Fools Friday

I am totally convinced that the above is the motto of the ECB as they set out their plan to make England the laughing stock of the cricket world.

It was announced that after a meeting on Wednesday ( a meeting in the Lords Tavern by the sounds of it) the 100 ball game was put down on paper ( back of a fag packet or more likely Cuban cigar box in their case).
And what a great big pile of s**t they have churned out, their 'revolutionary vision' to the franchise game.

This is the game that is to attract the people who do not usually go to cricket.
This is the game to attract woman and children to cricket ( because woman and children never go to cricket)
This is the game that they say will be popular with broadcasters ( and the ECB hierarchy back pockets)

So they are going to have it set out in 10 overs of 10 balls for each team and changing ends after 10 balls???!!!!
Bowlers can bowl 5 or 10 balls in one go.
The game will be 20 balls shorter than current short format game.
The tickets are bound to be ridiculously priced!

And the ECB think that this will save cricket????!!!!

Firstly if you have never been to cricket and see this you will never appreciate County championship cricket  ( or is this their cunning plan)
Yes, woman and children will be able to join in the 'excitement' of counting down the 10 ball over ( because woman obviously love this kind of thing all the time)

I am waiting for the addendum to this format, where if the bowler,bowls a wide he then has to bowl wearing a blindfold ( oh how the spectators will laugh!).
If the player is out for a duck he gets  custard pied on the way back to the dug out by his team mates.
Winners get to jump in a hot tub and drink loads of sponsored beer or wine

I am not a fan of T20 but at least it is mainly our county players, not to be  the case with the Franchise fiasco, which will be open to the T20 whores who roam the world in search of more money.

As you can tell I am right behind the whole thing!!!

I have already begun my strongly worded letter to 'Robbing' Graves. Not that it will do any good but at least it will mean the return letter will give their cleaner something to do apart from putting the port bottles out for recycling.

This does have to go before the counties in January, but with the lure of huge amounts of money for the 8 counties who will be part of the fiasco. I fear  it will be pushed though.

What I do wonder though is that (especially at Yorkshire) counties have been pushed by ECB to up grade their grounds ( flood lights. new stands etc) putting  most in debt, how can they refuse to accept this abomination, with the money that is being offered.

My only hope is that it falls flat on its face ( words I  never thought that I would ever write about any form of cricket) .

Oh dear Friday has started with one hell of a rant!

Think I need to go to see Big Al ,the hungry persons pal, and order the bacon butties.

Have a good Friday...........................I smell a glass of wine or two coming on this evening,

ready for the season

So the fixtures have been perused and the hotels booked, the dog sitting has been slotted into the diary and that's next season sorted out.

now all I have to do is wait. And that's something that I am not too good at.

Down under Earl Eddings has been passed the poison chalice that is the Chairmanship of cricket Australia whilst Justin Langer has said that there needs to be a careful re-integration when Smith and Warner are out of their ban........no mention of Bancroft who will probably go down in history as the patsy in the whole fiasco.

if its a re-integration like that of 'HWMNBNITB' Smith and Warner will wait for the Australian team to come and pay homage to them!

Meanwhile Simon Katich spoke truthfully about how the Australians have been viewed, he said they have been a disliked team for years.

I am looking at an offer made to me yesterday and looking at what next year may hold, its a tough time all round, will there be big changes.

And the rain continues as we are in at the tailend of another storm, or is it just normal wintery weather???

So I am bracing myself to head out into the rain and  wind and start another day.

Full office today as 'C bomb' Bill ( or 'Bill i am' to give him his hip name) is back from the wilds of Northumberland, 'Mickey dripping' is taking up his new office role as pack engineer and Jeff my pet draughtsman is on 5 day weeks from now until xmas to get us through the all the work.

Yes time to head off and do my thing.

have a good Thursday

So the new season is set out

 and like it or loathe it, we all  know how next season looks.
I've checked the dates and got my plan in order for the matches that I will be able to see.
 I am also putting  out my prediction for the winner of the CC 2019.
Either Yorkshire. Surrey or Nottinghamshire.

There I have put it in print.
Mark my words it will be one of those 3.

I so wanted to go to Hampshire but it is the week after the Notts away match and I am not sure if I can do both! I have though, had a quick check of the flights  and checked out a few hotels, I will probably go...................depending on other things which may be ongoing.


What is a dead cert is Scarbados, and this year Sophie and El Tel are coming too!!!
This should brighten up the summer!

The thing that  members of every club have voiced is the lack of weekend games, this means that those of us that are still working are not able to see as many matches.
I appreciate that the World cup has an impact on the fixtures but really it does seem that the ECB are slowly making sure that the County Championship dies.

What is interesting to hear is that those of us who still work are currently discussing if our membership is worth paying for!!!!

How will that impact on clubs??

Well there are a good few months until I am off to sunny Nottingham, so best do the other important thing and head off to work.

Happy Wednesday!

Fixtures day

It;s Tuesday and its raining and windy, but on the  upside its FIXTURES  DAY!!!!!!.

My 2019 diary is already packed in my work bag and I have a list of hotels ready for the big booking event.

Main fixtures are
1, any at Headingley
2, dates against Nottinghamshire
3,Scarborough festival

then I will check out the Hampshire dates and decide if I am going to the Rose Bowl next season.

I love fixtures day, it breaks up the close season.

England , as expected, beat Sri Lanka and were in high spirits, even the hacks who wrote off England on a regular basis, were excited.
It seems that Joey Root is finding his feet as Captain.

The ICC are looking to try to get women's cricket included in the 2022 commonwealth games. It will be interesting to see if this is taken any further and will be a great show piece for the women's game.

It seems that we are not the only one with franchise T20 ( or 100 or whatever it chuffing well is now) woes. South Africa have hurriedly put together the Mzansi Super league,I dont have time this morning to read the whole piece about it, but with lots of millions of rands spent and some  very disgruntled owners from 'Ramslam' it could be something that the buffoons at the ECB should be watching.


And so with that, me and my hacking cough are off to wend our way through the miserable morning traffic and start the day.

Have a good fixtures day one and all.

New week more rain

And so a new week begins and now after the excitement of my birthday and then the visit from Sophie, I am on countdown to the  now pared down Christmas break.

In one months time it will be over! That's a little bit sobering especially as some people will be nearly bankrupt by then!


I'm still  undecided if I am putting the 'crcimas' tree up this year, I'm not going to be at home for the big day and so am tempted not to bother.I'll just see how the next couple of weeks pan out.

England are looking for a win in the third and final test in Sri Lanka for a series whitewash, something that has been a long time coming.
However Sri Lanka are putting up some resistance,  they are 5 wickets down but look to not be giving up yet.

England woman were losers against Australia in what seemed to be a very one sided game.

My thoughts though are all focused to tomorrow when the fixtures come out,

I will be hotel booking and sorting out holidays over the next few weeks, my favourite thing to do in the wait for the new season to start.
 This is always  something that makes me smile,as I am a little bit closer to the domestic season.

Well as another week begins, I wonder what this one will hold.
Will I finally get all the things in order for me to make the changes that I want to.
I'll have to wait and see, could be exciting times ahead, in the meantime , the excitement that is roadworks and irate drivers heading out to the 'back' of Darlington is the order of the morning for me.

Have a great day.

Sunday

Its Sunday and how quickly the weekend has gone,.

But lets rewind.
Friday evening Sophie arrived and after dinner we settled down to put the world to rights, catch up on gossip and drink copious amounts of wine!

Off to bed after midnight and then  up at 8.30am and attempting to feel slightly human.

So after a hearty breakfast of scrambled egg and smoked salmon, we packed the picnic ( homemade butternut squash and carrot soup, freshly baked bread) into the boot of the car and headed off into the wilds of the North east of England.

We headed out to Chester le Street and then passed by Beamish, before finally getting to Rowlands Gill ( after a detour up a single track road!).
Some of Sophies family were from here and so we set off to find the house.

On the way  we found the Methodist Church and saw Red Kites, as well as a fabulous little road of Pre Fabs, still going strong.

We found Alloy Terrace and had a good look around at the houses which were built in the lightest brick I've ever seen.

We headed back towards  the main part of  the village and were able to catch site of parts of Gibside, a National Trust property that is a must see if you are in the area.
After a walk down by the river, we headed home, via The Angel of the North.

By the time we got back to the Chateau we were so tired that thoughts of an evening in the cricket club with Mr Funky were replaced with drinking wine and watching Julia Roberts films.

And now we are up and watching England play.

Its been a great weekend

It's Friday

YEAY!!!! It really is Friday and the weekend is upon us.

And what a  weekend it is lined up to be......Fun Sophie is coming to stay!!!

But there is a half day at work, bacon butties to order and  some housework to do before that happens.

Over in Sri Lanka,, England  are 102-2 at lunch, Burns and Jennings have gone with Jonny B and Joey Root holding up the side.
I will be tuning in when I get to work.

It will be a cricket weekend too with my cricket sister.

Yesterday in an attempt to finally shake off the hacking cough I came home at lunchtime and took to my bed for a couple of  hour, in an attempt to catch up with lost sleep, not a chance, my phone was ringing every 5 minutes!!

Things may be looking up, just maybe.


I also re gingered my hair, which was looking duller than I was feeling.

Hopefully after a weekend with a vat of martinis, I will be well and truly on the mend.

I may even consider putting the 'cricmas' tree up...........................

I didn't say it was a definite.


Right super short, I am running late and have lots to so.

Happy Friday

Chilly start

its a chilly old Thursday morning although it did take me having a shower, making coffee, putting on the computer and checking my emails, to realise that it wasn't Friday!!
tres disappointed!

There is a sprinkling of white stuff on the ground I notice, I think this is more heavy frost than snow, but to be on the safe side I decided to leave the surprise of which is is until I go to get the car out of the garage.
Too cold to put the recycling out at the moment!

Jonny B has been given his chance to play in the last test in Sri Lanka, he appears to be fit after the football injury, its his chance to shine. And the press seem to be heaping the pressure on him.

So we are now just over a month from Christmas and I am looking to get my desk cleared completely in readiness of this. I have 6  O & M manuals to get out the door before then, so quite a lot to do in the lead up.
The few days that I am now getting off will be spent in a spa hotel where I can be spoilt and pampered, I am really looking forward to that.

I am also looking ahead to the New Year when hopefully things will start to settle down, when work life is in turmoil everything else seems to follow, and with the changes to our usual work situation, its been a tough few months.

so with the prospect of cricket on the radio tomorrow and  it actually being Friday tomorrow, I will head off to sort out Thursday.

have a good one.

Midweek and more rain

Yes it is still raining and yesterday it was mixed with sleet, which should have brought the temperature in the office to about -6, however I was prepared and fully set up in winter work wear............however the heating men arrived mid morning and set about putting on the the new central heating system.

By 3pm I had dispersed of jacket, feather and down lined gillet, scarf, one pair of socks and gloves.I was fearing that I was having hot flushes and so  went to look at the thermostat, it read 22!!!!

22!!!! normally anything above 0 is tropical in the office. I am guessing that shorts and t-shirts will soon be the office garb, we are so not used to heating!


Down under where the weather is considerably better than here, the decision about the 'sandpaper' three was made. And they will not be allowed to return early from their ban.
A ban is a ban, and good for CA for sticking to their decision.

England are currently in practise ahead of Fridays game.
Jonny B has been seen out on the field and not a football in sight.

Interesting to see the team line up.

Well lots to do and not a lot of time to do it in.

Me and my hacking cough are off to join the others in 'consumption alley'.
Have a good one.

It's raining it's pouring

and it has been since about 6pm last night................its also very very cold! Winter is coming and that means only one thing....thermals!

The central heating system that was installed in the office a couple of months ago is still to be fired up....having a gas supply may help with this!

Having extolled the virtues of my town last week, it only flipping hit the headlines yesterday, yes we will, on December the 11th have the full media circus in town as Paul Gascoigne appears at the magistrates court.

 Central Avenue will come to a standstill and anyone wanting to cross the pedestrian crossing to get to Aldi will have a right old job. lets hope there isn't a fire as the Fireman may have a problem getting out of the station in the media scrum!
It's all happening in the flagship New Town!


Strange dreams here at the chateau, I was in the pub and talking to Sean Bean (as you do), we were chatting about Sharpe and his fame, he said that he really wanted to buy a dairy farm and would change his name by deed poll.
'oh what to?' I asked

'Geoffrey Boycott' he replied.

My thoughts of being the 6th wife of Sean Bean went out the window very quickly!

I think I need to eat less chocolate before bed!

Well super short and not very little cricket to talk about so I am off to brave the rain and cold and will be back tomorrow.

New week

So new week begins and I am pleased to say that apart form the hacking cough I am feeling much better, its to be hoped the rest of the work gang are too.

Yesterday was a busy day, which included nipping out for lunch and catch up with BKOTF, the rental houses are progressing well and he is off to spend a a couple of months working on his projects in the UAE. I made him promise that he wouldn't get into the same bother that he did last time ( nearly getting married and ending up getting fleeced), but with his track record I am not so sure!
I in turn came home with my xmas pressie of a cricket ball!


Once back at the chateau, I got into full cleaning and sorting mode and managed to get more things lined up to go to the charity shop, on ebay and on Gumtree.
I shall have a minimalist home...........................
well maybe not.

This week looks to be full on down under as the much unravelling Cricket Australia, make their decision as to whether  the ball tampering cheats can make a comeback.

If it is agreed that they can we should see them available for selection  around the 21st of the month.

So I think they should be allowed back to play international cricket................well I think you know the camp I am in.

And now its time to head off, have a great day!

Sunny Sunday

So the beds are stripped and on the line, the sun is shining and making you think that it is warm.......believe me its not, prancing out into the extensive grounds of the chateau in my 'jim jams' was not one of my better ideas!

There is lots to do today, as I list more 'stuff' on ebay  in the grand clear out.And I am also off to the town, that will kill about 5 minutes of my time. well maybe 15 as I will be having a mooch around the charity shop, my all time favourite hobby.

I have the spare room to hoover and dust in preparation for the arrival of Fun Sophie, next weekend, when I will share the delights of my town, yes a trip to Greggs and the cricket club will be the highlight of her weekend me thinks!



It was good to see England on a winning streak and good for the morale of the team, lets see if they can maintain it this winter.
Good to see the lads smiling.

The 3rd test start on the 23rd.


South Africa saw another win over Australia who are still trying to find some form. Well down to the Proteas, cracking win.

and now time to go and do things.

have a great Sunday

Lazy daisy

Well I am up and about after a super long lie in, and this week it has not just been me that was celebrating a birthday, also the town that I live in has been celebrating its 70th birthday.

This was the first town to be built under the New Towns act of 1946, and was to be the flag ship design for the new towns that would be springing up in post war England.

 During the war  it has been the site of many munitions factories, due to the constant mist that hung over the area hence giving some natural camouflage for the factories, which in turn were built in grass covered mounds( proper green thinking too), some were still there when we moved here.

The ladies who worked these factories became known as the 'Aycliffe Angels' and I'm proud to say my Mum was one of them.
The commemorative garden at St Claires Church has a  seat dedicated to them.

The first houses that were put up were prefabs which are still there with some tenants currently having a stand off with the local council who are wanting to knock down approx 40 dwellings and put up 600 houses ( OK I have over egged that a little but you get the drift).
Lord Beveridge will be turning in his grave, especially as he even lived here, someone who really lived his dream.

The town may be a shadow of its original design, but it is at this moment my home. The original footprint can still be seen although it is probably now about 3 times larger than was planned.

and with that trip through the history of my town, I am off to walk around the concrete monstrosity that is the 70's rehash of the town centre.

happy Saturday and Happy Birthday Newton Aycliffe.

It's Fryday!

so it's 'Fryday' and I am preparing to head off to see 'big Al' and order the bacon butties for the gang, I'm not sure that they will manage them as we ate our body weight in scones with jam and cream yesterday in honour of my birthday.

And talking of the big day, what a day it was, with flowers galore, plants, choccies, lots of smellies ( are they trying to tell me something?), money, jewellery.......well you get the drift, I was totally spoilt and  it was all much appreciated.

Today will mainly be about getting through the morning and getting home to relax, I'm not doing anything tonight, just chilling out.

and chilling out is what Joey Root needs to do as he is handed a demerit point for dissent.

News also coming through that Faf du Plessis will  retire from international T20 after the ICC World cup in Australia, I'm crying already!

England are back to doing an England as they have lost wickets before lunch, they need to come out fighting.


News of IPL ( or 'I've pocketed loads' as it is known here at the Chateau)teams is starting to filter through..............oh joy!

And thats it for today as I head off to see what the highways gang have put in place over night, roadworks is becoming my favourite swear word!

Have a super Friday, its nearly the weekend!

It's here

So the best day of the year has arrived and I am already distraught as there was no Sean Bean at the door with a huge bouquet of white roses!, I am guessing that he is waiting for me in the car park at the salt mines!

So here it is, I am 21 (+ VAT, council tax and water rates) and I am heading off to spend the day in the land of waste water, what more could a birthday girl ask for..................a lot is the answer to that, but someone has to pay the mortgage!

England  have been celebrating my birthday too as they have the hosts at 139-4 at lunch this is in reply to England's 285 all out, not great but better than expected this time yesterday.

Interesting to see that Cricket Australia have laid down guidelines for players wanting to go to the IPL, this to protect their domestic and international teams, something that the ECB should be doing instead of letting players go at the last minute as they did last season.

We were due to go to the cinema last night but postponed it until I can sit for 30 seconds without coughing as if I have smoked 40 Woodbines!
I have to pop to my Auntie Normas's on the way home as it is her birthday today too, she is also 21 +.

I woke up to some fabulous messages from friends both here and across the world, how wonderful.

well time and cakes wait for no lady so I am off to try to tame the mane and head out of the door.

Have a wonderful day, I intend to.

Midweek

Yes I am off to work today as I have a big meeting with men from a water board.
I am sure that me coughing and sneezing through the whole thing will mean that it is shorter than normal, or at least that is the plan.

I am feeling better the temperature is still a bit out of sync, the cough is still rib bruisingly painful and I feel that I have swallowed a couple of razor blades, but this is a marked improvement on the weekend, so off I have to go.

I have a couple of bits of cricket news though before I hop away.

a couple of weeks ago you may remember that I mentioned John Hastings the Aussie man mountain, who had been struck down by some mystery lung problem. This meant that as he was running in to bowl he would cough up blood!
Doctors are unable to sort out the problem and the worry is that this could cause major problems, so sadly John has made the decision to retire.
I wish him well both in health and in what the future holds for him.

Other news, its lunch in Sri Lanka and after a terrible start losing 3 wickets we have rallied to 120-4

I think the meeting might be a god send for me.

I know this is short but I have lots to do, have a very Happy Wednesday.

Off we go

So, I am up and I am dressed and I will be preparing to head out out the door very shortly, after 2.5 days in bed I should be feeling much better, but in reality I am still struggling,It can only improve from here onwards.

I am totally dosed up with 'drugs' and have now also  turned to bone broth to try to get me through the rest of the week, although it looks as if this may become something that will get me through the winter.
It can't hurt and to be honest with the lack of appetite it means I am actually getting something down me.

Time to get this birthday week going properly.

Well now its all going off in Sri Lanka, as Captain Joe Root has finally made it clear who will be wearing the gloves for the remaining two tests.

Yes Ben Foakes has beaten Jonny B to the stumps, Foakes who is currently rated as the best keeper in the squad, as well as proving a great debutante with the bat, is about to make it a lot harder for Jonny to get his wicket keeping position back.

Root said that Jonny is a huge part of the future team, but I'm disappointed to say that Jonny has done a Finny and become the tourist.
Maybe he should be sent home now if he has no chance of playing, after all we appear to nearly have a full squad of wicket keepers out there.

We will see how it all pans out in the next few days, will Foakes stay the hero?

I'm a huge fan of instagram, and love the pics and videos of friends and the famous few that I follow, however I have had to unfollow one of the 'famous' few as it is so obvious that they their account is operated by another.
I have to say that most of those that I follow post fun and interesting things, I havent posted in the last few days as I guess pics of me in my PJ's is not too great and a video of me coughing my heart out not the best viewing.

Well I am off to the salt mines to see what mayhem and madness took place yesterday. There is bound to be alot to catch up on and I really am not in the mood to do any of this.

Have a great day.

Birthday week begins......

.........and  I'm still in bed, I have taken the decision not to go into work today as I still do not feel in full Lady Lainey mode, I have to go to the Docs too, so I thought why put myself through multiple drives through the roadworks.

Not like me at all!

In other news (and as you will probably know) South Africa won the one day series against Australia, yes that was something to make me smile. I had listened to it through the night ( it relieved the boredom in between trying to cough up a lung).

Over in Sri Lanka young Ollie Pope has been released from the test squad to join the Lions tour in the UAE.
Pope,who  was the new 'wunderkind' last summer when he was drafted into the test side, has this tour been ousted by his team make Ben Foakes, who was drafted in to replace Jonny B.
Its a fickle old world!

Pope is hoping to get some  play with the Lions  ahead of the West Indies tour early next year.

Down under the teams are lining up for the Big Bash, not much been said about any players from the UK ( although I may have missed this). I am going to be shouting (along with my family in Oz ) for  Perth. Well I would if I watched it and I doubt that I will.

So with that I am going to go back to bed and try to get another hours sleep. Or at least lie down without coughing.

Have a great Monday

Lest we forget

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning 

We will remember them

Well that wasn't how it was planned

So I am up, but that is about the best its going to get, I am supposed to be in the car on the way to a surprise birthday jaunt and instead I am waiting to go to the emergency clinic as my 'cold' has turned worse and I am now alternating between very high temperature and  freezing cold, the cough is now worse than ever, I have no voice and am struggling to breathe......................oh joy!


I hope that my overnight stay is not in Darlington Memorial hospital!


We are playing it by ear at the moment as to whether we get away, it will depend on what the doctor says.

As of yet I have not had any palpitations so that is a positive!



England won there test against Sri Lanka and broke a curse that seemed to be hanging over them.

Australia managed a win against South Africa, by the narrowest of margins, although listening to the commentary you would have though that they bowled SA out for 0.
It had to be the most biased commentary that I have heard in a long time.
Its all to play for.


Right thats me done as I am off to get looked at.

Have a great day

and breathe.....

....it's Friday and its the 'pre birthday' weekend, so lots goign on.

I managed to get through yesterday at work without any work wear mishaps which is a bonus, although the drive  and from work is becoming unbearable, what with road works and the increased volume of traffic due to extensive building work behind our office ( new housing, hotel and offices) it is all becoming a real headache.
Who knew a 10 mile journey could take 1.5 hours!

Over in Sri Lanka England seem to be going into 'rush hour' mode as they had Sri Lanka 98-3 as lunch was called.

A demerit point was given out too for an incident on Wednesday, I am guessing that detention will be the next thing!

Down under Australia are all out for  231 with Rabada getting a five fer, not to be out done  Pretorious and the lovely Dale Steyn made their mark too. I will be listening to this for the remainder of the match, it will block out the rantings of 'Richard Tator' who is back in the office today.


Lots to do straight after work as I drop off things for the church fair and then head off toTesco to do the shopping.

Ah its all go,

And go I must as I have to negotiate the A167 and the by pass.

There has to be a better way to earn a crust, surely?

have a fabulous Friday, I may/may  not be here tomorrow, that will depend on the order of the weekend.

Off to see 'Big al, the hungry persons pal.

Coughs and sneezes

Yukky!, full of cold and not feeling super fit this morning!

The cold has been doing its rounds in the office and like good colleagues we have been sharing it with each other.
Mine looked to be on the way out, but is now back with a vengeance complete with hacking cough, something that I have to keep an eye on, just in case it causes the temperature spiking, heart palpitating nonsense of old.

Over in Sri lanka they are having a spot of lunch and England are currently 11-3, Jennings is continuing to prove me wrong and is on 60. Root and Moeen have gone very cheaply.

Good to see that Michael Vaughan is on the Foakes bandwagon, kiss of death for that kid, and believe me Vaughan will soon jump ship when it goes 'Pete Tong'

Interesting to see that Matt Prior has been talking about Jonny B's injury and urging him not to rush back. I think that he should have been suggesting that Jonny doesn't take part in footy practice.
Jonny watched his replacement Foakes score a century, one,of only two wicket keepers  to do this on his test debut....................the other being Prior!

Of course we all know that the fight for a place in the team is the main concern of all squad members.

Yesterday was a fraught day in the office with some tempers becoming frayed, this is not something that I am used to with my boys, I fear that I may be seeing more of this in the weeks to come.

And frayed is what happened to  my work apparel too, after buying 2 pairs of leggings in September  I had one pair that I hadn't worn so put them on yesterday. I spend hours looking for leggings that will fit my rather long legs and when I do find good ones, I stick with them.

So  on they went and all was well until just I popped to the ladies room and found that the waistband was unravelling at a rate of knots and I was in danger of having said leggings round my ankles before lunch.

I hastily made repairs and tweeted 'New Look' where I had purchased them. Top marks to their customer service team.  I will have new leggings on the way to me very soon, and the other ones held on until I got home when they completely fell apart!

Well off to pop on a pair of 'Long Tall Sallys' and hope to get through the day without incident.


have a good one!

Midweek mayhem

Wednesday already and half way through the working week.

As it is my birthday month, and I am trying to keep things on the up, although the enormity of D Day has had a very definite impact on my ( and my gangs) Christmas.

As I am trying to focus on fun and frolicking aplenty this month, I am also trying not to think of the fact that my Xmas plans have been shattered.

So I took to looking for an alternative and think that I have found a great chance to get away for the Xmas Bank Holiday and be totally spoilt. Not what had been planned and booked but hey, the New Year is the new start etc etc.

This may seem cryptic, but long/short of it.

All Xmas leave was cancelled as it had not been approved by new company.

So now that I have got that off my chest, its back to the birthday celebrations and tonight I am off to party with the girls, it’s a school night and I am making an exception, I will have a couple of glasses of champers.

I am sure that champers was not on the drinks list for the England boys, although they did rally late on yesterday. However today is another day, and with newby, Foakes hitting a century things look on the up. Sri Lanka are currently 42-4

News from the dark side is that 'ever popular' Liam Livingstone has stepped down as one day captain at Lancashire.

more woes down under as Pat Howard steps down as CA executive general manager of team performance.
Now there's a title to be proud of!
They have put Belinda Clark, the former women's captain in for the time being, expect things to happen is all I can say!

Well only a couple more work days and then off to have more fun in the build up to the big day.

I received a fabulous bouquet yesterday which was a wonderful surprise and just what I needed to focus me on the fun in the build up to my 21st birthday.

I'm soooooo excited!

Tired old Tuesday

well its Tuesday and thankfully its the 6th of November which hopefully means an end to the fireworks..............although we all know it won't be.

I drove home with my way illuminated by showers of stars and this continued very late ( thanks to my neighbours). The baby Border terrier down the street must have been beside itself, I know I was!

And then when I got up it wasn't much better, well there were no fireworks in Englands performance in the test, They are currently at lunch and are  113-5 which is down to Jennings really.

News from 'darn Sarf' that Richards Johnson has gone to Surrey, Johnson was the assistant coach at Middlesex  but had been released from his contract.
His deal with Surrey is for three years.

Before long the Surrey team will be made up of coaches!

News was circling yesterday about a possible Kolpak signing for Yorkshire, I have to say I wasn't  impressed and will not be taking heed of gossip.

Its a quiet day in the office today as 'Richard tator' is off to Essex, we will all be racing in to see if we can get a space in 'Directors' parking.

I've made banana bread for the troops and hopefully it will be a relaxed day .

Well off I go,  we need more cricket news and soon.

have a good one.

Monday woes!

Well Mondays are usually not a great day, but down under it is looking as if they want the week to end pretty soon.
Their woes continue with the news that Mark Taylor has resigned as Cricket Australia Director.
He said that his resignation would allow Australia to ' work on a clean page'.( notice he didn't say sheet......as in sandpaper!)
He also stated that the events of March this year in his resignation letter.( and still no mention of sandpaper)

I wonder why he took so long to come to the decision to resign?


maybe this is what 'Elite honesty' is about??!!

the effects of the whole ball tampering event continue to shake the Australian cricket set up..................and they talk about letting the culprits back????!!!!!


There were also not lucky on the field yesterday as they were stuffed by South Africa.

two more games to play in this series and I cannot wait!

We are also not so lucky, as Jonny B is still not fit for the First test!!!

Yes the football warm up is to blame and it was interesting to read that Jack Russell is also against this type of warm up.

its just not cricket!


Ireland continue to bolster their squad as Barry Mccarthy leaves Durham to concentrate on his international career.

I now leave here to continue my career in the world of waste water, after running the gauntlet of road works and the then face the misery that is the lack of tea and coffee.
Funds are low and I am at a loss to see how an office of 10 got through 200 tea bags last week...................considering that 5 of us only drink coffee.
Strange goings on.

oh well out the door I go.

Hope that Monday is not a woeful one for you.

Cricket!

So I've finally crawled out of bed and I'm tuned into the cricket down under.

After a very full day yesterday with the home renovation show, I am thinking that today could well be more relaxing.

The show was great I totally enjoyed it, I've lots of ideas to take with me when I eventually move ( if the market here picks up). Although bases at house building or total renovations there was lots of tips for all forms of house 'doing up'

We raced home and quick shower and change and off to a charity function.
A fabulous evening where we were in the company of some lovely people, a lot of money was raised for a fabulous cause and very early morning arrival at the chateau.

That should have been it, but there was cricket on and by the time I put on the radio,my South African boys had Australia 2-4.

Dale Steyn was giving the selectors great pleasure for giving him a place in the team.

Australia were all out for  152.

South Africa are currently 94-1 and I'm needing more coffee.

I have lots to do today which includes stripping the beds, something I have to do very soon as its dry outside and they might get a good blow on the line.

So without further ado I am off to do it, there are radios on in every room of the house so that I can hear the last part of the game.

Have  a great Sunday .

Its Friday

Well we made it to Friday and today there will be celebrations in the office as it is the birthday of my sidekick Lainey Jane, more birthday celebrations.

Plans are to do the shopping on the way home and then get cosy and watching my Dynasty catch up.

But first I have to go to see 'Big Al, the hungry persons pal. We are very low on the ground staff wise due to holidays, so it will be a small order for Al today.


More trouble in OZ!
The Chairman of cricket Australia has resigned a week after signing a three year contract.
His resignation comes in the wake of the report issued this week.
he took full responsibility for what happened in South Africa (!!!???) and also described it as a 'hiccup'.

Well that's one word to describe it!!!


England were again thwarted by the weather in Sri Lanka, it appears that they took the British weather with them.

oh well onwards and upwards!


Weather wise here it is dry but cold and thermals are now the main part of my work wear.
Its grim up north!


Ah well time to go.

It s been low on the ground cricket news wise this week, so lets hope for better next week.

Happy Friday.

Happy November

Happy November, the best month of the year................except for the fact that it is a cold and dark month.

So I stated the birthday celebrations off early as I went out to the cinema with my sidekick, Lainey Jane (yes there are two of us), to see 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.
Well I thought it was absolutely brilliant and I laughed when I remembered their appearance on'Top of the pops' and also got slightly tearful at the wonderful memories of 'Live Aid' ( amazing really to remember these as I am only 21!).
I have to say that I loved the portrayal of Roger Taylor.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it.

We then went out for a late dinner, pasta 'car banana' was the choice and then home to bed.
Starting the celebrations off nicely.

Over in the cricket world Justin Langer has been having his say about ball tampering, stating that it is an 'international' problem. Well that maybe so, but  it seems a bit of sour grapes after getting caught at it.

Lots of news on the changes to the domestic season here in Blighty coming form 2020 as they unveiled the structures yesterday.

General phasing out of CC by  blocking off July and August it seems. Cold comfort ( excuse the pun) for CC lovers and the ECB making sure that it will be 6 men and a whippet and Lady Lainey watching"!!!

Ah white ball, the saviour of cricket.......not!


Well time to head off before I get all ranty.


well I guess I will be all ranty in about 15 minutes as I get to the road works!