Big day today

Well its Thursday and its a biggy for me today as I am off to 'do secret stuff'.
It should make for a very pleasant day..............if all goes well in the office this morning.

Faces were very long in the office yesterday ( not just mine) it is very hard to watch my bright and lively team slowly having the life sucked out of them.
The hardest thing is that we all know that we want to move but we are loathe to leave in the middle of projects that we have poured a lot of effort into.

I had a quick meeting with them to see if there was any more that I could do. Sadly there is nothing that I can do apart from support them until we all go our separate ways.

As if that isn't bad enough I now have the 2nd worst Estate Agent  in Ladylaineyville ( only the 2nd worst because its the second one I've used). 2 weeks in and cannot get their act together...................how flipping hard is it to sell a house!!!!!!

There is a lot of negativity about Duanne Olivier coming to Yorkshire, both from some Yorkshire fans and from a lot of South Africans, who think he is a disgrace to his country.

The way I look at any player coming on a Kolpak deal is that, it is not something that is done lightly.
Olivier has given up his test career which could have not been an overnight decision.
Give the lad a chance those from Yorkshire who are being negative. The season hasn't even started and non supporting is rife.

And it may not always be about cash!

I've said my piece now.

So other cricket news, England went off at a rate of knots in the ODI, Jonnny B  and Alex Hales were both over 50 in what seemed like a short space opf time.
Josh Buttler hit 150 as England posted 418-6.
And they won by 29 runs despite Gayles 162.

So 2-1 up and one ODI to go.

Over in Australia former temporary Tyke Glenn Maxwell  hit 113 not out as they beat India in the second T20.

and now, I am off to the post office before I head off to work ( the post office on the industrial estate opens at 5.30am).
Have a great day, although according to the weather forecaster we are turning back into February weather today.

 

Mid week already

Well here we are at Wednesday and half way through the working week.
And I seem to have crammed a lot into it already.

Yesterday I realised that I spend more time trying to sort out problems of unhappy staff than I do with waste water, this is turn is becoming a problem as I am now adding extra hours to my day to try to get my work done.
I really am at the end of a very stretched tether.

Having eventually got home at 8pm last night after leaving the house at 6.30am, I realised that this is not doing me any good at all and it has to stop.

Not really much else to add to that.


The good news yesterday was that Yorkshire has signed Duanne Olivier, who I have been rambling on about since his test debut for South Africa.
We now have the chance to have him in the side on a 3 year deal, Yorkshire have in the past said that they would not have a Kolpak player, but finally they have backed down and done it.
Olivier has given up the chance of any further international  cricket and having seen the open letter that he had written, I would say that the 26 year old has his head screwed on correctly.

I for one am very happy about this signing.


England are in action today and not tomorrow as I stated yesterday ( confused? yes me too)

And now I am heading out the door and off to the office, for another day of fun and frolics.

Anyone got an opening for an all singing all dancing, peacemaker/teamaker/Document controlling/office managing/ acquisitions/HR/accounting........well you get the drift.
Offers on a postcard to

Disgruntled of Darlo!

Sunshine

Isn't it amazing what a difference sunshine makes, people smile more, and look happier, I feel happier, until I see dust that the sunshine is highlighting!
We have been basking in  sunshine for the past few days and the temperatures are much warmer than they should be.
This time last year we were in the grip of 'The Beast from the East'!!!

I am hoping ( yes I know its a while yet) that this manages  to stick around for the start of the season, I'm not sure how much bag room I have in my new seat! I'm thinking about 'flaskage' ( the theory of how many flasks you can get in an area).
I need two soup flasks to keep me going and two coffee flasks to keep me caffeinated, and then there needs to be room for my handbag and Pink Hippo...............I may need a row of seats!

Anyhoo that is in the future and there is a lot of rain to fall before then.

So what has been happening in the cricket world

Well we were having wall to wall sunshine and England were having rain in the Caribbean! The game was washed out. Not a single ball bowled.
Series is tied with the next game being played on Thursday.

Life in the land of waste and drinking water is now at its lowest ebb.
The constant pushing the boundaries by one person has now caused maximum agitation with my boys.
I spoke to Dick Tator about it and was duly informed that this person had recently  negotiated flexi time, 30 days holiday ( salary sacrifice) and home working. When I asked why everyone else was not included in this he told me that 'if everyone had flexi time and home working there would be no one here at 5pm'.
I replied 'at this rate there will be very few people here on Friday!'.
After the episode with my holidays at Christmas, its a little bit irksome.
I fear that my desk may soon be littered with more resignations.

oh well less moaning and more doing.
And now I am off to see what happens today.

start of an exciting week.

Yes indeed, Monday is here again ( how quickly it comes round), this week is quite exciting for me, as I have lots of things going on  apart from the usual saltmines nonsense.
That really is all that I can say, as I have found to my detriment, things mentioned here have been passed off by some as their own.

Anyhooooo, the weekend?

Well headed off to Garforth for a meeting on Saturday and then had a wander around the shops which resulted with me coming home with a boot full of shopping from their Coop ( we no longer have a Coop round the corner after it was sold).

Then Miss Margot and Miss Babs arrived and luckily Babs has chilled out now ( still a pup but less 'bouncy').
So we all went to bed for an afternoon nap.

The weather has been truly glorious very unseasonal, so lots of washing was done and  hung out and dried.
Yesterday morning I sat out in the garden whilst the girls raced around the extensive grounds.
It really has been a fabulously warm weekend.

And I have finally got someone to lay the terrace, which is great...............now that the house is going back on the market.

And then there was cricket ......


So England lost the 2nd ODI in a thrilling game ( apparently). I missed it  due to doggy things.
They are back playing today looking to go 2-1 up according to the news this morning.

South Africa are having a nightmare at the moment, however I think that they are lulling everyone into a false sense of security for the World Cup.

And Cameron 'Croft ( hes had the Ban lifted now) scored 138 on his return to  first class cricket, not a piece of sandpaper in sight.

Abraham Benjamin has signed for Middlesex, which  means that I will be off to see a T20 game down south, I may not like T20 but I do like to see AB bat.

And now I am off to work.

I'm being positive as I very good things going on this week, and refuse to let anything spoil it.

Happy Monday

Non stop Saturday

I'm up dressed and ready to head off to West Yorkshire to meet some fabulous cricket people, I think that I am organised, we will see when I get there.

Then I will be hosting Miss Margot and Miss Babs until tomorrow.

Busy busy,

Ive caught up with the cricket events of yesterday, which was not exactly what I would have liked to read.

So West Indies  beat England.

South Africa crumbled against Sri Lanka.

And Tom Harrison is obviously on some fabulously strong medication as he waffled on about 'The Hundred' being a success already.
I can only take this as a success in that him and his shelf stacker mate have already lined their pockets. I cannot think how a'format' which has changed the long set down rules of cricket, and has not even been played yet, is a success.

Also see that Ashley Giles is already getting his ducks in a row, or rather his mates into the appropriate positions in the England set up.
Boys club!

Right enough of all of that this is super short as I am off to Yorkshire.

Have a great day.

See you Monday

Its fry up day in memory lane

Hurrah it is Fry up day, which means for me, a trip to see Big Al  and order the Friday morning treats.
It also means half day working and the weekend.

We are all ready for the weekend although mine is mahoosively busy as I head off  to be told how unique I am this afternoon ( again) and then tomorrow, off to an  early morning meeting with some very lovely cricket folk, before getting Miss Margot and Miss Babs and looking after them until Sunday.

Phewwwww!!!! full on busy!!!


In the office yesterday lunch time we were talking ( again) about people we have met who made an impression on us.

 I recalled  a lady who's husband worked with my Dad, she made a huge impression on a young Lainey.

Bob, ( her husband) was a man with a full head of white fluffy hair who had been been in the army during WWII.
After our first visit to North Africa, he told us that when he was in the Sahara during the war, it snowed.........and it was pink. Something that we were sceptical about until it happened a few years ago and was much reported.

However I digress,Maria, his wife was a lovely Lady from Turin, and back in the 70's in a small town  in the North East of Blighty she very much stuck out like a sore thumb.
She was a very quiet lady who knew Mum, but kept herself very much to herself. She would go to the local shops every day, and would be seen out and about in the car with Bob, but she remained  a very private person.

I had to do a project on Italy for school and so Mum asked her if she would talk to me about Italy and especially Turin.

I went to her house, which was absolutely spotless, nothing out of place and everywhere gleaming.
She was a wonderful story teller with her gentle Italian lilt.
I learnt a lot about the country ( especially Venice which she loved) the food ( especially the different types of pasta which she loved), and the history of the country.

She talked and talked and I scribbled in my notebook.

As we talked she pushed up the sleeve of her cardigan.......................

and it revealed  numbers tattooed on her arm.

Even as a child I knew what this meant and tried not to stare at her arm.

This beautiful, quiet and reserved lady will always  be remembered by me, it is the only time that I have knowingly been in the presence of a concentration camp survivor.

Sadly this time of her life had made a huge impact ( obviously), her daily trips to the shops were to buy numerous cleaning products and bleach and she spent the rest of the day scrubbing her house 'clean'.
We would now recognise this as OCD ( related to a event in her life), at the time it was seen as  an oddity.
Sadly this lady passed away in her 50's.
I was very sad to hear of her death.

I will never forget Maria.



Time to sign off and head to work I think.
Hope its not been too boring a read this week, hopefully I can concentrate on cricket next week.




* In later years I worked for a German Jewish gentleman, who escaped Europe on the last  boat out of Holland.......but that is another story*

Thursday and week nearly over

So its Thursday already and I am up showered, dressed and ready to head to the saltmines.

We are hopefully having a quiet day today as 'Richard Tator' is on holiday and 'Richard Tator 2' will  sit in his office with the door closed, playing games on his phone.
I may pop into Morrisons and pick up doughnuts for my boys, just as a little treat.
Morale is very low, the jobs that were vacated, have been filled by staff from the new companies other offices.
This has not helped in the 'workhouse' (workshop) as the boys in there feel that they are being spied on.
Oh the joys of a new owner!


Yesterday England were in One Day action against The West Indies
And we won, managing the highest  ODI run chase. Jason Roy and Joe Root both scored centuries.
I have to admit to not watching any of it, in all truth I am not an International fan, I prefer my beloved County Championship.

I am now on countdown to the start of the season and being back at 'home' and in my seat. I'm looking forward to the peace and tranquillity of shutting myself off from everything and watching my boys.

Note to self, start making soup and freezing it, you are going to need it I think.

In other cricket news

Today sees the start of the 2nd test in South Africa, after losing at the weekend , the team seem to be focused.
I will be keeping an eye on the score during the day.

Just to say that the little 'events' that I have mentioned over the last week or so,that happen to me on holiday are what I have come to class as a normal  for me, I also have these odd things happen in day to day life too.
Who else could go to a Memorial service and go back to her car, speak to an RAF pilot in the mini bus next to her and realise that there is a naked airman behind him!
Nice tattoos is all I can really say!!!!

When in Rome....

....well I am not actually in Rome, I am in Ladylaineyville, but one of my office boys has just come back from a weekend break there, and so we had a great morning  listening to his tales.

Apart from the fact that he thinks he may have to remortgage his house to pay his credit card bill, he had a fab time.
Although I thought ( being from Yorkshire and all that) 20 Euro a tad steep for two ice creams!

He got back unscathed after we ribbed him for weeks that his girlfriend had picked Valentines Weekend in anticipation of a big question being asked or asking it!!!!!

Sadly I will not be buying a big hat this summer.

We got to talking about things we have seen abroad ( clean things) that have stayed with us.
Mine was the chip vending machine in Valencia train station, seen  when Jon and I were travelling around in the early 90's.
You put your money in and it fried chips and dispensed them.
As this is not now seen world wide , I take it that the safety factor of a machine frying chips in hot oil ( you could hear it all going on) may have seen the demise of this fabulous invention.

Quick check on google and over the years they have been trying to modify this machine to be used in public places.

One of the boys had seen in Bulgaria, a horse and cart being driven by an old chap sitting in a leather chesterfield type armchair!

I think the funniest was  when 'Mickey Dripping' said he wasn't much impressed by that church in Barcelona!

And now there is cricket to discuss.


Firstly let me say in a totally unbiased way that I am not totally believing the result of the Yorkshire  Best T20 moment'
Anyone who voted will have seen that TLJL catch was way ahead of the Lyth/ Finch catch on both social media platforms ( FB & Twitter).
However Lyth/ Finch won.

That said, I think  that TLJL's catch was outstanding and will be talked about for years to come ( if I have anything to do with it).

And then there is other cricket

Well now Scotland have been playing against Oman and  I have to say that Ruaidhi Smith  has been bowling  brilliantly.
He might even be heading into my top 10 bowlers for the 2019 season.
So now that this cat is out of the bag, I am sure that his hits on google will have gone up considerably.

Nasser Hussein is backing Jofra Archer to get a place in the England team as soon as he qualifies.Actually he is saying that he has  to be picked.
I hadn't realised that he had gone from miserable Sky pundit to chief selector!
Yes lets throw another player in the England mix
I am sure that he is the saving grace for England, I'm sure that he will bring something to the team that they are lacking....................

yeah whatever!

And now  I am off to the Post Office to send a thank you to the wonderful gang at Flicx UK for my new roll out wicket that I have received. A fabulous gift and much appreciated.
Happy Wednesday.

Time to look ahead

Well its Tuesday and time I think,for me to look at my long term plans and make things happen.
I fear that things in the land of waste water are not the best.
After a thoroughly relaxing weekend, I went back to the office to find that 'Richard Tator' had not turned in , 'Richard Tator 2' didn't know where he was and 2 new starters waiting to start that no one knew about.


Surely it should not be this hard????

However no point in crying over spilt sewage, nothing is going to change and that is evident, time to move on with my plans and get myself sorted.

The thought of working for myself is a great thought but a huge leap into the dark, which is why I am still working full time whilst seeing how I get on.

Thoughts are turning  also to the upcoming season, although there are a couple of cricket related events coming up before the start of the season proper, which I am very much looking forward to.

I see that the super ego that is Chris Gayle has announced that he will be retiring from ODI cricket after the world cup, however the man not known for his modesty, stated on Sunday that he is the greatest player in the world, a great man and the Universe Boss.
 Yeah! whatever!!!
He is a good player but it is his flamboyant over the top 'personaliy' ( and choice of hairstyles) that made him really stand out in my opinion.

Over in my beloved SA, there seems to be a spot of 'dissecting' the team after the loss at the weekend.

I tuned in early Saturday and it looked as if it was going SA way,and then I heard that they lost!
However reading that the team need Abraham Benjamin back make me a tad cross.
Teams have to move on from former players and cultivate new ones.
Bringing up AB is a bit like saying that England need to recall Ian Botham!
I  am looking forward to the summer when they are over here!

And with that I am off, the roads were no better yesterday even though it is half term, so best head out to face it all.

Have a great day .

Another week, and lots going on.

Well a new week begins and I am ready to face it after an awesome weekend of sleeping, swimming, eating and drinking and having lots of treatments.
I also went for a fabulous walk in the grounds yesterday morning, time just slipped away and before I knew it, I had been out for 2 hours.

I got back in time for coffee and cake before heading off for a hot stone massage.

By the time I left late yesterday afternoon, I was floating on a cloud of well being.


It was a wonderful weekend and I am looking to do it again, a great way for me to recharge my batteries.

Today it is back to the treadmill and all that I have to accomplish this week.

However I am taking one day at a time.

So what has been happening in the cricket world whilst I have been in tranquillity central?

Well the longest cricket tournament ever in the whole wide world, finished at the weekend. The Big Bash is over for another season.

In English cricket Paul Farbrace has been announced as Warwickshires new Director of Cricket, and will be leaving the England set up after the Caribbean tour comes to an end.
My money is on him only staying there until the England job comes up.

And that it is for today, I am off onto the 167 and hopefully this will be a good week for travel as the schools are on holiday .

Have a great week everyone.

Tales from the Spa.

Well now, I am firmly wrapped up in my lovely fluffy bath robe writing this to you, yes I know Sunday was supposed to be my 'day off' but I am feeling so chilled out that I decided to let you know how its going.

I'm at a hotel/spa resort that I first came to as a wedding guest for the reception of a 'Bad Seed' a few years ago.

So after arriving yesterday morning  ( glass of champagne waiting), I got changed into my swimsuit and went for a dip in the pool.

Coffee and cake was served at 11.00am and then I went for the first of my treatments, an aromatherapy massage.

Over the years I have had a lot of these and love them so much I usually fall asleep, which, true to form, I did!

Lunch was served and was smoked salmon quiche with avocado salad. truly wonderful.

Fruit 'melange' followed and I was ready for another sleep, but no I was off for a full facial and also had my eyebrows tamed ( no one should walk around looking like Denis Healey).

By now I was ready for a nap so went back to my fabulous room, and had 40 winks.

I decided to have a swim before dinner , and then sat down to a fabulous 3 course meal with wine.

I chatted to some other of the 'inmates' who seemed a very friendly bunch.

I decided not to prop the bar up all evening and was heading back to my room when the Spa manager asked me if I was interested in 'thalassa therapies'.

OH MY DOG!!!

time stood still  and then I was transported back to 2002.

Just before I got married, my bridesmaid and I decided to have a holiday at a Spa hotel in North Africa, we were going for 10 days peace and quiet, sun and spa treatments.

So settle down because this short blog just got considerably longer!

We arrived in the early hours of the morning, only to be informed that our rooms were still occupied by holiday makers who had been delayed.

We had travelled from the airport with another couple who had been on our plane. 

We were then told that we were being given a suite for the remainder of the night...................and sharing with the other couple!!!!!

Few hours later we found ourselves in reception asking about our real room, when the Rep came in, over hearing the whole thing. He was appalled that we had been sharing with another couple and as a result we were upgraded ( pool side room with private garden, fresh flowers, fruit and wine everyday).

We eventually got settled and headed out for a morning perusing the treatments and soaking up the sun by the pool.

It was a very relaxing day and involved some seaweed wraps and mud facials in the Spa.

We went back to our room drank the wine and went to sample the fabulous food.....................which turned out to be the only food that we ate in the restaurant for the next 9 days.

Heading off to the nightclub at the hotel, we booked a couple of massages the next day and then danced the night away.

Fast forward to 4am.

We had a fabulously large bathroom.................which came in very handy as we were both lying on the floor in agony, in between bouts of 'unwellness'.

8am,we both look like death, but we are on holiday so decide the only thing to do is get on with it.

We take a taxi to town, head to the 'Magasin Generale ' buy 6 bottles of bleach and cleaning cloths, 20 packets of Ritz crackers and 8 bottle of water Safia and Ain Garci ( to replace minerals).

This was to be the order of our holiday, we cleaned our room and bathroom top to bottom,  we only used our bathroom, no public ones ( which we had the day before).

We eat Ritz crackers and drink water.

We found out that a stomach bug was going round the hotel like wild fire, so avoided as many people as possible.

Massages were cancelled until further notice.

Our pre wedding girlie holiday with  fresh  dates and Haut Mornag , boukha and pistachios,  chakchouka and harissa, not to mention spa treats everyday,was never going to happen.

Fast forward  7 days.

Holiday is  nearly over  and we are looking very svelte!!

We have been sunbathing in our private garden ( close to our own bathroom) so at least have a bit of colour, but not made full use of the spa.

So we decide, as we were feeling much better, to go and see what they had on  offer.
'OOOHHH!' said Bridesmaid Lynn,
'Lets have the thalassa  seawater cellulite treatment'
The chance of either of us having cellulite having lost half our body weight in just over a week made us laugh but we decided to do it.

We were positioned in two separate white tiled 'corridors'.
the therapists facing us with what looked like hosepipes.

I motioned to mine that I wasn't quite ready, and then I heard the sound of water spraying............lots of water spraying at high pressure.

I then hear screaming and someone slapping around on a tiled floor like a fish out of water.

I was in tears with laughing, which was not quite what gave Lynn tears in her eyes!

So back to last night.......................did I fancy trying some thalassa therapy.

No thanks!

TGIF

Ah yes it is Friday and time to think about my favourite town in the Champagne Region, a little clue to what is going on later on this evening.

This morning though I will be sorting out the bacon butties on the way to the office and getting through the half day that is Friday, before coming home to have a visit from another estate agent and then packing my bag for the weekend.

ROLL ON HOME TIME

Yesterday was full of the usual gushing of love on social media, which begs the question, Do people not speak to each other?
I've never really bought into Valentines Day, its more a marketing mans dream than an event. Rather like St Patricks Day which is another 'foreign' thing that we are having forced upon us ( like Trick or treat and 'Proms'!!!)
Anyhow, I made cakes for the office, which I had kept secret ( and couldn't even put in here as one office boy reads everyday). So this was a bit of fun and they were much enjoyed.

I enjoyed also the South Africa game and especially reading that Dale Steyn is loving being back in the International side.
Well Dale I am too but like all good things I am dreading the moment that you decide to hang up your boots and pick up your surf board, please not before I get to Cape Town.

Interesting to read  Jonathon Agnew's view on the tour of the West Indies,  he describes it as a 'lightbilb moment ahead of the Ashes'.
I call it a flipping huge klaxon sounding.

I am now off to the sorting office on the way to work and then  start the day,

I wish you a very happy Friday and weekend as I may not be back here until Monday when I should be a new and improved version of me.

Tired Thursday

This is a very short one today as I am
1. very tired
2. running late
3. short on news.

So I'm absolutely shattered this morning, but it is fine as this weekend I am being pampered to within an inch of my life ( and I may not be here on Saturday due to travel).

Yesterday was another cracking day on the non cricket front for me as I got two fabulous invitations and accepted both. Its turning out to be a great start to the cricket season.

In  the office it was  fairly good day and apart from bacon butties and pizza for Mortys birthday, we also had fresh cream eclairs and jam doughnuts. I managed to waddle to the car at the end of the day!.

I have been glancing through the cricket news this morning and found an interview with Trevor Bayliss, who was talking about how England are still 'hunting' for the top three. Well Trev I am sort of thinking maybe you should be looking for a top 11!

South Africa looked to be dazed by some of the Sri Lankan bowling  ending their innings on 235. The visitors were 49-1 over night and Dale Steyn took that wicket..

With that I am out of the door and on my way to the penultimate day of the week.

I cannot wait for the weekend and peace and tranquillity.

Happy Friday

The birds are singing

It is still dark in the morning when I get up, however this morning I heard the blackbirds singing which is always a very happy sound. It is moving ever nearer to the cricket season.

Yesterday at work was a worrying day as my South African Project Manager looks at breaking point due to 'Richard Tator', both of my PM's are unwell, one with a serious back and hip problem, the other having scans and tests due to continual feeling of sickness, which has resulted in him hardly eating.
To say that I am concerned is an understatement, these two are a huge part of my team and at the moment there is little that I  can  do to change the situation for either of them.

Today however 'Richard' is having a day off (YEAY!!!) and 'Richard 2' stays in his office playing solitaire on his computer.......................so as it is 'Mortys' ( Project engineer) birthday, I have organised bacon butties, and pizza for lunch. Not that 'Our Ian' will eat any!!!
A days respite for us all.

And then there was cricket.

Yes we won the test against the Windies and well done to the boys.
However I am worried, seriously worried,after listening to the Joe Roots interview.
We have lessons to learn apparently.
Are these the same lessons we have been having to learn over the past few years? or are they different lessons?
Why have we not learnt them after all the talk about it?
Also it seems winning one match after losing two is 'massive going into a really important summer.'
NO IT ISN'T!

Firstly that attitude is what is wrong with this team.
Secondly going into a massive summer losing a series is not adequate.
Thirdly, someone needs to come up with some new quotes for the Captain to use, these old ones are becoming a little stale.

I am now heading to see Big Al, with the brekkie order and then try to rally my troops.

Bring on the working for myself, it is getting more and more desirable as the days go by.

Have a Happy 'hump' day we are on the downward run to the weekend.

What day is it?

I woke up at 3am, sat bolt upright looking at the clock, I could see what time it was but was totally convinced I had slept in and that it was Thursday.........
 and then there was the strangest dream I have had in a long time. I'm guessing that my dream had to do with the upcoming meeting this week.
I tell you I cannot wait for the weekend and 2 days of pampering.
So as a result  of the early wake up, I am tired and  cranky and have read every report on any type of cricket.

So here is the round up.

Joe Root hit a century as England took control in the 3rd test. Joe then said that England had shown The Windies what we are capable of.......................who writes his woeful script? 1 win does not a series make Joe.
The top order again looking like they've been brought in from the 8th XI. That little known player 'extras' scored more!!!!!!!

Lets see what happens today.

 And just when you thought that things couldn't get any worse in the England team, Michael Vaughan thinks that 'the man with no lips' should be given a recall. Just as we were starting to bring some youth into the team ( no matter how badly they may play) he is calling for this!
I'm surprised he hasn't put himself back up for selection.

Too early for a rant!

Middlesex have signed themselves Afghan player Mujeeb ur Rahmann for the T20 series. The 17 year old had been part of the Hampshire set up last year.
I think we will be seeing a lot more players emerging from Afghanistan.

Right I have a lot to sort out before I head out the door.

Back on the hamster wheel

Well the weekend has flown by in a haze of housework, washing,visits and visiting friends and family.

Saturday morning saw me racing around like a bit of a maniac, as I went to see No 1 sister and then take the car to the garage.
Back to town and shopping and mooching before heading home for cricket, which was very very poor. So I went to bed and had an hours sleep.

Not feeling any less tired I went back to bed just after 8pm!!

So Sunday dawned with the usually bed stripping and washing, trip to Tesco for more shopping and then a visit from Pauly Paul,who came bearing lots of news and gossip.
 It was a lovely (cold)  sunny day so I then walked down to the village to meet extended family of BKOTF ( I went to their wedding last year), and grab a bite to eat.

I was home by late afternoon to see that England were all out 277.
And then Mark Wood went through the Windies like a dose of salts.
He is now the hero of England, having taken a 5fer, so no pressure on him. And to be honest with his history of breaking down, pressure on any part of him is not advisable.
England bowled them out for154 and are currently 19 -0.

Lets see what today brings.

Over in Australia, former temporary Tyke, Glenn Maxwell was up to his hard hitting antics in his game, seeing Melbourne Stars into the semi final pf the BBL.
I will never forget his innings at Scarbados.

And so it is time to head to the office and begin another week. 
I'm totally unsure what it will hold ( although I do have a meeting after work Thursday evening), I know that my 2 days at the Spa are coming up and I am really looking forward to it.
So lets get back on the hamster wheel and  get the week started.

The one where exhaustion kicks in

Well I am up, but I am sorely tempted to go back to bed as I am totally and utterly worn out. Its been a long month this week!!!!!

In between work, refereeing work 'boxing matches', getting the chateau in to order for the Estate Agent, sitting through 1.5 hours of Estate agent speak and other things that I have crammed in this week, I am totally and utterly exhausted.

So this will be short and I am looking forward to my blog day off tomorrow, when I will have a lie in (ie 6.30am then get up and strip the beds and start doing housework again).

In other news  Steve Patterson has been  name as Club Captain.

In worse other news, Keaton Jennings has been recalled to the team for the final test! Might as well send them all home now.

I see that 'Felt tip boy' has renewed his contract with Surrey, no doubt more scribbles on his arms to celebrate.

And that's it, I'm off to do stuff ( collapse on the sofa)

Happy Saturday

Lets get the day started

Well its Fry up day  and so I will be calling in at Big Als on the way to the office to put the breakfast order in.

Then I have a half day of sorting out staffing for new project up in that there border region ( including renting two houses for period of 8 months) and home to meet up with Estate Agent re the Chateau.

Busy, busy, busy.

Hopefully when he has gone I can flop down on the sofa and  have a glass of champers. Well that is the plan.

So quick flick through the cricket news.

England are apparently determined to prove Trevor Bayliss wrong, according to Josh Buttler, since the coach said that the team lacked courage and determination in difficult situations.
Very brave of Buttler to speak out for the team, especially as we all know that the Windies are without their Captain for the next test.


And after seeing some great cricket from the Windies in the tests it appears that they are bringing out the 'show pony; for the ODI's. Oh yes Chris Gayle is coming back!


And talking the West Indies, their  Captain, he has just signed for Northamptonshire for the first month of the season. Best get the lad some thermals.

And with that I am off as it is a super busy day.

Happy half day Friday

* if you have been looking for the blog since before 7am, I forgot to press the 'tweet' button before I ran out of the door and have just realised

And in Australia it is still all change, aftet the news that Saker had resigned as assistant coach, and Troy Cooley would step up for the India and Pakistan matches.
Its been announced that Ricky Ponting will be taking the role for the World Cup.

last push

So after another 'eventful' day at work which included a blast up to a site to sort out two engineers, who were close to coming to blows.
I really did not sign my contract Richard Kissinger, and to be honest they both should this morning be looking for other work, however 'Richard' Tator  thinks differently, notice how he didn't go to sort out the troubles, just spoke to them when they got back to the office.........when both were a  lot calmer.


I then came home and got busy with the final push to have the house photo ready for the estate agents.

And when I had done that I booked myself a couple of days at a spa hotel complete with a number of treatments!

I did have the cricket on whilst doing this and was gutted for my South African boys, they however are not in as much 'poo' as Australia as the rats continue to leave what appears to be a sinking ship.
David Saker the assistant coach has left with immediate effect. Troy Cooley, who served as batting coach to England, looks as if he will move into the role for the ODI series against India and Pakistan.

Lots of movement in the whole of the cricket Australia  set up.

Changes in the team too as Billy Stanlake,Mitch Starc and  Peter Siddle have been left out and  Nathan Coulter-Nile brought in .

Today I will be trying to get done all the work that I didn't finish yesterday.And then home for a final flick of the duster and run over with the hoover.

Then feet up and watch some rubbish TV.

That's the plan...........

Now I am out the door in the pouring rain, so no doubt I will look like a very poor reject for 'Annie' auditions by the time I get to the office!

No matter its Thursday and we are so close to the weekend I can nearly smell it.

Midweek and lighter mornings

So its midweek and the mornings and evenings are getting lighter day by day.

We are getting closer to the clocks going forward which in turn signals to me that it is nearly the start of the cricket season.

I am also just over a week away from meeting up with my potential investor of my little sideline.

I am trying to get all my ducks in a row ready for the  meeting. Its all very exciting.

If all goes well I can head off on holibobs and get started when I get home.

So much going on, especially as I have a new Estate Agent coming out to the house on Friday , more work has been done to the chateau and now time to get it back on the market, sold and for me to move on to Residencia Robinson.

Its going to be a very busy year fingers crossed.

Is there any cricket news I hear you all cry ( yes I know my life is tres boring, but its my life and I like it. I'm not  one for trying to live someone elses dreams)

So here is a very quick run down.

If I can get home in record time tonight I will not miss much of the South African match and will be finishing up the final touches  in the sitting room and dining room whilst this is on.

Justin Langer has said that Warner and Smith will play a part in the Ashes as long as their elbow injuries are sorted.
I'm sure they will be working hard to get back in the team.

And that is about all the news.

Have a great day, hopefully I will be back tomorrow, with a big grin after the South African game.

I have to run as the office gang and I have a 'heads together ' session this morning.

Tuesday musings

Well I am packing my trunk ( and yes that is my trunk) as I am off  away for a few days in a couple of weeks. I am in need of a few days R & R.
The 'blog rest day' and the day when I have a social media  break are doing me the world of good. That and the walking 10000 steps a day.

As I said, this year is all about me, as I am the most important person in my life, its taken me a long time to realise this. I have my plans for the year. so lets get the party started.


I have been reading the continued rehashing of the England display. We are only two tests from the Ashes( and 6 months)................and by all accounts Steve Smith and David Warner are going to play a big part in the Aussie team.
I never knew sandpaper cutter and concealer were a job!
Tim Paine is already starting the motor mouth run up to the event as he 'cannot wait  to realise Ashes dream'

Back to England though, what is the problem? and what can be done?

Well I think the big thing is to stop any of the test players going to play in the IPL, no wonder we can't get past day 3 in a test when they are thinking of the huge amount of money that will soon be in their bank accounts for playing 4 hours(tops) cricket.

Bring them home and back with counties and training.

I am still at this moment saying pay them on a pay for play, huge money saver for the ECB ( more for champers and lobster lunches).There is a lot of money being paid for some 'tourists' on the team.

And with that I am off to earn my pay.

And plan something special for next month as a little treat for me.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Another week begins

So yesterday was a busy day here at the chateau, as I tried to get things done in time to watch the South Africa game.

First up, finish the painting and get the housework done.
Second job to fill the car with more things for the charity shop and drop it off.
Third job make some food for lunch and to take to work today, Easiest thing to whip up, was quiche, so lunch yesterday and also today and some has gone into the freezer to have another day.

Washing was done and then I sat down to watch the South Africa game. And they won..........but not before they took it too the wire, what a flipping brilliant game.

Those of you who have been on Mars this weekend may not know that England were rolled over once again by the West Indies.
Some ex England players ( of no great note) even mentioning that no one saw that coming.
Well to be honest the West Indies play very well at home and always have done, never write them off.

Other news Brendan McCullum is retiring from BBL. ( not earth shattering)
Jason Holder has been banned for one test for slow over rate, just to give England a chance I think.

Trevor Bayliss is saying that there are not enough County players pushing for a place..................... well that would be due to them looking for big bucks in franchise T20 around the world.
Because T20 is cricket if all the hype is to be believed.


I think I had better go and get off to work before I get on a rant.


Happy Monday

White and beautiful

I am not a great fan of snow when you have to drive to work in it, however I can appreciate how wonderful it can make a dull and bare winter landscape look.
Yesterday after finally getting through to work ( 10 miles,2 hours), I sorted out the butties from Big Al and then had to go and get other supplies from Morrisons ( because office boys lose the use of their legs when they get to the office, oh and it was cold outside!).
The walk to the Brick Train looked stunning with white paths instead of muddy puddles.
This morning the sky is ( as my Mum would have said) 'heavy' with snow, although the forecast isn't saying that.

As with all things this year I am putting a positive spin on the whole snow thing, it will give me an extra boost in my morning walk that's for sure.
And walk I am to the post office ( standard!) and  then a spot of retail therapy in the town ( hardly going to break the bank), then home to do a spot of painting ( yes back on the decorating, it never stops).
And then cricket...................................

which will make for more miserable viewing.
I'm not giving any recap on yesterday, those in the know, know and  those not in the know are lucky!

Interesting to read that Darren Lehmann former coach of 'cheats United' has been commenting on out of form Usman Khawaja, saying he should miss the the rest of international ODI's and play Sheffield Shield.
How anyone can listen to a man who claims he had no knowledge of what his team were doing is beyond me.
Stick to reading the (sand) paper mate


Over in SA,sadly de Kock will not be playing in the upcoming T20i  after picking up a groin injury.

In County news Ben Foakes has renewed his contract with Surrey, as have both the Curran kids, their contract will bring them through puberty no doubt,.

And with that I am off to the town.

Happy Saturday, catch you Monday as tomorrow is my day of blog rest.

Its chuffing freezing

Chuffing Norah, it is flipping freezing cold this morning, I can honestly say that the desire to get out of bed and head to the orifice is being vastly outweighed by the desire to crank up the heating,switch on the electric blanket and go back to sleep.
I could 'work from home' but I imagine that the 2 'Richard' Tators will have decided to do that, and it is 'Fry up' day,so best to get my thermals on and head out of the door.

In my honest opinion, I think that England should be donning their thermals and heading home, after yet another shoddy start in the 2nd test.
Top two gone before I could even get the office sweep started!
Jonny B took control and seemed to charge to his half century, I took a punt on him getting a century, and then he was out.
It took a 60 from Moeen Ali to help Jonny B's total take us over 100 runs.
All out for 187.
I listened to the interview with Jonny, standard England clap trap I'm sorry to say.
'we put the ball in the right places' What in dogs name does that mean! in light of the score the only places that the ball went was into the hands of Holder, Hope and co!

However today is another day with WI on 30-0 I dare not even make a prediction.


Over in the BPL Alex Hales is on his way home for a scan on his shoulder, after injuring himself.
This will be a worry for  county plans, luckily for him he is not playing in the 'Indecent Pay League'.

I am now wrapped up like Nanook of the North as I journey out to the garage to get the car.
I hope that 'Mickey Dripping' or 'Our Ian' has my coffee ready when I get to mydesk.
Have a great day.
It is  half day and I cannot wait for 'home time'.

Happy Friday