last one for the week

Well its been a bit of a week for blogging, however if you think that I've had more time on my hands, sadly that's not been the case, I am very swan like, floating around on the surface and paddling like fury beneath.

I'm super busy at work and that in itself is not easy with limited man power.

Home is quiet and although I have lots to do I get easily distracted and don't seem to be getting anywhere fast.

Luckily Roxy the cleaner takes care of one side of things and I have to get my act together to get decorating finished and do other tasks.

I may  mow the lawn this evening as 

1. it's a glorious day and there will be no damp

2. I suspect that lions and tigers may be roaming in it!

Well it was just a quick drop in as I have the sadness of a funeral today.

16 people allowed to go and pay respects.

No hugging

No get together for a cup of tea.

Ah well it is the new normal.

Have a good day, a good weekend and hopefully I will be back next week as we enter the last few days of June!

Midweek

Well here we are at Wednesday, its been a busy week  at The Wickets as I've been busy at  work and also organising  and sending out 'hugs in boxes' along with much  writing of letters.

I was due to treat myself to another French evening last Saturday but complete exhaustion took over on Saturday afternoon and a bath and early night ensued.
Sunday was a busy day as I put the new washing machine through its paces. I'm pleased to report that it has passed its initiation with flying colours.

It seems that England are going to be honouring key workers during the test, I wonder how many utilities services staff get a mention.
However the whole game of cricket is in chaos after a the Prime Ministers comments yesterday.

I am down to 4 site workers 2 of whom are supervisors and I have 3 sites working, 1 in the North east of blighty, one darn sarf and one mid way, and now ' the powers that be' are trying  to see if we can take on a site in Cambridgeshire. One man for each for a site...………………..?????
They were so quick to jump on the furlough bandwagon...……………. and so slow to bring them back!


I have recently been so very lucky to be able to purchase some new original artwork from a fabulous painter based in East Yorkshire.
Sue Ellis has produced some absolutely stunning work through lockdown and I highly recommend her.

I need to get the dining room finished so that I finally get them hung.

I am planning a lovely French Meal on Saturday, so I will be going through my French cookery books, that should while away a few evenings. Hopefully I will get to do it, but judging by how I feel today I can see a repetition of last Saturday.

stay safe.

Tim

And so you leave us

After 19 seasons

We all know that

You have your reasons

So many thanks for 

557 1st class wickets taken

With figures like that 

You've often saved our bacon

And lets not forget 

6714  1st class runs

An outstanding allrounder

 with at least 6 tons.

And thanks from me

For setting up Bens 1st List A catch

Although  a downpour of rain 

Blighted the rest of the match 

A true professional 

who will be missed

not just by me

but a much longer list.

We wish you all the best

As you now branch out

You'll always be a White Rose

Of that there is no doubt.

Mid June already

Here we are in mid June and although lockdown is being loosened, I still tend to keep myself to myself as much as possible.

The last week has been a taxing one as we furloughed more people and I also had sad news over the weekend.

And then horror of horrors my washing machine kicked its legs up!!!

Now my love of washing is well known so I am now desperately trying to get a new one delivered ASAP!


In cricket, The West Indies team is here, they will be playing behind closed doors.

Surrey have announced that Vikram Solanki will take over form Michael di Venuto as coach.


Tales of counties 'abusing' the governments furlough scheme seem to doing the rounds, and in a letter from the Yorkshire CEO to members, it was said that a decision was yet to be made regarding memberships paid for. Wondering what the position for sponsors is, seeing as I have ploughed a bit of money  into that too.

And lastly the 'one and only' ( thank god) Geoff Boycott proved once again he has no idea when to keep his mouth shut. His comments about women and cricket were totally uncalled for.
And that is all I will say on that subject ( although believe me I could say a lot more).


I spoke to a very old friend ( ex Hants player) who owns and runs a beveridge company in the south, he has been sending out care packages too and at 6am on Friday morning he delivered a gazebo to an elderly gentleman  so that he could have visitors on Saturday ( the weather was forecast to be not too good). I love that many of us have tried to pull out all the stops to keep spirits up in these times.

And so I continue on, some days are more difficult than others and I guess that we all know about that.
Its definitely not been the 2020 that I was expecting.
However with holiday plans in hand and a possibly business model being worked on ( both tie in), I am today smiling.

Have a great week

stay safe.

I've no idea what normal is anymore

I know the date and the month, but I have no idea how long I have now been working with my skeleton staff ( 10 weeks,11 weeks?). I am forgetting what I used to think was normal and now take 2m distancing and queuing  to get into a shop as normal.

I like my own company ( and always have), and enjoy being at home, which makes me think that I may be turning into a hermit.
It gives you lots of thinking time and I certainly have learnt a  lot about  myself, and about what is important to me.
I've taken well to writing letters ( and short notes), hopefully the recipients have enjoyed my lockdown ramblings.

In truth was my life ever normal...……..I don't think it ever was . I think I am rebooting to normality! 

And then there is cricket, or there isn't, as the case is.
Although there will be tests played behind closed doors, and possibly without a Captain for one if the newest Root decides to make an appearance.
I thought that I would be tearing my hair out by now with lack of cricket, but I'm not ( and I have a  lot more hair that usual to tear out). In fact I think that I have adapted very well to no travelling and cricket.

The news came through at the end of last week that Geoff Boycott was standing down from TMS, he really is the marmite of the cricket presenting world ( and the cricket playing world). I hope that his final TMS journey was down the corridor of uncertainty.

Huge thanks to all friends who have called, written and messaged me over the last few weeks making sure that I know there is life outside of The Wickets and Ladylaineyworkville.
I thought I was lucky to still be able to have routine in my life...……….however that came with a lot of daily stress whether getting petrol or social distancing with my colleagues, and then furloughing staff. Just don't get me started on shopping......
I realise now how hard it has been. And its showing no signs of easing up here.

Well back to planning my escape trip when it is finally safe to travel. It will be sorted down to the last minute at this rate. It is something to keep me busy and to look forward to.


Hope you all have a good week.

stay safe.

weekly catch up

Cricket news is very low on the ground and that's why I am not posting everyday. Also I am sure that you are totally fed up of me having a wander down memory lane, and to be honest that is very much my private life.

At the moment we know that there will be no cricket before 1st August ( Domestic) and after that its anyone guess.

Internationally, England will play three tests in 21 days behind closed doors and against the West Indies, although 3 WI players have already pulled out.

News is circulating that Liam Plunkett is keen to play cricket for the USA ( his wife is American), he is still slightly miffed I think that he was dumped by England, but at 35 years old he is knocking on a bit and was on his 2nd bite of the England cherry.

My thoughts?

Well, we all know that between his first England outings and his 2nd coming, he was not the best behaved boy on the block ( bit of a Durham thing I think). And to be fair there are plenty of young guns banging on the England door. So off you go Liam and get yourself a place with USA, good luck.

The County players are still on reduced wages through June and July, which is very much like a large percentage of people in England.

Lockdown may have been eased in some ways but I am still very much held in a type of isolation due to my job, I will probably become a hermit when this is all over.

Hope that you are all well and keeping safe.