We took in the quarter final games at the rugby world cup in various bars in Dublin. We had planned it months ago, so brother-in-laws David being Welsh, and I always sensed one of us might be enjoying the craic more than the rugby. That will have been me then.
So it was Guinness, watch a game, major food then watch another game with more Guinness. Sunday was brunch watch two games with Guinness, then a major steak restaurant, nightcap and bed. All in all a very full on 48 hours.
Three of the games were classic, with the other being NewZealand finding some form to seriously stuff France. The locals were a bit shell shocked as the Argues blew them away, a result I had predicted days earlier.
The bars were not as lively as I had expected, but the semi-final weekend should be a cracker. Come on the winners.
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Thursday, 8 October 2015
Chance to Shine
It was back to London yesterday to take part in the awards ceremony for the cricket charity , Chance to Shine. The charity was founded ten years ago by Mark Nicholas, the Channel 5 cricket presenter and Mervyn King, the then governor of the Bank of England. It's aim is to reintroduce cricket into state schools and local neighbourhood's through the Quik Cricket format and street cricket initiative's.
We were going because number two son, Kieran, was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award.
He was not given the news until a few days ago, so there was a hectic rush for train tickets and you can imagine the situation there....£100 plus for a single even with our old gits rail cards, so some lateral thinking had to be applied.
Using Martin Lewis and his split ticket web site we managed to get three returns for just under £120 although it did mean driving to Crewe. That bit was fun as there was an early accident on the M56 so the sat nav took us all over the show. The long term car park at Crewe was full so we eventually got on the platform with four minutes to spare. The return journey was no less stressed as I had a blonde/senior moment and threw away the return tickets rather than the outbound bits. Luckily no tickets were inspected on the homeward bound section so all was sorted.
As for the event itself, Nomura International, hosted it in their Upper Thames Street offices and it was an excellent bash, made all the better when Kieran was announced as winner of his category. He was really pleased as were we as proud parents, although he seemed more interested in chatting to the fit England Ladies cricketers who were there, than with us!!
He won the award for his efforts introducing girl's cricket into Prenton High School, and for coaching the ladies section at Oxton Cricket Club. The fact he was not a PE teacher as many award winners were also counted in his favour.
His new school in Neston do not have a team so that will be his next task once he has sorted out the History department. That should keep him busy!!
We were going because number two son, Kieran, was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award.
He was not given the news until a few days ago, so there was a hectic rush for train tickets and you can imagine the situation there....£100 plus for a single even with our old gits rail cards, so some lateral thinking had to be applied.
Using Martin Lewis and his split ticket web site we managed to get three returns for just under £120 although it did mean driving to Crewe. That bit was fun as there was an early accident on the M56 so the sat nav took us all over the show. The long term car park at Crewe was full so we eventually got on the platform with four minutes to spare. The return journey was no less stressed as I had a blonde/senior moment and threw away the return tickets rather than the outbound bits. Luckily no tickets were inspected on the homeward bound section so all was sorted.
As for the event itself, Nomura International, hosted it in their Upper Thames Street offices and it was an excellent bash, made all the better when Kieran was announced as winner of his category. He was really pleased as were we as proud parents, although he seemed more interested in chatting to the fit England Ladies cricketers who were there, than with us!!
He won the award for his efforts introducing girl's cricket into Prenton High School, and for coaching the ladies section at Oxton Cricket Club. The fact he was not a PE teacher as many award winners were also counted in his favour.
His new school in Neston do not have a team so that will be his next task once he has sorted out the History department. That should keep him busy!!
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Running for the bus
It was a busy weekend just gone as we attended a wedding in London. It clashed with England v Australia in the rugby world cup, but the way the tournament has mapped out for England I dealt no disappointment missing it.
The wedding was at the Brooklands motor and air museum and as part of the deal we got to ride on part of the banked circuit which still survives. It was quite an experience!
We also took a ride on an open backed London bus which pre-dated the Routemaster. That took us past Mercedes World where the Irish rugby team were having great fun on the skid pan.
The wedding was for my cousin Mikes daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nathan. It went off very well with the venue doing an excellent job.
We will next be off to Dublin for the quarter finals weekend I wonder who will get my ticket for the second semi-final?
The wedding was at the Brooklands motor and air museum and as part of the deal we got to ride on part of the banked circuit which still survives. It was quite an experience!
We also took a ride on an open backed London bus which pre-dated the Routemaster. That took us past Mercedes World where the Irish rugby team were having great fun on the skid pan.
The wedding was for my cousin Mikes daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nathan. It went off very well with the venue doing an excellent job.
We will next be off to Dublin for the quarter finals weekend I wonder who will get my ticket for the second semi-final?
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Full English
Interesting how to take that by-line. It is related to the fact we had our first paying guests in our new venture as an Airbnb registered bed and breakfast establishment. We had three guests over the Saturday night who had come from Leeds and London to enjoy the entertainment on offer in Liverpool.
Paul, who booked us, was an Irish lad who worked as a band manager in the music business so they all trotted off to the Liverpool Psychedelic festival in the Baltic triangle. He was spotting for new talent and they cruised in about 3am. We 'forced a full English. down him at apout 11:00 and they were gone by midday. Paul recommended I listen to two bands, Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, so that's on my list to do.
They gave us a good rating so we are now up and running and looking forward to the next customers. None booked in just yet though.
As we trawled through the competition we found out that our close neighbours also do Airbnb at about the same price, but, with only one room to our three, we look to be the best for groups. We shall see.
Full English could also link to the dismal rugby later on the Saturday evening. I was physically drained even before the game, and dozed off so missed the first half ( never thought about ITV +1) but watching the second half I struggled to understand how England were in the lead. There was always only one winner in the second half and memories of Wembley and Scott Gibbs all came back to haunt me.
Anyway after Wales lose to Fiji and England destroy Australia the status quo will be restored. Hang on though, I think I am still asleep and dreaming!!!
Paul, who booked us, was an Irish lad who worked as a band manager in the music business so they all trotted off to the Liverpool Psychedelic festival in the Baltic triangle. He was spotting for new talent and they cruised in about 3am. We 'forced a full English. down him at apout 11:00 and they were gone by midday. Paul recommended I listen to two bands, Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, so that's on my list to do.
They gave us a good rating so we are now up and running and looking forward to the next customers. None booked in just yet though.
As we trawled through the competition we found out that our close neighbours also do Airbnb at about the same price, but, with only one room to our three, we look to be the best for groups. We shall see.
Full English could also link to the dismal rugby later on the Saturday evening. I was physically drained even before the game, and dozed off so missed the first half ( never thought about ITV +1) but watching the second half I struggled to understand how England were in the lead. There was always only one winner in the second half and memories of Wembley and Scott Gibbs all came back to haunt me.
Anyway after Wales lose to Fiji and England destroy Australia the status quo will be restored. Hang on though, I think I am still asleep and dreaming!!!
Monday, 21 September 2015
A Slant on the Rugby World Cup
Well, it was off to Gloucester this weekend to embrace the Rugby World Cup at Kingsholm as Tonga took on Georgia.
I was picked up on Friday afternoon by Sham and we pottered down the scenic route to Chipping Camden and our billet at the Lygon Arms. This is the cheap version, not the hugely expensive version in Broadway, and extremely pleasant it was. The first person we met was an American lady who worked in the Chiswick Business Park next to Silver Crescent, so that was a bit weird. We then dined with the locals in front of the tele as England huffed and puffed to a bonus point victory. Good enough but not earth shattering.
Next day it was off for the live match which kicked off at 12, noon. There was time for a Doom Bar before going into the shed. That was an experience. Its terraced and as we got there ten minutes before kick-off we had to squeeze through a few locals to get a spec. The abuse we got was bizarre.
'You can't just turn up with ten minutes to go to kick-off and expect a view' eh, why not? 'What are you some group of toffs who never go to matches except in Corporate' eh, no, but we do like to see how the other half live........that went down well. We did move a few kids in front of us so they could see, but once the game started everybody settled down.
It was not much of a game in the first half but it picked up in the second half and Georgia ran out worthy winners in the end. They are a big unit so could give the big dogs in the group a test.
After the game we visited a few horse racing pubs in the Cheltenham area before settling for the Plough to watch South Africa v Japan. What a proper game of rugby that was and well played to the Jap's for a very well deserved victory.
On Sunday before we left we went on a tour of Simon the Farmer's homestead and this picture shows how much we looked the part.
I got home to news of multiple Welsh injuries and was mightily disappointed for them....here's to the weekend.
I was picked up on Friday afternoon by Sham and we pottered down the scenic route to Chipping Camden and our billet at the Lygon Arms. This is the cheap version, not the hugely expensive version in Broadway, and extremely pleasant it was. The first person we met was an American lady who worked in the Chiswick Business Park next to Silver Crescent, so that was a bit weird. We then dined with the locals in front of the tele as England huffed and puffed to a bonus point victory. Good enough but not earth shattering.
Next day it was off for the live match which kicked off at 12, noon. There was time for a Doom Bar before going into the shed. That was an experience. Its terraced and as we got there ten minutes before kick-off we had to squeeze through a few locals to get a spec. The abuse we got was bizarre.
'You can't just turn up with ten minutes to go to kick-off and expect a view' eh, why not? 'What are you some group of toffs who never go to matches except in Corporate' eh, no, but we do like to see how the other half live........that went down well. We did move a few kids in front of us so they could see, but once the game started everybody settled down.
It was not much of a game in the first half but it picked up in the second half and Georgia ran out worthy winners in the end. They are a big unit so could give the big dogs in the group a test.
After the game we visited a few horse racing pubs in the Cheltenham area before settling for the Plough to watch South Africa v Japan. What a proper game of rugby that was and well played to the Jap's for a very well deserved victory.
On Sunday before we left we went on a tour of Simon the Farmer's homestead and this picture shows how much we looked the part.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Egyptian mummies
The Clampitts trip has gone a bit pear. The Cairo cramps swept through the party taking its toll on the adult members of the party. Most of them recovered well enough to travel home but poor old Emma was confined to barracks and could not travel back. So SWMBO had to stay behind to look after Ava and Nell. They are now expected back tomorrow all being well.
That has given me a few extra days to potter but the rain has put pay to any outdoor activities and I get the joy of taking sister-in-law Michelle to the Simon and Garfunkel Show tomorrow.
It feels like Wednesday morning 3am but at least they are Homeward Bound.
That has given me a few extra days to potter but the rain has put pay to any outdoor activities and I get the joy of taking sister-in-law Michelle to the Simon and Garfunkel Show tomorrow.
It feels like Wednesday morning 3am but at least they are Homeward Bound.
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Home alone
SWMBO and her family are entering the second week of their Clampitts holiday in Egypt. Apart from some tourist tummy trouble, all seems to be going well. The kids in particular are enjoying the water park and chocolate parties.
I, in the meantime, am left fending for myself which has been a welcome reintroduction to peace and quiet. The main benefit has been the ability to get on with jobs round the house without having to worry whether an ankle biter will get hold of a chisel or fall over a power lead.
One challenge I have though is that a couple of tiles have slipped during the storms so I am waiting for the insurance go ahead to get the work done. The loss assessor said he thought the door would cost £50 labour and £1500 for scaffolding. Gone are the days when a bloke and his ladders turned up and did it. It's all 'ealth and safety now.
I am all set up with my new tablet computer now as well. I got the latest ZenPad with some vouchers the bank gave me, and it's good to be mobile again. I now have films on tap via Kodi, an X-Box simulator, and sport available via a Ace Player feed. There are a few wires across the floor at the moment but I will work out how to loose those in the next day or so. Luckily the rugby world cup is on ITV so that will be routine.
SWMBO looks like she is off to Tanzania again in November with her dental health charity and she also has a day trip to Dublin for some stand management at a dental conference. Maybe a job opportunity will come up as a result otherwise she will be secret shopping with me.
I am still trying to earn a few bob via e-bay, a couple of pictures and some riding crops from a recent auction seem to be interesting people but the box of Hudl covers I got have no takers. You win some, you lose some.
It will be disappointing to miss the Bampton raft race this year but I suspect it has run its course as far as I am concerned. Next year I will become an onlooker with 'off the record' Dick. I look forward to meeting up with the S Club in Gloucester for the Tonga v Georgia match as our own RWC mini tour gets under way.
Looks like time for an all day breakfast......excellent!
I, in the meantime, am left fending for myself which has been a welcome reintroduction to peace and quiet. The main benefit has been the ability to get on with jobs round the house without having to worry whether an ankle biter will get hold of a chisel or fall over a power lead.
One challenge I have though is that a couple of tiles have slipped during the storms so I am waiting for the insurance go ahead to get the work done. The loss assessor said he thought the door would cost £50 labour and £1500 for scaffolding. Gone are the days when a bloke and his ladders turned up and did it. It's all 'ealth and safety now.
I am all set up with my new tablet computer now as well. I got the latest ZenPad with some vouchers the bank gave me, and it's good to be mobile again. I now have films on tap via Kodi, an X-Box simulator, and sport available via a Ace Player feed. There are a few wires across the floor at the moment but I will work out how to loose those in the next day or so. Luckily the rugby world cup is on ITV so that will be routine.
SWMBO looks like she is off to Tanzania again in November with her dental health charity and she also has a day trip to Dublin for some stand management at a dental conference. Maybe a job opportunity will come up as a result otherwise she will be secret shopping with me.
I am still trying to earn a few bob via e-bay, a couple of pictures and some riding crops from a recent auction seem to be interesting people but the box of Hudl covers I got have no takers. You win some, you lose some.
It will be disappointing to miss the Bampton raft race this year but I suspect it has run its course as far as I am concerned. Next year I will become an onlooker with 'off the record' Dick. I look forward to meeting up with the S Club in Gloucester for the Tonga v Georgia match as our own RWC mini tour gets under way.
Looks like time for an all day breakfast......excellent!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)