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.

last one for the week

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

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

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

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

I may  mow the lawn this evening as 

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

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

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

16 people allowed to go and pay respects.

No hugging

No get together for a cup of tea.

Ah well it is the new normal.

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

Midweek

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

stay safe.

Tim

And so you leave us

After 19 seasons

We all know that

You have your reasons

So many thanks for 

557 1st class wickets taken

With figures like that 

You've often saved our bacon

And lets not forget 

6714  1st class runs

An outstanding allrounder

 with at least 6 tons.

And thanks from me

For setting up Bens 1st List A catch

Although  a downpour of rain 

Blighted the rest of the match 

A true professional 

who will be missed

not just by me

but a much longer list.

We wish you all the best

As you now branch out

You'll always be a White Rose

Of that there is no doubt.

Mid June already

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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

Have a great week

stay safe.

I've no idea what normal is anymore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Hope you all have a good week.

stay safe.

weekly catch up

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

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

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

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

My thoughts?

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

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

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

Hope that you are all well and keeping safe.