Half way through

Well here we are, nearly half way through the week, EXCELLENT after today only 1.5 days until the weekend!

Well yesterday was a busy one for me, not just at work, but managing to snaffle some  freebies.
I'm a bit recycler and often use the 'Freecycle' site to get rid of things here at the chateau, it is also  a great way to find things.
I have been looking for a garden bench ( whilst waiting to get the last few bats needed for my cricket bat bench). And yesterday someone in Ladylaineyville was giving one away. It needs a new slat which  I can easy sort and so I picked that up on the way home and it is now in the extensive grounds of the chateau.
I also got a Sony hifi with CD, cassette deck and turntable all in excellent condition.
Yes the neighbours are going to love it this weekend as they are awakened by the sound of  vinyl on turntable and excessive amounts of  Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Thin Lizzy!!!!

Well lets have a look at the cricket news.

Oh my dog!!! I am beyond despair!

Abraham Benjamin has been ruled out of the first three ODI's against India, due to a finger injury.
He picked up the injury seeing off Virat Kholi.
No batsman has been named yet to replace him, but South Africa hope to have him back  for the remainder of the ODI's.

Interesting to read that Trevor Bayliss thinks that Stokes may not fit straight back into the team  on his return.
He thinks its not as straight forward as slotting  him straight back in!
Really!!! WOW! who would have thought it?
Firstly I would have thought that he is not really match ready, and surely he has to earn his place!
just my opinion.

And then there is the news from HQ, we have signed 'Steve' Pujara , he will share overseas duties with teeny tiny Kiwi Kane Williamson.
Interesting to read on the BBC cricket site that we will be playing 3 of the top 6 batsmen in the world.
Chances of us seeing  Joe Root playing for us this season?
Answers  on a post card to.........

Well on that note I am off to do my thing.

If you are reading this on Twitter please can you retweet as we number crunch via the website again this week.

Thanks very much.
See you tomorrow.

Another day

Yes another day here in the North East of Blighty, where the evenings are starting to get lighter and also the mornings, lots of signs that Spring is on the way although the snowdrops in my garden seem to have taken a holiday this year as there is not sign of them.

It was a busy evening last night as I packed up the things that I had sold on eBay, and although the dressing room carpet is aagin a thing of the past again, I can at least walk around my bedroom without the fear of stubbing my toe on anything.
Lets see how long that lasts before  the 'housefilling fairy'  makes an appearance in there.
Thoughts are turning to the little bedroom which still is to be completed. That will be the next challenge for me.

I intend to have the house all finished  and decorated by the time the cricket season is upon us.

Please note that  I haven't said which year the cricket season will be in.

And talking cricket...................................................

................Harry Brooks, yes young Harry Brooks, has been  left out of the England U19 team for disciplinary issue. No further information has been released.

Hmmmmmmm what is it with the England set up?


Interesting to read that Michael Vaughan is now singing the praises of Captain Morgan, saying he is the best one day captain, and calling him 'gifted.'
I wonder if he would have deemed to mention him if England had not won the series?
I actually don't t take much notice of Michael, he can be very boring!


The West Indies are still having trouble with there national squad some of their big names have gone off to the PSL and will not be available for World Cup Qualifiers. I am not sure what this says about the state of cricket in the Islands at the moment, but my view, cut them free and look at rebuilding a new team.
 Not something that will happen over night but may be the way forward and at least showing that players are not bigger than the game itself.

Well before I get onto a little rant time to head out the door and get myself over to the office.
Have a great day, it is predicted to be a little wet and windy here, ah how I dream of the sun!

early train to Jobsville

Well thanks to some ferocious winds over night I have been awake for quite a long time now and have managed to empty the dishwasher, pack up some things that I sold on eBay and  sort the orange afro out.

Yesterday saw me very busy in the bedroom putting up wallpaper, curtain poles, new curtain and finally getting the new bedside tables in place.
I had always loved my white and black bedroom, but of late it had become very 'dark and overpowering' hence the need to give the room a makeover.
We are all white and grey with odd touches of pale blue and beige, a little bit Scandinavian, and I have to say that I love it.
Very calm and tranquil, which I hope will gradually filter  into my (hectic) life.

Well England wrapped up the ODI series, with some great bowling by elder kiddy Curran.

However the real news is in the IPL auctions.
Captain 'Smug mug' Morgan didn't get snapped up, nor did little Joey Root!.
Mark Wood did get a place which surprises me, and although he got through the one day series without the hint of a fractured eyelash, I expect that it is not long away.

I was listening with interest to TMS yesterday as they discussed that the England players looked tired, had played a lot of cricket and were ready for some R & R,.....and then most of them put themselves up for IPL.
I suppose money over tiredness is the key here.

 And the England tour bus moves on to the T20 tri series which starts at the end of the week.

Well the blackbirds are singing outside which is always a good sign and I am hoping to see real streaks of light as I head out of the door.
Its hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of January, where has the month gone?
Well for me it has been nearly a month of illness, the worst  I have been in many years, but I'm moving onwards.

Well time to hop off,
Hope that you have a great start to the week.

Up and decorating

And so it continues, another day in the bedroom, trying to finish the new room.

it should have all been finished bar the bedding yesterday, but as usually happens I got  distracted and  it all went out the window.

So today I need to crack on and get things finished.

I have to go to town to return one of the lamps which was damaged  and then it should be all stations go.

I am currently listening to the last ODI, it really could go either way at the moment with England posting 260.

So yesterday saw the last game by 'HWMNBNITB' yes he claims that he is retiring and that  he wants to work within the England set up. That should be interesting seeing him with Andrew Strauss!

My thoughts are that he will probably be available to play again to the highest bidder.

Lots of chatter about the IPL auction and the players that weren't snapped up. Lets see what happens next with them,

Still with IPL, the Mumbai Indians have been complaining about the change in timings of the up coming games. They claim that it will affect revenue.
Timings have been changed by Star who won the broadcasting rights to the matches.
It will be intersting to see who wins this.

Ireland are playing warm up matches in South Africa ahead of the World Cup qualifier tournament.They aso have matches in Zimbabwe.

Well after a night on the tiles with BKOTF I can honestly say tht despite some champagne being consumed I don't feel too bad, what I look like is another matter!

Well off to get things  fnished.

Have a peaceful Sunday and don't overdo things

busy weekend

The  bedroom makeover is well under way and I will be cracking on with it today, the new lamps are sorted and along with the curtains, bedding etc we are looking good for the makeover.

I also have some things to do in the garden and  I am taking part in the RSPCB bird watch this weekend, so at some point this morning or tomorrow I will be taking count of the visitors to my garden.

I love doing this every year, as it makes me sit for an hour watching what actually happens in my garden.
I am hoping that 'Wobin' the Robin makes an appearance, Pete  the Pigeon is still here, he just hoovers everything up that I put out for him, so he sort of knows how his bread is buttered.

So to cricket, incase you were on the moon yesteday ( or just don't like cricket)  England lost ot Australia although they did pull back to put on 196 runs after being 8-5.

The IPL aution is on and Stokes has gone again for big money however Joe Root has not been snapped up in this round. He has yet to cut his teeth in IPL, do we think that this year is the year?or should he just come home?

Funny that Chris Gayle and Hashim Amla have gone unsold too.
18 players were retained by their teams including AB!

There have been some big changes at New Road in the last few weeks and now Matt Mason has left after 16 years to take on the role of bowling coach at Leicester, it appeards that Paul Nixon is getting his support team together there

I thnk that Worcester may benefit from changes, they have lost long standing staff, but sometimes change is good.

Well I have to get on as I have a lot to do and rumour has it I am dressing up and going out tonight ( although that may depend on how I feel after a day decorating!).

So off to the town to get my daily steps in and then back to the bedroom to get working,


have a cracking Saturday,

If you are reading this via twitter and can retweet, please do, we are number crunching on the website for the weekend.
Thank you

End of the working week

YEAY!!!!! Its Friday and better still its half day and then the weekend.
I'm not so sure why I am so excited as I have a lot to do at the Chateau and  I intend to get it all done.

However lets have a look at the cricket.

England are currenly in ODI action.
I woke up at 35-5. 4 of those wickets were ducks.
It's picked up thanks to Woakes but we are 7 wickets down!


Yesterday in the BBL litlle Timmy Bresnan was the hero of the Perth Scorchers as they beat the Adelaide Strikers, with Bressy hitting the winning runs.
It looks as if this is going to make for some excitement in the last matches of the competition.

Over in La Belle France things look to be settling down after the flooding and lots more rain. When the Dame had gone off to the knitting circle ( yes really) they said that it was very unusual for flooding to happen.

I am working hard on my secret project and hoping that I will be able to make a start properly soon, there is still a lot of ground work to do but I do feel that I am making some progress. Sorry that I can't elaborate  at the moment but hopefully in the near future.

And with that I am off to put out the recycling and then head off to work.
The morings are starting to  show chinks of light now as I head to the garage.....................always  makes me feel a little better.


Finally if anyone can unravel  dreams please let me know what this means.

I am off to Dubai with Harry and Blossom, I  am leaving at 3pm don't finish work until 2pm. And during my lunch hour (12-1pm) I go for a drink in the Spike bar at Moor Park Mansion.
Whilst there I realise I've booked my flight but have no hotel!.
I try to get a taxi back to work but keep missing them.

I assume it's about worries and insecurities. It was however nice to be back having a drink at Moor Park Mansion even if it was only in a dream this time.
Right I'm off.
Happy Friday.


We are now 8 down (5.44am)







\

Where will I sit?

As the season draws ever nearer

I've no where to put my feet

Demolition and rebuilding

Means I no longer have my seat.

It started before the season ended

My seat was taken away.

I've never had so my views

Of cricket, as so did that day.

New development to move us forward

The reason for my eviction

I can happily live with this

for one season, as is the prediction

So where will lay my hat?

My bags,My blanky,My rear?

Granddad John said I can sit with him

Though fruity language I may hear.

Will I be in The Long Room

By the window? On a stool?

Sitting in the upper tier

Where it can be anything but cool.

Well I'll just have to wait and see

Although to be honest I don't care.

Where my Yorkshire boys are concerned

It's not where you sit,but being there.

Its Wednesday half way there!!

Ah Wednesday, mid week. I am not sure why I am so excited about this as I have quite a lot on my desk to complete before the week is out and to be fair after today, I only have 1.5 days left this week.

It was wonderful to hear from my friends at Flicx that they had received their belated New Year gift from me. This had arrived in the form of crackers cheese and homemade chutney. All good so far.

However I now know that my 'hedgerow' chutney is known to them as 'hedgehog'!!!

Those cheeky chaps and chapette!

It is good to hear that it has gone down very well and another good review for my chutney.

Considering that I had never made chutney ( because I don't like it) until two years again I am over the moon with feedback.

Well now to cricket news, and another so called  'wunder kinder' has been added to the T20 squad.
Sam Curran has been included and will join his brother Tom. The brothers who both play for Surrey are in the current wave of hot favourites to turn England around.

Another 'wunder kinder' being called the new Shane Warne ( poor kid) is Lloyd  Pope the U19 leg spinner who was very involved in the demise of England U19.

What I don't like is that this young player is being hauled up to heady heights by the press and will soon be dropped back down to earth when he doesn't reprise his great 8-35, which was a tournament best.

What I do like is that he is a wild haired ginger!


another thing that I am not keen on at the moment is the fact that after the snow we are now being lashed with torrential rain and gales. I can hear it outside and have no desire to head out into it.

Over in La Belle France, the Dame's village was struggling with water as the river burst its banks and flooded one of the champagne houses and her local bar!!!
Luckily over at her Chateau she is within the perimeter of the moat that surrounded the old town and the water hadn't made it that far.

Well Wednesday is turning out to be wild and wet so best get my 'mac'on and head off to the office.

How long until Summer?

Cold and windy Tuesday

The chances of me unleashing anything today are an absolute nil, it is cold and windy and it was very cold over night ( I know this as I switched the electric blanket backon at 2am) , on the upside though the snow ans ice had atarted to disappear yesterday, and hopefully today we may start to see even more green spaces and pavements.

In cricket news it has been announced that Stokes will not join England in New Zealand until after his court case on 13th February. Am I the only one that thinks this
1. isn't news?
2, would  shown a complete and utter stupidity at the hands of England cricket for wasting money on airfares?
To be honest I am bored, bored, bored with all the 'Stokes' stuff.


Joe Root is coming home and will take no part in the Tri Series T20. He is being given the chance to have a rest as 'there is a big summer of cricket ahead',
As I have said before I know these men are 'atheletes' but to be honest they would never make 8-5pm Monday to Friday with 4 weeks annual leave!

Australia U19 have knocked the England U9 boys out of the World Cup, but the lads played well and have shown the wealth of talent that we have upcoming.

Last nght involved some DIY as I was busy sorting out the new bedside tables and also giving them a paint wash before giving them a coat of wax tonight, this way, I get the exact finish that I want for my new bedroom.
I am still searchng for the perfect set of drawers and hopefully these will come my way very soon.

Work is busy which is good, and hopefully by the end of this week I will be able to hand over 14 O & M manuals for a large job that we completed.
This has  been a bit of a nightmare to complete but we are nearly there and then my desk is cleared ready for the next ones to arrive.

So best to get on the road and start the work day.

I will be glad to see the back of the dark mornings I can tell you.

Have a great day and don't work too hard!

Another week begins

well here we are, its the 22nd of January and I have been ill for all of those 22 days. Not just me though as it has taken its toll on a lot of people that I know and had been sweeping the UK.

I am hoping that going into February will see me much fitter. I have lots to be getting on with!!

Yesterday was a white out, as I was preparing to head out for a walk the heavens opened and  we have another delivery of snow. Not what was needed as it is now lying on ice! should make for another interesting drive to the office.
The snow continued most of the day, so I decided to crack on and sort out the bedroom in the 'old'colours for the last time, set to on the new bedside tables and then watched a bit of TV.

I sorted out things to go onto eBay, I constantly am in wonder that with the amount that I sell and send to the charity shop I should be seeing some room now! however somehow more stuff tends to appear. ( check out yesterdays blog to see how that happens).

Well England won the cricket  and a series win over the hosts, the way that the press are going on you would think that we had won the Ashes. I was geeing them on but did  feel that this is like closing the stable door after the event.

Scotland have been doing good as they won the tri series over UAE. Matthew Cross hit 107 not out to steer them to victory.

Worcstershire are looking for a 'Player support officer', I have read the description, I know that I can do the job but think that maybe I am not the 'man' for the job.
It would have been interesting to say the least!!!

The new season is getting closer and I am putting the final touches to my itinery, its strange to think that I am booking hotels for September. It also means that I can sort out my next holibob to Champers land.

Well new week and fresh start, time to move on and get work completed in the office, tidy up some loose ends in my life,and get the new bedroom sorted.
 It is a moving and shakng up kind of time. Some people will notice this more than others,sad to say.


I hope that your week is a good one and that you are not too affected by the snow.
Safe travels.

Thought for the day.

Being a friend does not mean being taken for a fool!

Happy Monday

Snowy Sunday

It is still snowy and very icy here in the North East of blighty, I can see that it will be another raspberry beret day today when I go out for my daily constitutional.

I do not foresee this disappearing any time soon and so it will be down to putting 'snowchains' on my boots.

some of the buzz in cricket at the moment is the upcoming IPL auction,578 players are due to go under the hammer.
It makes me wonder if the proposed franchise T20 in this country would ever attract those numbers?

England and Australia are in ODI action, with the hosts chasing 303. Finch was gone before hitting another century but he was motoring away for a while.
Jos Butler hit a century on the final ball,
Hales scored 1, and had previously said that he had been 'hurt' by not being selected  for the tour earlier,due to an incident last September. He was brought back into the fold on Friday as he had previously been cleared of any wrong doing.

He says that he has learnt from this.
I hope so, I appreciate now that media is very quick to vilify anyone they think has done wrong, add to this the technology available which allows anyone to post on social media in seconds things that they have seen/done. its a minefield out there!


Thoughts are turning to the AGM which is taking place on 24th March for the Yorkshire mob. sadly my partner in crime Jimbo cannot attend but we are meeting up later, this looks to be the first session of the season !!!!


Plans for the day?

Well the washing is in, the dishwasher is on and I am remaking the bed for the last time in the current colour scheme, hopefully this time next week we will be ready for the new and improved bedroom to be put together!.

I might have a quick trip to town, but after getting some terrific bargains yesterday I feel that I may have to rest on my laurels.

Or just rest!

Which seems to be what I do a lot of at the moment.

have a peaceful Sunday

The one where I eat my words

Well now!

I have read and re read the proposal  that has been put together by Mark Arthur and Martyn Moxon  and I seriously think that  they are on to a good idea.

That and the fact that we could claw back one more match would be a good thing,

The version in the Telegraph was sketchy to say the least, the full  Yorkshre version was clear and to the point.
And so I take back any doubtful remarks that I made in the blog yesterday and have to say that I am waiting to hear more on this proposal.

What I do think is that the ECB will not roll with it, because they didn't come up with it.

If this was put to the members of all counties to vote on I would suspect that it would be a winner all round.

I personally raise a glass of champers  to it!

OK lets see what else has been going on.

Well England won the 2nd ODI against Australia. There were some great batting on both sides and it was great to see Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid in the wickets.

Here in the North East of Blighty we have not had any more snow but it is now crisp and crunchy underfoot so I think that  my trip to the town today will be walking at a snails pace.

I also have some things to do in preparation of the new bedroom fix up.

So I must be on the mend if I am making plans to do decorating!

I know that the blogs have been short of late, and not very interesting, but I am managing to at least post a blog every day.

Hopefully we are now on the other side of the horrible fluy type thing and I can get back to normal, what ever normal is!

have a great weekend

Here we go!

Well I am hoping that my journey to work is a lot better this morning than yesterday, 2 hours to travel 8 miles has to give me my personal best time of late for work. To be honest I am never late usually at least 30 mins early however occasionally the weather is a little naughty and causes my perfect time record to dip!

I did however work back for an hour,mainly to let all the numpties set off home, I can honestly say I am still shocked by some of the driving witnessed in bad weather.

Yesterday also saw me post off my letter to the ECB, it will make no difference, I am one tiny voice, but I had to make my objections and feelings known.

And then Yorkshire announced that it was Mark Arthur and Martyn Moxon who had put together the plan for a revamp of the County Championship, turning it into 3 conferences with 6 teams per conference.
This could regionalise the game.
What do I think?

well if it came about I think that it would be slightly boring as you would be playing the same 6 teams in theory every season,

I really need to hear more about this before I buy into it, I still think that once we go down this route  with the CC there is no way back.

England are in one day  action  as I type with Australia motoring despite losing  3 wickets. Joe Root taking Smith and Heads scalps. Finch is just about on a century.

I'll be listening in to this at work,which judging from the sounds of cars on the road outside is not going to be an easy drive again today.

We have't had any more snow over night but it has been below freezing  over night.


And there it is Finch got a century.

I am listening to the news at the moment and I want to laugh.
 Boris Johnson wants to build a bridge between France and England. I never voice anything political, but I find this ridiculous and also my fear of bridges would mean that there ius no chance of me using it!

Well not a lot else to say this morning which is good for you all.

Im off to work, but at least it is half day.

Happy Friday !

pull the duvet over your head

Well after yesterdays smattering of snow, this morning there is at least 3 inches ourside my house! It wasn't there at 11pm but when the eeedjit across the road woke me up at 1am there was a comlplete white out.

So time to do one of two things.

1. pull the duvet  back over your head and  go back to sleep.
2. Get your Hunters on and head out to work.

I think I will have to do the 2nd.


so to cricket,

the date of the Yorkshre AGM has been announced and I am getting organised for that, I tend to think that this is the start of the cricket season  in a strange sort of way, I guess it is the first trip to Headingley of the year.

Nottinghamshire are rumoured to be looking at Nathan Lyon this season. That would  be interesting. I'll be keeping an eye on that one.


The ECB are letting Stokes play for England.


South African debutante Lungi Ngidi took a brilliant 6-39 as they sealed a series win over India.

Kent named Sam Billings as their new Captain.

Thats sort of it in a nutshell today

I wil manage to post this before 8am as I am hurrying out of the door to take extra time to get to work this morning.

If you have snow take care and be careful.

I know that the blogs have been short and sporadic of late but after 19 days if being unwell, everything is still a bit of  a struggle. I am hoping that next week will see me back to full fitness.

Have a great Thursday

It's here

Well the snow is here and there is more on the way, and true to form,the roads were lethal this morning. I did however pass two gritters, they were heading North, so it doesn't bode well for the rest of the day me thinks!

The names for the North/South cricket competition(?,) which is taking place in sunny climes so that the ECB can get a tan before the start of the season, how been published and Matthew Fisher has been selected to play in the North Squad.

Great news for Matty who  spent a lot of last season on the bench. Lets hope for better this season as we no longer have the 'Rolls Royce' in the garage!

Talking of the upcoming season, I am thinking that we will be seeing a new improved team in Yorkshire. Galey is in his  2nd season and we need to be pushing through younger talent, as we may well be short due to England duties.

What I do want though is a more serious approach to some matches ( Scarborough Festival). Yes its the seaside, yes its usually sunny, but for the lads it is and should never be considered anything other than work!

Its lovely to see their families there, but sometimes it does seem that it is just a jolly especially when they lose in 2 days!

We all know the theme from last few years.

Winners at festival won the title, so no pressure boys.

And with that I am off to a meeting, eat my fruit and yogurt and hopefully get through today without a  ton of snow dropping out of the sky.

I am also going to get some new bedside cabinets tonight in the new bedroom shake up. Out with the old and all that !

Stay safe and warm

Winter is coming

Just as I was getting myself used to the fact that after the shortest day, in my book it is technically Summer, we are waiting for snow and horrible things that amount to winter.

This cannot be right?

I am looking forward to light mornings and evenings, birdies tweeting to wake me up and the sound of leather on willow, not the sound of the snow plough and people crunching through snow.

I am sure it will miss us, but I have stocked up on essentials just in case. So there is less champers in Aldi and more stored in the boot room!


Crickety news.


Well we are in a sorry state if rumours are true that Freddie will apply for the England coaching job, when Trevor Bayliss leaves.
After his terrible show on T20 last season I dread to think what will happen to the team, and with his track record, I hardly see the 'out of hours' of the team improving.
It has to be a joke????

He cannot really be in contention!

Ben Stokes is being charged with affray and the ECB will comment in the next day or two.

I have been missing a lot of cricket recently as I still struggle to watch TV as my head aches  a lot.
I am well on the mend despite sounding like a barking dog most of the time.

Time also to reassess the mortgage and start to think about the decision to sell this year.

I will think on this as soon as I have all the decorating and the garden sorted.

And now, time to get on with other things.

Have a great Tuesday and if you have snow take care!

New week and new start

As I have missed the first two weeks of the new year, I am having to make a new start from today, so I brought any unhealthy things into the office to be finished off, there wasn't really anything as I didn't have to shop for Christmas and I have been so out of sorts that I haven't shopped in two weeks.
However I have cleared out some things and will let this lot make short work of them.

There is no promise of the gym this year, I am still far from well, so its walking for me, I will be getting my 10,000 step in daily from now on.

England beat Australia in the One day game I sense that Australia will come out fighting later in the week.
Jason Roy hit 180, and is the name on every hacks lips.

In other cricket news, David Lloyd is to be given the freedom of Accrington......................well I guess someone had to.
It is good though to see that he has not forgotten his roots.

The biggest cricket news of the day though is the 40th birthday of HRR, yes indeed the hairy one is celebrating a big birthday and I for one wish him a very happy one.
It will not be the same this season, I feel a tear coming on!


In other news The Dame got breathalysed over the weekend, luckily it was before her daily visit to the bar ( which she walks to) but is a warning to anyone heading over 'le manche' that the police are hot on this kind of thing.


News form my chateau, is that I am very much on the mend and although still barking like a dog, feel better than I have in nearly 17 days!

This has been some horrid illness.

Now time to get on with the working week.

Until tomorrow

Sunday rest day

well its Sunday I have been listening in my sleep to the ODI and I am currently juggling stripping the bed, typing this and loading the dishwasher.

I have a lot of things to do today so I must get on.

Last night BKOTF and I had a trip over to a small hotel that he is looking to turn into his next project. It is lovely and with 22 rooms all of which are a very good size, it has possibilities. The kitchen was in great condition and up to speck and all bathrooms  had baths! which is always a plus in my book.

It is a little  tired and needs  a revamp so after taking photos of various rooms I have been put to work using a very old qualification, putting ideas down for revamping the place ( if he buys it).

All good fun and we had a lovely meal ( vegan was an option) and drink before coming home.

Today I am off to see Chris as I haven't seen her since before Xmas due to being away and unwell.

In cricket it was announced that Joe Root would be in the IPL auction. Am I the only person that thinks in light of the terrible test series, this is a worrying move?

I  the ODI England are currently chasing an Australian score of  304 and  are 155-2.

Still lots of stupid talk about counties playing matches abroad and how April May and September are wash outs for the cricket season.

Am I mistaken in thinking this has always been the start and close of the season?
Are players ( and pundits) just getting soft and is the pre season jolly not really benefiting the teams?

I am letting this one go for the moment as it is too silly to even consider.

Right off to do stuff which will include an afternoon nap.

have a peaceful Sunday

Half day Friday

And so half day Friday begins!

And I am still on a rant with the follicaly challenged M Vaughan.
I am sure that he is just saying totally stupid things to wind me up, surely he is not that dumb where cricket is concerned?
I still cannot get my head robbing us of 2 more matches taking them abroad to condition players to being abroad(???!!). Which would in turn get us a better test team????

NO!!!!
It would get us a team of softies who don't want to play in April and September in the UK ( which is another thing being moaned about!!

Look if I sit out in it, they can play in it as they always have done.I am sick of hearing about change for the better.

Right onwards

The lovely James Harris from Middlesex has signed an extension to his contract.

As many of you will know he spent a morning chatting to Jim and I last season and is a credit to the club. I am pleased to hear that he is staying on.

Rumours already circulating that the England job, when it becomes vacant, will go to Chris Silverwood.
Well we have a season and some to go before then, so lets see what happens.


The weekend is looming, I am looking forward to heading home early when I can put some washing in and then retire to the sofa and watch rubbish TV.

The rest of the weekend will involves a lot of the same I think.
I am still very tired and need to try to rest as much as possible, I think I have had a little wake up call.

There are a few things that need to be done, and things to take to the charity shop, once I have done these things I can concentrate on doing nothing.

And we are nearly mid way through January already, before we know it the cricket season will be upon us.

Have a great Friday and a great weekend

Thursday already

Well here we go, nearly the end of the week and my thoughts are turning to the joy of the  upcoming weekend, yes indeed, the thoughts of doing absolutely nothing is making me giddy with excitement!

I am hoping that 'BKOTF' will arrange for me to have a fabulous hotel room for the night so that I can splash around in a bath ( and ignore Greenpeace trying to break down the door), but I am not so sure it will come about this weekend as he has been over in the States this week and I am not sure when he will be home!

In cricket news the team has been announced for the upcoming series in New Zealia.
Mark Wood has been brought in and I will expect nothing less than an injury the moment he steps off the plane.
Gary Ballance has been dropped although Vince and Stoneman keep their places.
I suppose it is difficult at the moment to make a silk purse out of a sows ear!

And then there is the prize peanut Michael Vaughan.
Me thinks the hair jobs have addled his brain cell as he thinks its a top whizzy idea to  play 2 CC matches abroad.
Of course he does as this will be another jolly for him and his family!

And as for us fee paying members????

Well bugger us!
We can make do with 12 CC matches ( 6 at home) or pay to go to abroad to see our boys play, of course we all have unlimited cash and holiday available.

Can someone gag this imbecile

Oh dear I must be better I am on a total rant.

Am I the only person who thinks this is a ridiculous idea and a sure fire way of clubs removing themselves further from their fans and members???


Right I'm off.

On a roll

I seem to be on a roll now, 3 days in a row!

My holiday is now a very distant memory and I am fighting to sort out my desk.............well actually find it under a mound of paperwork.

Ah the joys of illness!

Things are moving on and it is hard to believe that it is already 10 days into the New Year!
Good Lord it will be Christmas before we know it!!

However there is a lot of cricket before then.

As many of you will know I am now a 'displaced' person at Headingley, due to my seat being removed for the big build.
John very kindly said that I could join him and his chums for the season  ( as I should have a seat back next year).
I have however been trying to decide if there is a special 'Lady Lainey spot'. I am still trying to figure out if there is. Its either that or I bring my deckchair!

Over in Oz, Dizzy is having success with his Strikers, they were taking on Melbourne Stars who were fielding two former Tykes, Maxwell and Handscomb.
The Strikers have had a better season this year and seem to be in a winning position. This should boost Dizzy's worth.


We are still having to read ever hacks view on why we lost the Ashes.
How the hurt is ongoing!
How we will have to rebuild to win them back.

Well firstly the Ashes  were lost before Xmas, get over it.

Yes there may be loss of face with your Aussie mates over the cricket, we were bad ( and some were badder than others!).They were exceptionally good with some more exceptionally gooder than others.


We have to have a long hard look at the team, see if there are changes to be made. Joe needs to toughen up and fully take the reins.


Right that's the boys all sorted, now best get on and get off to get my work sorted.


Its Wednesday and midweek!!!

That;s a little bonus

Two days in a row

Well quelle surprise, I have managed two days of blogging  in a row, I know it’s  not at the normal time, but I would seriously be struggling to do anything at that unearthly hour at the moment.

As I am fairly lucid, I think that I should crack on.

In cricket news, Trevor Bayliss has confirmed that he will not renew his contract when it comes to an end in 2019, so that means that Sussex  will have 2 seasons with Dizzy before he jumps ship to take over to the  England set up!

Why do I say this?

Well Australia have ignored him again ( and yes I know that he is currently with The Adelaide Strikers) by bringing  Ricky Pointing to the T20 coaching side for the Tri Series starting next month.

They never really came good for old Diz  did they?

Thoughts are turning to the County Championship season here at the Chateau , as I have made the decision to maybe not attend as many matches and try not to run myself ragged all the time.

It may only be a 140 mile trip, but doing that a few times a month and then work and all the other things I do  can be physically exhausting.

Also I have to fit in another couple of visits to France for the secret project, so something has to give……………………………….I would like it to be work, but that’s just a dream!

I have selected the games that I will be watching and will stick to those.

South Africa had a great win, although sadly I didn’t see any of it, I was cheering from the sick bed.

I would like to also hope that I am on the mend now although I am still trying to cough up a lung at every possible opportunity which does not sound great.

Have a great day.

I'm back again

I thought that I would share with you my list of dislikes amongst things Antipodean

1.       Shane Warne

2.       Foster

3.       Castlemaine XXXX

4.       Aussie Flu

And I can honestly say that if I never encountered any of the above again it would be too soon.

I’m still struggling to get over the 4^th ( thank god its not the 1^st!) and have been warned that I will not be running about at my usual break neck speed for a few weeks yet.

Not what I was wanting to hear.

I am guessing that for the England team you can add Australia XI to that list!

 I sadly heard the last wicket fall for England as Australia completed a 4-0 win in the Ashes series.

How quickly the sorrow turned to joy on Twitter as it was announced that Stokes has been selected for the T20 team.

Seriously!

He hasn’t played a test, won’t be on the ODI team as Dawid Malan has replaced him. His name is just being regurgitated so that he’s not forgotten!

He has been given permission to play in the IPL. Which is good as I have given up watching it.

In other cricket news it is doing the rounds that ‘HWMNBNITB’ is going to retire……………….I am sure this is just publicity fodder.

I will believe this news when the horse mouths the words properly.

I have been able to spend the last week, lying around in bed thinking about all the things that I have to do,  and work hard ( in my head) on 2018 project. I think that I need some sponsors for this and realise that this will be harder than the project itself, however if you want to do something…..get on and do it.

I am hoping that by the second month of this year I can be ready to make a proper start.

Yes I appreciate it’s all a bit cryptic, but to be honest in the next 3 hours, it will be a blur to me too, as I am still running a high temperature and not too sure what the heck I am typing here.

Hopefully I will be back tomorrow and or the day after depending  on when I wake up and if I remember what day it actually is.

Yeay midweek already

well I should be jumping up and down with excitement as its midweek, but to be honest it has taken a tremendous effort to get out of bed.

After spending half the night trying to cough up a lung and the other half attempting to crack a rib or put my back out sneezing, I am totally washed out.

Its only a cold I know this but I am feeling very unwell. Just what I needed for the new year.
Between being kept awake by howling gales and rain and the coughing and sneezing I am looking a shadow of my former self.

I feel the need to head back under the duvet and  try to get warm.

Before I head that way I have to say sorry to one of my readers who is having a birthday, I have been so disorganised that I have not posted to you so many apologies.

now some cricket snippets.

It looks as if Australia are bringing back Nathan Lyon for the ODI in place of Glenn Maxwell

Woakes is a doubt for the fifth test.

Morne Morkel is heading back to the South Africa team

Joe Root  says England must learn from off field  behaviour ( REALLY!)

Starc confident of fifth test place.

I know these posts are very short but its a bit of a struggle at the moment.

see you tomorrow.

Holidays are over

Yes it's back to work and the holidays are well and truly over, all I have are the memories, photographs and scribblings in a journal.. Never mind I'll soon be back.

lots to do though before then.

So New Years Day was spent in bed coughing and sleeping, as I have obviously picked up some lurgy , which is a cracking start to the New Year and just in time for my return to work.


  having now scanned everything that is cricket there is not much news apart from the fact that the ECB won't play Stokes but will let him play in the IPL. not sure how that can be.

Phil Simmons has been named as the Head coach of Afghanistan.

Mitchell Starc should be back for the Sydney test.

And Moeen Ali  is being hauled over the coals by every pundit.

Ah so nothing really new.

And same here in the chateau, nothing new to report.

I know that it will be a busy week at work, month end, year end and all that brings with it, so if I don;t show up a couple of mornings it will be because I am putting in some extra hours to get sorted.

This is very short, but I am feeling pretty rough and need to try to motivate myself to move.

I hope if you are going to work today you feel better than me!

Happy New Year

Well its 2018 and  the start of  new journey.
New year is always a time to set new goals even if you don't go through with them.
I took the time over my Christmas break to have a holiday, going to stay wiuth my sister in France and having a break from writing the blog.

over the last 5 years I have posted a blog nearly every morning  usually between 6am and 7am so  think that I deserved a break.


I stayed in the south of the Champagne regon in a fabulous old town.
The town was built around the 12th century church which is in the process of being renovated.
This 'old part' of the town  had a moat around  it and this is still in evidence although not as wide as it was originally.
The beautiful maison de ville  where my sister  has been  renting an apartment for the last 6 month, dates from the 1800's and is right next to the church and has the moat running at the back of it.

A beautiful place to spend Christmas or in my sisters case a lovely place to live.

And now on day one of 2018 I am back writing and  hopefully willl continue to do so.

Over the time that I have been away we  managed a draw against the Australians in cricket, which sort of saves face in what could have been a whitewash.

the other side of  the new year is that we are closer the domestic cricket season which is a good thing.

I have lots of things that I would like to do this year, but am not making any resolutions, I just intend to take each day at a time.

My new journey is just beginning.

Happy New Year to you all.

I hope that it will be a happy and prosperous one for you all.