Truth be told.

Well now, I'm still not on the mend and truth be told, they are unsure what is causing the ups and downs of  my potassium, levels.

I've had tests ( not too nice ones) on my kidneys to ensure that there is nothing untoward in there ( can cause kidney stones).
I've had every check on my heart and they are trying to keep my blood pressure down.
Its a typical Lainey syndrome.
Got something, can't find what causes it.
The really frightening thing was when I was told that if the level drop very very very low, like under 2.5 which is where I was a  few weeks ago!!!!, it can be life threatening. Apparently over 6 is not good either !

Quite a wake up call.

So, with this in mind, I may be taking a little break from blogging  until I feel properly well.


For those who are unaware, I usually start writing the blog around 5.30am , before heading out to brave the traffic at 7am.

It has of late, with the packing and the upcoming move, all been very telling, so I hope that you will understand if my blog becomes less than 6 days a week.

Also with the new house, I want to have some time to settle in and enjoy the beginning of a new chapter of my life.

I am still under the hospital, and nutritionist to try to work out a diet for me that is potassium rich.
I'm not disappearing for good, just a few days a week.

I'm sure that you all understand.

Before I go today I will leave you with a bit of office boy banter from yesterday.

Norty Morty said he thought his wife couldn't read, when we asked why he rolled up both trouser legs.

'look' he said, '

showing a  black sock with 'JCB written on it.
Then showed us the other sock which was just plain black!!
' surely it can't be that hard? ' he said.

'That's nothing' said 'Our Ian'

' you know we are taking the caravan to the coast on Saturday' he said.
we all nodded.
'Well Mrs 'Our Ian' phoned me at lunchtime saying she was panicking as she still needed things'

we nodded,

' well I said that I could go to Morrisons at lunchtime and get what she needed for the weekend'

mumbles from the girlies of 'ahh bless'
mumbles from the boys ' under the thumb'

' what do you need then?' Our Ian asked.

' I could really do with a bag of ice' Mrs 'Our Ian' replied


' I tell you what' said 'our Ian' , ' I'll get two in case one of them melts!!!!!' he replied sarcastically




A bientot

The things that I've accumulated

I know that I have touched on the packing up on so many occasions you must be all sick to death of hearing about it.
However last night as I was packing a box of 'knick knacks' I was transported back to the places that I had picked them up.


The saris from India, went into the bottom of the packing box, all 9 metres of silk! Ah brilliant times!
The little elephants from both India and Africa, in ebony and marble.
Small brass table from Tunisia and tagine from Morocco.
Olive wood  dish from Cyprus which I use frequently.
Along with many other things from travels.

I was amazed  at the things that I have carried back as mementos.

 In fact  I have carried sand and shells back on some occasions! and don't ask about the giant pine cones, collected in France with of course the usual drama.
Me falling into a 'ditch' ( great big gully at side of road), screaming at my sister to help me, she in the car with the radio  blasting,singing her head off, me having to then walk quarter mile up the 'ditch' to eventually be able to get out!!!! And all in 3in stilettos!!! ( well I have standards to maintain!).

I have  fabulous prints bought in markets on travels and also textiles.
I have a leather barrette, that my dad bought me on our last holiday abroad before he passed away.
I really should get rid of them but at the moment I just cannot do it.

These things will not mean anything to anyone else but they mean the world to me.

maybe I will just keep them for another year of two before I have another major clear out.

I want to try to streamline my life, but realised as I was sitting amongst packing paper and boxes that I am not being very successful!

Drama with the heating and lighting at The Wickets, over the meters! Which resulted in me having to go home early , due to severe heart palpitations . I'll be lucky to get into the new house at all, at this rate!!

Anyhoooo,

Back to crickety news.

New Zealia lost to Pakistan, which was a bit of a shock.
Today  is India v West Indies.
Not a game that interests me, so I guess it will give me time to catch up on yesterday afternoons work.

Well I have one more box of 'things' to sort through before I head to the office. These are mainly books which I am deciding whether to take or send to the charity shop.
I bet you know how that will end!!!

Mid week already.

Well now here we are at midweek and there is still lots of bustle at the Chateau.
There are suitcases, bags, and boxes everywhere and it is total madness.

The kitchen looks as if a bomb has hit it and as for the dining table..................well there is not even enough space to lay down a raisin!

Yes its all go.

Paul the home improvement guy ( and all round good egg) has been on the blower, we have been discussing his tipping up at The Wickets to measure up and fit new window sills, as well as sorting out extra kitchen counter tops .

I have also been dealing with the more mundane thing such as notifying every company that I am moving. I am expecting to be without WiFi ( not a huge problem) for a few days. I am hoping that I am not with out gas and electric, which would be a bit tough.

I am on the final push now and really hope that I can get through living out of a carrier bag for a few more days.

All my cricket is on hold until mid July now, although I will still be watching and listening.
England were very well beaten yesterday by Australia, and today there is a New Zealia game against Pakistan, well listening to that will beat listening to Dick Tator moaning.

I was however last night searching  the net for a holiday location as I know that I will be needing one very soon.
I am apparently still not at the 'good end' of the potassium level, so I think that a rest is in order.

However work to do before that.

have   a great day.

Things you find when you are packing up.

So far in the packing up of the chateau, I have been told that it is not normal for someone to have 28 cricket bats in the understairs cupboard. Who knew???

Also most people do not have duplicate items in the kitchen either, so the fact that I have two handblenders, and two coffee percolators ( as well as 4 french presses, and espresso stove top pot) is apparently 'not normal'. Well to be honest the mob at work said that and after working with them for 2 years I could say the same about them!

Lets not talk about the cupboard full of glass jars for chutney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( which actually now are wrapped and packed ready for chutney making season in at The Wickets

I also have been told that in this day and age people don't have 'best china'. Well I do and I also have a 'tea set'. You can never be sure when someone special might pop in !

These oddities however don't come close to the clothes, where there are like a million cable knit cricket sweaters ( OK I do exaggerate slightly there), 8 full length winter coats, 4 short winter jackets and various anoraks/padded jackets for early cricket season. I am certain that 7 denim jackets is normal though???

and lets not get to business wear, suits, blouses, etc.

You can now see the problem I have...................and I have cleared so much out of the house.

Today at cricket England take on Australia at Lords, the two teams had a bit of practice on Sunday at former workplace of Merchant Taylors School which looked amazing, a fabulous ground if you ever get the chance to visit.

I will be tuned into coverage at 10.30am.

Now I am off to see the vampires.

have a great Tuesday

Another week begins

and its a wet start, I was woken up at 3am by the sounds of monsoon like rain which has now turned to a trickle. June is being less than flaming.

The weekend has been busy and yesterday saw 3 trips to the dechetterie, where the last bastion of
Englishness goes out of the window. As you enter the gates of the tip, good manners ( along with queueing ) do not exist.
As I was trying to lift a bookcase into the skip, I nearly went into it, as I was pushed by a man with a huge piece of wood.As I tried to regain my balance and let go of the bookcase, he again pushed me with the wood. I said to him, 'if you hang on a mo, you can get that in after me'. His reply was ' just get out of the 'flipping ( words have been changed to protect the innocent ears) way', then went off mumbling about woman at the tip.

nice!

More things have been packed including the winter coats, which if this weather doesn't change I may be needing again!.

Cricket was on and I was listening, with tears in my eyes. It was bye bye to my beloved South Africa. They have had rubbish results and need to go away and regroup.


Twitter is still the place for all the info , and most especially for info on the fiasco that was the toilets and bars at the World cup match at Headingley.
I had tweeted Yorkshire on Friday after queuing for over 45minutes at the bar only to get to the front of the queue and be told that they had run out of beer, I had no response form Yorkshire ( which is no surprise as I never do).
however our former chairman has been keeping us abreast with updates on this matter...................THE FORMER CHAIRMAN!!!!!???????

This leads me to the question that I asked at the AGM, as to whether the Chair and the board would be interacting on Twitter this season. It was eventually suggested that we had Q & A's with the group on Twitter, which  has still not happened.

So to our current Chairman, please make yourself available to answer the questions from the members especially those who would like to know why services were in trouble on Friday.
This was our big showcase of our new stand  and to show the club in a great light.
I am sure that the wine and beer did not run out in hospitality!!!

Now back to our former chairman, who has shown real dedication to the club despite standing down last year, good on you Steve, you've shown you are real Yorkshire. And Happy Birthday to you too.

To those who tore him down behind his back, think on as to what we have in charge now!

Back to being busy

Well after a wonderful day at cricket yesterday it is back to the packing.
Time and removals men wait for no lady.

And the cricket?

well it was a glorious day with sunshine ( and a few clouds) Headingley looked magnificent, the new stand is an absolute gem and the joy of comfy seats!

England took to the field and had dismissed the openers before we had chance to catch our breath.
With Sri Lanka posting 232 in their 50 overs it was looking positive for England.

The atmosphere was buzzing , the band in the western terrace were belting out everything from 'Knees up mother brown', to various Queen numbers.
Before the first over was over, Bairstow was gone and a quiet settled around the ground.

Well Sri Lanka went for the jugular and despite an heroic  attempt by Stokes ( who knew I would ever type those words) , it was not to be.

One comment on this, as the overs were dwindling and Stokes was trying to save the game, where were the England team?

There was no sight of them on the balcony, no players cheering on their team, a little sad to see.


Also sad that my teeny tykes lost in their semi final. However these things happen, I personally am very proud of my boys and know that they did their best.

Onwards and upwards lads.

I got home before 9pm and found out that the nagging pain in my chest was in fact the underwire from my bra which had unleashed itself and was attempting to perform cardiac surgery on me as I drove home!!!

Time to head to the post office and then back to packing.

happy Saturday

The longest Day

In the excitement of organising to head off for a day at Headingley , I had totally forgotten that today is the longest day.

This day has become more poignant this year as it was a day that Jon and I always looked forward too.
I don't think that I have given it a second thought in recent  years however with the loss of Jon in April, it has been a huge memory.

So after I get back from the cricket tonight I am going to celebrate the longest day in a 'semi' Lainey and Jon way.

Many, many years ago, Jon and I used to camp out in the garden and try to stay awake all night ( yes we were that sad, but we loved the stupidity of it). If the longest day fell on a weekend we would have a picnic ( read that as liquid picnic).  I don't think that we ever really saw the dawn break in the very early hours, but it was something that we just did for years.

Tonight for one last time, I am going to sit in the extensive grounds ( no camping this time) and  raise a glass of champagne to him.
This may well be the last relax in the extensive grounds of the chateau, so it is doubly meaningful.

Putting another two things to rest and moving on ( slowly and sadly).

Cheers Jon for leaving me with some wonderful, silly and special memories.

In other news the move date has finally been decided after the Estate Agent I am buying through, pushed , MY estate agent.

Now as you know I have had a nightmare with both of these agents, and as there are only two agents on the town , I was between a rock and a hard place.
Things that I have learnt from this is,

1. Never buy and sell a house.

2. In Lady Laineyville be aware that the agents change staff like I change shoes ( continuity is not in their vocabulary)

3.They lie and invade your personal space as well as disregarding instructions.


My desire to bring a one stop shop to the high street, with late night /weekend opening for people who work, and solicitors on site, gets stronger.

Well I'm off before I get in a grump.

Look out Headingley, here I come!

Oh and come on my little lads!!!!!

We can so this!

Last day of the working week.

Well it is Thursday and it is the last day of the working week for me, as I am off to Headingley tomorrow for a spot of World Cup cricket.
I wasn't supposed to be going but for a last minute opportunity to go came up, and  the chance to take some chums along too. Very civilised I must say.

In other crickety news, South Africa lost to New Zealia, but not before a tense finish.

The match at York is turning into a bit of a thriller and I am sure that this is not the first and last time the county play there.
It was great to see TLJL scoring runs, especially after some of the 'supporters' had been less than supporting of him in his first innings. As I always say, if you claim to be a supporter, support the lads, they are as disappointed as you are!

TLJL was 47*, so come on Jack, I  will  be cheering you on from my desk today.


Tomorrow is not just a world cup day it is also, semi finals day for my little boys, as they set off with their buckets and spades and head to Scarbados.
We can do this!

I think the curse of waste water has hit again, we employed a new QS and he started last Monday, he didn't turn in yesterday and it doesn't look as if he will be back......................

Ahhh to just be able to do that!

We also said goodbye to 2 electricians from the workshop, which is a huge blow, one had worked with the previous company for over 12 years!
I am approaching my 2 year anniversary and how I got to this point is a mystery to me.

Well it is super short today and I am not sure if I will be back tomorrow, it will depend on time.

Have a great day.

Heading towards The 100

We're heading towards The 100

With all it's quirky gimmicks

10 balls an over 

I'm losing my composure

Surely this format will have no mimics

We're heading towards The 100

To draw in new supporters

More woman & 'kids'

And to bring in the quids

Not popular in some quarters

We're heading towardsThe 100

We know its all about money

Last bell toll for the CC

Back slapping at the ECB

I hope it all stays sunny!

We're heading towards The 100

It really isn't cricket

Flaunting 17.1 of the law

And already a bore

You can bet I won't buy at ticket.

Who knew!!!

Well its Tuesday, more blood to be given and then work, its all go and even more so with the house and the things that will be happening after the move.

The plans are taking shape for the new project which will be gathering speed over the winter ready to be a New Year new start sort of thing.
It won't help me to retire next year or even give up working in waste water (just yet) but hey, its forward planning.

There is more to me than cricket and blog writing. Who knew!!!!???

However less about moi and more about cricket, which really is the purpose of this blog.

Well cricket was at York,  and so where the teddies that I have been knitting jumpys for.
They looked very smart all lined up and HUGE thanks to TLML  for sending me pics and 'Yupdates'.
They were 208-8 over night. Hopefully a sunny day for them today.

In case you wondered where my James Bond is of late, he is currently watching  World Cup  cricket, and why not!?!?! Good on ya mate. See you later in the season for a couple of nights on the town.

World cup news is that The West Indies were beaten by Bangladesh in a great run chase.
Interesting to see that 'the ego' went for a duck.

Today England are in action so radio will be on for that one.
It helps to pass the day, although without my right hand girl, it was a little bit frantic yesterday.

I am still not feeling my usual self as I am tired a lot of the time( more than normal if that is possible), levels of potassium are going up and down and at the moment there is no answer to why, the word 'stress' has been bandied around a lot, so the big hope is that after the move things might take a turn for the better.
And with that I am off to feed the vampires.

Monday is here again

Monday is here again and good to wake up this morning in my own bed unlike last week.Hospital beds not the most comfortable!

I have to go and have more blood taken later, to check my potassium levels (still), for some reason they wont stay at a decent level.
All a bit odd, but I suppose it is me, so odd just about sums it up.
I am still taking the supplements, but that isn't the cure, we have put in place a potassium rich diet ( not all bananas), so hopefully this week will see an improvement.

So lets have some crickety news.

I was super excited at the end of last week, after Ben signed an extension to his contract which is absolutely brilliant and keeps him with the club for another year.
Tom also signed for another year and hopefully  he will be back with the team soon after his operation on a broken finger.
Super proud of my 'boys'.

Today sees a first for Yorkshire as they have decamped to York and will be playing in the city this week.
Owzat cricket have a pop up shop and apparently there will be some teddies having a day out there too.

Sadly I can't make it due to work, and especially after being ill last week, work really does get in the way.
Roll on the move and the setting up of the new business.
Gearing ourselves up for next season.

Heartbreaking pictures over the weekend of Worcestershire's ground completely flooded, this is  something that we are used to seeing during the winter and just before the season , but the monsoon like rains that we have had of late  have taken their toll.
This weeks game has been moved ( obviously).

Well nearly time for me to head out of the door and get the week moving. My right hand girl is on holiday this week and so I will be sorting out even more 'office boy' problems.

Have a great week.

The weekend is here.

Welcome to Saturday, which today will be about the nearly 3 mile hike to the sorting office to pick up a parcel and then a trip to town to pick up more wool for the teddy cricket jumpys.

Yes I am still knitting them!!!

However there is another box ready to be dropped off at the shop in Scarborough next week.
 

Cricket is on the menu today,as South Africa are in action, so I will be keeping tabs on this game.

England had a resounding win over The West Indies yesterday with Joe Root putting in a stirling performance with bat and ball.

Today has dawned without any precipitation, and the sky actually looks blue........ish.

Could this mean that we are going to have a dry weekend?

Well who knows, I am sure that I am half way to the sorting office I will get soaked.

I am still waiting for the move date to be set in stone, the second worst Estate Agent in Ladylaineyville has now jumped up to the top spot and surprisingly the former number one worst Estate agent has proved that they can complete a sale in record time................yep money in the bank.

So I will continue to get everything ready, how I love living out of boxes and suitcases!

Well not much to report so I am off to do my thing and also get as much rest as possible.

Have a great weekend, see you on Monday.

TGIF

Yes thank goodness it is Friday and nearly the weekend, I know that I have been either in bed or allowing  the phlebotomist to do their stuff, I know that I will have only worked 1.5 days this week, but I am absolutely exhausted, and there is still lots of work to do here at the chateau.

After watching the sun rise over Darlington Memorial Hospital on Monday it really has been some week.  And that doesn't include the fact that we have rain this week of monsoon proportions.
Cricket has had a tough time this week, in some ways though it was a blessing in disguise for my boys as they secured a draw against Surrey at Guildford.

They head onto next week at York, a big first for the county.

England are in World Cup action today, and I am sick of hearing about Jofra Archer facing The West Indies.
Seriously if he had wanted to play for them he wouldn;t have been fast tracked through to play for England, and vice versa.
He made his choice and I hardly think that he will be that bothered facing them.



Super short today as I do have lots to do, which includes going through the steamer trunk that is full of photographs.
My life in pictures!!!!!

Its been a great and full one, and as I an heading onto my next chapter lots more to  add to this.
Life is for living and making memories and being with the people you love.

Never let your critics get you down, its their problem not yours!

Its been some week.....

and its only Thursday, I have been awake most of the night due to rain that did not stop, now at 5.45am it has decided to call it a day......as I decide to head back to the office! Flipping typical, I will be exhausted by lunchtime.
Yesterday was a mixture of blood giving,  and meeting with an old friend Greame who now lives in Texas.
The whole meet up was for him to get a jar of chutney!!
Its been agreed that when he comes over next year we will have a day out at Headingley.

I had a quiet afternoon, until I was messaged with the sad news of the passing of Philomena Lynott, mother of Phil and a lady that I met in Ireland a few years ago.

We had been at a family wedding in Dublin and I wanted to go and take some flowers to lay on Phils grave.
As we got to the grave a lady was tidying up and talking to a group of boys who were hanging around.

She was lecturing them on the danger of drugs.
As the boys left she approached us and asked where we were from, when we said England she instantly said that we should follow her home and she would make us tea.

OMG!!! we were going to tea with Phils mum!!!!

We drove to 'White Horses' her house and sat chatting about all things Phil, she told us about his life long love of all things Dennis the Menace and Knasher. How no matter how successfukl he was he never forgot where he came from.
She also talked about how her life stopped in its tracks when Phil died and how she locked herself away.
She finally realised that she had to pull herself out of it and do something to make sure his death was not in vain.

She set up the 'Roisin Dubh' trust, ( and she made me a member) and supported young musicians on their journey.

She showed us a room to the side of her house which was filled with Phils belongings, gold and platinum discs, photos, and ' the jukebox in the corner'.
This had only Thin Lizzy records on it and each slot was filled with a handwritten card with the song name, handwritten by Phil.

We had a wonderful afternoon with her and it is something that I will never forget.

As we were getting ready to leave, she gave me a t-shirt.
It was one of only a few that she had, had printed.
She hugged me very tightly as I left and I can remember trying very hard to fight back tears.
Yesterday I couldn't manage it.

RIP Philomena.

I havent really talked much cricket this week, and  I won't today as the news is all about 'smug mug'

Have a great day.

late again

Well I am late posting again, and to be honest I only woke up about 20 minutes ago, so after a cup of lemon and ginger tea I am here.

I have to go to the doctors very soon to have more blood taken and also have my blood pressure checked.

Hopefully by tomorrow my potassium levels should be quite close to where  the doctors want them to be, and then hopefully I can maintain it.
I seem to be heading back to vegan days with some animal protein on occasional days.

I also had a trip to HQ, I had been invited to have a tour of the new stand.
Well it is truly worth losing my seat for 1.5 seasons, and I was able to pick out my new seat too.

We sampled the menu, which was fantastic, the pumpkin ravioli and the prawn linguine come highly recommended.

We had a tour with our own personal guide, Helen, Manageress of the Lodge.
The suites are stunning and all done to the highest spec with amazing attention to detail ( which is echoed all the way through the building).

Views are amazing.

We had to sample of afternoon tea too, which is also highly recommended.

It was a lovely afternoon and we headed off home with goodie bags.
 


Huge thank you to Yorkshire for the invitation and to John for coming along with me.

 And now I have a appointment with a vampire.

Happy Wednesday

Strange couple of days

Here I am on Tuesday , still in bed at 8am and feeling a lot better than I have over the last couple of days.

Sunday saw me very busy at the tip and the charity shop dropping off more things ( yes there is more).
By Sunday afternoon I felt very unwell , but thought that I would be fine after a nap.
Nope!
In fact by the bed time, my head felt as if it was going to explode and my heart was beating out of my chest.

fast forward to the hospital, where my blood pressure was ' exceptionally high' ( apparently very very high), and what seemed to be a battalion of vampires queueing up to get my blood.

By 3am I had finished John Fullers new book 'Last of the summer wickets' and was starting on another

By 4am the blood that had been taken showed that I was very very ( they used this phrase a lot ) low in potassium and this was the cause of the whole 'unwellness'.
Luckily ( with my track record) the ECG;s showed nothing with my heart, as did the xray and various other tests.

By 6am I was so tired that I was dropping off in between having to drink a mixture that was boosting my potassium levels bit by bit and having my blood pressure taken.

I finally arrived home  mid morning and headed straight to bed, where I stayed all day apart from having more blood taken and my blood pressure checked again ( I will be off to have it done again in a moment).

It all seems very dramatic now, but due to the recurring problem that I have, I can honestly say that I was more than a little worried on Sunday.

The NHS where wonderful. I was in A & E for over 10 hours awaiting test results and treatment, but never once was anything that I was worried about ignored.

Thanks to my lovely friends who messaged me yesterday, it was very much appreciated.
I hope to be back to 'normal'  very very soon ( although what normal is I have no idea).


Have a great Tuesday

A trip down memory lane

I sat down at the computer this morning to write about all things crickety, and did what I normally do for half an hour, stare out of the window and watch the world go by, and then I realised that this view will not be mine for much longer.

It made me remember how I was when we first moved here and how things have changed.

Firstly the Chestnut tree.

It was about a third of its size now, but then I was just a sapling myself.Now it is a truly majestic tree and although I dreaded autumn and the leaf fall, the summer always has it in full bloom.

The four houses across the road are much changed from when we arrived.

The end house was lived in by Bella, a stern widow with a heart of gold.
She owned a German shepherd named Sheba, who sat on the front lawn, barking as people walked past.
Bella was a truly remarkable lady, she had lost her husband when she was young with a young daughter, had only one lung and the fruitiest language I, as a 6 year old had ever heard. ( might explain a lot!).

Next to Bella lived Joan and Stirling, who became great friends of Mum and Dad. They went dancing at the weekend and Joan would be dressed in magnificent 'frocks'.
They went away on exotic holidays to Benidorm, Salou and Sorrento.
They still lived in the house when I moved back from London and both attended my wedding, sadly they have both passed away now and the house is lived in by private tenants ( the one who's car I bumped last week).
Next to them lived Peggy, she drove a Mini van and was manageress of the local fish and chip shop and also one in Darlington. She took me to the train station when I went to London for my interview at Merchant Taylors, I had to sit in the back of the van with the newspapers ( yes they were still wrapped in newspaper then ). My fear was that I would get to London smelling of fish ( like her van did!).

The last house in that row was lived in by Mr and Mrs Uttley ( or the 'Muttleys' as they were dubbed in our house, you have to be a certain age to appreciate that one). Mrs Uttley was the manageress of the local bakery at Neville Parade a small group of shops about 5 minutes away.

Across the other road lived Mr and Mrs Ward, they had one daughter Rachel. Mr and Mrs Ward still live in the house and must be at least 100 ( well give or take a decade). I go to see them every Saturday to make sure that they are OK.

To the back of our house lived George, Vera and Neil ( and later Richard), they had a rough collie ( lassie dog) called Caesar. They did get another one called Radar, but it was an absolute menace and went to live else where.
Caesar was a very affable dog and usually had to be as when our Border terrier, Mac, could escape he usually headed to their house to eat Caesars dinner!!!

Times change, life moves on.

I'm moving on now as I am off on a 'dechetterie' run.

Have a great weekend.

It's Fry Up day

So its Fry up day and my first duty of the day is to call at Big Als and put the breakfast order in, needless to say, Morty and Mickey Dripping were the first to put in their orders, 'double 'snake' burger with sausage and egg'.
I'm sure our orders pay for Al's regular cruises!

And there is cricket , Pakistan take on Sri Lanka at Bristol.

Yesterday saw rain affect our game at Headingley which was a shame, we got a draw and are looking good.

We can do this!

Australia took on The West Indies and that was some game. Australia fought back after losing a flurry of wickets and ended on 288.
Everyone  in the office said that WI would walk it...........

well no, Gayle went for 21 and once they had lost their slogger things went a bit awry.
Hope and Holder ( should be a pub name) put on runs but to no avail, Starc was on fire and took a 5fer, windies could only make 279 in their 50 innings.

I am going up to 'The Wickets' after work to check the dishwasher and washing machine space, and then I am home to do a couple of hours of packing before settling down for a relaxing evening of knitting. I have a pretty full weekend so I need to get a bit of relaxing in when I can.

weather watch in the north east of blighty, warm and sunny and the pollen count is obviously high, after taking the bin out, I had a major sneezing fit,that was at 5.15am!!!!

And with that I am off to do my thing.

Have a great Friday, its nearly the weekend!

all change

Lets get Thursday started with a cricket round up.

South Africa lost to India and now have little chance  of doing anything good, they have lost every game.
They are on rest days until Monday when they take on The West Indies at Southampton.

There was an outstanding catch by de Kock in the match, I am wondering if he has been having lessons from TLJL???!!!

Today we see Australia in action against The West Indies, both team having super egos on board so should be interesting.

My Yorkshire boys are  looking to be heading for a draw, Ill be happy with that.

We can do this.

Closer to home, the chateau moving date has moved ( again) and we are now looking at the beginning of July, I hope there are no further changes as I have an important date in July ( and think that I may just be leaving the moving boxes unpacked)

Sophie and I are planning a trip to London in lieu of camping this year, that is something that we have to firm up dates on and should be brilliant.

Work is work and I am still plodding on, I cannot consider a change until I have finally moved and then I will be putting all my energies into this.

So that is about it for Thursday, lets go forth and see what the day brings.
It is dry and sunny here in the north east of blighty and the birds are singing, my call to head out of the door.

Have a good one.

Sad day in the chateau

It is a sad day in the chateau with the news that Dale 'the stare' Steyn will be playing no part in the World Cup, due to a recurring shoulder injury.
To say I am upset is an understatement. However I wish him a speedy recovery and  hope to see him back  on the field soon.

Yorkshire had a good day despite rain and today need to come out and bowl like madmen.
We can do this!

Things in the chateau are heating up as dates have been set and packing is ongoing.
It has been decided by the powers that be ( that would be me) that the current name of residencia robinson for the new abode,will henceforth be 'The Wickets'.
I thought that this was perfect. New house plaque is being sorted as I type.

News from the saltmines is that Norty Morty and mickey Dripping are still on diets  ( or so their wives think). Mickey is on the 'speedo diet' and even the mental thought of that puts fear into my heart for the folks of Villa Martin.
He arrived at work with a sandwich, 3 pieces of fruit and a yoghurt, and went home with an empty lunchbox................due to it going into the bin along with the McDonalds wrappers!!

Morty ate his sandwich, fruit, yoghurt and Mc Donalds!!!


Well super short today as I head to the post office to hopefully miss the factory shift change crowd.

have a great Wednesday.

Tired Tuesday

Here we are at Tuesday, it was a full evening of packing when I got back from the saltmines, I didn't even have time to watch England get beaten by Pakistan!

I had been listening at my desk during the day though so that counts for something.

I had been keeping tabs on my boys, in their game against Essex. A great innings for Lyth and Tom K-C. I think that Lyth needed it as he does seem to have been a little lack lustre of late.

We start the day on 286-6.

Thing are going to be very hectic this week as the proposed move date is 14th June! as I was informed yesterday however it seems my buyers have to play catch up so I guess that may give me some breathing space.
I got lots of advice on how to complete the packing from everyone at work ( no one offered to help!). One who was ex military said moving as the easiest thing in the world. I guess so when you have the MOD behind you. I don't so I soldier on ( excuse the pun).

This may lead to a break in blogs, one reason being that I know from experience, even when you give phone and broadband suppliers the details, they are unable to get things on for the arranged date, I seem to remember that it took 10 days when I moved into the chateau. However that was Talk talk, lets see how Sky do!

Nothing much to add, so off to the post office before I head to my desk.

Have a great day.

Come on Yorkshire!

New week begins

Well here we are at Monday and a new working week begins.

The weekend has been a great one, with much happening.
Saturday saw us taking a trip to beautiful Wentworth House and gardens, after having breakfast of course!.

Absolutely stunning and somewhere I had wanted to visit since I read the book  'Black Diamonds' by Catherine Bailey.
If you are interested in Yorkshire history this is worth a read.

We then headed off towards the Derwant reservoirs, where, during the second World War the pilots trained for Operation Chastise, known to us as the Dam Busters raids. I have always been fascinated by this operation.

We then went to Castleton, an absolutely stunning place and well worth a visit, beautiful scenery, a magnificent church ( complete with family pews ) and lots to see and do. ( The devils Arse being not for the faint hearted!).

It all was over to quickly and I was home before 7pm after a very pleasant drive on an almost empty A1.

So yesterday started with the usual washing, and I managed to get bedding etc dried before rain arrived mid afternoon, I, by this time was busy watching the cricket South Africa v Bangladesh.

It didn't pan out how I would have liked but  it was a great game.

Today is windy and overcast in Ladylaineyville, which is OK by me,as I will be stuck in the office for most of the day.

My boys are in action at home against Essex.
My teeny Tykes are  not in action for a couple of weeks and then will be taking on Durham before the  Semi Final on Friday 21st June.

And I am now heading out the door, the schools are back after half term so the roads will be chaos.

Have a great day

A great day of cricket.

So after an early morning bumble down the A1/M1 I arrived in Barnsley for a day at cricket.
This ground had to be one of the easiest to locate ever!

First stop,catch up with John.

Had a little wander around and found the perfect seat.
Carole and Philip arrived and we got ourselves sorted.
 As we were chatting I saw the umpires come out.....and there was my absolutely besty umpire!
Quick catch up and then game on.
We needed to win to get to the semi final.


We  lost Ben early but a great effort from the lads saw us creep over the 200 mark by the end of our innings.

#weareteamben had a catch up with him. Great things going on here.

The weather was warm  although it alternated between cloudy and sunny, we didn't care  it was a cricket day.

Nina and Christopher arrived as the boys were heading back out.
 Nina, our scorer in residence kept us up to date with required run rate.

I nipped over to the ladies room.........yes you've guessed it. Only to miss Ben take a catch!.

And we won with another great catch from Ben

Semi finals here we come!!!

What a day!.

We all headed back to Carole and Philips and had a wonderful evening in the garden.
An absolutely perfect end to a perfect day.



And before I go, big happy birthday  shout out to  JP.
Have a great day.

I'll be back here on Monday