A new week begins

 

A new week is beginning after a weekend of the house resembling a jumble sale, between Kiki and I, we have been clearing out stuff and getting it listed and sold. I then the packing up and a trip to have it sent off, busy busy but at least we are both seeing space in cupboards and one of us has to get rid of more things ready for a big move.

In crickety news, Yorkshire drew with Northamptonshire, but not before some great displays from the upcoming players ( and its great to see this). 

I have to mention Matty who was 31 no in the first innings, and bowling figures of 3-43 and 3-57.  Its great to see the future talent of the club showing great results and overall the team looked good. on we go to a home game with KENT!!!  

After the loss of hydrangeas last year due to frost, this year a couple of mine now have an infestation of hydrangea scale which will be getting dealt with after work tonight! Since moving my poor plants form The Chateau to The Wickets they have really had problems. Hopefully all will be sorted soon.

Gosh we've gone from 'TMS' to 'Gardeners World' and as I'm typing this the Oyster Catchers decide to become vocal so its  a bit of 'Springwatch' thrown in for good measure.

Well I am off to make myself an omelette  for my breakfast, so have a good day.

A very long weekend

 Here we are at Thursday, it seems as if I have had a very long weekend, I didn't really, its been a busy week.

The weekend was over in the blink of an eye as I was entertaining on Friday lunchtime and also dog sitting for Micky all weekend, this is never a chore, although the amount of bed I get at night is becoming less and less.

We had planned on going to cricket on Saturday but the plans were put on hold, and as it turned quite cold this was probably a good idea, as Micky likes to be snuggly warm.

There was a lot of snoozing taking place too, as well as more walks than normal and a huge amount of steps done.

We also said a very sad farewell to a lovely lady, who was loved by all who knew her. The sadness of losing such a lovely person is felt by so many, we should all hope to live such  a full life and be an  inspiration to so many, I feel very lucky to have met her. 

In cricket news I am overjoyed  to see that 'my' Tom and Matty have been included in the squad for the game against Northamptonshire.

I know that strictly speaking I am no longer their sponsor but it doesn't stop me feeling very proud of them. Let hope that they make the team.

And finally today it is the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. 96 today.

I wish you all a lovely Thursday.

Last day of the working weekend

 

A lovely short week and a long weekend is in the offing and I am really looking forward it. 

How quickly Easter has come around.

A little cricket round up, England jobs still seem to be the poison chalice as Marcus North pulls out of the running for the job as managing director of men's cricket. it was reported that he was a favourite along with Rob Key ( good lord!). 

The made up game is in headlines for all the wrong reasons, as they appear to have breached advertising codes with their brash branding of 'snacks'. 

Australia have named their new coach as Andrew McDonald, who has been part of the coaching staff since 2019. not sure if Trevor Baylis got a look in.

Yorkshire are down in Gloucestershire  for the weekend, and Kent are home, whilst Hampshire are in South London.

Interesting weekend, which may see Micky Bell and I have a little trip to The Riverside ( as they let dogs in )

What ever you do this weekend, I hope that you enjoy it.

Joyeuses Pacques

Midweek

 Ahh to be as chilled out as Micky Bell, he's a little treasure and will be arriving on Friday morning for the weekend, I can't wait. He has no idea how much love he brings into the lives of lots of people.

How wonderful to be able to make people smile and feel happy by just being yourself. 

So I thought I would give you a bit of trivia today.

The A1 was 100 years old yesterday, parts were ( and still are ) know as The Great North Road, of which  the A167 through Aycliffe was part of that.

The A1 goes from the North to the South of the country  and the although upgraded in parts to motorway it still in parts follows its original route. The stretch from Wetherby to the Thirsk turnoff is one part, it incorporates Boroughbridge which still has coaching inns ( although not known as these now),  a real throw back to Great North Road days of coach travel.

I have driven this road all of my life ( OK sometimes Dad was driving), and in the last 40 years commuting up and down from London etc, I have seen the changes as they were happening, sitting in delays usually.

I still use it regularly, not so much to go to London but it is only 5 mins from my house and gets me most places I need to get to.

And now I am nipping to the post office before work.

Have a great day

another day

 

Here we go,  lets do Tuesday, best bit no getting up at stupid o'clock, worst bit, still waking up to get up at stupid o'clock!!!

Its two short  working weeks coming up, with a weekend visit of Micky Bell. so there will be lots of walking and maybe a trip to the seaside. Also some decorating but more about that if I get it done. If the weather stays  nice, first lawn cut too. I'm exhausted just thinking about it all.

So yesterday saw the start of 2nd XI cricket around the counties, sad to see that Yorkshire aren't playing their last match of the season at Scarbados, they are playing at the seaside ( Blackpool). Not sure if I will be heading over. Scarbados is on for May bank holiday which sadly I am not sure that I can do. When will I catch up with the Victoria boys!?!?

I checked out a few others and may be tipping up now and again, we'll see.

The plans for a 3rd Iceland trip are well and truly firming up, and hopefully this week, the birthday trip can be booked. all  very exciting. As there is more chance of frost bite than a suntan on these hols I might be buying myself an anti gravity sun lounger  for the garden. 

well not much else to chat about so have a good day.

Live more, worry less

 One thing that I have really realised over the last couple of  weeks is that sometimes things happen and it really is a blessing ( and not in disguise), I am now taking the 'live more worry less' to the maximum. we never know how much time we have, so make the most of everyday, be less serious, laugh  as much as you can and spend time with the people who make you laugh, smile and generally happy.

Life can be hard for us all at times, and sometimes it may all seem too much, but  I found that taking some time out and reassessing what is important has made a huge difference.

Do I really need another £130 pair of sunglasses when the ones that I have  in the glove compartment of the car cost £1.50 in the charity shop, and are perfect for what I  need ( i.e keeping the sun out of my eyes). Is a designer handbag any better than the  bag that cost a fraction of the price. ( no they all carry my things around)

Do I want to be perceived by the sunglasses I wear or the handbag I carry? The answer is no. I just want to live more and worry less, I think we have all had enough worry over the last two years.

Wow!!!! all very profound for first thing on a Monday morning 

Lets have a very quick recap of the weekend.

I see that the Durham coach is now under the microscope for historic bullying allegations. Australia are musing over Trevor Bayliss as Head coach, Chris Silverwood is off to Sri Lanka and Justin Langer is 'warming up' to the possibility of coaching England ( and do we need it).

I have to say that I was pleased to see former besty team in the south, Hampshire completely roll over Somerset with an innings and 113 run win. Great to see the Rose Bowl looking so wonderful too.

And with that I am off to face the week.

Have a good one

another week over

 

Another week over and another weekend of chilling out and self care, something that I always alluded to, but never seemed to get round to it. I made the decision last week that it was time to look after me better than I have been, both mentally and physically. 

Stage one completed albeit, temporarily.

The county championship is back, and  I may dip in this weekend, I'll see how I feel. I will be keeping an eye on the cricket, mostly seeing how Kent and Middx are getting on .

It seems slightly alien to have a bit of a 'don't care' attitude to the game that I love, but if I have learnt anything in the last two years ( and two weeks) its that I am the most important thing in my life, and I have to remember that.

So plans for the weekend, include, cooking, cleaning ( I am still to find a replacement for Roxy), a spot of clothes shopping, visiting my sister and generally relaxing.

I will be doing  some work on my very small business which has been doing well this week.

Not sure what Mr Funky the chauffeurs plans are, might see if he fancies a walk to the brewery and a couple of pints.

And with that I am off to get ready for work.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy whatever you are doing.

Strange 7 days

 Well its been a strange 7 days in many ways.

Not that I am going through it all here, suffice to say that its not a week I want to put over again.

However moving forward, I am looking after Micky over the Easter weekend which is always a pleasure.

I have for the first time in 2 years had a check up of the cricket, well I see that the BBC cricket page is still as bad as ever. So I'm back to being in cricket limbo.

One thing that is for sure is that after 2 years away, I will be making it 3, as I concentrate on enjoying myself at my own pace and not racing around the county in my very limited free time.

I have totally enjoyed seeing friends, going away and I know that I will be heading off camping a few more times this summer.

I have also set up a very small business, which I will be busy with.

And a recap of what has been going on since January when I decided to take a break, well, work, spending time with friends and going to Iceland, ( again), setting up a very small business and enjoying life.

And that's what I hope to continue doing!

Have a great Wednesday.