Snowy Sunday

It is still snowy and very icy here in the North East of blighty, I can see that it will be another raspberry beret day today when I go out for my daily constitutional.

I do not foresee this disappearing any time soon and so it will be down to putting 'snowchains' on my boots.

some of the buzz in cricket at the moment is the upcoming IPL auction,578 players are due to go under the hammer.
It makes me wonder if the proposed franchise T20 in this country would ever attract those numbers?

England and Australia are in ODI action, with the hosts chasing 303. Finch was gone before hitting another century but he was motoring away for a while.
Jos Butler hit a century on the final ball,
Hales scored 1, and had previously said that he had been 'hurt' by not being selected  for the tour earlier,due to an incident last September. He was brought back into the fold on Friday as he had previously been cleared of any wrong doing.

He says that he has learnt from this.
I hope so, I appreciate now that media is very quick to vilify anyone they think has done wrong, add to this the technology available which allows anyone to post on social media in seconds things that they have seen/done. its a minefield out there!


Thoughts are turning to the AGM which is taking place on 24th March for the Yorkshire mob. sadly my partner in crime Jimbo cannot attend but we are meeting up later, this looks to be the first session of the season !!!!


Plans for the day?

Well the washing is in, the dishwasher is on and I am remaking the bed for the last time in the current colour scheme, hopefully this time next week we will be ready for the new and improved bedroom to be put together!.

I might have a quick trip to town, but after getting some terrific bargains yesterday I feel that I may have to rest on my laurels.

Or just rest!

Which seems to be what I do a lot of at the moment.

have a peaceful Sunday

The one where I eat my words

Well now!

I have read and re read the proposal  that has been put together by Mark Arthur and Martyn Moxon  and I seriously think that  they are on to a good idea.

That and the fact that we could claw back one more match would be a good thing,

The version in the Telegraph was sketchy to say the least, the full  Yorkshre version was clear and to the point.
And so I take back any doubtful remarks that I made in the blog yesterday and have to say that I am waiting to hear more on this proposal.

What I do think is that the ECB will not roll with it, because they didn't come up with it.

If this was put to the members of all counties to vote on I would suspect that it would be a winner all round.

I personally raise a glass of champers  to it!

OK lets see what else has been going on.

Well England won the 2nd ODI against Australia. There were some great batting on both sides and it was great to see Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid in the wickets.

Here in the North East of Blighty we have not had any more snow but it is now crisp and crunchy underfoot so I think that  my trip to the town today will be walking at a snails pace.

I also have some things to do in preparation of the new bedroom fix up.

So I must be on the mend if I am making plans to do decorating!

I know that the blogs have been short of late, and not very interesting, but I am managing to at least post a blog every day.

Hopefully we are now on the other side of the horrible fluy type thing and I can get back to normal, what ever normal is!

have a great weekend

Here we go!

Well I am hoping that my journey to work is a lot better this morning than yesterday, 2 hours to travel 8 miles has to give me my personal best time of late for work. To be honest I am never late usually at least 30 mins early however occasionally the weather is a little naughty and causes my perfect time record to dip!

I did however work back for an hour,mainly to let all the numpties set off home, I can honestly say I am still shocked by some of the driving witnessed in bad weather.

Yesterday also saw me post off my letter to the ECB, it will make no difference, I am one tiny voice, but I had to make my objections and feelings known.

And then Yorkshire announced that it was Mark Arthur and Martyn Moxon who had put together the plan for a revamp of the County Championship, turning it into 3 conferences with 6 teams per conference.
This could regionalise the game.
What do I think?

well if it came about I think that it would be slightly boring as you would be playing the same 6 teams in theory every season,

I really need to hear more about this before I buy into it, I still think that once we go down this route  with the CC there is no way back.

England are in one day  action  as I type with Australia motoring despite losing  3 wickets. Joe Root taking Smith and Heads scalps. Finch is just about on a century.

I'll be listening in to this at work,which judging from the sounds of cars on the road outside is not going to be an easy drive again today.

We have't had any more snow over night but it has been below freezing  over night.


And there it is Finch got a century.

I am listening to the news at the moment and I want to laugh.
 Boris Johnson wants to build a bridge between France and England. I never voice anything political, but I find this ridiculous and also my fear of bridges would mean that there ius no chance of me using it!

Well not a lot else to say this morning which is good for you all.

Im off to work, but at least it is half day.

Happy Friday !

pull the duvet over your head

Well after yesterdays smattering of snow, this morning there is at least 3 inches ourside my house! It wasn't there at 11pm but when the eeedjit across the road woke me up at 1am there was a comlplete white out.

So time to do one of two things.

1. pull the duvet  back over your head and  go back to sleep.
2. Get your Hunters on and head out to work.

I think I will have to do the 2nd.


so to cricket,

the date of the Yorkshre AGM has been announced and I am getting organised for that, I tend to think that this is the start of the cricket season  in a strange sort of way, I guess it is the first trip to Headingley of the year.

Nottinghamshire are rumoured to be looking at Nathan Lyon this season. That would  be interesting. I'll be keeping an eye on that one.


The ECB are letting Stokes play for England.


South African debutante Lungi Ngidi took a brilliant 6-39 as they sealed a series win over India.

Kent named Sam Billings as their new Captain.

Thats sort of it in a nutshell today

I wil manage to post this before 8am as I am hurrying out of the door to take extra time to get to work this morning.

If you have snow take care and be careful.

I know that the blogs have been short and sporadic of late but after 19 days if being unwell, everything is still a bit of  a struggle. I am hoping that next week will see me back to full fitness.

Have a great Thursday

It's here

Well the snow is here and there is more on the way, and true to form,the roads were lethal this morning. I did however pass two gritters, they were heading North, so it doesn't bode well for the rest of the day me thinks!

The names for the North/South cricket competition(?,) which is taking place in sunny climes so that the ECB can get a tan before the start of the season, how been published and Matthew Fisher has been selected to play in the North Squad.

Great news for Matty who  spent a lot of last season on the bench. Lets hope for better this season as we no longer have the 'Rolls Royce' in the garage!

Talking of the upcoming season, I am thinking that we will be seeing a new improved team in Yorkshire. Galey is in his  2nd season and we need to be pushing through younger talent, as we may well be short due to England duties.

What I do want though is a more serious approach to some matches ( Scarborough Festival). Yes its the seaside, yes its usually sunny, but for the lads it is and should never be considered anything other than work!

Its lovely to see their families there, but sometimes it does seem that it is just a jolly especially when they lose in 2 days!

We all know the theme from last few years.

Winners at festival won the title, so no pressure boys.

And with that I am off to a meeting, eat my fruit and yogurt and hopefully get through today without a  ton of snow dropping out of the sky.

I am also going to get some new bedside cabinets tonight in the new bedroom shake up. Out with the old and all that !

Stay safe and warm

Winter is coming

Just as I was getting myself used to the fact that after the shortest day, in my book it is technically Summer, we are waiting for snow and horrible things that amount to winter.

This cannot be right?

I am looking forward to light mornings and evenings, birdies tweeting to wake me up and the sound of leather on willow, not the sound of the snow plough and people crunching through snow.

I am sure it will miss us, but I have stocked up on essentials just in case. So there is less champers in Aldi and more stored in the boot room!


Crickety news.


Well we are in a sorry state if rumours are true that Freddie will apply for the England coaching job, when Trevor Bayliss leaves.
After his terrible show on T20 last season I dread to think what will happen to the team, and with his track record, I hardly see the 'out of hours' of the team improving.
It has to be a joke????

He cannot really be in contention!

Ben Stokes is being charged with affray and the ECB will comment in the next day or two.

I have been missing a lot of cricket recently as I still struggle to watch TV as my head aches  a lot.
I am well on the mend despite sounding like a barking dog most of the time.

Time also to reassess the mortgage and start to think about the decision to sell this year.

I will think on this as soon as I have all the decorating and the garden sorted.

And now, time to get on with other things.

Have a great Tuesday and if you have snow take care!

New week and new start

As I have missed the first two weeks of the new year, I am having to make a new start from today, so I brought any unhealthy things into the office to be finished off, there wasn't really anything as I didn't have to shop for Christmas and I have been so out of sorts that I haven't shopped in two weeks.
However I have cleared out some things and will let this lot make short work of them.

There is no promise of the gym this year, I am still far from well, so its walking for me, I will be getting my 10,000 step in daily from now on.

England beat Australia in the One day game I sense that Australia will come out fighting later in the week.
Jason Roy hit 180, and is the name on every hacks lips.

In other cricket news, David Lloyd is to be given the freedom of Accrington......................well I guess someone had to.
It is good though to see that he has not forgotten his roots.

The biggest cricket news of the day though is the 40th birthday of HRR, yes indeed the hairy one is celebrating a big birthday and I for one wish him a very happy one.
It will not be the same this season, I feel a tear coming on!


In other news The Dame got breathalysed over the weekend, luckily it was before her daily visit to the bar ( which she walks to) but is a warning to anyone heading over 'le manche' that the police are hot on this kind of thing.


News form my chateau, is that I am very much on the mend and although still barking like a dog, feel better than I have in nearly 17 days!

This has been some horrid illness.

Now time to get on with the working week.

Until tomorrow

Sunday rest day

well its Sunday I have been listening in my sleep to the ODI and I am currently juggling stripping the bed, typing this and loading the dishwasher.

I have a lot of things to do today so I must get on.

Last night BKOTF and I had a trip over to a small hotel that he is looking to turn into his next project. It is lovely and with 22 rooms all of which are a very good size, it has possibilities. The kitchen was in great condition and up to speck and all bathrooms  had baths! which is always a plus in my book.

It is a little  tired and needs  a revamp so after taking photos of various rooms I have been put to work using a very old qualification, putting ideas down for revamping the place ( if he buys it).

All good fun and we had a lovely meal ( vegan was an option) and drink before coming home.

Today I am off to see Chris as I haven't seen her since before Xmas due to being away and unwell.

In cricket it was announced that Joe Root would be in the IPL auction. Am I the only person that thinks in light of the terrible test series, this is a worrying move?

I  the ODI England are currently chasing an Australian score of  304 and  are 155-2.

Still lots of stupid talk about counties playing matches abroad and how April May and September are wash outs for the cricket season.

Am I mistaken in thinking this has always been the start and close of the season?
Are players ( and pundits) just getting soft and is the pre season jolly not really benefiting the teams?

I am letting this one go for the moment as it is too silly to even consider.

Right off to do stuff which will include an afternoon nap.

have a peaceful Sunday

Half day Friday

And so half day Friday begins!

And I am still on a rant with the follicaly challenged M Vaughan.
I am sure that he is just saying totally stupid things to wind me up, surely he is not that dumb where cricket is concerned?
I still cannot get my head robbing us of 2 more matches taking them abroad to condition players to being abroad(???!!). Which would in turn get us a better test team????

NO!!!!
It would get us a team of softies who don't want to play in April and September in the UK ( which is another thing being moaned about!!

Look if I sit out in it, they can play in it as they always have done.I am sick of hearing about change for the better.

Right onwards

The lovely James Harris from Middlesex has signed an extension to his contract.

As many of you will know he spent a morning chatting to Jim and I last season and is a credit to the club. I am pleased to hear that he is staying on.

Rumours already circulating that the England job, when it becomes vacant, will go to Chris Silverwood.
Well we have a season and some to go before then, so lets see what happens.


The weekend is looming, I am looking forward to heading home early when I can put some washing in and then retire to the sofa and watch rubbish TV.

The rest of the weekend will involves a lot of the same I think.
I am still very tired and need to try to rest as much as possible, I think I have had a little wake up call.

There are a few things that need to be done, and things to take to the charity shop, once I have done these things I can concentrate on doing nothing.

And we are nearly mid way through January already, before we know it the cricket season will be upon us.

Have a great Friday and a great weekend

Thursday already

Well here we go, nearly the end of the week and my thoughts are turning to the joy of the  upcoming weekend, yes indeed, the thoughts of doing absolutely nothing is making me giddy with excitement!

I am hoping that 'BKOTF' will arrange for me to have a fabulous hotel room for the night so that I can splash around in a bath ( and ignore Greenpeace trying to break down the door), but I am not so sure it will come about this weekend as he has been over in the States this week and I am not sure when he will be home!

In cricket news the team has been announced for the upcoming series in New Zealia.
Mark Wood has been brought in and I will expect nothing less than an injury the moment he steps off the plane.
Gary Ballance has been dropped although Vince and Stoneman keep their places.
I suppose it is difficult at the moment to make a silk purse out of a sows ear!

And then there is the prize peanut Michael Vaughan.
Me thinks the hair jobs have addled his brain cell as he thinks its a top whizzy idea to  play 2 CC matches abroad.
Of course he does as this will be another jolly for him and his family!

And as for us fee paying members????

Well bugger us!
We can make do with 12 CC matches ( 6 at home) or pay to go to abroad to see our boys play, of course we all have unlimited cash and holiday available.

Can someone gag this imbecile

Oh dear I must be better I am on a total rant.

Am I the only person who thinks this is a ridiculous idea and a sure fire way of clubs removing themselves further from their fans and members???


Right I'm off.

On a roll

I seem to be on a roll now, 3 days in a row!

My holiday is now a very distant memory and I am fighting to sort out my desk.............well actually find it under a mound of paperwork.

Ah the joys of illness!

Things are moving on and it is hard to believe that it is already 10 days into the New Year!
Good Lord it will be Christmas before we know it!!

However there is a lot of cricket before then.

As many of you will know I am now a 'displaced' person at Headingley, due to my seat being removed for the big build.
John very kindly said that I could join him and his chums for the season  ( as I should have a seat back next year).
I have however been trying to decide if there is a special 'Lady Lainey spot'. I am still trying to figure out if there is. Its either that or I bring my deckchair!

Over in Oz, Dizzy is having success with his Strikers, they were taking on Melbourne Stars who were fielding two former Tykes, Maxwell and Handscomb.
The Strikers have had a better season this year and seem to be in a winning position. This should boost Dizzy's worth.


We are still having to read ever hacks view on why we lost the Ashes.
How the hurt is ongoing!
How we will have to rebuild to win them back.

Well firstly the Ashes  were lost before Xmas, get over it.

Yes there may be loss of face with your Aussie mates over the cricket, we were bad ( and some were badder than others!).They were exceptionally good with some more exceptionally gooder than others.


We have to have a long hard look at the team, see if there are changes to be made. Joe needs to toughen up and fully take the reins.


Right that's the boys all sorted, now best get on and get off to get my work sorted.


Its Wednesday and midweek!!!

That;s a little bonus

Two days in a row

Well quelle surprise, I have managed two days of blogging  in a row, I know it’s  not at the normal time, but I would seriously be struggling to do anything at that unearthly hour at the moment.

As I am fairly lucid, I think that I should crack on.

In cricket news, Trevor Bayliss has confirmed that he will not renew his contract when it comes to an end in 2019, so that means that Sussex  will have 2 seasons with Dizzy before he jumps ship to take over to the  England set up!

Why do I say this?

Well Australia have ignored him again ( and yes I know that he is currently with The Adelaide Strikers) by bringing  Ricky Pointing to the T20 coaching side for the Tri Series starting next month.

They never really came good for old Diz  did they?

Thoughts are turning to the County Championship season here at the Chateau , as I have made the decision to maybe not attend as many matches and try not to run myself ragged all the time.

It may only be a 140 mile trip, but doing that a few times a month and then work and all the other things I do  can be physically exhausting.

Also I have to fit in another couple of visits to France for the secret project, so something has to give……………………………….I would like it to be work, but that’s just a dream!

I have selected the games that I will be watching and will stick to those.

South Africa had a great win, although sadly I didn’t see any of it, I was cheering from the sick bed.

I would like to also hope that I am on the mend now although I am still trying to cough up a lung at every possible opportunity which does not sound great.

Have a great day.

I'm back again

I thought that I would share with you my list of dislikes amongst things Antipodean

1.       Shane Warne

2.       Foster

3.       Castlemaine XXXX

4.       Aussie Flu

And I can honestly say that if I never encountered any of the above again it would be too soon.

I’m still struggling to get over the 4^th ( thank god its not the 1^st!) and have been warned that I will not be running about at my usual break neck speed for a few weeks yet.

Not what I was wanting to hear.

I am guessing that for the England team you can add Australia XI to that list!

 I sadly heard the last wicket fall for England as Australia completed a 4-0 win in the Ashes series.

How quickly the sorrow turned to joy on Twitter as it was announced that Stokes has been selected for the T20 team.

Seriously!

He hasn’t played a test, won’t be on the ODI team as Dawid Malan has replaced him. His name is just being regurgitated so that he’s not forgotten!

He has been given permission to play in the IPL. Which is good as I have given up watching it.

In other cricket news it is doing the rounds that ‘HWMNBNITB’ is going to retire……………….I am sure this is just publicity fodder.

I will believe this news when the horse mouths the words properly.

I have been able to spend the last week, lying around in bed thinking about all the things that I have to do,  and work hard ( in my head) on 2018 project. I think that I need some sponsors for this and realise that this will be harder than the project itself, however if you want to do something…..get on and do it.

I am hoping that by the second month of this year I can be ready to make a proper start.

Yes I appreciate it’s all a bit cryptic, but to be honest in the next 3 hours, it will be a blur to me too, as I am still running a high temperature and not too sure what the heck I am typing here.

Hopefully I will be back tomorrow and or the day after depending  on when I wake up and if I remember what day it actually is.

Yeay midweek already

well I should be jumping up and down with excitement as its midweek, but to be honest it has taken a tremendous effort to get out of bed.

After spending half the night trying to cough up a lung and the other half attempting to crack a rib or put my back out sneezing, I am totally washed out.

Its only a cold I know this but I am feeling very unwell. Just what I needed for the new year.
Between being kept awake by howling gales and rain and the coughing and sneezing I am looking a shadow of my former self.

I feel the need to head back under the duvet and  try to get warm.

Before I head that way I have to say sorry to one of my readers who is having a birthday, I have been so disorganised that I have not posted to you so many apologies.

now some cricket snippets.

It looks as if Australia are bringing back Nathan Lyon for the ODI in place of Glenn Maxwell

Woakes is a doubt for the fifth test.

Morne Morkel is heading back to the South Africa team

Joe Root  says England must learn from off field  behaviour ( REALLY!)

Starc confident of fifth test place.

I know these posts are very short but its a bit of a struggle at the moment.

see you tomorrow.

Holidays are over

Yes it's back to work and the holidays are well and truly over, all I have are the memories, photographs and scribblings in a journal.. Never mind I'll soon be back.

lots to do though before then.

So New Years Day was spent in bed coughing and sleeping, as I have obviously picked up some lurgy , which is a cracking start to the New Year and just in time for my return to work.


  having now scanned everything that is cricket there is not much news apart from the fact that the ECB won't play Stokes but will let him play in the IPL. not sure how that can be.

Phil Simmons has been named as the Head coach of Afghanistan.

Mitchell Starc should be back for the Sydney test.

And Moeen Ali  is being hauled over the coals by every pundit.

Ah so nothing really new.

And same here in the chateau, nothing new to report.

I know that it will be a busy week at work, month end, year end and all that brings with it, so if I don;t show up a couple of mornings it will be because I am putting in some extra hours to get sorted.

This is very short, but I am feeling pretty rough and need to try to motivate myself to move.

I hope if you are going to work today you feel better than me!

Happy New Year

Well its 2018 and  the start of  new journey.
New year is always a time to set new goals even if you don't go through with them.
I took the time over my Christmas break to have a holiday, going to stay wiuth my sister in France and having a break from writing the blog.

over the last 5 years I have posted a blog nearly every morning  usually between 6am and 7am so  think that I deserved a break.


I stayed in the south of the Champagne regon in a fabulous old town.
The town was built around the 12th century church which is in the process of being renovated.
This 'old part' of the town  had a moat around  it and this is still in evidence although not as wide as it was originally.
The beautiful maison de ville  where my sister  has been  renting an apartment for the last 6 month, dates from the 1800's and is right next to the church and has the moat running at the back of it.

A beautiful place to spend Christmas or in my sisters case a lovely place to live.

And now on day one of 2018 I am back writing and  hopefully willl continue to do so.

Over the time that I have been away we  managed a draw against the Australians in cricket, which sort of saves face in what could have been a whitewash.

the other side of  the new year is that we are closer the domestic cricket season which is a good thing.

I have lots of things that I would like to do this year, but am not making any resolutions, I just intend to take each day at a time.

My new journey is just beginning.

Happy New Year to you all.

I hope that it will be a happy and prosperous one for you all.

Christmas is over

Well here we are on Boxing Day although it is not  called that here in France.
yesterday was a quiet one in Chateau Didi deux, we were up at 3am, drinking champagne at 5am and then asleep again at 10am!

After a fabulous lunch of chestnut and mushroom wellington, we had another sleep and then watched DVD's.

ah the joys of just lazing around.

As there is no BT sport here I decided to rely on social media for cricket news, and when I awoke from the most marvellous slumber I was aware that David Warner getting a century was not boding well for England.

We got dressed and headed out, I couldn't face any cricket info.

So we went on a champagne crawl around town.

Interesting it was too, at Champagne Rubaud, we learnt that they are 6th generation champagne producers and we were down in 'la cave' with all of his champgne.

Selling Brut, Sec, and demi Sec ( as you would expect) it was very interesting  to hear of his family coming to the area in  1821,staying in the hotel Pomme d'Or ( where the Dame stayed when she first arrived).
How the first child of this family nearly died of cholera and the fact that they named the champagne 'Comte de Bar' after the 'Comte who built the church of St Maclou, which is right in front of the Dames house as she is in Le Place St Maclou!

A great and intersting time.

We went up  also too Champagne Gilles Leseurre which is super swanky.

I have a lot more tasting to do I can tell you.


Then home for a late lunch and champagne natrually.

And what of the cricket?

Welll Australia closing on 244-3 makes it interesting for tomorrow.

right all off to eat, drink and go to the bar later.

happy Boxing Day 

It's Christmas Eve

Greetings on Christmas Eve, I am late posting as I have been very busy this morning. I went out for a lovely stroll through the town and back to the Chateau. It was quiet and there were not many peope around.

The thing that I find really refreshing is that unlike Blighty, Xmas here in France is not so in your face. Yes there are decorations in the streets, but there is not the constant bombardment in every shop window.

Strange on Christmas eve not to see men running around in a full on frenzy looking for pressies for all their loved ones!

All is calm!

After breakfast the Dame and I decided to have another walk up.  we walked  around the town and then into the centre, where we headed into the bar to partake of some champers. Well come on it would have been very rude not to.

I have been catching up on all thing cricket  ( and prehaps wished I hadn't).

There is lots of 'fighting' talk going on, its all for show, llike peacocks strutting around flluffing up there tails to show who  look best!!!!

Mitchell Starc and Craig Overton are both out of the fourth test.

Much is being made of Joe Roots captaincy.

lots of talk about the  upcoming test.

and then there is a matter of T10!

What the Donald Duck?????!!!!!

I know what it is, but I cannot even begin to think of it as cricket, more like tip and run!

Best not to think too much on this until  am back in the UK.

We are now preparing to head into town for the arrival of Pere Noel, he willl be arrivng about 5pm.

Then it will be home, a spot of wine and TV and bed before the big day.

Which will involve going too church and posssibly the lake.

It is all go here I can tell you.

As I may not have time to blog tomorrow, I would like to wish all readers a Very Merry Christmas, and hope that you all have a  lovely day however you spend it.

I'll be back soon.

we are here

Morninng all , no time for picture this morning as I am using the lapdog of the sister dame Didi.
we arrived in the Champagne Region last evenning and headed straight too the bar to sample the local fare.
Our journey went smoothly until we were put off the train one stop from the airport, due to an incident further along the line towards Paris.

However 30 mins later a train took us and I headed to the Gare du nord.

From there a pleasant walk throughh Paris to the Gare du L'est and meet up with the Dame, who was (sacre bleu) in Marks and Spencer!!!!!
She was buying (mon dieu) crunchy peanut butter and Marmite!!!!

then onto the Troyes train and arrived at chateau Didi deux as it got dark.

I have no cricket news as I  have not had time to check and we are about to head out to the shops,



I was very sad to hear that the beautiful Jess went over the rainbow bridge yesterday.
A beautifull dog she was and loved very much.
she is now ruunning free of pain.

I hope to be back on here before Pere Noel arrives

have a great day



 

Good morning all

good moring every bod,it is I Pink Hippo Robinson, I is doing de blog dis morning as  de Momma is wery busy.
She say she is getting checked in and sorting out de cases but I tell you de twuff, she in de swanky lounge  porwing fwee dwink down her neck and eating as many vegan delights as she can find!

Der now you know what weally goes on in de Chateau  most of de time.

she say I have to check de cwicket stuff and tell you what is happening.

So here goes,
Chwis Wead who wetired fwom Notts at de end of de season is coming back...........
......dis is only in de hollibobs as he is now working in a school ( jus like de Momma did). Dat means he will be working wif me favourite bowler ever, Big Lukey Fletcher.

New boy in de Englnd team Dawid Malan does say dat  dey are in good spiwits, well dey is in good company cos de momma is too (  spiwits is  fwee in de swanky lounge too). He say dat despite losing the Ashes to Austwalia, England is de best team he has played wif.

Dey want to win the next two tests to regain pride.

Well good on you lad, have a word wif  de uvers.

And den Jimmy Anderson has been picking holes in de Aussie team. Saying if you look past Starc, hazelwood and Cummins, dey have problems.
Hmmm I no watched de test but according to what I heared coming out of de Mommas mouf, it seem dat Jimmy should be looking at his own  team!!!

now I see how de momma get all ranty on a moning!!

So now it time for me to stop typing and jump into de bag and get on de plane.

I is going to Fwance you know, to see me cuz VB.

I wish you all a Wery Merry Chwistmas.


love from

Pink Hippo
xx

And that's it!

Four hours at work and then I am off.

Housesitter is sorted  with instruction list.
I just have to try to get everything into the limo!

I just had a check of the cricket news and sad to see that Mitchell Starc may be a doubt for the test!

You may think its odd that I seem to be backing an Aussie, but truth is I like to see him bowl.

Strange to see Mark Stoneman say that Australia were not the better side despite losing 3 test to them.


I think this is more reason for their to be an allocated spokesman for the team rather than everyone babbling on!
just my opinion.

All talk is about the Boxing Day test, I will be dipping out of this one, I will be catching bits on social media, but I am going to try to take a break from there too.


I seem to be forgetting that Christmas is only days away, I guess it is because I have so much to cram in before then,

The weather here has changed for the milder and  we are seeing some wonderful sunrises, this is something that I hope to be missing though over the next week, as I am hoping to have some proper lie ins.
Its been a strange and tiring last half of the year for me, not helped by a 'major incident' Tuesday evening in to Wednesday, things just never go as planned.

well super short and not sure if I will be here tomorrow, although like a bad penny I am bound to turn up.

wishing you a very happy Thursday.

Midweek!

yes indeed, I have only half a day after today and that's it for the year. Its been some year I can tell you, no wonder I am exhausted.

however one full day and a half day to go, so lets get them over and done with.


bits of crickety news, as it is announced that Ben Duckett will have no part in the Lions tour to the West Indies.

Craig Overton is a doubt for the Boxing Day test, due to a rib injury.

Eoin Morgan  extends his Middlesex stay

and the ECB has set about 'ground- breaking' changes to their governance. Its the using of the words 'ground-breaking' thats scares me!!!

whats it all about?

typical ECB babble, they are reducing the amount of the directors on the board ( more port for the rest!)  and this 'ground breaking' change in governance will change the face of English cricket, making the board  more representative of the whole game.
According to Colin Graves!

well now!!!

What trickery is this????

What plot does his Greveship thicken here.

I foresee 12 CC matches coming and a full season of T20 .


OK that is unkind, but I am not sure how ditching one director is groundbreaking, noticeably there will now be no County club representatives.....................

and there it is!

There we have it!

We all know how this is going to pan out.

you mark my words!


oh yes and apparently 30% of the board will be female too

Quill to paper as I apply for some of the 30%.

Ok off to do the full time thing now that I have had a mini rant

same old tired Tuesday

Ah I miss the early morning singing of the Blackbirds, it usually wakes me up in the summer, now however I am woken up by the fact that the electric blanket has switched off and it is cold!

I am tired and grumpy this morning but only 2 more getty ups for work and then I am off!

at least I won't be getting up at stupid o clock for the cricket!.


Yesterday saw me travelling to work catching up as the last wicket fell and Australia snatched the Ashes back.

I listened to the interview with Trevor Bayliss, and Joe Root, I listened to Geoff Boycotts view on the who thing.

No one can really explain why we lost. The staff and players say that they gave it their all, but are a loss to explain it.

most pundits say that they were poor.

I just think that after a couple of years in the wilderness, Australia have come back with a bang and I don;t think that we can deny that they were the better team across the board.


The matter is now closed. What's done is done and cannot be undone!

not great news for South Africa as Faf du Plessis is a worry for the test.

I am just waiting for the return of Dale ( The Stare) Steyn!!


In county news Worcestershire as looking for the ideal coach......................I'm putting quill to paper now!

right best off to coach my bunch. today we are having a chat about Weils Disease, now that made for great bedtime reading!!!

back tomorrow!

Monday again

well here we are again, the last Monday at work for a couple of weeks and I am shattered.

 I woke up to listen to the conclusion of the test, only to hear that rain and 'wet patches' had delayed the start, true to form, I could not get back to sleep until they went out to play at 5am, when I  could have given Sleeping Beauty a run for her money!!!

I got up to get ready for work, only to  come back and hear that Jonny B had gone!

Now we have lost Moeen and it is all looking a little bit as predicted.

Best to focus on positive things, like the fact I am checked in for the flight.....................but not packed to get on it!


I have car park and hotel booked at airport.....................but not sure I have the energy to drive there

I have insurance and Hotel booked in Paris ...................but no euros!

Ah well I am sure that I can sort that out easily enough, and sure that by Thursday I will be feeling more in the mood for everything.

I have just peeped tentatively at the score, 188-6 at the moment.

Totally  sure that by the time I get to the office it will be all over.


And talking office................I had best hot foot it and start the week.

I know this is short, it is to prepare you for intermittent ones over the Xmas period, as I will not be blogging everyday.
I genuinely need a holiday.

Happy Monday

Got up early....went back to bed

I was up in the middle of the night to listen to the test........................... after Australia declared and we lost Stoneman, Cook & Root, I decided to go back to sleep, and I did until 10am.

Only to find that toaster has packed up!
How much more can one woman take!!!!

Thankfully the washing machine is in fine fettle and is currently doing the holibobs stuff. The bedding is waiting to go in. although with the amount of rain that is falling at the moment, I can assure you it will not be seeing outdoors!


So to the test........................

I really don't want to kick a team when they are already on the floor, but what is going on?

The openers can hardly make double figures, the captain looks lost and bewildered when ever you see him.

If these are the cream of English cricket then the counties are in big trouble.


It looks like a bunch of lads on an 18-30's holiday.
the reports of high  jinx is also not boding well for the team, so where do they go from here?

Well I think that we are all now sure that the Australians will have the Ashes by this time tomorrow and only a continual  torrential downpour can save England from a defeat.

Time to regroup,  get Xmas over and done with and get on with the job properly, because it is a job, I'm not sure that they remember that!

Well nothing that we can do now but hope for the best, and the best being rain for the next month!

I need to refill my coffee cup and get on with the packing.

has anyone seen my battery charger for my camera????

Its Saturday .....

Saturday, cold but very bright and sunny,. so I think that a jaunt to the town is the order of the day.

I am trying to get everything sorted today and then can get on with packing tomorrow, ahead of another full on 3 days at work.

yesterday saw the Office Xmas lunch, which took place in a country pub about 2 miles from the office, lovely food and a great afternoon, then I was in the car and off to deliver presents and cards locally, by the time I got home I was ready for bed.
I decided that although it was only 7.30pm I would head off and watch a DVD and then go to sleep., well that was the plan.

Fell asleep without a DVD and was  woken a couple of hours later, not  by 'eedjit' over the road with the car, but by  home delivery service of food, I am not sure if it was Tesco or who it was, but I was not best pleased, and got up to make a drink
 I was still awake when the cricket started.

However that was such a sorry affair for English cricket that I switched the electric blanket on and nodded off,. I woke up in time to hear  Mitchell Marsh get his century, and then Smith his double century.

England are currently getting a master class in batting with Smith on 217 and Marsh on 175.

One wicket fell today and that was Shaun Marsh.

are there any positives to come from this?

I am positive that the Urn is not coming home.

In other news, 'Nora' Batty has stood down as Surrey club captain and will be replaces by Rory Burns.
good luck Rory.
I am sure that this will not make 'Nora' any quieter, probably quite the opposite.

right I am off to the town, and then home to do washing and housework.

Happy Saturday

Friday and lots of cricket stuff

So  its Friday, its the day of the office Xmas lunch and there is a lot of cricket news to get through.

Firstly, the best news to hear, is that 'Big' Luke Fletcher has been given the all clear to come back 'to work' this season. I am sure that most cricket fans will be glad to hear this after last seasons horrific injury.
What a top bloke he is.

More news out of Worcestershire, after it was announced that former player, coach and Director of cricket Steve Rhodes has left the county with immediate effect.
Worcestershire were making no further comment on this matter.

And then there is the 3rd test, which yesterday took an unexpected turn when David Malan scored his maiden test century, followed today by Jonny B, between the two of them they steered the team into a good first innings score. sadly the tail was not wagging too much and England closed on  403.

Australia are 53-1 having lost David Warner who seems to be having a stinker of a time at the moment.

So we are looking to be making a fight of it.................................however these may be famous last words.


it is now only 3.5 working days until I  finish for my holibobs and cannot wait I can tell you,  the dark cold mornings are beginning to take their toll.

However this time next week we will be over the shortest day and it will nearly be SUMMER!!!!


we sort of !


Short one but time is not on my side, asbestos training talk to be done today and bacon butties for 40 to be organised before we all head out at 12.30pm for lunch.

until tomorrow, when I will no doubt be in a complete Christmas panic.

Sing-a-long Thursday

Ding dong, merrily on high

In Headingley the bells are ringing

Ding dong, The Swalec has a try,

At Lords the Taverners are singing

Gloria, the season nearly upon us

Gloria, which always is a bonus

From the Oval to  New Road

 Let steeple bells be swinging

And at The Ageas Bowl

Lets get those carols singing

Gloria, the season nearly upon us

Gloria, time to start the team bus

Let Old Trafford light up and shine

And so to down at Grace Road

Trent Bridge excel at Christmas time

With Edgbaston on overload

Gloria, the season nearly upon us

Gloria, and let it always be thus.

Midweek and moving on toward hols

Yes it is just over a week until I am finishing work and it cannot come quickly enough, the tiredness is now so bad that I am struggling to get out of bed at normal time.


it would also have been 2 weeks until I hit the magical 2000 blogs and wrapped it all up for good, as was the plan. However due to a rookie mistake by a couple of 'managers' at a County club, I have decided to keep going. Nothing like keeping up the notoriety.

I would make it public but would hate to show this club in an even more ridiculous  light.
I have to say that it gave me the best laugh of the day.

So sadly for the keyboard warriors and the haters, I am going to keep going.

However today any cricket news is just a rehash of the Duckett affair, with James Anderson saying that it was a 'non event'. He also said it was unfair to question the teams culture!.


I just think when all the things that keep being reported ( and yes I know the media love all of this), it is not showing the team in any other way than drunken louts. just my view.

The BBL in Australia is getting ready to start u, who will come to the fore?
Well I am one again putting my money on The Strikers, even though they have let me down the last few seasons.

Glad to see that most of the xmas pressies have been delivered. There were less going out this year due to lack of time with work and also with being ill. I have struggled to get on top of the usual mound of things sent out. I am still trying to get Xmas cards delivered!


well I had best hot foot it to work, it is still cold and icy outside so if the conditions are the same with you, take care out there.

Rightio gang, I am off!

An icy blast

Well the weather is not improving any , it was -6  yesterday when I got to the office and it  was -20 inside, I jest you not!
we had been lucky enough to avoid snow, and then by the time I got home, there had a covering, which this morning is nicely crisp underfoot and will be not great to drive on, luckily once on the main roads, i follow a bus route, always handy.

the thing is, I wonder why we are not prepared here in the UK, yesterday schools closed, as teachers couldn't get in, trains couldn't run and  airports closed.

how on earth do Scandinavian countries and the like function once it is winter?


As we inch closer to the 3rd test,  everyone seems to be having something to say, this time Jonny B, who says that England need to rebuild trust after the off field antics.
Joe Root has been let down.

Well yes Jonny that is true, however Joe needs to stand up to you all and pull you into line, you all also need to act like men and remember that you are in Australia representing your country, not on your gap year.

The Ashes are inching closer to Australia and they know it.


Well at 6.30am it is time to head out the door and inch my way to the office.


I know its a short one today, but time is not on my side.

What is on my side though is the realisation that I have been totally correct about a decision I made a couple of years ago.


Cryptic?

all will be revealed soon.

Keep and warm and safe out there today.

Monday again

Well here we are again, its Monday, however after today I only have one more Monday to work before I am on my holibobs!
 I am desperately trying to make a positive out of a cold frosty Monday morning.

And looking at the cricket news the blog is going to be incredibly short too.


Ben Duckett has been suspended from playing  and fined. I am wondering why he was on the first plane home!

Moeen Ali hit the nail on the head with his comments about the team being grown men who should know how to behave.

yes this is true, and of course they are old enough to drink, but this seems to be the curse of the team at the moment.


back here in blighty , lots of the country  is blanketed in snow, surprisingly, here in the North East we don't seem to have any at all.no doubt I have now put the kybosh on that and it will arrive just as I get to work.

This week will involve a lot of desk clearing and also case organising when I get home in the evenings.

I know that I cannot leave this to the last minute, but I am fearing that time will disappear this week.

We are having out office Christmas lunch on Friday which will be something to look forward to. This is not the same as past office outings in old job, mainly as everyone is driving and so no drinking will be involved. very civilised.


Right I said it would be short, hopefully some good news in the cricket world tomorrow,

stay warm  today

So then.......

where to start................


1. had a lie in as I had a full on busy day yesterday, wonderful visit from friends Sam & Simon and there puppy Oscar. Wonderful day,


2. read the news about Ben Duckett and the drinking incident.

3. Read about the fact that IPL may rule the world by 2020.


so to no1.

Sam & Simon and the wonderful Oscar came to visit and we had a fabulous selection of vegan curries with all the trimmings.
It was great to get together, its nearly a year since we last met up, due to our work schedules.
We will not leave it so long next time.

no 2.
Ben Duckett and the drink incident.
Not sure what is going on with the team  down under.
they seem to be behaving like 14 year olds left home alone!
It seems that we won't win the Ashes but will win the 'p*** up' afterwards.
They are playing into the Aussies hands!



no 3
if rumours are to be believed , everything that I said about T20 cricket will be true. it seems that talks  are taking place to ensure that no international cricket takes place during the IPL in months of April and May from 2020.
Only the ECB are to yet agree to this.

I think this shows how cricket is about to go.
I fully appreciate the value of T20 but it now seems that it is going to be the major form of the game.

Not a great read for a cricket purist.

Right off to do washing!

Sing-a -long -Saturday

Deck the halls with ball and wicket
    fa la la la la la la la

Tis near the season full of cricket
        fa la la la la la la la

Don we now our white apparel   
        fa la la la la la la la

Time to really roll out the barrel
           fa la la la la la la la

See the batting and bowling before us
   fa la la la la la la la

Fill the boot and rev the team bus
       fa la la la la la la la

Follow Yorks where ever they travel
     fa la la la la la la la

Over cobbles, grass and gravel  
       fa la la la la la la la

Fast away the old year passes
               fa la la la la la la la

Hail the new season lads and lasses
     fa la la la la la la la

Sing we joyous  all together     
        fa la la la la la la la

Ready for the summer weather 
        fa la la la la la la la.





Have a wonderful weekend

Friday and half day

Well its half day Friday and time to think about the weekend, but before that lets recap yesterday.

I had a surprise phone call yesterday morning on my way to work, it was great to catch up with my friend. Laughing and chattering all the way to work as well as putting the cricket world to rights. Just what I needed as I was feeling a little jaded with the loss of the curls.

I tell you the cricket season cannot come quickly enough for me, and probably you too.

However first things first. We have the AGM at HQ to think about and the date is to be announced, but last night we got the great news that Kane Williamson is coming back for some of the CC matches and the T20. Just what I needed to hear.

Also fabulous news that the Matthew Waite has signed with the club until 2019.........................and so has TLJL!!!!

Well that was a great end to the day!


News from the IPL is that after 9 years with the Mumbai Indians, Jonty Rhodes had left. he is apparently off to build his personal business ventures.


I'm keeping a little eye on Aussie Mitchell Marsh, in case he is selected for the third test, the brother of Shaun Marsh  is keen to play. He is wying for a place with Peter Hanscomb.
Could be interesting.

Ireland beat Afghanistan in Sharjah, which will lead us to Sunday and the deciding match in their series.

Tomorrow and Sunday England are playing a match against Australia XI ahead of the Perth test.

I am sure that we will be looking out for news on this one and hoping for a positive.


well off I go, as I have no assistant today ( she is off Christmas shopping) it looks as if I will be going on the bacon butty run for the boys.

its all go I tell you!


Have a fabulous Friday, keep warm, its blowing a gale here!

Lets do Thursday

So its Thursday  and we are now in the clutches of the post mortem  of the test.


I just couldn't write about it yesterday, it was too painful, having been awake since stupid o'clock!, however news is that Ben Stokes has been called up for the first ODI but is unlikely to play due to the ongoing Police investigation.
So the question is, why call him up?

So we march forlornly onwards  to the next clash.

There was a lovely gesture made to Jonny B as a gentleman in Adelaide gave him a pair of his dads wicket keeping gloves.

Lovely to see the spirit of cricket in action.



Over in the world of work, I am finally seeing some light in the O & M tunnel ( actually it is a pinprick of light but better than nothing). I am now trying not to focus too much on the work to be completed before I head off for R & R in the Champagne region and living it up in Paris.
I know what has to be done, I just hope that the team are up to the challenge.

I am on countdown to the shortest day,
'Why?' I hear you ask.

Well obviously after that has gone it is nearly the cricket season !!!

In other news the orange afro has gone straight again, yes over the last week the curl has been dropping out of my hair,
I am putting this down to being ill and I am hoping that I will be in full bounciness again soon.

typical woman, hate curls when I have them, hate it when they are gone!

And now I am gone.

have a great Thursday, although in truth when I woke up this morning I was convinced that it was Saturday!

Wishful thinking