Big ears

 There are other matters to blog apart from a safari so I was searching for a link when Gary Lineker stuck his head, ears and all, above the parapet like some bull elephant out on the territory protection trail.

Lineker has history with contentious text's on a number of subjects and is often looking for a reaction. On this occasion he got rather more than he bargained for and has rightly been suspended by the BBC. To think he can bring down the Director General with the help of his footballing cronies is another example of how the football community big themselves up when faced with adversity or external criticism.

 No doubt there will be people in the footballing fraternity rubbing their hand as they see this as a direct challenge from the government at just the time thay are looking to regulate the business of football in a way football won't want.  Let battle commence.

Gary Neville runs close to the wind with his comments on social media and I have unsubscribed to various sites, including Twickenham RFC, when the owners or Web masters start using the media for their own political ends and not those for which the mouthpiece was designed.

Lineker needs to realise people only listen or follow him because of his visibility on BBC, and footie commentators are two a penny. So if the BBC dump him, he will quickly become yesterdays news. Just ask Andy Gray!!

We fly back tomorrow which is probably just as well, as Cyclone Freddie has decided to regroup and start battering Guadeloupe.  Apparently Mozambique had a years raining for days when it first hit.

England must have felt they were in the eye of the storm at Twickenham yesterday. They were outplayed in every aspect of the game by France. England looked unfit, ill prepared and physically lightweight against a French side clearly building positively towards their home World Cup.

Let's not mention the Argyle albeit to say it's getting tight at the top. 

Too many, too soon

 Word has just reached me that my good friend at the golf club, Simon Birtles, died sudden,y at the weekend. There were thoughts he had some heart challenges but nothing we considered terminal. It was only towards the end of last year that he played an almost perfect round of golf to set the pace in our 'Ten of the Best' challenge. I always thought of him as being as fit as a butchers dog given he was always away on  cycling tour, usually in the Scottish Highlands and Islands he loved so much.

His sad loss comes hard on the heals of Paul 'Holty' Holt, a strapping 2nd rower at Twickenham Rugby Club. He had been battling ill health for a while and leaves five children behind. Holty was a session musician amongst many other professions he explored in the hospitality industry, and would often belt out Delilah at rugby events and tours. I suspect the banning of the song was one step too far for him. Interestingly over 50 years ago Stu and I of S Club fame went to our first match with Judith Glastonbury. I always thought I had a chance there, but it was difficult to compete against a musician. She became his first wife and produced his three oldest children, musicians every one of them.

I will miss his funeral on Thurday, and also the memorial service for Graham Sims the following day. 'Simsy' was a pest controller and locksmith who also played for Twickenham. He rented a room from me at Chiswick when he had lady challenges and we spent many happy times trying to put him on the right path where the fairer sex was concerned. Simsy had had a brain tumour for many years and while it was operable it was not able to be totally removed, and it got the better of him in the end.

All three friends taken far too early. They will be missed by their families and friendship groups. All three were younger than me so it re-enforces the need to live for the day.

May they rest in peace.

This caps it all

I trawl through E-bay every now and then. it's a great insomnia cure. Generally I am looking for something to do with the house genealogy, works of art which have been incorrectly attributed  or Twickenham RFC memorabilia. In the last few weeks I have had a couple of good results.

Firstly I picked up a little limited edition sketch book by Northern artist Harry Riley.  Riley was a contemporary of L S Lowry and they knew each other well. Where as Lowry was renowned for his matchstick me, Riley was, and still is, a unique golf scene painter and commentator. The book I brought tracked Jack Nicklaus through his final two rounds at the Open championship at St Andrews. The commentary charts Jack's  thinking as he decided that missing the cut at his final Open was the best thing to do as he could not face two more days of high drama and emotion, nor did he want to deflect from the actual winner and the reception he should get. Typical Jack Nicklaus to the end, every bit the gentleman.

That's two of Harold Rileys sketch books I now own.

Things then got a whole lot better when I noticed what looked like a Twickenham RFC honours cap from 1926 in the rugby memorabilia section. I did a bit of checking and found that indeed it was a genuine article. I contacted the lady to see if she would sell outside the auction, but she was keen to let it run. I contacted the club treasurer to see what price he would fund up to and then played a waiting game. I won it at about ten percent of the price it could have fetched and it is now in the clubhouse collection with its fellow cap's.

Two were awarded each year to first XV players who had an outstanding season, and that tradition still goes to this very day albeit the designs are slightly different. One such cap is the oldest relic the club has dated as 1897-98

The cap I obtained had the name Bishop inked in the label and a study of the team photograph for that year shows a gentleman of that name sitting in the front row. I love it when a plan comes together.

I'm Spartacus

As promised, here is a set of pictures that are hard to beat......






Argentina won the Bowl. Their captain stopped for us to take his picture. Now he said, you hold the Bowl and I will take your picture. Kieran and Ross delighted.



 Then the England boys won the Plate and all these players seem to have the ability to effortlessly take selfies.....I liked this one
 

Worse was then to come for the poor England captain as Ross indicated to him that, as the Argentine captain had let us pose with the Bowl, it would only be fair for them to pose with the Plate...... then these two lookers came along and the day was complete.

Well, the day was certainly complete for this chap who chose a very strange place for a lie down.

 I am pleased to say our tour finished in a very secret squirrel restaurant on the mid-levels. When booking the restaurant you got  a code for a door in a very non-descript alley. You went upstairs and there was a twelve cover restaurant knocking out the best Chinese you could imagine. Cheers Ross a great find and a marvellous way to end the tour.

That was the week that was

I am writing this as I watch the final holes of the Masters golf unfold at Augusta National. It's a course I would love to play, but have little or no chance of doing so. It is one of a few around the world where you can't just turn up, pay your green fee and play. I don't know any members so have resigned myself to missing out.

The week started interestingly with a dry run of the stag weekend I am attending in Lisbon during July. It was held at Twickenham RFC to co-incide with their winner take all match against Old Priorians. Up until this game T's had only lost three times in two years, all had been to Old P's. Sadly they have now lost four as they went down 20-28 to a very good side, in a proper game of rugby where no quarter was given or taken. Priorians will now be promoted by right, and T's will engage in a play-off against Saffron Waldron. If they win they will move into London 1, the highest level they have ever been in, Hopefully they can turn over Priorians next year.

On the Wednesday I was down in London again for a retirement lunch for my long time work colleague and golf companion Chris Finden-Browne. It is very easy to do London to Liverpool in a day, so I took the advantage to catch up with a few friends I had not seen since I left IBM almost 18 months ago.

Friday saw me having another lunch with IBM colleagues, this time in Manchester, and I sensibly retired hurt about 5pm, as I had a golf competition on Saturday morning and wanted a reasonably clear head. As it happens I was 68th out of about 150, not good, but could have been much worse. The Wallasey wind was blowing and it was a real battle to get round.

During the week, the RFU also issued instructions on how to obtain tickets for the Rugby World Cup matches in October next year. I have no appetite for the kick-off times, or the prices, so will be encouraging the usual subjects to look at alternative entertainment options which will allow us to watch the games on TV but maybe in Ireland or France.

So it's been a pretty full on week, and I am now looking forward to a more restful one coming up.....

Lucy

The weekend just past signalled the beginning of my diamond birthday celebrations. Well if the Queen can have a couple of birthday's why not I?

Twenty of us attended the England v France rugby at Twickenham in a lads and dads day out. A couple of the attendees I had known since we were ten and at school together, and a few were people I had been introduced to, by them, over the years. One chap was an old friend from my working days and several I had met while playing rugby for Twickenham RFC. Indeed one of those used to chase the same girls as me when we were in our early thirties!! All together they were an eclectic group who got on famously.

The match kicked off at 5pm on the Saturday which is not our favourite time to attend, but on this occasion it did give us a chance to visit a local Richmond restaurant, Rock and Rose, for some pre-match tucker , and very good it was too. So with suitable ballast on board, we boarded the bus and sang our way to the ground as we have done for more years than I can remember.

One of my old school friends, Stu, and I have been attending games at Twickenham since early in 1972. We first saw John Dawes Welsh side play. We stood on the old West terrace watching as they beat us comfortably. The only thing that made it bearable was the fact we were in the company of a young Welsh girl from Plymouth,  with whom I had plans later.  Sadly even that went pear shaped as she had already arranged to meet a lad who was a session musician and singer, elsewhere on the manor.

Some years later when I moved from Croydon to Kingston and started playing for Twickenham RFC, it transpired she married said musician, and he was playing second row at the same Club. We are all still good friends. The subsequent forty years following England around Europe have continued to illustrate just how small the World is, made even smaller by the rugby playing community.

I have played in a few World Golden Oldies rugby festivals over time, and should I do so again, I will be able to wear red shorts. This will mean I can only be caught and held, and not tackled. When I reach 65 I would then be able to wear gold shorts, cannot be touched or tackled and can subsequently run for 15 metres unopposed. That might be worth a go!!!

The celebrations continue in a few days with a family Sunday lunch, after which, like the Queen, I will start to tour some of our colonies. I think I will start with Scotland!!

Ugandan Discussions

I have finally found time to sort and assess my Christmas presents. Its not a hard task, it just needs a few quiet moments.

I get quite a few golf related presents, balls and clothing mainly, and they are always appreciated. It is a bit bizarre, though, to think that the balls will be in somebody else's pocket by the end of the year, or in a lake or deep in the deepest wood!

I got shirts, and jumpers, most of which were self selected, so they were a good gift. I also got a pair of shoe spikes to save me falling over too much on the ice and snow should it recur, and a pilates mat for my stretching classes!!!

My other gifts were literary in nature. My main gift was a Kindle and I will be experimenting with that shortly. I also got a book of maps relating to the house we live in at the moment. I think that deserves a blog entry of its own. Lastly I got the 50th anniversary book of Private Eye to go with the ten year and 25 year histories I already have.

It did, however, amaze the family when I indicated to them that I had been a contributor to the famous organ sometime in 1987. I also recall receiving a cheque for about £120 for the article.

My contribution all stemmed from plans which Thames Water and a company called Themeworld had for the rugby pitches which were used at the time by Twickenham rugby club. Themeworld were fronted by Rod Hull and Emu and the plan was to develop a theme park much like Alton Towers, on the site of the pitches.

Well there was uproar at the time as the park would have been developed in a fairly residential area of West Middlesex. We, therefore, started a publicity and opposition campaign which embraced the local MP of the time, Toby Jessel. I thought I would be somewhat satirical and using Rod Hull as a taxidermist, I wrote an article which Private Eye considered of sufficient humour and interest to publish in their news section at the rear of the organ.

I really must try to find the original piece as I am sure the kids don't believe me!!

We're climbing Up the Sunshine Mountain.....

Well, here I am writing my blog for the 100th time, a passage lasting nine months, so that's just over two blog entries a week, which seems a reasonable rate at which to write them.

This one needs a special topic then really, so why not another notable anniversary, which will fit very comfortably with what we did yesterday.

Peter Thomas, or Pedro, or Tommy, as he is often referred was yesterday the main attraction at the Twickenham RFC Vice-Presidents luncheon. He was guest of honour because in September 1957 as a 16 year old, he first joined the club. He has been a member ever since.

Pedro did not have a rugby background when he joined, he did not go to any of the local private or grammar schools who played rugby. He was just keen to embrace the ethos, and how lucky Twickenham were that he chose them. He was no star player, but the sort who featured in Michael Greens Art of Course Rugby. He would play anywhere home or away, and for any team. His 1st XV appearances were limited, and he, like me, never featured in a 1st XV picture.

In our day you had to play ten games in a season to qualify for the 1st XV photo, these days it seems that you just need your kit with you when the photographer turns up!!!

Pedro became club steward when his playing days were drawing to a close, and he became chief laundryman and pitch administrator at the same time. He had the ability to remember past players names and always gave a warm welcome to the opposition players and administrators.

Love found Pedro late in life, and his marriage to Chris signalled an end of an era when he stood down as steward. He remains a stalwart of the club and supports the teams regularly on a Saturday. When the tragedy that hit Cirencester Rugby Club during the recent flood occurred, it was inevitable that we thought of the two lost souls. They were undoubtedly the Pedro of their club.

The lunch was extremely lively and a good few glasses of ale were imbibed. Pedro got a unique present to commemorate the event, and we all hope for many years of his company going forward.

It is interesting that Pedro helped to build the current clubhouse, which will be demolished in the Summer. There can't be too many people who have outlasted their own teams facilities in that way.If there were hospitality boxes in the new structure, then I am sure the Thomas suite would sit comfortably with other Twickenham RFC legends, like Lionel Wright, the Wallbanks and Peter Harvey.

Swing low, sweet chariot

Yesterday I strolled down to Twickenham RFC to see them play for the first time this season. Their opponents, Stevenage Town, are top of the league and unbeaten. T's are second having lost unexpectedly to Enfield Ignations. I was, therefore, looking forward to an exciting game.

The Twickenham team which took the field was fairly similar to that which got relegated last year. They have a very young side, with one or two older heads. Stevenage, looked more like the proper rugby team with the right shaped people in the key positions. Their front row were traditional fat popos, they had two tall beefy second row forwards and a quick youthful back row. All their three-quarters looked tricky and there was a bit of pace on the wings.

The game itself was pretty scrappy though. Both teams had periods of the match were they could not command possession, and when they did get it, basic handling skills let them down. Stevenage went on to win 22-11 which was a reasonable reflection and it will be no bad thing if T's stay in this league for a few more seasons to gain some experience, and put on a bit of weight!!

The atmosphere in the club was fine, although opposition teams never stay for as long these days, so that was when it became apparent that the Twickenham demographic has become somewhat fractured. Apart from me and a few other supporters in their late '50s and mid '60s there was a definite lack of older members. The 35-50 age group no longer seems to embrace the club on a regular basis. Sure they may have young families or other commitments, but with plans to expand and rebuild the clubhouse, sustaining the community will become a struggle.

Still I am sure the club has had troughs similar to that which it is in at the moment, and hopefully with the right direction from the top, it will soon climb out of it and start to again become a location of choice on Saturday afternoon. Sunday mini rugby continues to be the strength of the club though, I still haven't checked it out this season to see what the level of yummie mummie is. Another time perhaps.

They swim in the sea, we eat them for tea.......

Interesting weekend just past. Our oldest, Tim and his girlfriend Lili, used the house for an engagement party. Interesting guest list which included my present and past wife, and her two ex-husbands!!

Tim, as an only child, seems to have masses of siblings, and all were present for the big event. It all went off well, I think. I behaved myself and got to bed about 2am......not too bad.

They are planning to get married twice, bit like me really! The first will be in Brazil in February 2009, the second in England later in the same year. There seems to be huge interest in going to Sao Paulo so i think they will be surprised by the turnout. It will be Summer there so the combination of a wedding and holiday seems spot on to me.

Talking of holidays, I am just off to St Lucia, to defend my 'Sir Vivian Richards Pro-Am' title around the tricky but very picturesque St Lucia Golf Course. I won it last time with Jeff Crowe, the New Zealand cricketer, and two local members. Jeff is a cousin of Russell, and had just come back form seeing him get married. Jeff plays of 2 so we were quids in really compared with some of the team members. Ian Botham, Sir Gary Sobers, Tony Greig and Chris Cowdrey were playing, as well as the host, and it was a sound day out all round......I am told there is a fair bit of development going on at the moment around the course, and Jack Nicklaus is building a second 18 holes nearby. It will be interesting to see the new club house as well.

I am also playing in the 'Todgers Trophy' overseas edition when I return. This year it is in Portugal, and it is the annual tournament for Twickenham Rugby Club. In true rugger tradition, we have to go as famous Englishmen. That should irritate the Welsh amongst us.

They got knocked out of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday didn't they? To Fiji of all people. The QFstage is now quite interesting. I would take Argentina and South Africa to go through and meet in the semi, which then conjures up potentially four games in which anybody could win. On their day England can beat Aus, and France can turn over NZ. An E v F semi could go either way, as could the SA v Argie one. So we are suddenly looking at an Argie v England final! Who would have thought it a week or so ago?