast.
Maxine did her family holiday in Tunisia in August, and we had a long weekend with her sister in Hong Kong where we saw the British Lions play the Barbarians.
We also visited Turkey for a week in February, just as the season was opening up.
Number one son did the London to Monte Carlo bike ride in the Summer, which included mountain stages of the Tour d'France. Number two son has been made head of history at his school, but has still to embrace life outside Hill House, despite me turning the heating off on his floor, Might try putting his rent up next year.
I have been busy with extra curricula activities as much as I am able. Woodwork classes, Photoshop tutorials and Pilates have all been and gone during 2013, and I have stopped my piano lessons as I really was not on the same wave-length as the teacher I was allocated, so I will have to find a new one for 2014. I am also hoping to join a magic class in January.
With all this time on my hands you would expect the garden to be a picture, whereas in fact it has been a period of stability as most of my efforts went into completing my shed. This is now done, and together with my new book shelves and wine rack it shows me I have some DIY skills which I have been able to use productively and not just to fix fences.
My golf has improved although my handicap remains 16, so it would be good to knock a few shots off that next year, and get my name on a trophy if I can.
SWMBO is nearly nine months into her sabbatical now, and she may well start to look for some part time work in 2014, we shall see. She continues to support Bridge to Aid and hopes to go back to Tanzania in October.
We also have a two week holiday in Turkey with 'the mad crew' to look forward to in May, I have a stag weekend in Lisbon in July, and we hope to get to the Dominican Republic in September. Add to that the fact that we are seeing in the New Year at Slaley Hall in Northumberland and 2014 already has a good feel to it.
So a Merry Chriustmas and a happy new Year to all my readers, and may 2014 give you everything you wish of it......Ho! ho! ho!
So lets start almost a year ago, when I made a New Years resolution, and I am pleased to say I have kept it for 12 months, and shall be extending it into 2014. The resolution was quite simply to buy no new clothes except for socks and underwear. I have masses of NWT polo shirts in my cupboard, trousers and jackets that barely see the light of day, enough jumpers to knit a sheep and coats, scarves, windcheaters and waterproof clothing, that I need for nothing in the wardrobe department.
During the year we have been blessed with two new additions, GC3 and GC4, aka Archie Beet and Nell Harris, and both are progressing well. Nell is three weeks old now and Archie is fast approaching the crawling stage. GC1 will soon be bossing them around, and I now communicate with GC2 in London, by Skype. Technology eh!
It was good to have GC2 and her parents visit us a couple of times this year and she is now beginning to know who we are and where we fit in. She has also visited her Great Grandmother Joan who lives up the road in Hoylake, and GGJ will be joining us for the turkey tomorrow, one of 17 adults and budding adults around the table.
Holidays have been sparse this year. The two week trip to Mexico was a disaster as SWMBO broke the elbow joint and six months down the line is still in considerable pain with no end to it in sight. I had a few days with the rugby chums, London branch, in Norfolk during October which was a blast.
Maxine did her family holiday in Tunisia in August, and we had a long weekend with her sister in Hong Kong where we saw the British Lions play the Barbarians.
We also visited Turkey for a week in February, just as the season was opening up.
Number one son did the London to Monte Carlo bike ride in the Summer, which included mountain stages of the Tour d'France. Number two son has been made head of history at his school, but has still to embrace life outside Hill House, despite me turning the heating off on his floor, Might try putting his rent up next year.
I have been busy with extra curricula activities as much as I am able. Woodwork classes, Photoshop tutorials and Pilates have all been and gone during 2013, and I have stopped my piano lessons as I really was not on the same wave-length as the teacher I was allocated, so I will have to find a new one for 2014. I am also hoping to join a magic class in January.
With all this time on my hands you would expect the garden to be a picture, whereas in fact it has been a period of stability as most of my efforts went into completing my shed. This is now done, and together with my new book shelves and wine rack it shows me I have some DIY skills which I have been able to use productively and not just to fix fences.
My golf has improved although my handicap remains 16, so it would be good to knock a few shots off that next year, and get my name on a trophy if I can.
SWMBO is nearly nine months into her sabbatical now, and she may well start to look for some part time work in 2014, we shall see. She continues to support Bridge to Aid and hopes to go back to Tanzania in October.
We also have a two week holiday in Turkey with 'the mad crew' to look forward to in May, I have a stag weekend in Lisbon in July, and we hope to get to the Dominican Republic in September. Add to that the fact that we are seeing in the New Year at Slaley Hall in Northumberland and 2014 already has a good feel to it.
So a Merry Chriustmas and a happy new Year to all my readers, and may 2014 give you everything you wish of it......Ho! ho! ho!
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Hail and farewell
Thursday was a momentous day. At roughly the same time of night GC4, was born into the world as senior statesman, Nelson Mandela, passed away. As a poignant gesture, GC4 has been named Nell, although her sister, GC1 seems to think Isabella is a much better name and calls her that at every opportunity.
Mother Emma will now face a life challenge as she must bring these two girls up without the help of their father, the pub singer. After a season in Spain he has decided he would rather have the life of a tour rep than the responsibilities fatherhood brings. He has now consigned himself to the ranks of 'day care dad'. A book is open as to how long before he can't cope with that and disappears altogether.
Hardship and commitment are two things he could learn a lot about, from the life of Mandela. His transformation from terrorist to diplomat has been well documented in a way which will never be reflected in any obituary of Martin McGuiness or Gerry Adams. It will be interesting to see what South Africa, and the wider African continent will become going forward without him.
Life is cruel though when Mandela is taken from us but a person like Mugabe can continue to rule with an iron fist. His time will come and then there will be some wiggle room in the large expanses of Southern Africa.
Welcome Nell, sleep well Mandela.
Mother Emma will now face a life challenge as she must bring these two girls up without the help of their father, the pub singer. After a season in Spain he has decided he would rather have the life of a tour rep than the responsibilities fatherhood brings. He has now consigned himself to the ranks of 'day care dad'. A book is open as to how long before he can't cope with that and disappears altogether.
Hardship and commitment are two things he could learn a lot about, from the life of Mandela. His transformation from terrorist to diplomat has been well documented in a way which will never be reflected in any obituary of Martin McGuiness or Gerry Adams. It will be interesting to see what South Africa, and the wider African continent will become going forward without him.
Life is cruel though when Mandela is taken from us but a person like Mugabe can continue to rule with an iron fist. His time will come and then there will be some wiggle room in the large expanses of Southern Africa.
Welcome Nell, sleep well Mandela.
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