and rest

You know the cricket season is well and  truly over when you spend Friday afternoon, washing  containers, sterilising flasks and putting them all away instead of filling them up with provisions for cricket.

Yes the penultimate job for the end of season is done, just one more thing  to tick off my list and I am done until next April.

Where has the summer gone?
Actually where was the summer?

My early morning ramble this morning saw a scarf being added to the ensemble, its a chilly one!

I am now preparing for a day of extra hiking as I drop the car in for its MOT and then walk home, only to have to walk back and collect it later! So I will be adding a good few steps to my daily total.

England were in action against The West Indies yesterday and JB hit a century which was a great help in a a 4-0 win.
The team looked to be in good shape despite the drama of the last week, which does not seem to be getting any quieter.

We now move onto bigger things as preparation for the Ashes begins.

The movement of players from club to club see no sign of stopping as Notts announced that Brett Hutton has gone to Northants on a three year contract.


no news on any moves form Yorkshire at the moment.


Middlesex are in talks with the ECB over the their points deduction which came from the match with the cross bow incident.
Lets see what happens.

It may be the end of the season but there is still lots going on

Well best get myself motivated as I have lots to do and lots of miles to walk.

have a great weekend one and all.

Heroes to zeroes

Well this time last year we did not expect to see our victors relegated but that is what happened yesterday in the most tense day since.......well last match of last year, for different reason obviously.

Middlesex are going down and I am sure that on a cold day in April this year, at the start of the county season, that is something that we did not foresee.

For Harry, I am devastated, however if there is a plus side for him, the other club that he played for went up, YES!!!! Nottinghamshire were promoted, along with Worcestershire.
A great day for the Trent Bridge lads although tinged with sadness as their captain left the field for the last time.

Upside of this is that I will be seeing much more of Sophie and El Tel, which is a big plus in my book!

Hampshire  stayed up , so a flight down to The Hampton will be involved next season, to see my boys play and also to catch up with Southern chums.

Time to put the pads and bats away,and have a break before looking forward to next season.

And of course the Ashes.

News came through that Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have been dropped by England until further notice.
Who knows where this will end.

Plenty of things said , time to let the authorities do their work.

I am off to work now but it is 'half day Friday' so that is a bonus, sadly one of my Project managers is leaving today, he has been a joy to work with, is a great part of the team and will be sadly missed.
He gave his notice before I started, so we have been on countdown since I arrived.

Time also to stop procrastinating about the work to do at the château and to get on with it.

Oh yes I see lots of fun filled weekends ahead! NOT!!


I noticed on my morning ramble that the birds are not singing! They obviously have re set their clocks and are having a lie in!


Right time to be off, lets do Friday!!!

have a good one!

And that's it

Yes the sun set on my cricket season yesterday, although for others there is still another day .
I think that it is best that we close the chapter that was the last match and forget to put a bookmark in it, we don't want to go back to it ever again.
Essex won by 376 runs!

Worcestershire were promoted and there was much excitement about that, one good thing about staying up, is that I get to see Commando Boy play next season ( as long as he is still with them)

Notts skipper Chris Read played  a blnder in  his last match with the club with an outstanding 124, Billy Root hit 132 and the crowd went wild, ( well the players balcony did)

Its going to be a tense last day.

Lots of chatter about the England team as they were announced yesterday,only time will tell if this is the squad to really take on the Aussies.
Already bets of a 5-0 whitewash by the Antipodeans are being taken!

'The incident' does not seem to be calming down and going from bad to worse as alleged video footage  of it is now circulating.
Let the police do their job and see what happens.

It's hard to believe that the season is nearly over and by 7pm today it will be.

What to do for the next 6 months.

Well there is lots of change here at the Chateau and I am filling my diary with things to get on with, people to catch up with and places to go.

I managed to beg the last of Mr Funky's rhubarb so there will be some gin and chutney making going on but no change there!

Now I am off to face the found of files on my desk.

I got an email yesterday from my favourite ex office boy, Tommy Gun................with a picture attached.

Yes old Fuzzy chops was back in the office!

He apparently opened the door ( head butted it open as he does) and wandered round to 'my desk', looked at the person sitting there, had a sniff of them, turned his back, looked at Tom and jumped on his knee.

Ah Fuzzy Chops!

Well off to see my new mob for another day of madness and mayhem

Until tomorrow

Woes a plenty

Well here in the land of The Prince Bishops there are woes a plenty cricket wise.

As if end of last season wasn't bad enough for Durham, this week has seen them lose another two players ( both going to Lancashire) and then  their 'star turn' goes and gets himself arrested.

The press are making an absolute meal of this although with the leaking of the 'possible' Ashes squad  ahead of the official announcement later today, it does not appear to have spoilt his chances of some winter sun.

It does however give the Aussie press and fans a lot of ammunition.( not that they need it)

My favourite ECB tourist though seems to have been omitted despite his 8 wicket haul last week. However Finny there is always the Lions tour.

In the County Championship, my lads made a dogs dinner of their 1st innings with their '12th man, Extras' not even racking up any runs!
Shabby batting display!
Come on lads lets go out with a bang!

Its still a bun fight in Div 2 and I have everything crossed for Nottinghamshire.


Work is busy which is great and stops me thinking about the end of domestic cricket.

My morning rambles are now in the dark and it is considerably colder, I was reminded yesterday that it is just over a month until the clocks go back, how I hate that happening.

preparations for the christmas cake bake are beginning and I think that this weekend may see the start of the making.

Sooner its done and all that.

Well time and tide wait for no lady and I now have to go to tackle the 167.

However it is Wednesday, mid week and the weekend is closer.

have a great day where ever you are.

Day 2 in the big county house

So on a cold, dark, wet day in September, s I sat in my office wondering what the day would bring, it was without a doubt, the best news that my boys got the points that they needed to keep them safely in Division 1,

With some outstanding bowling from 'old timers' Brooks and Patterson, it was even better to see the  the younger squad members doing their thing!
Coad and Karver taking 2 wickets a piece.
The future is looking very bright.
The Champs were bowled out for 227 and lets hope the weather plays fair today for some batting points.

Sad to see HRR on drinks duties though.

Warwickshire and Hampshire were affected by rain, and Middlesex were not happy with the state of the wicket at Taunton.

It was some day!

News came through that Graham Onions is doing a 'Roland' and leaving HMS Durham.
His statement did not make good reading and begs the question, do players automatically think there is a coaching position for them when they come to the end of their career?

The club look to be ending the season once again in an odd position
It is not happy reading.

However back to today, lets hope that there is no rain and that all teams can get a game.

I have a bag of 'stuff' to be dropped off for the people that have recently arrived in the town to live a safe and happy life,and also a bag of 'stuff' to drop off at the charity shop, I have just cleared out the wardrobe of my summer clothes ( most of which never even got worn), as the winter coats make an appearance once again.

Well time to hit the road.

happy Tuesday and for those of you with a delivery, happy chutney chomping

well now!

So today sees the start of the race to avoid relegation and my man 'James Bond' is on covert operations but thinks that he can slope off to catch some cricket on Tuesday which will give me the info ringside, so to speak.

I will be tuned into the wireless as they are covering Somerset v Middx. That is a game that we need to keep an eye on.

Yesterday saw England beat the West Indies with a terrific knock from Moeen Ali, a 53 ball century no less!

Adil Rashid put an end to Chris Gayles innings on 94 with an outstanding  direct hit, it was some game.

There is something of a scrap going on to top the Div 2 table, although for travelling Notts fans this week, the match in Sussex is more than just a game, as we bid farewell to Ryan last week, Notts fans are bidding farewell to their captain Chris read.

I know that there will be tears!

Twitter came alive yesterday with the news that the ECB are considering making test matched 4 days rather than 5.
I am surprised that they haven't suggested playing all our test in The UAE where they can be guaranteed sunshine with very little chance of rain ( although sunstroke and dehydration may be a problem).

Purists took to  Twitter, I fear that we are now sick of the tampering with the game. We are heading for a cricket season of 'circus' cricket and one day matches if they have their way.

Imagine if the FA  decided to make the Cup Final a 5 -a-side match?

I see an Emmeline Pankhurst situation  arising at The Grace Gate if this goes ahead.

How many cricket fans do they speak to?

Are they over the age of 8 and not wearing a troll hat and making noise with the 'bangy' things?

Will the ticket prices be reduced?

Oh dear far too early to be on a rant!

Best go and head to work, where I can calm down.

Time to see the last week out.


#COYT

How it all stands

So the last week of domestic cricket is upon us and it is still a tense on.

My boys are on their way to Essex to begin their last game of the season against the now champions.

Its a tense week for the lower end of the table.

Yorkshire are currently on 145 points
Middlesex are on 143 and go into their match without Toby Roly Poly who is injured and a possible loss for the Ashes tour.

Hampshire are on 140
and Somerset on  127

Its going to be a tough four days of listening and I really wished that I had taken a week off and gone down to Essex,  I love the ground at Chelmsford and have had many happy days of cricket there in the past.

Its also the last week of the WI's tour and today they are on ODI action at Bristol.

Hopefully the weather is good for this one.

I have been for a lovely peaceful walk through the woods and back fields of the town and only met a couple of people.

I am now home and showered and getting ready for the latest batches of chutney to be made.

Damson and plum chutney first up followed by blackberry chutney.

Its to be hoped that they turn out well.

Great feedback on my crabapple chutney from besty Harissa friend Mick.
It was eaten with homecooked ham, crusty bread and cheese.  which sounds wonderful ( if I still ate ham)

Reviews on last years batch of Elderflower champagne came through last night from Pontefract. After the bottle had been 'lost' since last Xmas, it was discovered and consumed yesterday and apparently it was 'gorgeous'.

Foraging and making could become my new hobby now that I have given up knitting, it was not helping the tennis elbow at all so I have had to knock it on the head for the time being.

There are couple of things to be 'cast on'  for  Xmas but I have time to get my elbow back to normal before I start on these.

well this won't get the chopping and dicing done.

And a reminder to my sister, please  DO NOT get up on a chair again to try to put  up your new curtain poles.

See you all tomorrow

End of an era

The game was won, 

goodbyes were said

Tears didn't stop 

my eyes are still red.

Over 700 wickets 

For 2 county teams

Multi Championship winner

The stuff of dreams

Still a game left to play

A rabbit to pull out of the hat

A seriously must win game

For Ryan, we need to do that 

As the  season is ending

and the covers are on

Its hard to believe 

Our 'Siddy' is now gone

So thanks for the wickets 

The runs and the wins,

Thanks for the laughs

the waves and the grins

Thanks for the memories

now its time for him to 'chill'

An era has ended

Those are big boots to fill

(my favourite 'snap' I had only seconds to take it and its my all time favourite)

it's a very sad Fryanday

well it is finally here, the last day of the last home match of the season and what should have been HRR's last ever home game, however injury put paid to that and we just have to hope that we see the elusive curly haired one before he retires.

It is too sad to contemplate!

I do wish HRR well in his future exploits and know that we will still be seeing him around  Headingley.

However today is also very important for the rest of the team and for every one that loves Yorkshire to the core, we need 119 to win, I can predict I will have very sore hands today as I will be clapping every possible run!

Middlesex had a great win yesterday with Finny taking 8 wickets.


It really is going to the wire!

now a 'fiunny' thing happened when I got to HQ....................my chair had gone!

Well I was very put out to say  the least,however not content with removing my seat, they then started to dismantle the chairs around where I had taken up residence!
I had to resort to sitting in the Long Room but was looking over my shoulder in case they came for my chair in there too.

I had a wonderful day with Mark and we caught up on all the things we had missed since last seeing each other.
Today will be sad as it will be over 6 months until we can catch up again.

Now I am heading out for my morning ramble around the ground to see whats is going on, and then it will be time!!!


Very big day ahead, tinged with sadness.

The winter coats are coming out

Its a cold dark morning and as I went out for my early morning ramble I realised that the winter coats will be soon making an appearance.

 This time last year I had just arrived in 'that there' London and was walking around in a t-shirt and cardigan ( and leggings I hasten to add). yes I was on my way for the last 2 days of the Middlesex v Yorkshire match. And we all know how that ended!!

Today I am busy sorting my self out before I head off up the A167 .

The position for my boys this morning is still a bit wobbly.
Instead of wondering if we would win the title. we are in the race to the bottom!
We missed out on a  third batting point yesterday. but still took the first innings lead.

Its game on today but the weather looks as if it may take control if the forecast is to be believed.

I will just keep listening.

Matthew Fisher not only bowled well  on Tuesday, he batted very well yesterday too, yes I think that the future is looking brighter.

England are in ODI  action at  Trent Bridge today so hopefully they will get a game weather permitting.

Thoughts are turning to the weekend and the things that need to be done...............well we all know how that is going to end.


And now it is time to hit the road.

The blogs are getting as short as the days at the moment .

have a great day where ever you are.

Midweek already

So here we are and it is Wednesday already, cold and dark this morning and I am preparing for it to get colder and darker.
Yesterday was a full on busy day with lots of work and then a foraging expedition after work, into the woods that back onto the office.
We walked up to the 'Brick Train , a sculpture based on The Mallard,  The sculpture has just celebrated its 20th birthday, and is also a haven for bats.

We then walked through the woods and collected lots of berries and apples that are growing wild.

What had started as a cold morning ended as a glorious evening with blue skies.

Over in cricket world

Yorkshire were bowling and Brooks  starting the wickets tumbling.
It was looking a if I should cancel my hotel for Thursday evening, but as it is my last trip to Headingley  this season ,I am still debating it, I have until lunchtime today to think about it.

Matthew Fisher and Ben Coad took  5 & 2 wickets respectively and we can see that although we are losing HRR, the bowling future is looking bright!
Warwickshire were all out for 219 after Bell and Patel put on runs.

Odd to see Ryan Sidebottom on the field, not the 'real' one I hasten to add, as we know he is injured. But an 'imposter' playing for Warwickshire.
Sad that we won't see  R Sidebottom bowl R Sidebottom, would have been great.

In reply, Yorkshire lost K Brathwaite before stumps and closed on 62-1.

Middlesex seemed to be in trouble early on in their game, but a spirited fight back by Toby Roly Poly and the lovely Ollie Rayner, helped the cause.

England were in ODI action and after a rain affected start they  won by 7 wickets with a great century by JB himself.

Durham announced that Paul Coghlan is leaving them ( and joining Notts). I wonder who else will be leaving before we close the season, I've already put a tenner on one more of them.

I am now off to  do my last day at work this week and then no more hols until Xmas.

its goign to be long 3 months.

another day

Another day dawns and we are now only a week until the last match of the season.

Where has the time gone?

Today sees the start of the ODI against the West Indies, they must be loving playing here in September, not the weather has been much to write home about all summer!

It all seems to have gone by in a blur!

 A blur is what I feel I am in this morning as the painkillers are doing their stuff to fight off the pain of the tennis elbow.

I'm hoping that by tonight it will be somewhat easier.

The penultimate County Championship matches start today and as expected HRR is unable to play in his last match at Headingley due to injury.

very sad for Ryan although I am sure that he will be showing his face around the ground.

The awful incident on Saturday night at Durham has forced the 'beach volleyball' stand to be close.
To be fair it is hardly ever used during the season and just helps to block the view of the castle.

I really hope that those who were injured on Saturday make a full and speedy recovery.

I know this is short but time is not on my side this morning ( or any mornings at the moment).

For those heading to HQ have a great day, for those watching/listening to the ODI , I hope that you enjoy, and for those on their way to work have a safe journey.

1901

New week and new milestone in the blog as we hit the 1901st  post.

This morning though I am struggling to get anything done as I have had less than 3 hours sleep due to tennis elbow, which flared up last night.
After trying to get comfortable in bed and  taking more painkillers than I normally would, I gave into the idea that I would get little sleep and had a phone chat with a friend instead. Lots of cricket talk, and laughing which didn't make me any sleepier

Its going to be a long and painful day today!

there is not too much cricket news today apart from Australia getting beaten by India yesterday.

There are however lots of rumours circulating about what will be happening on the county circuit. Lots of 'who is going where' rumours although nothing set in stone.

Its a big week for my boys this week.

Will Warwickshire just be wanting to see the season out now that they are relegated?

Will Essex still be a bit tipsy after winning the County championship?

Can Surrey sink Somerset?

Well we will have to see as it all kicks off tomorrow.

Its a sad week as we are in the final two s'essions' for HRR, will he be playing this week?

Will his FC wicket haul increase?

Lots of questions and only time will tell, although gut feeling is that he won't be playing at his last home match.

Ah not a great thought to start the week.

Well best head off .

Have a great Monday

Sunday morning

In the words of Jimmy Ruffin,

'What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love that's now departed'

well they are in the spare bed looking pretty rough at the moment!

I'm struggling to focus on anything, although the beds will be getting stripped very shortly so that will put an end to 'sleeping beauty'  having a lie in.

All yesterdays plans went out of the window at 3.30pm  when BKOTF tipped up with wine and a very sorry tale.

Long story short, we were up until the wee hours chatting after we had an 'expedition' which was supposed to lead to the cricket club but ended up with him in the bushes!

We did manage to watch some of the T20 from Chester le Street, The West Indies won.


Today is mainly about making things, wrapping things, housework and getting ready for the week ahead.

Oh yes and nipping to the shops for some leeks!

Not sure that you really needed to know that.

Thoughts are also turning to the cricket this week.

Relegation is still very real for us at the moment.

its a little bit too much to take in.

I'm off for coffee and then a brisk walk is in order, avoiding said bushes!

Super long lie in

Ahhh I find myself getting lazier and lazier as the mornings get darker and darker. I need to snap out of it!
I have lots to do today and have every intention  of getting everything done this weekend that us on my long list.

I will get settled to watch cricket tonight weather permitting.
However back to other cricket.

Huge congratulations to Essex for be coming Division 1 champions.
There will be much celebrating going on down in Chelmsford.
And rightly so as they have played brilliantly all season........ .
.....and of course there us quite a bit of Yorkshire input in there too.

Now why did we let that go?????

And talking Yorkshire we still have our hearts in our mouths.

Then news that HER is 50/50 for next 2 games!!!!

I cannot imagine him missing his last ever home game.

Can You?????

Well  this won't  get the kitchen floor steam cleaned


Cheerio.

YEAY!!!! Friday

Its a cold dark Friday morning and  Autumn is definitely in the air. Yesterday consisted of torrential downpours and then brilliant sunshine, it was a mixed bag, I am guessing the same today.

A mixed bag is what we got in cricket too,
Essex beat Warwickshire and are now champions in waiting, its all very reminiscent of Lords a couple of seasons ago. Just having to wait on a result for confirmation.

Yorkshire put on a courageous display of batting to try to chase down nearly 600 runs, a half century by Hoddy, makes me wonder why he is so often overlooked?
TLJL hit 32 however HRR was stuck on a duck!, I was hoping that he would go out on a double century!!
Well stranger things have happened by bowlers!

This did not really help them as they had to follow on and were 59-1 at stumps.

I am sending rain down today.


Middlesex were not having a good time at all at Uxbridge ( which is something that I cannot say about the times I went with Harry ). Rain, ran and more rain.

Even though they beat us to the title last year I feel very sorry for the Southern boys!


the ECB have allowed Cook to rejoin Essex for the last two matches of the County Championship...........................well, well, well.

Obviously we will not be getting any of our boys back!

Lets not go through all this again though and just take it as a cert that if our lads play for England that's all they do!


well I have been invited to a wine and champagne tasting tonight and they have vegan selections too..

I might just pop along, it would be rude not too.

Now I am out the door and heading towards the 167.
happy Friday, its nearly the weekend

Nearly there!

Ah its Thursday and we are nearly at the end of another week.

And what a week it has been, Essex stand on the brink of winning the County Championship and in doing so  have sent Warwickshire to certain relegation.

Ah its all to play for, in the race to drop to Division 2!!!


Middlesex were again thwarted by rain and they are now looking at going from the top to the bottom in one season.

How does it look for my boys?


Well after Rockerfeller CC put on a great batting display  closing on 592, Yorkshire staged something of a come back.

We are missing opener Adam Lyth who will be, as we speak looking forward to a full night of sleep after the birth of a beautiful baby girl, Ruby. An absolute little gem she looks too.

However the openers that we put in, K-C and Marsh managed to hold the fort until K-C went on 78.
Its fine we only trail by 421 runs!

Rain is the  thing that we need, and we have had so much of it, I wonder if there is any left?

Ben Coad who was missing from the starting line up came onto field as sub,and took a great catch, Jack Brooks missing for much of the season ( although often seen at T20 matches hob nobbing on the Western Terrace)took 5 wickets

we need points badly!

The match in Ireland against the West Indies was abandoned  and I am guessing that the remainder of the tour might be hit in the same way.

I however am heading out to face the cold today and hope that I manage to work my way through  my 'to do' pile.

Have a great day where ever you are.

A letter

Dear Messrs (messers) ECB

I hope you are sitting comfortably

Sipping on your Earl Grey Tea

To read this letter from me

Last year you fired a  warning shot

That ruffled feathers rather a lot

making cricket fans collars get hot

Whilst you did care not a jot.

You demoted  and fined one team of men

Sending them into lower divisiondom

Making them beg for extra yen

Whilst you supped a bottle of champagne or ten

Then you look for something more

To rip other counties to the core

Lets not allow some York lads to score

You all agreed with a resounding roar.

The season ends you go on jollies

Live up the time of tinsel and hollies

snugly under your ECB brollies

'what else can we do to be total wallies?'

Ah lets mess with the county scheme

That would be the absolute cream

Lets make it not so much a dream

Those members will all be snorting steam!

On and on and on you go

'lets make end of season a show'

We'll let some England players glow

ECB 'prison' for the other though

And so Messrs ECB

Let me ask this of thee

sitting with your overrated committee

Do you rub your hands with glee?

Has the death knell  finally sounded?

Has the County Championship floundered?

Whilst your bellies get more rounded

The cricket  clubs get firmly pounded.

So I wish you good day
In the best possible way
Nothing else left to say
Except, every dog has it's day!

its getting colder

I was well wrapped up on my walk this morning, it sure is cold, and with no prospect of the much promised Indian Summer, I think that the winter coats, boots and hats will be making an appearance soon.

In cricket it is interesting to read that the ECB have released 5 players to join their clubs in the matches this week. Mark Stoneman has been allowed to play for Surrey, but obvious to see that non of the Yorkshire boys have been released to play in their match against Surrey.

it makes you wonder!

Much rumour flying around at the moment about players picking up their bags and moving to other counties.
nothing being mentioned at the moment so we will have to wait and see if the rumour mill is correct.

Somerset have taken a knock, as two of their bowlers are out for the remainder of the season with back injuries.


Its all kicking off in the last few weeks.

My boys are at The Oval this week and sadly 'James Bond' cannot be there , he is on covert operations else where.  I hope that he has a good week.

Scotland are going to be hosting Pakistan next season which should make for some interesting cricket, they are heading south later this month as they are taking on Papua New Guinea in matches at the beginning of October.

I am busy busy at work,  and the days are flying by, lets hope that they do the same in the build up to the new season.

A new TV box is winging its way to The Dame which should mean that she spends less time in the bar and more time being a couch potato.

My other friends who have just moved to France, are not having such a good time as it has been a fraught move.

Ah well time to move myself, but only out of the door and up the road.

have a cracking day.

Cold wet Monday

After and cold and wet trot around the town, I am showered and about to head out to the office, its not a particularly nice day out there, so I guess being in the office is the best place.


There is little crickety news as today most teams will be travelling to their away fixtures and preparing for the start of another County Championship match.

My boys are heading 'darn sarf'  and will be playing at the Oval tomorrow.

The West Indies are playing an ODI in Ireland on Wednesday before heading over for T20 at Chester le Street, judging by the evenings of late they had best pack two pairs of thermal undies!

Yesterday was busy with more chutney making, however if you ever hear me mention rosehips again, please remind me that deseeding the little blighters is tantamount to slave labour.

'Deseed the rosehips' the recipe said.

Half a pound of rosehips and two hours of my life later, I had a blister and had lost the will to live!

I do  though, have a very full pantry with some more chutney to be made with the odd left over fruit and veg that I have in the kitchen, so I will be back chopping tonight.

Over in France things have taken a turn for the worse as the TV box stopped working last night.

That was one very cross Dame.

Well its a short one as I have to try to sort out the orange afro before I head out of the door.

have a great Monday and try not to work too hard, there are still four more days to get through!