End of the working week

Its Friday and its also my last working day until 7th September.

To say that I am excited is an understatement. Who would have thought that 4 days in Wetherby and surrounding area would cause so much excitement. To be fair, I now get the chance to explore the areas that I normally just use as a pit stop and I am looking forward to it.

However I have to get through this half day, and organise the Big Als delivery first.

We had T20 cricket back last night or rather some of us didn't, rain at Headingley  meant that by 7pm it was all over without a ball being bowled, although judging by the puddles there should have been some ducks!

The rain here started at about 8pm and I don't think that it has stopped since, I am currently listening to rather heavy rain...…...I was hoping to get the lawn cut before heading off on jollies. Not happening without some serious sunshine.

Today we might be having bring your work day, as Mickey Dripping may bring Maxie Boy in , and Our Ian { or Speedy Gon Gibson a he is now known since his ticket!} might drop in with Little Alfie. Both these dogs are Spaniels so you can imagine it will be chaos.

To be honest the dogs can probably do a better job than some of those who have been 'working from home' since lockdown. Some seem to be on a one day week!

Well time to head out into the ran, looking out I think a boat might be the order of the day.

Have a great day and a great long weekend.

50 miles completed

I'm back again after a break from writing due to too much work and not enough hours in the day to do it.

Its been a couple of weeks since I blogged and in that time lots has happened at The Wickets both personally and building wise. 

Some good and some not so good, but we carry on.

I am still managing to get my required 2 miles in daily in my challenge for Refuge, and usually manage to put in another 1 or 2, if not more on the bike ( usually at the weekend). The mornings are feeling more autumnal and a little on the darker side, so I may be finishing the challenge with evening walks.

I have managed to secure some time off from work,although that in itself nearly had to be written  in blood whilst unicycling and juggling.

As many of you will already know I am heading off to Wetherby, well its away and I don't have any risk of being quarantined when I get home ( I hope).

Cricket has continued and I won't rehash any of it, as those who follow the game know the goings on.

I was, I have to say delighted to see 'my' Tom in the Yorkshire squad and although not fairing too well, it was another first team outing for him.

And so I am trying to get this week out of the way so that I can have a bit of rest and relaxation.

Have a great week.

Cricket, garden and TLJL

Well it has been some weekend!

I got lots of jobs done, which was great, and I listened and watched cricket in the garden ( after lawn mowing and general tidying up)

On Saturday at lunchtime on TMS, they were replaying past guest. They played the most wonderful conversation between Sir Christopher Lee and Brian Johnston. What a fabulous lunchtime listen in the garden that was. Christopher Lee's love of the game and his fabulous memories, and his voice, one that I miss very much.

England beat Pakistan in a thriller of a game, whilst my boys were in action in Nottingham.

I have to say that Chris Nash was a bit of a demon with the ball.

Jonny B not so good with the bat in the first innings, but motored away in the 2nd

14miles in

Hello Friday,

I am now 14 miles into my challenge I have clocked up my 2 miles between 5am and 6 am this morning and I am now having coffee before I hit the shower.

I  have done a half marathon, which is really a result for me. The one thing that I have noticed as I hoist myself out of bed is that the mornings are darker...…………...I no likey that!

We are heading towards the weekend and more cricket in the newly named Bob Willis Trophy.
My lads are away to Nottingham so I will be keeping an eye on that.

Down in Kent TLJL will hopefully be having another outing, I will have to keep a check on his progress.

Had a chat with Ben and Tom the other day and they are both working hard. I miss not seeing any 2nd XI cricket.

Today it is Norty Morty, Speedy Gon Gibson and myself again. It will be a difficult decision this morning as to whether they will be having Big Als or a Big Mac.
Its a hard old life in the office for them, especially as I have to go and collect for them.

This afternoon sees the afro being tamed again as I head off to see Jackie, I then have Rhys coming round, and he is at The Wickets all of next week doing 'stuff'! More things to hopefully get ticked off the list.

Ah well time to head off.

have a great weekend and stay safe.

Winners are grinners

So the first real cricket of this season left a lot of people smiling, myself included, as my Tykes pulled off a blinding win against Durham, I was a tad worried yesterday morning as I sat staring out of the office window at the rain!  However  an outstanding win with 6 wickets in hand.

News that JB is available for next two matches is a double edged sword,  possibly swanning back into the team without having been training with them or been in the set up for over a year,smacks of  T20 finals day a few years ago.

It was a shame to see Notts lose and I hope that it was just a blip, although always good to see Chris Nash in the team, and see that Samit is doing what he does best.

Middlesex won so the ex President will be a happy chappy.

The bedroom decorating is finished although the bedroom is to be put back to normal, luckily Roxy the cleaner is in tomorrow, so that will be a help. I'm over the moon with the finished look, just what I was hoping for. Rhys just has to work his joinery magic and I will be  very happy.

And we move on to  finally finish the Sanderson Suite...…………..where I have decamped to the last 3 nights, and I feel a new bed coming, granted this one is less than a year old but I'm not very comfortable, so this one will go on ebay as I look for another.

Still searching for the new limo, nothing that has taken my fancy yet, I'm sure I will find something soon...…..I hope that I will find something soon!

And with that I am off to the office, only Norty Morty, Speedy Gon Gibson and myself today.

stay safe.

The weekend that cricket came back

Cricket returned at the weekend and to be honest it was a bit of a kick in the teeth for my beloved Yorkshire as  two former Tykes showed what they can do.

Alex Lees ( former Tyke)  led a fight back in the Durham v Yorks, with a century after my Tykes had bowled them out in their first innings for 103.
However my boys are looking good for the last day with Matty Fisher back in great form. I can't believe the lads are only 15 miles away and I couldn't see them.


And then there was Warwickshire, and former Tyke, Tim Bresnan, who hit a century in the  game against Northamptonshire. I am still confused as to how and why we let him go...…………..

I see that Tim Murtagh the best 'taxi' driver in Scarborough was in cracking form yesterday. His 5 fer put Middlesex in a good position against the other London team.
Harry will be chuffed.


My weekend was pretty much the same as normal although I had started my fundraising walk for Refuge.

I am walking 2 miles a day for the whole of August when I will have clocked up 62 miles ( and more) which is just over 2 marathons, look out former chairman!!! (haha).


I am having my bedroom decorated at The Wickets this week, and am currently residing in The Sanderson Suite.
Its all go as Rhys the joiner will be making a start on garden improvements and also the wardrobe doors and rad cover.

Moving forward finally.

I have to start looking for the new bathroom suite and decide on the wall cladding. So much to do on top of the usual.

And with that I am off for another day in the land of the walking dead (as we have come to be known).

Stay safe