What a day ( if you love Hoddy)

Well Hoddy is  back in the 1st team for what  may be the last time, (although Jim & I am secretly hoping that he will be at TB next week).
We are now heading into day 3 of the game against Somerset.
Hoddy and Tom K-C put on a fabulous show for the crowd and we go into today trailing by 107 runs but with my beloved Hoddy on 84. I don't think that I am the only person willing him on to a century!


I have been doing the mental calculations of points re batting bowling and possibly winning or a draw, we need every point that we can get,that’s the truth.
Time to draw on every reserve that we have to get us through to the end of the season.


Durham were beaten in less than 2 days!

We also had the first day of the test from the beautiful Ageas Bowl ( a personal favourite ground of mine). Jennings once again made me wonder how he is
1. In the team
2. Still in the team.
To be honest I'm not sure why half the team are in the team, but the selectors know best.
At stumps England were 246 all out and India were 19-0

So cricket round up Durham did a Durham, then England did a Durham, then Yorkshire did an England, but managed to pull it back in the afternoon.

I’m back in the office today ( well it is bacon butty Friday ), I’m feeling a bit  better than I was this time last week ( although this time last week, I just thought that I was over worked and tired out).
This working from home thing is not something that I want to go back to, ( I did it in London and when I moved back to the North East) I miss the office banter.
I have however found myself a couple of things to do over the winter, one cricket related and the other a history course on the The Spanish in South America ( Latin America).

Something different and hopefully keep me out of mischief. I also have some sewing plans to keep me busy too.

I am awaiting a follow up call to the telephone call I took on Tuesday. It may all seem a bit cloak and dagger but all may be revealed in a couple of weeks one way or the other.
Lots to think about.

Lots to do too, so have a great Friday .

Hoddy

Thanks for the stumpings

The runs and the catches

For  taking the time

To chat after matches

For being a part

Of a championship team

For helping to give us

Our ultimate dream

Thanks for being a great

ambassador of the side

For always smiling that

6 mile wide smile

For giving your all

!st team and 2nds

For stopping the plastering

When you were beckoned.

Thanks for the handshakes

And acknowledgement nods

But most of  all thanks

 for 6 years Hods.

Now to retirement

Feet up and rest?

We’ll miss you Hoddy

You are one of the best.

Back to the grind

So the Bank holiday is over and its back to the office for  very busy week. Lots to do before I head offon my miniholibobs.

The T20 finals day line up has been decided and sadly Notts did not make it through, so I am backing Worcestershire on this. September 15th is the date and already there seems to be some turmoil over tickets.


Its a full on week of cricket as Yorkshire are playing at home tomorrow and the test starts at the Ageas bowl on Thursday.

Lets see what happens!

Yesterday was busy on the house work and washing front, as I got more things   packed up or sent to the tip or charity shop.

Im still trying to streamline things here but don't want to do it all in one go.
This week may see me venture to Narnia ( under the stairs) as  I begin the clear out under there.
it is mainly full of boxes of 'vinyl' which now that the new turntable is insitu may finally get an airing.

I'm on hold with Chutney making as I have very little space left in the pantry, I really do need a cellar.

And tonight when I get home there is some steam cleaning of carpets to be done.

All the fun of housework!

Hopefully more cricket news tomorrow, one thing I do know

#ingalewetrust
#oneforall

Bank Holiday

So here we are the last bank holiday until Christmas!

Make the most of it!

I have been out on a full circuit of the old town, and it was a bit nippy. Now time to make some breakfast and load the car for the charity shop and the de chetterie.

Meanwhile in the garden the tomatoes are ripening slowly and the baby hydrangeas look to have taken a decent hold to get them through the winter.

Yesterday was not a good day cricket wise as rain meant that the remaining T20 QF was called off and put over to today. I hear that it is not being televised!!


Yesterday was a good day on the chutney front as I made, Apple date and ginger and then a spiced apple chutney using elderflower vinegar that I made in June, my hope is that this flavour comes through in the finished product.

I now need a bigger pantry to hold all the jars!

Maybe I need a house with a cellar??!!!

I also got whisked off to the seaside for a brisk walk alone a cold, wet and deserted beach, just what was called for and although freezing cold when I got home, it was worth it.

I actually have no plans for today, so I am going to do the more mundane things like IRONING!!! and some housework.

Its another four day week for me but I will have to cram at least 7 days work into those 4 days. best get some rest!.

well off to do stuff.

have a restful day.

Late again!

After a very eventful evening which ended in the wee small hours I was up at 6am, beds stripped and in the washing machine, and then out for a brisk 2 mile walk and then some foraging, as the rosehips were not quite ripe on my walk ( thank god! deseeding is a nightmare) I managed to get some haws, a small amount of blackberries and some elderberries. Also a huge amount of sloes, and they are very big this year too, so I will be busy later with the latest blend of 'hedgerow chutney'.

The party was a great evening and I managed to get home in one piece and am headache less this morning despite one or two glasses of champagne.
A great evening was had by all.
The birthday boy had a great time too.

Cricket yesterday saw Worcestershire go through to their first ever T20 finals day. Today I will be donning green and gold and wiling the Notts lads on.

Come on the Outlaws.

And so cricket and chutney will be very much the theme of today although if it doesn't rain I will be out in the garden later sorting out the hydrangea nursery and also keeping an eye on my new vine which I have managed to grow from my original one.


As I have no work tomorrow I may well have a glass of wine later and stay up late ( thats anything after 9,30pm).

And tomorrow.................well that's another day and I have no real plans at the moment.

So its a very short one today but I have jars to sterilise and lots of cooking to do.

Have a peaceful Sunday

Sleep in Saturday

So here we are, Bank Holiday weekend and lots to do.

As per usual, the washing machine is on , the dishwasher is on rinse and I am getting ready to head out of the door for a brisk 2 mile walk, with a spot of foraging slotted in for good measure.

Tonight is ‘dressy up’ night as  I head off to a birthday party and I am still struggling to find anything to wear. I know there will be something lurking in the wardrobe to put on, I just have to find it.

Last night, Mr Funky and I headed up to the Riverside ground to watch Durham v Sussex. I had no preference as to who would win, it was just that as there was cricket on near by  it was worth going to watch.
And it was flipping freezing I can tell you!

I managed to also do a 'live' chutney tuition during the course of the game, something that I never thought I would write in the blog! And I have to say the finished  Fig chutney looked brilliant. Well done Martin.

We now know that  Sussex   are off to finals day.

Still backing Worcester and Notts in the final.

I will be watching the QF this afternoon, after I have tackled the Deer Park, which is getting slightly overgrown, I cannot wait for a smaller garden.

There is ( as expected) some chutney making going on this weekend and I am now running very short of jam jars, I may have to go and source some more fancy ones!

I have a lot of fruit to use up and much more to forage this weekend to fill the freezer with.

And that's about it for this morning as I am just about to head out of the door.

have a fabulous weekend

That Friday Feeling

Yes it's Friday and although its only been a four day week, its been a long one!

Yorkshire must be feeling the same as at the moment they cant do right for doing wrong it seems.
They signed Mathew Pillans from Surrey and that caused mixed responses.
They cant seem to do anything right at the moment if twitter is to be believed.
Of course none of us reading this know anything that is going on behind the scenes and so I personally will just continue to trust in their decisions.
I pays me money I makes me choice.

T20 has now come down to QF stage and  Lancashire got through to Finals day last night, more action tonight as Durham host Sussex.

My bet for the final of the whole she-bang is Worcestershire and Notts.

There said it, its now in print.
And we now know that they will play each other in the semis!

The England team was announced with James Vince getting another call up as he covers for the injured Jonny B.

The bank holiday weekend is upon us, next stop is Xmas before any extra time off.

That's a sobering thought, and so I will make the most of the weekend.
And true to bank holiday lore, it looks as if it is going to be wet in these parts.

Well, I am off to get the bacon butties in and sort out the latest drama in the world of  water.
Its all glamour in the day job I can tell you!

Keep the faith.

#allforone

Time to Support

So  Wednesday came and went and Yorkshire lost to Worcestershire who were bottom of Division one at start of play..

However we are not that far above them and that spurred on tweets of the ‘joy’ of being in division 2. Ok, I will say this only once!

WE ARE NOT GOING DOWN!!!!

I listened to,and read all the complaints about coach, the director of cricket, the hierarchy and tried hard to rally everyone round to support the whole of the team ( not just the players), however I am  not at all happy that now people seem to have written off the whole season and preparing for a trip to Glamorgan.

Its not over until the fat lady sings, and believe me you DO NOT want to hear me sing!!! More to the point I am NOT going to sing.

If you are a Yorkshire supporter, then do just that!

Stand behind the lads, seriously do you think that tweets calling for #galegone  are not read by the players? Do you not think that this could have a detrimental effect on the team?

Some are so quick to blame Andrew, but think about the effect that one tweet could cause on a fragile team?

Right stop now Lainey,
It is far too early to get all ranty, so………………………

………………………just until the end of the season stand behind the team, the whole team, not just the players.

This is what they need.

Less #galegone and much more #allforone

I spent the afternoon, willing Morne Morkel to take wickets in the game against Lancashire.

Its really is seeming  a foregone conclusion that Surrey are champions, but Lancashire were below us in the table yesterday morning. So in a show of sheer unsportsmanlike behaviour, I was willing Lancs to lose.

Right in other news, England lost, no calls for #baylissgone……………………yet.

My day was spent  trying to finalise the development of the new arm of the company, this is vitally important and needs to be (sort) of ready  in 2 weeks.

No pressure…………………….

Well time to head out the door and get another day under my belt.

Have a fabulous Thursday.

Midweek misery?

Is a change really as good as a rest?

What does that actually mean?

I have been away, had a ‘rest’ and come back to work, to the start of the  ‘change’ we have been working up to , do I feel any better for it,well actually no I don’t.

Changes are unsettling for anyone and although they probably work out right in the end, the interim can be slightly traumatic.

This is the situation for me at the moment, I feel that I am being pulled in lots of work directions and  not actually making it to a final destination.

Not ideal.

I think that it is a bit like  this for my beloved Yorkshire, they are in the middle of change, with players leaving or already gone, some not giving a final decision as to whether they will stay another season.

Fans baying for Andrew Gales head and rumours bouncing around the amphitheatre of North Marine Road that make me decidedly uneasy.

The next few weeks are going to be very telling.

And it is not just my boys who are having it rough.

Former champions Middlesex, won a title  in 2016,and then next season were relegated, they must be glad that there is no division 3  or they could be in danger of slipping in to that one.

Its been a hard season although some of their boys showing great ability (James Harris comes to mind). I think that heads may be rolling at Lords too.

The season end is going to be quite telling in lots of quarters I guess.

Back to my boys. I was praying for rain at NMR for the last 2 days  of the match,meaning that we would at least come out of this with a draw, however it was not to be yesterday.
With 216 runs still needed it is going to be an impossible task.

And England were set such a laborious task that even Hercules would have baulked at it.

Would they get over 500 runs?, well of course not.

Jennings was out  and back at his seat in the dressing room  before  his tea got cold , Cook was back in the hutch  10 minutes later, ensuring his  place in the lunch queue.

Could Root save the day and get a quintuple century………………………….. nope!

Buttler scored a century but it is looking as if we are standing on the Beachy Head of cricket about to jump.

Id there a shake up coming in the England set up? should there be?
We will all be waiting to see what  is going to happen in the next few weeks?

It may not be what we want, but a change is as good as a rest, n’est pas????!!!!!

back home

Well I am back from my travels and woke up in my own bed without the screeching of seagulls this morning. Just the chattering of the magpies as my early morning alarm call.

I travelled to Scarborough on Saturday on what was one of the worst journeys I have had in a while. Only to find that I had left Pink hippo in Leeds!!!

 Once I had checked into the hotel I had a walk along the beach and then settled down for the night ready for play on Sunday.

I arrived and met up with the lovely Andy who has the shop at the ground, I then got ready for play. Yorkshire batting, they were all out for 216 and Worcestershire  took to the crease. bad light brought them off and also saw the end of play for the day.

It was announced that the media room were Cally did his commentaries was being named after him and a plaque was unveiled. a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man.

I managed to catch up with Rick, and Ted and Norma at the bookstall. Met Jemima and then headed back to the hotel for some sleep.
Monday morning I was woken at 4am by said gulls and watched Scarborough come to life from my hotel room window.

I then had a lovely walk through the town to the ground.

Yorkshire were not having much luck getting wickets and although they managed one before Worcestershire took control.

I caught up with John from Cricket Yorkshire  at lunch. He is writing a book about memories of the festival, something that I look forward to reading, and had a good old chin wag.

Rain came before tea and I headed home.

Today looks as if my boys need to get the wickets in early to stop the rot.

I had some sad news whilst at the festival, a lovely man who I have sat next to for years ( and still don't know his name) is very poorly and not expected to recover. his daughter told me  that he is at home and its the first time in nearly 60 years that he hadn't made the festival.

Such sad news.

However today I will be keeping an eye on all things at the ground and also trying to  sort out to get time off to head to Trent Bridge for our game there in a couple of weeks.

Fingers crossed for that.


have a great day.

Its that time again

The Festival

Queuing by the wrought iron gates

Turnstiles clicking the crowd through

Excited chatter all around

Waiting for the first view

Of Scarborough's wonderful cricket club

The pavilion in all its glory

The wooden benches and the tea room

All part of the festival story

Spectators and players mix in the ground

Ted the bookseller is usually there

The mobile Yorkshire Museum too

the smell of the sea in the air.

Avoiding the seagulls a common pastime

As picnics are unpacked

Cheering on the Yorkshire boys,

Enthusiam is never lacked.

The festival is something else

Words to describe it are hard to find

It's cricket, a holiday and lots of fun

Spending time with all cricket kind.

Another big day

Well its Friday and its another big day for my boys. After a 7 wicket win last night, we have a chance to get to QF's. It will mean a win tonight and we are facing Notts.

An entertaining evening I am sure!

I wonder how many calls for Galeys resignation there will be if we should get to the QF's?

Also news that we have signed Josh Poysden from Warwickshire, does this mean that we are going to lose a spinner? well no doubt if we do, the bell will be tolling again for coach.
Damned if he does comes to mind!

The whole Stokes thing is still rattling on, talk about any publicity, and of course Michael Vaughan is having his two penneth worth ( or mega bucks in the bank for him and his crew). As views are divided as to whether he should have been straight back into the England squad , we wait to see what the ECB have to say ( probably a pay rise for him).

The week ahead is busy for the boys as they play tonight and then head off to Scarbados to start their County championship match against Worcestershire. I have been waiting for this since the fixtures were released, however all my  dreams were shattered when it was announced that Commando boy had retired.
its a cruel season for I, Lady Lainey!

I fear that my recap of the season will be tear stained!


I dare not check the weather forecast but I do know that I will not be needing my bikini, which will be a huge relief for Greenpeace and the locals, there will be no cries of 'there she blows' as I trundle into the seas.

What I do know is that it is time for me to get the day into some kind of order.

I will never make it to the posh seats at this rate.

have a  super fabby Friday.


Come on Yorkshire ( sorry Sophie x)

Recap Thursday

Well, yesterdays blog seemed to get a lot of people discussing the current situation at Yorkshire.

The consensus is that players not performing and at end of contract do well to look else where. We need players who want to play for the club and do so to the best of their ability.

Some were making out that Lees form went into a decline when Dizzy left but to be honest his form and captaining was questionable in the season of 2016

There were a minority who were still yelling for Dizzy to come back or Paul Farbrace or Mags or  my cousin Jim ( OK thats a fib) just  anyone that wasn't Galey!!!!

Andrew Gale is the man for the job, if people would give him a chance and stop criticising his every move.

Galey is not the only person in the decision making process, the Board and Director of cricket all have their say so I expect that those who blame Gale would also want an overhaul of the whole set up.

It is always  interesting to see how people feel, since I write  how I see it, it is not everyone’s opinion, I just put my thoughts to paper.

One early morning tweet though did make me smile and laugh as I was told that this was not what was expected from the blog entitled ‘ the one where I get all randy!’.

I quickly checked the title to make sure that I hadn’t made a HUGE faux pas.

Luckily not, but my poor migraine suffering friend had not been focussing properly.

I will however be using that title in my forthcoming bestseller  ‘50 shades of cricket whites’!!!!

Since Tuesday afternoon, some attention has been diverted to the  Stokes ‘thing’ , which I think has taken the shine off the Lees move, so Galey will be getting a bit of Twitter peace.

The end of the season is fast approaching and that means another sad goodbye to one of Lady Laineys favourite.

Hoddy will be retiring, he has been a great ambassador for the club and is one of the nicest men on the circuit.

Although not a ‘real’ Tyke, he has represented the club in true Yorkshire fashion.
There is only one Hoddy! 

Well time to hit the road, I hope that you have a terrific Thursday, there is T20 tonight too!

The one where I get all ranty!

I have been reading comments on Twitter about Alex Lees departure to Durham, lots has been said  about it and also the loss of Plunkett , problems with Adil and last season letting Will Rhodes go to Warwickshire.

The main thing that I found in all these comments was the fact that Jason Gillespie's name came up numerous times.

‘wasn't like this when Dizzy was here’
‘ he flourished under Dizzy’.
'Dizzy wouldn't have let him go'

Well Dizzy isn’t with the club, he chose his path and although said he was going back to OZ, was soon back on English turf with other clubs.

The fact that at the weekend someone was calling for Darren Lehmann to take charge was even more of a surprise. I for one want a leader with his finger on the pulse, not one who has no idea what his players are doing.

We have Andrew Gale in charge and there in lies the rub for some people
I am not sure why they won’t and don’t give Andrew a chance. They see him as some ‘grim reaper’ figure, having a cull of players, running the team into the ground, blah,blah,blah.

Seriously! Doesn’t anyone think that there must be a lot of soul searching/serious consideration going on behind the scenes.

Firstly, did Yorkshire push Alex Lees out?

Well they gave him every opportunity this season to find his form and it didn’t happen. Do we really want lack lustre players taking a wage and not performing?

 Secondly, Plunkett showed his ‘loyalty to the club at the beginning of the season by going off in search of riches in the IPL ( along with Willey). Coach Gale stood up for them saying how could they refuse to go when life changing money was on offer.
That I don’t agree with but the fact that he stood by his lads does speak volumes about him. The fact that Plunkett and Willey dropped their county in the ‘mire’ at the beginning of the season speaks volumes about them.

We have seen the strength of the upcoming  talent, it is young and it is raw and it is our future. Do we want to hang onto players who are not pulling their weight when youngsters in the wings are chomping at the bit to get their turn.
I know which camp I am in.

So we will end the season without any silverware, and with a new faces waiting to emerge. This is something that will be worked on over winter and I see a new and much improved team taking to the field next season.
Lets face it, no player / coach is forever, no one really likes change, but change is good

I am backing Galey and the board in all decisions, they know best, although we all think we know better ( me included).
Lets get behind the team and the coach for the remainder of the season, come on!!!

If you love Yorkshire it’s a no brainer ( to use my most hated ‘Americanisation)
Time to stop the jeering and up the cheering!

Come on Yorkshire!!!

Chutney Tuesday

So after a quick count up last night of the green tomatoes I see that there will be a bumper harvest if they ever ripen, if not then there will be a lot of green tomato chutney in the Xmas hampers!
I see that the next few weeks are going to be very busy on the cooking front.

Things are starting to 'ripen' at Yorkshire as the move towards a 'new' team continues. Alex Lees has left the club to join Durham on a three year contract. Hopefully this will be both beneficial to Lees and Durham. he has struggled to find his form the last couple of seasons and maybe the change will do him good.


The Stokes trial continues and when words liked 'lied' are bandied around it makes awful reading however, as we know the press do like to over egg the pudding so it is best to wait and see how this whole thing pans out.

Ahead of the third test at Trent Bridge, England have named an unchanged squad, the press making huge things about Stokes' omission, to be fair, could he really be named when his trial is still ongoing?. It makes you wonder what goes on in hacks heads, or is it just to fill a space on the news pages?

Zimbabwe cricket is still in chaos as they are not renewing staff contract, it looks as if the whole set up may implode.

The days are getting cooler here in the north east of blighty and there is that autumnal chill in the air, early I know but it does seem that we may have seen the last of the fabulous sunshine that we were basking in a couple of weeks ago.


I am back to wearing cardigans and keeping most of the office windows closed, its not a warm office at any time but it is taking on winter like proportions at the moment.

Well another day, another road closure on my drive to work, I now drive in a zig zag to get to the office and its not a nice journey. I suppose once the schools go back everything will return to normal.

So best go and brave it!

have a great day and if you are chutney making today, may your jam jars be full.

Another week begins

Well here we are at Monday again, Its been a busy weekend.

Miss Margot went home yesterday but not before a long walk in the rain and  managing to get some more cherry plums to go with the apples that we got the night before on our travels.
It is amazing what is growing wild in the hedgerows.

By the time Miss Margot went home England had beaten India and  there was nothing to do but find some rubbish TV to watch whilst I was knitting.

It had been a very chilled out weekend with my doggy visitor and I finally managed to get things sorted out. its funny how you think that you see things clearly when in fact they were still hazy.
Today I am ready to take on the week and prepare for my upcoming mini break as well as sorting out for my holiday in September. I more than need that!


Today has dawned slightly over cast, it was still fairly dark when I woke up at 5am, I am not liking that at all! However there is still plenty of summer left.

There is still lots to do this week as I have some sewing to get done and also 2 more types of chutney to make  ready for Xmas ( there are 4 really but I will get 2 done this week and the other 2 next week).

This week  my boys are in T20 action on Thursday and Friday before they head off to Scarbados for the start of the CC match against Worcestershire on Sunday.

Lets see how we get on with all of this.

Well time to go and find another route to work as more road closures have been put in place starting today. No doubt all finished in time for the schools going back and the journey being even worse.

And just to add insult to injury, the heavens have opened and its pouring down!!!

Happy Monday!

A foraging we will go

Well, the blog is running late today and not because I had a lie in, quite the opposite, Miss Margot and I have been out walking since 6am, and what a beautiful morning it is too.

I managed to pick some blackberries and some already ripe sloes ( Mr Funky told me it was going to be a good year for sloes) and also found some beautiful cherry plums. These will be in the pot tomorrow to whip up a batch of 'hedgerow' chutney ( not hedgehog as my pals at Flicx UK called it!).

Miss Margot is now fast asleep on my bed and I am hoping that the sunshine holds and we can sit in the garden this morning and afternoon, before we have a trip to the seaside tonight.


Today will hopefully be spend listening to the test match ( and Miss Margot scaring off next doors cat).
Yesterday the test got underway and with a fabulous 5-20 by James Anderson, England bowled India out for 107.
It should be a good day today.

My boys have lost their captain as Patto is ruled out for 5 weeks with a broken finger, and after  being thrashed last night by Notts we seem to be jinxed.
We will however come back stronger we all know this, its the Yorkshire way.

Sussex have been jinxed two nights on the bounce by the weather!

Well I have lots to do today,  which includes, parcelling up some chutney to send out and  then  sitting in my fabulous garden chair and soaking up the rays. so best get to it.

have a super Saturday, Miss Margot and I are going to make sure we do.

Friday fryday

Hurrah!!! Its Friday and  for the office boys it is fryday as they all get their bacon butties for breakfast.
we are back to normal numbers today after some had a trip down to Royston yesterday.

Its all go at the moment.

It was 'no go' at the test yesterday as rain  meant that not a ball was bowled. This is the first time in 17 years.
So we will try again today.

There was no rain at Headingley last night although there were probably tears, both of sorrow and of joy.

Tim Bresnan has signed a two year contract with the club which is good news and probably sees him through to retiring.

Tears of sorrow, as we lost (again) to Lancashire, despite a great knock by David Willey.


Tears of sadness in Australia as they lose members of the team for their tour of Pakistan. Cummins and Hazelwood are both out  with back injuries.
The antipodean woes continue.

The Stokes trial continues and it is uncomfortable reading in parts.Hopefully this is all sorted out one way or the other.

Tonight my boys are in action against my reserve boys, Notts.
Not sure if it is on't TV but it will be on't wireless so Miss Margot and I will be listening, as tonight I have my 'step dogter' coming to stay for the weekend.
I'm not too sure on how she will take to cricket but as a two year old its about time she was introduced to it.

Well time to go and see 'big Al' the hungry persons pal.

have a good Friday.

Big Day

So the T20 Roses game has arrived and tonight is the night we hopefully beat the foe.
The squad has been announced and TLJL has been named so I have everything crossed that he is playing.

An exciting match.

it is also the first day of the test and with a new line up (again) it will be interesting to see how that pans out.

I read on Twitter ( so it must be true) that the man with no lips is on the verge of retiring. And then this morning I see that he wants to play for England again, well honestly, if that happens they will be coming out to the crease with zimmer frames. Retire gracefully for goodness sake!!!


Sad news for all Notts fans is that they are not getting de kock., his commitments to South Africa mean that they do not want him to play.

Great game last night with Hants and Somerset. Johann Myburgh who is set to retire hit an unbeaten 54 even with a broken bat, and Somerset won.

T20 finals day is fast approaching.

Lots of work to complete in the office today and lots of boys 'darn sarf' doing work so we will be a bit depleted today, however they will all be back tomorrow as it is bacon butty day.


Very short one today as I am about to brave the new traffic problems as 2 more roads are closed causing untold mayhem and adding 2 more miles to my journey.

I think working from home becomes more appealing by the moment.

Midweek, how did that happen.

And here we are and its Wednesday already! How on earth did that happen?

Only seems like yesterday since it was Tuesday.......hang on a minute!!! It was only yesterday.

Anyhoooo we are now midweek and lots to do before the weekend.
we are still basking in sunshine despite the media tales of storms a plenty.

Storms a plenty are brewing  in the Stokes trial as he has been described as 'spiteful', surely not!!! It is day 3 and what ever the outcome of the trial, Ben Stokes is being seen as a lot more than the good cricketer that he is.


There may be changes to the rules of cricket if the MCC World Cricket Committee have their way. Its their way of halting the declining over rate More to come on this I am sure.

My boys have no T20 action until tomorrow when they are up against old foes Lancashire in the roses match.
Who could forget last years thrilling catch by TLJL?
But will he be on the team tomorrow??

Aside from keeping an eye on the cricket, I have been watching a fabulous 'travelogue' by my friend Paula Clark ( Yorkshire lass too, by the way), she has been travelling through Europe as part of a huge convoy of beautiful cars as part of 'Rally for heroes', a charity set up by her husband Mick.
Mick is one of the Directors of the charity and the co founder.

They arrived in Split yesterday were the  city came to a standstill as the cars came through.
As expected and as recounted by Paula, this was a hugely emotional time for them all.

If you want to find  out more about the charity and see what they have been up to this week check out their website
http://www.rallyforheroes.com/


Good luck to them all on their return trip.

Safe travels to you all.

Well time to travel on my perilous journey from here to Darlington, another road is closing this week making my 10 mile journey even worse, and we thought that the school holidays would make it all so much better.


Until tomorrow.

Here we go again!

Well I could do with it being 'Champagne Friday' today, but instead it is 'tired Tuesday'. I didn't get to bed until 1am, and anyone who knows me, knows that this is very late on a school night ( and weekends too if I'm not out 'yahooing').

I had decided to empty a cupboard in the dressing room and sort of got caught up in all the things that I found. I now have  2 bags to drop at the charity shop at the weekend.
I have come to the conclusion that I am just a hoarder!.

Twitter was  in full 'trial mode' yesterday as Ben Stokes was in court.
Interesting to read what  both ides have to say. If it is proven against Stokes then it may not be too good.
However, only the people involved know what happened on that night and if  what is written in the news is correct ( and as we know it often isn't) then someone is telling big fat fibs!

News in Sri Lanka that Faf is out of the remainder of the tour with a shoulder injury. The rotator cuff injury will rule him out of action for six weeks.


Everything is gearing up to the Lords test which starts on Thursday. With new boy Ollie Pope stepping into Dawid Malans boots after being called up. At 20 years of age, its a great chance for the  Surrey chap.



Just when I thought that I could have a quiet week in the office, it was decided that we would have a big push and close off another job this week, oh joy!!1 absolutely no peace for the wicked.

I have lots to do ( again) when I get home tonight as I have a visitor at the weekend, I am looking after my 'step dogter' Margo, as she is coming to stay for a couple of nights whilst her mummy and daddy go off to a festival to celebrate their 30 th wedding anniversary. ( what happened to going out for a nice meal?).

I'm sure much full will be had by both sides.

Well off to see if I can get past Asda before the traffic builds up.

 not a chance!!!!!

weekend over

Well you may ( or may not ) have noticed that there was no blog yesterday, this was due to quite a lot of work going on at the Chateau.

I was the first in the queue at the 'dechetterie' to off load things that I was getting rid of from the garage. I then popped round to see my chum Chris in her new house and then back to the Chateau to whip up a couple of batches of chutney, which are now stored away for Xmas.
I strained the sloe gin and rhubarb gin ( and used the rhubarb in chutney), and then decanted the elderflower vinegar that had been brewing for a month. This will be used in a spiced apple chutney next month when I get a bag of windfall apples.
Yes the preparations for Xmas are well underway, I will be starting on the cakes as soon as the cricket season is over.

After all that, I managed to have a couple of hours sitting in the garden and before I knew it,it was time to go to bed!!

In cricket as you all know, England won the test match against India.

Dark clouds seem to be looming over Headingley as it is rumoured that Jack Brooks will be departing and heading to Somerset.
This caused a lot of debate on Twitter, to be fair if he wants to go then he is best heading off, no point in trying to make someone stay who doesn't want to be with us.
I personally feel that there will be a major clear out at the club and the upcoming talent will be allowed to shine.
This in itself is just what we need.

The words 'seasoned professionals' was bandied around. And also the fact that Tim Bresnan might leave too, well in fairness I feel the same as with Jack, if he wants to go and if (as rumoured) its about money and length of contract, then so be it.

Yorkshire do not want to be stuck in the Durham /Harmison rut, give a 3 year contract and then get nothing out of the player for most of that time.

Well I appear to be heading for a rant, so best to hop off and face the roadworks on the way to the office.

I will however leave you with one last thought, you only get seasoned professionals by giving youth a chance to become just that!


Happy Monday

Weekend begins

So I'm up and preparing to leave for home after a great evening at Headingley.
I headed down after work and checked into my hotel.

I was given 'The Umpires Room" a room that apparently Dickie Bird stayed in.
And of course there was a fabulous piece of artwork showing Dickies cricket life.

Susan arrived and we headed to the game.
Great to see John and great to catch up.
We took our seat and then unbelievably  'Baby Ryan' sat behind us.
Anyone who doesn't know who 'Baby Ryan' is need to keep watching as I am sure he's on the up!


Dave and Molly popped over and Pink Hipppo was cry excited to see Timmy.

I was able to also catch up with one half of the Vickersons which was great, hopefully  catch up in a couple of weeks if you aren't too busy.

And the cricket?

Well, after a bit of rain yesterday it was a glorious evening with a fabulous Yorkshire win (although they love to make it harder than it should be).

What a fabulous evening.

We went back  to the hotel and after a cup of tea and chat Susan headed home and I ended up in the bar with some gentlemen from my old home town in London.

What an evening!

Everything now in place for 2 weeks time



Have a great weekend

fabulous Friday

Well its Friday and its bacon butty day for the much depleted office, today I think that we are down to the bare bones of office staff, as there are a lot of meetings and site visits, all to be crammed into a half day.

Then its FREEEEOMMMM!!! and the weekend!!!

YEAY!!!!

I cannot wait, its been a long week!

Last night involved  very little action here at the château, I watched the highlights of the test which included some artful bowling by kid Curran and Kohli getting a century.

At stumps England were back at the crease and one wicket down. Cook out for a duck.

Tonight there is a flurry of activity in the T20 groups as my boys take on Northants.

And tomorrow Notts are in T20 action.

its a big cricket weekend.



Ah Darren Lehmann has broken his silence to say Australia are not as bad as they are portrayed.

he claims that the players  followed the spirit of the game during his tenure.
well as he said that he was unaware of the ball tampering issue I would say that he had no idea what his players were doing during his tenure! #myopiniononly

he said that the players played hard and fair!
I guess that depends on your take of the word 'fair'

Why not just keep your thoughts to yourself as I don't think that you are doing yourself any favours.

Well short one today as I have lots to do.

Have a great Friday.

Tales on Thursday

Yesterday in the office we were talking about surreal experiences with famous people  and all giving our examples.
One person had sat 2 seats away from Princess Alexandra at the Royal Tournament and had been jokingly told off by the Princess for not joining in the Mexican wave!

Another had organised his leaving party from his job in a European principality by hiring a brand new bar that had opened'
He arranged to meet 'Stef' the owner to pay the money for the open bar, and spent the  rest of afternoon in shock and  slight mortification after walking in and saying to the 'cleaner' he was here to see Stef, the cleaner said 'that's me'.
He then realised that the owner/cleaner was none other than Princess Stephanie of Monaco!


I was thinking about sitting next to Dickie Bird having lunch and then about interviewing my all time favourite bowler  (  and shaking with fear all the way through),  but realised that they would expect a cricket story.
Racking my brain I suddenly remembered  sitting in the kitchen of the mum from the Railway Children, whilst she made me a cup of tea.

yes this really happened!

My friend Jane is the half sister of Dinah Sheridan's children and  back at the turn of the century ( that sounds very old), They came into the office where I was Property manager, to see me and see if I could find a short let for their Mum.

After much begging and pleading ( and name dropping) with Landlords, I secured an apartment in a new build close to Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood.
I went to see the apartment and it had everything on their  wish list for their Mum, so all was sorted and we awaited her arrival from America where she was living at the time.

They got her moved in and I thought that was that. Until I got a phone call from her asking me to call round.

So off I went thinking that there must be a problem.

I went in and the whole family were there ( I knew Jane's sister in law from washing up after cricket teas at Merchant Taylors, but that is a whole other story!).

Dinah was a lovely lady who hugged and kissed me when I arrived.

So I was seated at the table and she made me a cup of tea.

very nice I thought!

Dinah was talking to me and then said,

' you must have put a lot of thought into getting me this apartment?'

Slightly puzzled I said ' well the landlord wasn't keen on a short let, but I managed to win him over'.

' Well yes but how on earth did you manage to get me THAT view'? and pointed through a small window.

Even more perplexed now, I said ' well it wasn't easy, but as long as you are happy with the view that's great'

The view was not  really that good, it looked over the back of the Prince of Wales pub and had a glimpse of Batchworth Heath and the opening to Moor Park Golf club.

'darling' she said 'that is the best view in the world and brings back many happy memories'

By now I was totally lost, had she had a few drunken nights in the Prince of Wales ( as I had)?

I then explained that I really didn't understand.
and she told me the story of when she was making  'Geneveive' with Kenneth Moore and at one point had to get changed behind a bush.

Well the bush ( which was a prop) was put on Batchworth Heath , near enough on the spot  she could see through her window!!!

Somehow  I had managed to find her a home and one with memories that she loved.


I won the doughnut for the best tale!

Happy Yorkshire Day

Happy Yorkshire Day!

I hope that all of us that are 'Yorkshire' will enjoy a day especially for us.
I have started the day with a strong cup of Yorkshire tea and will be wearing my flat cap for work, well maybe not as it would flatten the afro, but I will be wearing my Yorkshire pin with even more pride.

have a great day celebrating being from Gods own country.

My boys celebrated early as they won their match last night. With a 60 run win over Leicestershire I hope that this has given them the boost that they need to stay in winning ways.
All the boys played well but with great innings finally from Kane Williamson he is living up to the hype.
Tom K-C showed why he should always be in the team and David Willey took wickets.
An all round top performance.

Surrey were also in action and were beaten by Glamorgan!!!!!

Tonight there are two T20 games being played but really all eyes are on the test which starts  in Birmingham.
Adil Rashid has been named in the squad, and there is plenty being said about that!

News that New Zealia have turned down an invitation to play in Pakistan. Despite not playing there for 15 years the NZ cricket board decided against it. They are following security advice and playing it safe.

So its a big cricket day and also a busy work day, I was hoping to slope off early and head to Harrogate to watch the seconds play. This however has to be put on hold as a bit of a rush job on today with some of my boys heading down to Royston (well someone has to go there).
Its all go in the water world.

Well its short today, I have things to coordinate, collate and collect so best try to get through the myriad of  roadworks that are in my path to the office.

have a great Yorkshire Day if you are from Yorkshire and if not, well have a great day!