cricket Saturday

well its a cricket Saturday and it has dawned cooler and overcast today, just what my hydrangeas needed.
Leonard,  my over the road neighbour complimented me on my hydrangea that is at the front door, he said it was a very healthy looking plant. Very proud moment as this was one that I rescued from the local market and was on its last legs!

I am getting ready to head to town and the post office and then settle down for the big game.

I am wearing my Hampshire top and will be cheering the boys on.

In other cricket news, disgraced captain of Australia Steve Smith is playing cricket  in the Canadian T20 league( who knew??!!).
he has described this as 'rehab'.
Who knew that there was a facility to rehabilitate ball tamperers?
I'm guessing its like The Priory  but with checky shirts and lumberjacks trying to get over there addiction to axes.

fabulous to see former England bowler Simon Jones out and about encouraging children to take up cricket, a great ambassador of the game and doing something positive for it too.


Well its a short one today as I have a lot to cram in before 11am

have a great day where ever you are.

And nearly the weekend.

Well its Friday and another week is nearly over, The weather is still scorchio and the hydrangeas are not fairing too well with it. The water butt in the garden is empty, which proves how little rain we have had. I dont think that in the 6 years I have been in the chateau I have ever known this.

Its a bit of a battle at the moment to keep the hydrangeas hydrated and also getting them to finally come out into full bloom.

We are busy in the office packing up and putting everything in storage as we prepare for D Day next week.
The work still continues as we race to the deadline of getting outstanding work finished.

I am restarting the clear out here at the chateau and this weekend will see another batch of 'stuff' going onto ebay and various selling sites on social media as I try to get rid of more things form the house to streamline as much as possible.

its going to be busy especially as there is the matter of a 'One day cup' final  tomorrow,

I will be wearing my Hampshire shirt, which will be kiss of death for them I am afraid!

Well my boys lost there match against Surrey yesterday that Morne Morkel! he really is a force to be reckoned with

Oh Joy!! I see that Stokes will be fit for the T20 game against my boys next Thursday, well lets see him get some of his own medicine at Headingley.

And yes we are into T20 season. Not my favourite format of the game as you know and as I keep being told, 'its the way forward'.
I watch , I attend, but that doesn't mean I like.

Oh well time to move myself and head off down the 167.

It's Friday, its half day, there will be bacon butties for some and I will be getting my windows cleaned.
Time to get started.

Here we go again

You know the dream where you are on a rollercoaster and can't get off?  Well I have been having that a lot recently, I know what it means,  but I am not sure how to solve it.

I am guessing that Yorkshire are having the same sort of dreams, many ups and downs and never being able to get onto the straight track.
Yesterday was not a great day for them as they were bowled out for 152 with Morne taking 5 of the wickets. Felt tip boy took 3 wickets. I'm sure that left him enough time to add some more doodles to his arms.
Surrey overnight were 89-0 and need 139 more runs to win.

Yorkshire need to come out all guns blazing and do their stuff.....................or we need an all day sea fret.

Either will be acceptable but would prefer the former.

I was chatting with Harry last night about all things cricket and his boys. As I have said often this week, Middx need to come back to Div 1,  but in reality  Yorkshire need to make sure they stay there too.

England were in action last night and I settled down to watch, having seen the England innings I made myself a cup of coffee and settled down to watch the Aussies bat......................and then woke up at 10pm!

I  see England won by 28 runs.
Never turn your back on that Australian team, they are young and new as a 'company' but I bet they will be a strong unit within 6 months.

Today is about getting lots done at work as we clear up the remaining issues and electronically file everything in preparation for D Day next week.

 Fraught is one word I will use to describe the  atmosphere at the moment, but the camaraderie is brilliant. we are all in the same boat so best to paddle.

Thoughts of the looming weekend are of housework and cricket  ( not in that order).

I may also be spending a good part of the weekend in the garden in my Yorkshire chair if the weather remains as beautiful as it is at the moment.

However lets get today out of the way before I start thinking about that.

Have a good Thursday.

Midweek and its scorchio

Well its Wednesday and its scorchio already, the weather is amazing to say the least. we are basking in glorious sunshine, perfect cricket weather............................

.................or is it?

Well yesterday dawned sunny at Scarbados but by afternoon a sea fret took hold and rolled in over the ground.This resulted in a mist over the players and difficult conditions. Play was eventually abandoned but not before Yorkshire proved their worth and put in performance our Cally would have been proud of.
After being all out for 342  ( see below)with a great show of batting from Brooks and Patterson, the bowlers did their stuff.
Stoneman gone in the 2nd over but not before his behaviour gave Yorkshire some penalty runs ( and they racked up 5 in total). and so it continued until the visitors  were 219-7.
Yorkshire need to hold their nerve and go for it this morning.

Come on lads we can do this!

Poor old Middlesex , after being bowled out for 59 in their pink ball 1st innings they fared no better in the bowling, as Kent charged away. Middlesex were 22-2 overnight.
I really want to see Middx back in the top flight next season, but will it happen.

Hampshire were romping away against Lancashire and Notts were showing Worcestershire a not so good time at Trent Bridge.
its all hotting up especially as Somerset were not doing too well against the current champions.

exciting day ahead I think.


I headed off to the big city to see the top man, my train was delayed half an hour yesterday morning and 20 mins coming home. Apparently the rails couldn't cope with the heat!
Now we are the people that built railways in India and Africa, places a lot hotter than here and I believe these railways still run relatively smoothly, so way won't ours?

By the time I got home I was totally exhausted, heat and travel not being the best combination.

Today back to the office to get ready for D Day no 2 next week.

Its a busy old few weeks as we head to the finish line.

well time to go and start a new day.

have a good a good one and don;t forget your sunscreen.

Another bombshell

Well Monday brought another bombshell, as Commando Boy announced that he was stepping out of his bowling boots and back into his Y fronts for good!!!!

Oh my dog!!!
I had been wondering where the boy had gotten to and it turns out that he has had a back injury which has now ended his career.

Not only a bowler, I  remember well his promotion winning century against Sussex a few years ago. Not his only century either. I think that young Tom KC was around to witness the one in 2016.

I am sad to think that I wont be seeing the strange bowling action of CB, but wish him nothing but good health in his retirement.

he will spend the rest of the season in an 'ambassador' roll for Worcestershire.

All the best to you Jack.


Luck was on the side of my boys yesterday when losing Lees ( again) for a duck  in the 2nd over, we were not looking good as my Morne took out Lyth (42). It wasnt looking good with Pujara Brook and Ballance gone before the 50th over.

it took a stand by Jonny Tatts and Bressy  to steady the very rocky boat and we start the day with bowlers facing bowlers.
We start the morning session on 299-8

I am scribbling this on the train as I heads off to see the 'top man' today after quite a few cancellations.
Its going to be hot in the city too today so I have a spare pair of sandals just in case I struggle in the stilettos.

In my bag is my book and my mini DAB radio so that I can keep up with all thing Yorkshire.
Its going to be a long day but hopefully a productive one.

Have a good one, I'm off to the buffet car!

Another week begins

and this week is D Day part one, as I gear up for tomorrow.
Then we are looking towards D Day part two next week as things get real at the office.

It was a busy day yesterday of washing and sitting in the sun listening to the cricket.

England appeared to make short work of Australia who in turn had the hosts 27-4 in the 7th over.

Some brilliant bowling ( and a great catch) from young Billy Stanlake  showed that  we could have had a great overseas player at  Yorkshire had he not been snatched back by Australia ( as is often the case).
A great batting performance by Jos Buttler  saw us through to a 5-0 series win......................but it could have been very different we all know that.

Today sees my boys start 4 days at Scarbados  against Surrey, the weather looks good, so I will be tuned in to the radio at 10.50am to hear it unfold.

Come on lads, these Southern softies are not on home turf now, you can do this.

In reality we need to win this match ( and the remainder of the CC matches) we are sitting 5th in the table at the moment and do not want to go any lower.



And with that I have to fly, I'm running slightly late today.

See you tomorrow

I'm Back

Good morning, I'm back! another day off the blog yesterday, what on earth is going on?

well firstly Friday evening was a little bit of a mad one, it started with me mowing the lawns and managing to cut through the cable!.
Then I put up the tent to air it and decided to sleep in it, and that's were everything goes a little bit strange.

As you know I don't sleep too well and am normally awake long before the birds. Well I crawled into the tent about 10.30pm and crawled out at 10am!!! then after checking my phone I climbed into bed and slept until nearly midday!.

Hence no blog!

By the time I was showered and dressed, an old school friend, Angie, messaged to say she was sending her hubby round to fix the lawn mower lead (he is an electrician). Mike came and did a sterling job, whilst Angie and I chatted ten to the dozen.
Refusing to take any money for a job well done, they went home with elderflower champagne and chutney.

By the time I had eaten dinner and caught up on the cricket scores it was 8pm, I was shattered and decide to have an early night!!!

And did, I think that I slept from 10pm last night  until just before 8 am this morning.

WOW! I've slept the weekend away.

However on the cricket front,  I am totally over the moon that my boys batted out a draw against Hampshire. It has been a tough match for them,  and I am totally proud of them.
Onwards to Scarbados and taking on Surrey. Lads you can do this.


Nottinghamshire beat the current champions as they suffered their 2nd loss of the season.


and finally Worcestershire got a win as they beat Lancashire. There were lots of runs there too.


And now I have washing and more washing to catch up on.


have a splendid day.

One year

Well its half day Friday and it is also one year since I took my seat in the office, who knew then where we would be now?

Another busy day as I prepare for the two 'D days' coming up. next week is going to be really busy and I need to cram as much into my half day as possible.


Down in Hampshire, my boys have got to cram as many wickets in today as possible. Yesterday the tail enders managed to get the runs up to 350 with  Captain Patto hitting 37.
They took three wickets but Jimmy Adams is proving to be their nemesis with an unbeaten 132. first job of the morning is to see him off.
Then clean up and head out to get runs.

I should have, in theory, been sitting in the swanky lounge now whilst waiting to board my 'private ( well with 30 other folk) jet to get me to Southampton for start of play, however the air fare and hotels had doubled in price since last season and I decided that I could have a week in Barbados for that money!
I love my boys but not that much.



England were in action at The Riverside and made short work of the Aussies who  now need to up their game or they will go home with their tails between their legs.

Marsh and Finch both got centuries but it was to no avail.
Some great bowling from David Willey and a century from Roy put England on the winners podium again.
It was also their highest one day run chase total and very well done to the boys.

I will be keeping an eyes on all things south of Fleet services today and wish my boys the very best in the wicket department.

COME ON YORKSHIRE.

I am now off to see 'big Al' to order the bacon butties for the gang.

And later I will be coming home to housework! Ah the glamorous life!

Big day

So its Thursday and its a big day for the boys, as they head out to the crease for day 2 against Hampshire.

I had my heart in my mouth at 11.30am yesterday as they slumped to 21-3 and lots of questions being about Lees place on the team as he went for a duck, closely followed by Pujara, who still has to show his worth for us.
It took a fabulous century by Gazza to put us on track and with a cracking 79 & 39 by Brook and TLJL, they went to bed with 315 runs on the board and 7 men back in the hutch.

There was some outstanding bowling by Dale 'The Stare' and I was kept up to date ( and got some fab photos) from 'James Bond' who is undercover at the ground for me.
Yes Moneypenny was a very happy girl as she toddled off to bed last night.

There is everything to play for here lads and I know that you an do this!

We have apparently drafted in a batting coach, I think this answers a lot of questions we had about this side of the team.

I will be keeping a beady eye on the Rose Bowl today.


I went off to the pub quiz last night and answered the only cricket question, I though it was easy but we were the only team with the correct answer.

now I must head off to the office and get things into further order.


its Thursday, the weekend is so close I can hear the champagne cork popping..
have a good one

Mid week already

So here we are at Wednesday and it seems that 'D Day' is about to be put back a week, if my voice mail messages are to be believed. Frustrating is one word I could use, stressful is another.

So yesterday I headed up to Brandon to watch a spot of 2nd XI cricket, something that I haven't done for a while. It was interesting to see a very young team ( apart from Rafiq). There is also a young man with very 'Ryanesque' hair!!

Back home to watch the ODI from lovely Trent Bridge,

Well that was some day for the Ebgland team, with the highest ODI score ever of 481 they completely thrashed the Aussies by 242 runs.With outstanding scores by  Alex Hales and Jonny B it was a great match to watch, if you were an England supporter that is.

News that Middlesex have loaned out Ollie Raynor to Hampshire, means that they are strengthening their bowling attack.

And talking Hampshire all things are geared to the start of play today.

Come on Yorkshire.
We can do this!

Other England news, Stokes is out of the T20 and the Curran kids are in the frame.
Stokes and Woakes are both omitted and are expected to miss the remainder of the of the 5 day series,
Stokes has a torn hamstring.
Was the big money of the IPL worth it?

Well England would probably say no, but Stokes bank manager will probably be rubbing his hands with glee.


I am heading off to continue to the clearing out of the office ahead of the other D Day and getting things into some sort of order.
Then tonight  I am off to the pub quiz.

Rock n Roll!

White Roses

So this morning  I woke up without a plane ticket to London, but with a very good feeling. Yesterday  we saw my boys lose their semi final match against Hampshire, but we saw what the future of the club looks like.

I am still reeling over the retirement of my beloved Hoddy, but  saw in his replacement, Jonathan Tattersall, a confident young man who is going to be amazing.

So lets back track.

10.50am, radio on at desk, white rose on dress and I'm set.


Yorkshire chose to bowl.

Adams was gone in the the 5th over and  and Roussouw before the 13th but a brilliant 171 from Vince put lots of runs on the board and with a total of 348-9 yYorkshire had to go some. Adam and Tom KC had a go, but Jonnys 89 was the best score of the day.

it was not to be, however we have bigger fish to fry and the boys are staying down  in Southampton as they have a CC match against Hampshire coming up.

Time to really give the lads a boost, they can win this game.
Its a young team, buts its our team and its the line up that we  will be seeing for a while.

As to the One day cup final?

Well I am backing Hampshire.

In other crickety news, Heath Steak the former Zimbabwe coach is off to Scotland to give his help for the remainder of the Tri Series.

Me thinks he is looking for a new job.

well I am off to do a spot of work and then going to cheer on Yorkshire 2nds  as they are playing in Durham.

I will be reporting on my 'rosebuds' tomorrow.

a new week begins!

A new week begins and today is the day!

11.00am and I am tuning in to the match. My boys are in semi final action against my besty team in the south Hampshire.

I hope that it is not as nail biting as yesterdays!

Worcestershire v Kent, what a game!!!!

Worcestershire batted first and looked as if they would be all out in next to no time however a fabulous display by D'Oliveira , Cox (122*) and Barnard took the score from 48-4 to a closing total of  306-6.

some score and after Kent lost  3 early wickets the previous quiet Worcs crowd got very lively.

It was one of those games that you really wish that you had been at.
Kent fought back and it went down to the wire.
Kent won, but I had been silently backing the Worcestershire boys!

So Kent are going to Lords.


sadder news today is that the lovely Michael Carberry is possibly  taking legal action over his loss of Captaincy. This look to be very messy if it does.
Michael has stated that he was given no reason for being stripped of the role and is now on paid leave.

Paul Nixon the coach says they want Michael to to stay at Grace Road although the club itself has not commented.

well Paul, we all know what a 'chatty  lad' you were in your playing days, time to get that chat going and sort this out if you want Carbs to stay.


Rightio its time to go.

Busy day ahead and not a lot of time left to complete the sort out and clear up of work outstanding before D Day.


have a great day and don;t work too hard!

Sunday slow down.

Although I was wide awake with the blackbirds this morning I have had a rare lie in. I actually had scared the life out of myself watching 'Whitechapel' series 4 last night ( note to self never move to Whitechapel), but this morning decided to see the conclusion. And it was good!

Beds now stripped, washing machine on and I am good to go.......to town to have a little look around the shops.

Well now, yesterday was a fabulously full day as Philip and Carole came up to visit, Philip has made me the most amazing garden chair (Adirondack chair), fully resplendent in Yorkshire colours too!. I also got a new bird house and this morning I noticed  there was a lot of interest in it.

We had such a wonderful few hours catching up and just chattering, the best way to spend Saturday, although the drive back for them was not so good as the heavens opened!

Everything crossed that we meet up in two weeks.

News from Yorkshire that Captain Ballance has stood down and Steve Patterson has taken over.
It takes a good man to admit he cannot maintain the job in hand, we all hope that Gazza now secures more runs. He is a great cricketer.
Steve is the silent member of the team, the butt of many jokes but still a workhorse.
I know he will steer the ship in the direction that we want.

England were in action yesterday and beat the Aussies  but only by 38 runs. it could have gone the other way.
Some great performances on both sides , Roy with a century for England and Marsh  with one for Australia.
The match was affected by the weather , however the result made up for it.

Interesting to see that David Warner is going to play in the CPL!!!!!!

Worcestershire and Kent are in One Day cup action today so I need to get organised so that I can watch.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Sunday what ever you are doing.

busy day

Well its Saturday , its a busy one as I  am having visitors today. Lunch it nearly prepped and I have been out a foraging spree too. ( well a foraging reccy)

All before 6am.

I have also been checking flights to London 'just in case' I need to book one on Monday night!!!

 Everything here in the chateau is geared to Mondays game,I think that we can see the talent that we have in the wings, it is great to see them making their mark!
In Galey we trust!

It has been an interesting week with the players at the club.

Hoddy retiring had to be the biggest blow to my week.

The news that Bressy was exploring other options was a bit of a shock.

 David Willey revealed that club nearly ripped up his contract when he headed off to the IPL, so yesterday he quickly scrawled his mark on a one year extension..................


............and then last night Liam Plunkett was said to be exploring other options.
Ah yes, the lad who was came to Yorkshire with his tail between his legs after exiting Durham with another drink driving ban and appearing to be washed up cricket wise.
How quickly his fortunes turned around under the beady eye of Yorkshire.
Not many players get a second chance at England.

I am sure there will be more to come on this.

And now to today, lots to do and there is an England ODI today as they take on the Aussies again.

very special visitors coming too, so a great day ahead.

Heave a great Saturday!

Weekend calling

It's Friday and its half day, it is also 'bacon butty' day for the boys, we all love Friday.

I'm not so sure that  the yorkie boys will be loving Friday morning, I bet there are a few sore head.
They were playing Essex yesterday and after losing early wickets and being 45-5, it was a great batting  performance between the Gazza and TLJL which steadied the ship.
As you know I predicted a century for Jack, but I am more than happy with his 57, which, I am reliably informed was  a brilliant and steady innings.
Gazza made 91 and a great display of batting that was too.

they posted 259.

Essex went in and Cook was gone  by just into the 7th over. it was game on by the 33rd over as the hosts were 6 down.
I was feeling very sick, we are starting to do this 'take it to the wire' thing ans I wasn't sure that I could stand  it.
There was some spectacular batting from Wheater (78) who was their highest scorer.
The bowlers were doing their stuff, Matty Fisher being in the thick of it, but credit has to go to Steve Patterson, one of the names that is rarely bandied about. his 4-36 saw us over the line and on our way to The Ageas bowl.

Ahhh Monday is going to be a day and a half.


David Willey was pouring  out his heart to anyone that would listen.
Yorkshire apparently threatened to rip up his contract when he defected to the IPL days before the start of the season.
Well he is one lucky boy!
His loyalty was and is still questionable!

The high winds of yesterday have resulted in my garden being strewn with horse Chestnut leaves , its like September all over again but this time they are all green.

after a frantic half hour trying to clear up the mess, I decided to just leave it and hope that any wind will blow them  into the next door neighbours garden!

well time to go, someone has to go to see 'Big Al' for the butties!

Its a blowy one!

well they forecast high winds form 3am until 3pm today, and sure a eggs is eggs, at 3am my curtains took to life and were flapping around. I have now been awake since then. Its a little bit calmer now, but very grey skies.


I laid awake mulling over the day which saw England make hard work of a win, and also saw Australia field Michael Neser, someone that I have been banging on about for a couple of seasons.

The ECB released some of their England players for todays knock out stages of the One Day Cup. As standard and to be expected, none of the Yorkshire boys were released. However this is the day that TLJL steps up and scores a century ( mystic lainey predicts).
No pressure there Jack!

No Hoddy though!

I will be tuned into that match.

Come on boys you can do this!

Busy day at the office as the 'office bug' does the rounds again and claims another two.
Due to the nature of the work we do and where with most of us being on water sites at times, it is not possible to even think of comiing into work.

I am currently holding it off.

Hopefully it will stay like that.


Ah well a very short one, I do have a lot to say but it will have to wait a little bit longer.


have a good one!

And it keeps coming

I'm thinking that these boys may be getting a call up to my beloved Yorkshire if rumours are to be believed.
It looks as if Little Timmy Bresnan may be on the way out of the door.
it seems his contract is nearly up and he isn't happy with what is on the table for him.

This is sad news, however maybe it is time to rebuild the team with the youngsters that we have been nurturing.

If other rumours are to be believed, Yorkshire have their eye on a certain South African batsman...................could it be true?
Could Abraham Benjamin be thinking about donning a flat cap and buying a terrier?

:Lets go the whole hog and bring in Dale 'The Star' Steyn.


I think that there will be a lot of changes to the team in the coming months.
sad it is but probably necessary.

Despite a great fight, Somerset pulled off a win over Notts and now sit at top of the table.

Everything in this house is gearing for the match tomorrow against Essex.

Time to put all thoughts of leavers on hold and get behind the boys.

Time to get on the road and get behind my boys.......with a large stick!

Lots of work to do.

Until tomorrow.

Another bombshell

So after I muttered the 'R' word last week, it was announced yesterday that 'Our Hoddy' will be retiring at the end of the season.
Andrew Hodd is one the nicest men in English cricket, he has time for everyone and is a great keeper too.

At the last match of the 2016 season, Hoddy spent a good part of the evening speaking to Jim and I ( we were probably slurring by this point).

I introduced him to the President of Middlesex and a former president Geoff.
The following day Geoff told me that he thought Andrew was a great person and was much impressed with him, he said he was a credit to Yorkshire.

It will be another sad close to the season when we bid a fond farewell to The hoddfather.

In county championship news, Notts rallied yesterday and posted 468 with Tom Moorres scoring his maiden century.

Come on Notts you can do this.

Hampshire meanwhile went down like a lead balloon as they were hammered by the rich kids.
The gorgeous Morne Morkel taking 3-37
Dale Steyn took a couple of wickets for Hants.

this would have been my dream game to watch, with 2 of my favourite bowlers playing.


I meanwhile am knee deep in work as I continue to try to tie up the loose ends in the allotted time left for me.

Its all go.

The 'tenting' trip is sorted and I am badly in need of it.

look out Todmorden, the girls are coming to town!

Back to it.

New week, new challenges, however after a very restful day yesterday its time to get on with them.


I spent the day in the garden, I was listening to the cricket, both the county championship game at Taunton and the England game in Scotland.

what a game that was!

with Callum MacLeod hitting an unbeaten 140 it was going to be interesting to see how England responded.
good old Jonny and one of his wonder centuries, how could we lose?

Well I guess everyone is wondering that.

yes it all slipped and we went from 220-2 to 276-7.

a rally at the end brought us to within 6 runs. of the Scotland target.

Not to be, and after another captain gave rubbish excuses 'not the finished article', I can only wonder when it will be finished.


Nottingham were not having a good day either as they all out for  134. However 2nd innings and overnight on 112-0, should make for some good listening today.

well I'm off to start my week and see how much I can get sorted and packed up in the office.

It looks as if it is going to be a glorious day so a spot of lunchtime sunbathing may be in order..

Tonight, I also need to get the tent out of the garage and give it an airing ready for my weekend away.

lots to do!

have a good one

A day off

So yesterday I took  a rare day off from the blog as I was so tired. My day was spent doing absolutely zero!
No washing, no dishwasher, no cleaning. a most unusual state of affairs here at the chateau.

It was also the birthday of former first lady of Middlesex ,Blossom, so I managed to send birthday wished to her.

 I also received a wonderful picture of my own special 'throne' that has been made for me and to go into the extensive grounds.
Philip was super busy and Carole took time out to try it out for size. absolutely beautiful it is too.

I did manage to make a special birthday card which will be in the post soon.

Australia were playing a warm up match and beat Middlesex , not a great birthday pressie for the Former First lady!

We had County Championship action starting yesterday ( yes on a Saturday) and Somerset started well, it will be a great one to listen to.

Hampshire were hosting Surrey but bad light affected the match there.

Today is about playing catch up and I hear the spin cycle on, so I will be able to get the bedding out on the line shortly.

After that I think a spot of chutney making and I have bottles to sterilise ready for the first batch of elderflower champagne.
it may be June but the xmas hampers are never far from my thoughts.

Well its a short one today, but better than nothing.

have a peaceful Sunday

The weekend is looming

Well it's Friday another week over and three weeks until 'D' Day. its all busy and trying to get things organised.
It is also bacon butty Friday and the birthday of  Graham one of the chemical engineers.
So bacon buttys ( mushroom for me) and cake.

The office babies Teddy and James are both doing well and we are receiving regular updates and pictures. We have two very proud Dads.

Very proud is how I am feeling this morning ( that and totally exhausted), my boys won again yesterday, but despite my pleas, they insist on making us all sweat.
I am worried about my beloved Hoddy , he seems to have disappeared into the same black cricketing hole as Commando Boy!

WHERE'S HODDY????

Worcestershire saw themselves into the semi finals and Nottinghamshire had a storming win over Derbyshire.

And then there is Dale 'the stare' Steyn.
be still my beating heart!!
He is over here to replace the injured Hashim Amla.
and he is at none other than  besty county in the south, Hampshire.

Southampton here I come!.

He is up there in my top 5 current bowlers.

The weekend is nearly upon us and I'm off to get the half say out of the way and make a start, ( washing and  house work!

have a great day

It's cricket Thursday ........................

And will those men of Headingley
Walk out upon the hallowed green?
And will the well gloved hand of Hodd
On Yorkshires cricket  pasture be seen?
And will  the weather remain fine,
Making  our efforts not in vain?
And will a victory  be  builded here
Along Kirkstall and  St Michaels Lane ?

Give  us a plethora of runs!
Give us the wickets we desire!
Give us more reason, to praise extolled!
Try not to take it to the wire!
We will not cease from run chase fights ,
Nor shall our  bat  sleep in our hand,
Till we have made the quarter finals
 A strong, united band.

A nail biter

If Yorkshire have a bag of tricks they certainly opened it yesterday.
I  put the radio on just in time to hear Tom K-N trapped LBW, I grabbed a coffee and said a prayer.

Adam Lyth did not disappoint as he motored away, followed by David Willey.
With 144 & 131 respectively they set us up for a total of 379-7.
It was great to see Adam making more runs and just good to see Willey playing for us, as we have been without him for the CC matches,

Willey then played a blinder with 4-59 but with Jennings and Livingstone  having set off at speed I was feeling slightly sick.

It was a nail biter and but keeping the faith ( and lots of wise words from my former wicket keeping pal) was the way forward and yes we did it.
We aren't out of the woods yet and still have to get through tomorrow, but come on boys, we can do this.

I had decided to go home to work  as I was feeling under the weather yesterday, but ended up clearing a huge pile of work  whilst listening from home.

Well that's all the cricket news and little happening here at the chateau apart from the disappearance of Pete the pigeon.
Pete lives in my garden and just waddles around. When the new fence was put up he got out and spent a day wandering around the Deer park.
I opened the gate and he came back into the back garden, however he must have lost weight and found his ability to fly as he is no where to be seen.

Wonder where he has gone?

Oh well off to do stuff.

Here we go.

So the predicted two week has turned into four and long ones they are going to be.
Other news though, we have two new babies in the office ( not literally in the office).Two new arrivals over the weekend. Teddy and James both very healthy and bouncing baby boys.

Today my boys have travelled over to the dark side and with Gary cheering them on it will hopefully be a good game.

Lots of talk about the England team and the pundits putting in their two penneth worth.

Woakes is injured and will not be in the England squad, so will join Stokes in cricket A & E.

this is super short a I did not think that I would have time this morning.

Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with some good news on the cricket front.

have a great day

Another week begins

It's Monday and the start of  two full on weeks, What the end result of these two weeks will be is anyone's guess ( I have given up losing sleep and mulling it over), time to face it head on.

England  won the test at Headingley and drew the 2 match series.
Interesting to hear Joe Root have a different script and talk about 'papering over cracks'!
His comments of showing how good and skillful they were in their own conditions had me baffled. They played in their own conditions last weekend did they not?. Or was he referring to Headingley?

He did say that they showed how good a team they are.

they move on to a match against Scotland.

Notts were here in the North East yesterday as they took on Durham.......and won.

They now face Derbyshire in a huge match to see them  through.
Defeat will sadly mean the end of the road for the current champions.

Tomorrow sees the Roses match at Old Trafford, now that is a must win for my boys.

This week is one day cricket busy as we move on to the next stages.

Hampshire have qualified after beating Glamorgan by 4 wickets. Gareth Berg  showing his form again.

Well all the rain has done wonders for the garden, even the lawns which look greener than they have in the last few weeks.

And the weather does not look so good today, so I am dressing for the worse and hope that it improves.

Well that's all folks.

It may be intermittent for the next couple of weeks, I'm unsure if I will make it every morning.

I will try but if not I'll be back soon.

Calm after the storm

Well this time yesterday it was warm and very humid with grey skies. today we have the grey skies but it is fresher after a huge storm late afternoon.

I had been full on busy all morning and into the afternoon, I was listening to  the cricket  commentary and interviews due to it  being rained delayed and wishing for rain here, and when it came, it certainly let everyone know!

Within 20 minutes, the bottom of my drive was underwater, I was very quickly developing a moat! It was still there when I went to bed although this morning the water had subsided and I am left with the mass of dead petals from the horse chestnut tree.
However the upside is that the hydrangeas are now looking amazing and will be flowering soon. This is always something that I look forward to as I am never sure what shade of blue ( or purple) they will be this year.

So after a very long rain delay at Headingley England took to the crease. We were still there at close of play which was well after 7pm.
There were no really high scores but we just got on with it.
302-7 was close of play score.

lets see what today holds.


I am now off to hang out the bedding and to head off to the shops.

Its a busy week for me this week with lots going on at the office, and  lots of  bods on holiday.

Time to get the flight booked I think. I need a break. Just have to get a couple of weeks out of the way and can then think about heading to the sun.

have a great day.

So its Saturday

So it's Saturday, the washing is on, the dishwasher is doing its thing and the house is tidy, I'm good to go!

Funny how I have managed to keep the chateau in constant show house mode, its like living in a different house., I'm guessing that getting rid of some furniture has been a help too.Still more to shift though.

I have to say a huge thank you to Susan for the lovely offer which I would have loved to take up but due to today being very busy, I could not do.

So lets look at yesterday, as the test match waggon trundled into Headingley.
England looked like a different team form the one at Lords last weekend as they took the upper hand on the first day.
Broad hit back at his critics as he took 3 wickets and newby Sam Curran  took  a wicket too. England reduced Pakistan to 174 all out.
In reply, Jennings on his return to the side,hit 29.
Captain Root is still at the crease.
Lets see what today brings.

I will be watching when I can and will have the radios on in various parts of the chateau.

In one day cup action, the holders Notts had a win over Worcestershire ( who have been romping away in this competition).
'Big' Luke Fletcher, a particular favourite of some of us, took 4-20.
I cannot say enough how much I admire Luke, he is a great player.

Worcestershire were still minus commando Boy, i am beginning to worry!.

Well no worries on the clothes drying scale, the weather is not looking too bad although the sun has yet to make an appearance.

And with that I am off to get ready for the day.

And breathe

Well I made it to Friday and I have to get through this morning and then I can  look forward to a weekend of peace and quiet ( and cricket). There will be washing going on but nothing new there!.

The great clear out will also be gathering speed as really start to weed out the furniture. Do I really need everything that I have, am I looking to be a little bit minimalist ( can you be a little 'bit' minimalist?).
Changes happening.

The big match last night was for charity and saw West Indies v ICC World XI. Big names out on show, but the Windies gave them a good thrashing.


I read with interest Joey Roots comments regarding the upcoming test. I love Joe, but please can someone give him a new script.'Urging' his side to prove they can be  a 'really good team'!!!!! Seriously???? these boys are supposed to be the cream of English cricket, they are supposed to be a really good team.
They looked a long way from it last weekend.

Stokes is up for a late fitness test to see if he can play.

With a lot of the office heading off on holidays next week , it is going to be a quiet place, 'our iron' will be back from his hols hopefully fully fit and 'C Bomb' Bill will be alternating between office and several sites.
This may give me a chance to clear a pile of manuals instead of firefighting!

There has to be an easier way to make a buck.........................

Well its a short one as I head off to the saltmines.
Radio will be on at 10.55am and then I will be leaving work and heading to Iceland, sadly just the frozen food place to pick up some frozen veg ( sometimes the lifesaver in a vegan diet).

Ah the excitement, Test match and Iceland, what more could a girl want on a Friday.