Big Al's today

 

Well its Friday so that's a good enough reason to smile, its also my last day until Tuesday, which makes me super smiley.

I have to put the order in at Big Als on the way in as we have a full house today, well the 5 regulars.

I am going to be busy today  as I am going to the hairdressers to get the straight locks looked at, and then race home as Steve the Wine man is delivering ( always worth racing home for).

And then its  the weekend.

In crickety news, the   England, South Africa tour is going ahead which is good for South Africa and they will be playing one day matches and T20's, the  tours in 2021 to Sri Lanka and India have not been confirmed as of yet.

I do think that as it stands now it will be a while before we get back to how things were both cricket and life in general.

We are  on the brink of Tier 3 lockdown, although in this house that's been the order of the day really since March.

I was talking to one of my colleagues who works from home and he was saying that he is really struggling  the moment, due to really not seeing anyone. I am lucky enough to see the same faces 5 days a week, but some weekends apart from the person on the supermarket check out I don't see anyone, ok maybe the little girls next door shout to me from their bedroom window, which is lovely and usually end up with me being shown their newest drawings.

Its very hard and will become worse when the clocks go back this weekend.

So although I can't call on anyone, I am making a plan to drop cards through the doors of friends who are on their own like me, over the coming weeks just to let them know that I'm thinking about them.

Take good care out there and stay safe.

Have a fabulous weekend.

How on earth did it get to be Thursday ?

 I'm not sure where this week has gone, I was struggling on Monday  and now its Thursday! 

I've been planning a little treat for me on Saturday when I am going to have a facial, sadly it wont halt the effects of time and stress but it will cheer me up. poor Laura who is doing it, I normally fall asleep, and dare I say.......snore!

However 1.5 days work to get through before then though.

A strange thing happened yesterday when I took a call at lunchtime from the hotel that I should be staying in at Seaham. The 15 minute phone call ended with me having my booking cancelled and to say that I am now convinced the weeks holiday in November is jinxed is an understatement.

There was a genuine reason for the cancellation but I'm desperately trying to find another place to stay.

I have to admit I did go to the loo and have a very girly cry, but this morning I am looking at it in a positive way, everyone seems to be planning for the worse ( except me obviously), and if things get worse then I guess a week at home might be just as beneficial as a champagne tasting trip to Dizy and Bouzey, or a week in Seaham.

It does look as if we will all be in Tier 3 before long.

I have been working out what else to do this weekend and apart  from my facial, I am planning an Italian evening ( change of country cooking wise), and having a bash at making candles. 

Christmas cakes are on the cards too and as I have Monday off that could be the day for it.

Well time to get Thursday out of the way.

Just 3 of us again today. Should be quiet!

Have a great day.

Mid week musings

 

Well its the middle of the week and I am about to put a holiday form in for next Monday, a nice little long weekend again, I am trying to use up some holiday, I was going to take extra time off at Xmas, but to be honest I can't see the point, I'll be sitting at home like Billy no mates for nearly 3 weeks, no Malta trip, no friends or family over ( because we all know that is going to how it is). Might as well stay at work until we close and be with my boys.

Funny isn't it that the last 2 Christmases we haven't been able to take holiday apart from the bank holiday, but this year..............

Well enough said about all that nonsense.

I have checked out cricket and there is not a lot to report, which is only to be expected.

Work  at The Wickets has been ongoing with the arrival ( finally ) of the gutter cleaner, you now have to book a slot 2 months in advance to get him to come out.

He was very confident it would be done in no time, so armed with his 'hoover and camera on a stick, he set to.

One hoover full is the norm, he said cheerfully. 

2 hours later and 4 hoovers full, he was not so chirpy but the gutters were cleared. Remind me if I ever buy another house to make sure  they are cleaned before I go in.

Now to deal with the patch of damp in the lounge and hope that the builder comes to do the pointing soon.

I've  had so many probs getting tradesmen whilst living in Ladylaineyville. It makes me wonder if I am asking them to do outlandish things ( like wash windows?)

the lovely Rhys is not back yet due to a positive Covid result in his family, he is due to be available next week  so we will be able to move forward then. And his family member is on the mend thankfully.

Well off to the office where there are only three of us today, so peace and quiet will be the order of the day.

stay safe out there.

Thoughts for Tuesday

 

Well here we are at Tuesday and  I think here in my neck of the woods we may be bracing ourselves for a two week circuit breaker if rumours are to be believed. Will this help? I am unsure, I am doing everything I can to keep the virus at bay, however I have noticed in the last week or so, many people going into shops without mask. One man when challenged said he couldn't wear a mask because he had asthma.........................and then I passed him in the pedestrianised area of town having a cigarette! 

One thing that has happened is that my hair has gone straight and I mean straight , not a curl or a wave in sight, 7 months have taken its toll I'm afraid. Not even the magic of Jacqui the barnet tamer can do anything with this, I will do as I did when I had mumps ( unknowingly)and my hair went straight ( although not as straight as this), Ill have it cut into a bob and leave it to grow.  

It is what it is, I will have to take the rough with the smooth, or the straight with the curly as it is at the moment.

I know that there are lots of us going through tough times, and  my woes are miniscule, to those of you who are going through the mill, I send much love to you. We all need to try to stick together and be there for each other. 

I'm spending a lot of time cooking, it does appear by some of my tweets that there is a lot of wine or champagne involved, there isn't really, its  usually a glass or two and the remainder  saved for another day. 

What I am trying to do is to go back to  my wine experience  and expand on that, and then get back to cooking, doing some pairings with food. 

Its enjoyable and making me think outside of the world of water.

I have finally made all the chutneys that I  intended to this year, so now onto the Xmas cakes.  

Its going to be a busy few weekends coming up.

I have had to have a change of plan for my Birthday weekend and have sadly had to cancel York and instead I am heading off to ................Seaham! 

Who knew that in one year my holiday destinations would be Wetherby and Seaham ( or Cham as one of my colleagues in London called it)

Anyhoo time to head off to the office.

To all of you where ever you are, please stay safe and take care.

Have a great day

TLJL Day

 Its not very often that one player takes over the blog ( in fact in 8 years of blogging it has happened 5 times including this one) and even more unusual for me to write a blog on a Sunday. However today is the birthday of TJLJ.

Although he is no longer a White Rose I personally will always see him as that.

It was a tough couple of seasons for him before he left Yorkshire at the end of 2019 season to move to Kent, something that now, despite Coronavirus and lockdown has seen him make his mark  at the club. In only his second game with them he made an  unbeaten 220  with Jordan Cox batting with him, in what was Kents record partnership for  any wicket.(423 runs against Sussex)

There was much cheering at The Wickets I can tell you.

Over the years at Yorkshire I have seen him play first team and seconds, always with the same enthusiasm.

Cheering him on very vocally at Finals Day in 2016  is how I met TLML. Luckily she did see the funny side of the  shouting old lush behind her!

Amd I will never forget cheering him madly from the posh seats after THAT catch

Jack  has spent winters in Australia working hard on his game over the last few years, not sure about this year though.

And as he notches up another year and more years ahead of him in cricket, I  just want to say happy 27th birthday Jack.

I wish you the very best of luck in the coming year.

There's only one TLJL!!!

Last working day for me

 Hurrah!!!

Today is my last working day this week, as I am having tomorrow off and  will be having things done at The Wickets, hopefully the gutters cleaned and some pointing repairs. Things that need to be done sooner rather than later.

As my great friend 'James Bond' told me 'take one day at a time' so I will be getting through today and trying not to think any further ahead.

I was at a bit of a loss last night after spending the last few evenings wrapped up in the Aussie cricket team bubble. 

I did a bit of housework ( well Roxy comes today so like a lot of  woman I do the house work before the cleaner comes), and also wrote a shopping list for the weekends weekly shop.  No French evening this week, I still have cheese to polish off!

In domestic cricket Yorkshire have been showcasing the players who have extended contracts. I had a quick flick through the county In's & Out's, I still can't bear the thought of Notts without Christopher David Nash. 

Hopefully there will be some news soon about what he is going to do.

Well its that time again and I am heading off for the 9 long hours.

Have a great Thursday, I probably wont blog tomorrow as I will hopefully be catching up on some  Zzzzzzz's

Watch if you can

Cricket is and always will be a huge part of my life, from growing up surrounded by family  players,  being encouraged to play by my great friend Harry Latchman { and getting coaching from him too}, to sponsoring  two up and coming players. It has been the main focus of my summers for many years and I am very lucky to have a large circle of friends involved in the game in many ways.

This season has been a strange one with none of us being able to support our teams in person and players playing to empty grounds. Something that we hope will not be the norm.

The season came and went and to me it just felt like it had never been here at all. 

However I decided the other evening to watch 'The Test' on Amazon Prime and  I have to say I was hooked. I was hooked by the brutal honesty of the fly on the wall documentary of the Australian team trying to come back from the sandpaper scandal and win the Ashes.

No matter what you feel about Australia { and the cheating} it is, in my opinion, a great watch.

It was great to watch players delighted to play for their country, trying to make their mark and make their country side great again.

As many of you know I am not really an international fan I love domestic cricket, but this was great watching.

The funny thing is that when I woke up this morning my first thought was, I love cricket!!!!!

How great is that!

Huge thanks to my great  friend 'James Bond' who gave me some great advice yesterday.

'Take it a day at a time'

And so with that and my love of cricket in mind I am wending my way to work.

Have a great day 

Here we are

Well we are now pretty much stuck in the same situation after the PM's briefing on Monday night  and I can honestly say that I am not  taking it  too well.

Tiredness and other factors make getting out of bed this morning harder than normal, I am running on empty and struggling to find any energy to get through today, although we all know I will be in the car shortly and spend the rest of the day along with my team, trying to make things right in the world of water.

I have been sorting out things at The Wickets  and the bags are filling up again to go the charity shop, it is becoming a bit of a circle, one in one out except at the moment it seems to be one in 5 out, which is not a bad thing.

I started to watch 'The Test, last night, interesting to see behind the scenes  of the reinvention of Australian cricket. There are some players that I am still not too keen on ( not always the obvious ones). Interesting watch if  you fancy it.

I have taken Friday off this week to try to make the most of the weekend. I think that I might spend the day at the seaside, with a picnic and no mates..............its becoming the norm..

Well best to crack on and do some work, another day, another day closer to retirement.

Happy Tuesday 

What to do

 

Well its Thursday and things are not getting any better, I am coming to terms with no Champagne birthday and no Malta Christmas, its all a bit bleak, and going to get bleaker for us if the rumours are to be believed.

I am considering putting my tent up in the garden and freezing me what nots off for a few days. Or walk to Redworth Hall for a couple of nights and then walk home( I reckon half hour each way) could even go on the bike, decisions , decisions.

In all seriousness, I just need a break and not at home, I've been home all but one week this year and much as I love my house I badly need a change of scenery.

I know that I am not the only person in this situation, its tough, its been a very tough year and I don't see it getting much better.

I guess I can start to make the Christmas cakes!

One thing I do need to do is cut the lawn, hopefully I'll be able to do this at the weekend.

Things have ground to a halt at home as Rhys has been away on large jobs, and my little ones have taken a back seat. Its not a problem, as it gives me a chance to do some of the finishing touches in the rooms that have been competed.

Well time to do some work.

Another day, another job application filled in!

And that is the season over

however not without making an already strange season even stranger.

Lets start with Saturday 

Getting out of the shower to a message from Chris Nash was the start of it, { yes Chris Nash , buns of steel boy!}, more of that to come in coming weeks.

I ran around like a mad thing after that, getting everything done as much as possible before 10.30am. Lunch was in the fridge and dinner ( a french meal to accompany a lovely French red)  was supposed to be prepared, but due to the rain and  not being bothered to go out it was postponed to Sunday. 

Which is exactly what happened to the T20 finalsday.

There was so much precipitation up and down the country that I think plans for Arks were  probably the most googled thing!

In other Saturday news, my friend Philip came home from hospital after having brain surgery. It was a tense couple of weeks for lots of us Huge sighs of relief all round, and great to see him on the mend. I think crying in Home Bargains at 2.14pm on Friday  when I got the news that surgery had been successful will go down in history as one of my finest hours !!!

Yesterday dawned with sunshine here in the North East of Blighty, it also became apparent that this really was a brand new day for me. I really felt that a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

I went to town and shopped and prepared food and then waited for what would be the last day of the cricket season { in October}.

At 3pm the toss was made for the first semi.

Overs were limited but I'm sure that no one watching cared about that

Surrey v Gloucs

Surrey won!

Notts up next against Lancs

OMG Chris  Nash {BOSB} only went and got injured fielding.

Notts won though with some outstanding batting especially from  Dan Christianson in the last overs.

Surrey v Notts

So I'd cooked and eaten my French meal and sat feeling sick.  Nashy couldn't play so Peter Trego  stepped in.

AND THEY WON!!

and I got messages from Harry { Notts lad} and cracked open a bottle of champagne because to be honest after Yorkshire , Notts are the matches that I have seen  a lot of .

And that's it for 2020.

The year  that never really was, the year we were all on hold with crappy music. The year we got a year older and looked at life slightly differently.

And now its a new week, a fresh start and in my books its winter now that cricket is over.

Happy Monday 

Friday musings

Well Autumn is well and truly here, dark mornings, the nights drawing in and the trees changing colour. The  fabulous Horse chestnut along from The Wickets is laden with conkers and I think I will be going down to collect some, not for a game of conkers but they  apparently deter spiders, and I no likey spiders.

Usually at this time of year,I would have written my review of the cricket  season , but there has been so little season and nothing that we could go to see.
Highlights for me were TLJL and his amazing 220* in the game against Sussex. What a great player and of course a personal fave of mine. ( that poor lad!)
Also 'my' Ben and his T20 debut, taking a catch and making my day. I will be continuing to support Ben next season as I know that he has a lot to offer the club.
Yorkshire did not fair well in either the Bob Willis Trophy  or in the T20 competition ( which completes tomorrow with Finals Day in an empty stadium!). However it was a strange season  ( and has been a strange year) , lets see what next season brings.

We are now in October, how quickly this year has gone by, not something that I would like to repeat in a hurry.
I live on my own and although I like my own company 6 months of not seeing many people, is quite telling, I jokingly say that I am becoming a hermit, but sadly with further lockdown in Prince Bishopville, I fear that I may not see anyone but my work colleagues before the New Year.
It can be a bit overwhelming at times, but we all soldier on.

I have something like a million and 20 days holiday standing....................I also have a flight to take ( UK), I really just want to get away somewhere ( yes I know I went to Wetherby a month ago!). Just a change of scenery would be lovely.
However the restrictions imposed on us mean that we are not to leave the area unless it is really necessary.

Oh well I can always change bedrooms and move into The Sanderson suite.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend.
Come on Notts!!!!

Thursday chat

Well last night involved going to collect some more wardrobe doors which should be installed this evening when lovely Rhys comes.
I really have taken to doing some of the things in the  house using reclaimed items as it saves them going to landfill and they are  too good for that. I could have bought new, but being from Yorkshire I do like a bargain.
I have to say that the wardrobes in my room will have bespoke doors because I wanted something that was not available to buy. ( and never seen on Gumtree or FB Marketplace)
I am ebaying  with a vengeance, its sometimes my favourite thing to do when I get home from work, I really want to get shot of a lot of things that have just been in cupboards or drawers since I moved which is over a year ago and as I haven't needed/used them in that time, I think that they can be moved on.
I got my beautiful picture that I bought in Spain back in 1997  reframed and that will be put back on the bedroom wall at the weekend. New bedding is due to arrive so my room will be looking  close to completion.

Its all go.

I am kind of stuck here in the land of the Prince Bishops, as we are in lockdown and any flouting will see huge fines, not sure how they are going to police this as the police in Ladylaineyville can't even stop the kids who are racing trail bikes on the road near my house. No helmets, probably no licence and definitely no insurance. A worryingly horrible accident waiting to happen.

I was hoping to catch up with friends this weekend, but I'm not sure if I can, travel restrictions have not been implemented, just no one can come to my house, I can travel but not meet anyone apparently . I'm totally brain dead as to what I can do where I can go and who I can see.

If I can't see friends then I will cook, I need to peruse my cookery books as I am going to cook a meal to go with a bottle of Bistro Chic, a French red from Bordeaux.
more info in the link below
https://www.foxywine.co.uk/product-page/bistro-chic-red-blend-france


Have a great Thursday, hurrah its nearly the weekend.

Hello Philip hope your Thursday is a good one. x

Mid week catch up

Well its mid week and time for a quick catch up with all that's been going on.

In a week that has seen the new limo arrive, Essex win the Bob Willis Trophy , a very good friend not feeling too grand and more work going on at The Wickets, its been full on.

The lovely Rhys is being very patient with me as I continue to try to rehome unwanted doors in the hopes that he can use them on the many wardrobes and cupboards built into this house. However I don't think that he was expecting a call from me last night saying I couldn't lock the door to the garden.

Luckily he really is a hero and came out and sorted the door which is now better than when I moved in.

We were chatting as he was working, and he did say that he liked the idea of recycling to get the parts of the house done.

Please be aware I will be buying a new bathroom suite...……………………...unless I see one on Facebook Market place!!!!

I am ebaying lot of things and will be selling  my framed and signed Yorkshire shirt from 2014 [ it was one of Ryans training tops], as well as some of my cricket jumper collection. I really am clearing out, I have no one to leave any of this to so might as well make some money from it.

Also I may sell my Jocelyn Galsworthy signed print, still thinking about that one.

In other news as we are back in lockdown in Co Durham and cannot see anyone ever again ( something like that, Ive no idea really) I will be having French evening on Saturday nights, I will be  putting recipes and wine suggestions on the blog just in case anyone wants to try it too.

right off to the post office and then another day in paradise!

Have  good one.

Whats been going on?!

Its been a busy week so far and lots going on, firstly it was great to see Ben make his T20 debut on Sunday in what was to become Yorkshires last match of the season.
We won the game and Ben took a catch, perfect Sunday viewing on the laptop.
I was delighted for him..
Monday involved Mr Funky the Chauffeur taking me to look at a car,
'I'm not going to buy it, just look' I said and then signed on the dotted line 15 minutes later.
The garage had a beautiful Irish wolfhound called Bramble who I will say was the most beautiful dog and probably had a lot to do in swinging the deal in their favour.
The car was delivered to The Wickets on Tuesday evening.
The Lady Lainey limo went to Corsa heaven yesterday, a sad day for my little red peril.
the end of a long partnership. We went some miles, met great people and had lots of fun over the years.

.
Gorgeous Rhys has been  at The Wickets doing some more work, Its nice to get things done at the house and putting my stamp on it.

The rest of the working week seems to be much of a muchness, although yesterday the boys were already deciding what to  have from Big Als tomorrow!

The cricket  season is nearly over and we can but pray that we have some participation in games next year.
I have cancelled my hotels in Epernay and Reims in November  as I do not for one moment now imagine that this holiday  will take place.
I am however looking at Wetherby for my birthday bash!

well time to head out see what today has in store.
its hard to believe that this time next week it will be October. where has this year gone.
Have a great Thursday.

Well that was some week!

Its been some week in cricket terms.

Thursday the last Roses match of the season, which we lost, but got to see Ben on Sky as he was 12th man.

And then he was called into the team yesterday. I cannot even begin to say how delighted I was, T20 debut and a catch for him. Our season may be over, but the last few days have made it worthwhile for me.

There is still cricket to be seen but nothing that the Yorkshire lads are involved in.

We regroup for next season.

Here at The Wickets, things are still progressing, lovely Rhys will be back this week working his joinery magic, and hopefully there will be a new addition to my family, I hope!.

I am plodding on and trying not to let the buggers get me down, sometimes easier said than done.

As both of my jaunts {November and December} look as if they are now not happening, I am making alternative arrangements for Xmas, it could well be Wetherby!

Now I am off down the 167.

Have a great day.

Keep smiling.

Two Roses matches in a week

Well here we are at Thursday already and another week nearly over

The weather is turning slightly Autumnal, especially early morning when I am still trying to get in some walking before work.
The Wickets are still in transition and a new radiator cover arrived last night ready to be installed. This is purely for aesthetic reasons until I install new rads ( which could be anytime in the next 10 years).
The hydrangea nursery was added to at the  weekend as I try to get as many cuttings planted up as possible, so they can settle into their pots before colder weather and frosts arrive.

Strangely we are heading to IPL season, and the news is full of Dale Steyn and Faf du Plessis ( faints). I think that I might be keeping an eye on it all. Dale is sporting a longer hairstyle and I have to say I likey!!!

Monday saw the Roses match take place at Headingley, how strange it must have been for the players to not have a full house for the game. We were playing youngsters, due to a COVID 19 scare, which took out 4 players.
Sadly it has taken them out completely as David Willey has tested positive.
Here's wishing him and his wife a very speedy recovery.

Last night  we were taking on Durham not a good night, but we march on.

Tonight is the second Roses game of the week and that should be interesting after losing the first one.


The weeks are rolling on and it is only a couple of months until my birthday, my planned big birthday bash is on hold as quarantine is not an option for me. I am disappointed but I can do it next year hopefully.

Well as we head to the weekend I am hoping that we have dry weather so that the lawn can be cut and I can dig  out some borders at the front of The Wickets, I want to plant up some spring bulbs.
I really need to get some work done in the dining room.

At least when I get home tonight, all will be in order as Roxy will have performed her magic today whilst I am at work.

Have a great weekend what ever you are doing.

busy week

Its been a busy week with little time to do very much apart from trying to clear all the paperwork that had found its way onto my desk whilst I had my holidays in Wetherby!.
I am looking forward to the weekend  I can tell you.

Last night when I got home I found £25 had been posted through my letter box from my lovely friend Debbie and her sister Beth, or as they are known in some circles , 'To Love Again'. This is a  business  'rescuing' fabulous fabrics and turning them into some amazing items. If you are on Facebook check them out.
They had donated this money for my fundraiser for 'Refuge' which has brought my total to £225. How wonderful and exceptionally kind is that????
This money will, I know, be put to good use to help victims of domestic violence.

In cricket, Yorkshire failed to make the final of The Bob Willis trophy............well I doubt any of us will be surprised, silver ware is not something that we have seen in a few year and unless something dramitc happens at LS6, I doubt we will be adding anything to the cabinets in the new and updated Long Room ( which we have yet to get a peep at).
This aside, I will praise the youngsters who played absolutely brilliantly.
Jordan Thompson with a brilliant  62 with the bat in the first innings and 5-31  and Ben Coad back with 3-23.
Good to see my Tom in the runs too with 11 on the board in the first innings

I am also trying to  plan a jaunt at the end of the month if I have the new limo. If not I will be staying home and going out on my bike!!!!

Oh well time to hit the 167, time and work wait for no lady.
Have a great day, its so close to the weekend I can almost smell wine!

Back again

well I am back after a lovely break in Yorkshire, yes after a 45 minute drive I arrived at my hotel and settled myself in, to be honest it may have been 45 minutes drive but I felt that I was a million miles away from everything.

I was able to travel from my base to various towns and catch up with lots of friends. On top of this I managed to have a lot of sleep, a heck of a lot of walking and some wonderful food.

It was just perfect and was much needed.

I got home in time to find a 'fly in the ointment' and firming put the lid on that. Another chapter finished.

Now I feel ready to face the world again.

I had some wonderful messages whilst I was away and to those lovely friends I was unable to see, this  was mainly down to still having the limo whilst waiting for a new car, and not trusting it to go too far.

I will be visiting as soon as I have new wheels.

Cricket wise, you will all know what has been happening on the international scene, on the domestic front Northants had a squad member test positive for Covid 19, which is pretty scary.

My lads are at home to Leicestershire, although yesterday was a wash out there have been  some outstanding performances from the young ones. Which shows the talent that we have ( and should be continuing to bring forward).
Sadly another player is leaving, as it was announced that Jared Warner will not be renewing his contract with them and will be joining Gloucestershire at the end of the season on a three year deal.
More to come I should imagine.!

Well Tuesday is about to start properly for me as I head  out of the door.Its a busy day  today {same as every day to be honest}.

And finally this is my 2700th blog! flipping heck, I really think that its time I got a life!
And if you have read all 2700, you need to too!

Happy Tuesday 

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

End of working week

It is the end of another working week and tomorrow is the beginning of August, I am really feeling it now as I have worked from the office right through and  I haven't had any holiday since Christmas and really am flagging.

Also the news that the Limo is soon to shuffle off to  Corsa heaven has left me with a heavy heart. The Lady Lainey limo and I have done some miles and had jolly japes along the way, I am sad, I know this is a piece of metal ( and got squidged last summer) but sometimes its better the devil you know. ( car wise that is!).

I am also having another visitor this weekend, I don't know what is going on, two weekends running!
To be honest it is just what I need as I am now clutching very hard to a few straws and hoping that no more countries are crossed off the approved list, I couldn't stand having another holiday cancelled.

I have to be honest and say that I didn't see or listen to any of the One Day cricket yesterday, mainly because I was too busy both at work and when I got home.
I envy those people who have had time to lose weight, do lots of exercise and make banana bread, I'm lucky if I make it upstairs at night {waking up on the sofa has become common place}

We are predicted to have the hottest day in the history of the universe { or something like that according to the Met office} I am wondering if this is in the South because this week here has been cool and rainy, little bit warmer, rainy and is overcast this morning.

Well off to finish the week and then home to wait for the wine delivery, make some chutney { I took a jar of rhubarb chutney to the office on Tuesday and it disappeared in record time}, and possibly sit in the afternoon sun{!!??}.

Have a great weekend

stay safe

Lifes rich tapestry

Its another week, and things here at The Wickets are much the same, with the exception that I had visitors on Sunday  for the first time since February. It was lovely to have lunch and a natter, and just generally have some company.

Living on my own is my choice and one that I love very much but I have become aware of how much I have retreated from the world in general. Lockdown has led me to living very much like a hermit.

I know that when  times  are trying it can  bring out the best and the worst in people, and this has been evident over the last few month. We are all struggling in our own way, trying  to figure our way around the pandemic and how our lives have changed.
All of us have had our lives changed and not just for the short term, I think that it may be for a good while to come.

As such, I try to keep plodding on, no matter that at times I would just like to crawl into bed, pull the duvet over my head and stay there. Sometimes it's hard to put on a smile and face the world, and sometimes its hard to just face social media with so much on there that is harsh.

It is all part of life's rich tapestry and I have to accept that.

There is cricket although none that I can actually go to see ( not that I would however, as I made the decision to stay away this year).

There are some  things returning to some sort of normality and there is a birthday girl today.

Happy Birthday Glenys I hope you have a good day in the circumstances.




back soon

Brief return

Well I'm back briefly, I haven't posted as I really don't have a lot to  say ( well I do but that's a different kettle of fish).

Life at The Wickets continues to be busy, I continue to be exhausted so absolutely no change.

I am out and about on the new bike and loving it.

Cricket is still not a thing on my radar, I really have binned it off until next season, and also appear to have waved bye bye to a wodge of cash  on the sponsorship front.

However I am going to holiday like there is no tomorrow for the remainder of the year.

More work in the offing at The Wickets as I gradually get the house to suit me.

And after more than a year of finding it very difficult to get up and downstairs, I can now do it without pain or discomfort, in part due to a vibration plate that was recommended by the physio as I was unable to see him.
Never underestimate the damage that a seemingly 'minor' injury can do.

Oh well, time to log off again.

 I hope that you are all  well

take care & stay safe.

Busy

I'm still super busy at the office and also at home as I whip myself into a frenzy of getting more exercise, I am one of those people who has been office  working  right from the start of  lockdown, I haven't really had a lot of time to myself apart from weekends when I am so tired that I tend to sleep a lot.
So I decided that I needed to do something to get moving more.
I signed up  to walk 2 miles a day every day for the whole of August and raise money for Refuge, a domestic violence charity.

 I appreciate that a lot of you may walk more than a mile in a day, but since last year and all the trauma of the foot, knee and hips, I tend to do about a mile at a sedate pace so I'm upping the distance and the speed.

Having set up the page on Monday afternoon, I woke up yesterday morning to find that I had reached my target, I was absolutely  gobsmacked and cannot thank the people who donated enough.
Your kindness will hep people who need it, and more so at the moment as we are living in these strange times.

Thank you all so much.

Mid July

As we move into mid July things are changing for us all again, pubs have reopened ( not  that I have been), restaurants are open ( ditto) and hairdressers are back.

My fabulous mane tamer got to grips with my lockdown hair and I now feel half way human!

Cricket returned in International format, albeit behind closed doors.

And we lost.

At the office, the  'Richards' are talking about staged returns to work although they haven't included themselves in this.

I, in  the meantime have put a preliminary booking on a trip to Malta, flying on Boxing Day and also may book my flight for November  in the next few weeks.

I need a break, before I break.

Friday not only saw the new haircut but also meeting up with my oldest friend, Debbie, it was a chance to have a proper old chin wag and put the world to rights.

Who knows how the next few weeks will pan out, but I am sure that things will settle into a new  sort of normality..

My normality is that I go shopping once a week, forget what I really wanted and end up with lots of things that I didn't realise I needed!


And the charity shop is open again...…………… I bought a new 'boule' for the garden! This made me very happy!


I have taken great pleasure in my early morning walks, and have to say that nature is really at its best at the moment with so much flora and fauna around. As I wander around the outskirts of town, I have been able to spot little faces peering out from undergrowth. And the undergrowth is very abundant.

Ah well time to head out and tackle the ever increasing traffic.

have a great day/week


stay safe

New week

Well here we are in the 2nd week in July and this week sees the return of Test Cricket as England take on The West Indies at the Ageas Bowl.

It seems strange to not have any feeling of excitement about cricket.
Possibly because I have told myself that I am having a season off.


I have been having time off from lots of things, including housework and gardening, I think that this weekend, it may  be a case of knuckling down and getting things done, luckily we have a skip at work which myself and the rest of the skeleton staff have been filling up nicely, I have some more things to get rid of and will do that this week.

Once again I cannot believe in a year how much I have managed to cram into The Wickets. I think that a real life laundry needs to happen, I am considering selling off a lot of my vinyl, I don't listen to it and the music that I really love I also have on CD as well as available through my online music library.

I am still doing my once a week essential shop, I am using the local greengrocer and butcher, all small businesses need a hand at the moment, and I  have found a local wine merchant ( half a mile up the road local!). Now this is a blessing and a curse, a blessing as they deliver to me for free and at a time suitable for me. ( Friday afternoon), and a curse for the same reason!


Had a catch up with Ben last week as he was back in training. Its a tough time for all of cricket, but I feel for the youngsters as  futures may be in the balance.
I really hope that both of  'my boys' make it through to next season.

I have added a couple of extra things to my trip itinerary in November ( Covid 19 and air bridges permitting), I really hope that it comes off. If not it is there for next year, or the year after.


Well time to head off , the roads are now very busy on a morning and evening, maybe not quite as bad as before lockdown, but there are definitely more cars on the road.


Have a good day/week.

take care

stay safe.

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy first birthday to The Wickets, it is today, a year to the day since I moved into my happy little house, although its been a bit of a year with injury and the after effects of that, it has been a happy year.

I am still as settled as I was the minute that I opened the door at 12.10pm on 4/07/19.

Not a lot has changed, although the brown and teal horizontal stripes in the lounge have gone ( thank goodness), just the vertical ones in the dining room to finish getting rid of.

 Before all the stripes were removed!

My garden is just perfect and of course the wicket was one of the first things that was done after moving in ( thank you Philip and Carole).

I am taking my time to get things changed, there is no hurry.

I love the fact that I have peace and quiet, I have lovely walks around the area, and have found the elderflowers/berries, blackberries and lots of cherries.

Simple pleasures.


What more could I ask for.


Not a lot really.


Have a peaceful weekend.

stay safe

another week

Waking up would be great as at the moment as I seem to be doing my best sleep for England.
I know that I need a proper break, but at the moment I am trying to hold onto my holidays for a bit longer.
The news came through that County Cricket will return on 1st August, which is good for the players.
Even if spectators are allowed to attend at some point in the now ever shortened season, I do not think that I will be venturing, as I have said , I love cricket but I love me more.

I see that there is lots of chat about the forthcoming behind closed doors test. Stuart Broad saying that he is 'worried' that he wont perform to his best without crowds, I think that should be the least of his worries in the current climate.

And then there is Tim, after his shock announcement that he was leaving Yorkshire, it came out yesterday that he would be with Warwickshire for the remainder of the season and had signed a two year deal with them.
Good on the Bears for getting a trooper!

Life in lockdown ( yes contrary what some absolute idiots think we are still in lockdown) is plodding on, I have now found a local company who deliver champagne, and Jacques Bardelot champagne  none the less, that has made lockdown a whole lot brighter.

I am currently cherry picking and freezing until I decide how I want to use them.
The garden sheds are currently full of Elderflower champagne, surprisingly the chutney cupboard is starting to need topping up after I have sent quite a lot out and not been restocking it.

Well there is something to do this weekend.

Have a great week, take care and stay safe.