New week, and its not good

Hello, its Monday and I am back.

And its not a pretty picture that I paint this morning.
My boys are on their way home from Mumbai, cutting pre season training short..
Better to be safe and all that.

Durham cut short their jolly to Zimbabwe.

And England 'postponed' test series in Sri Lanka and are on their way back home.

Its not good out there.

I am responsible for keeping myself out of harms way,as best I can, avoiding crowded areas etc, which meant  that I didn't get to see my Farsley Celtic FC sponsored player, on Saturday.

I also couldn't help out at the Community Charity Craft Café but did make some vegan rolls for them to sell.

For me and my colleagues, we spent the back end of last week, putting together the work plan, obviously working in water, its essential that things are not affected..
We now have a drill and know what will happen when someone contracts the virus. { we are working on when and not if}.

That being said, I think that as there is not much cricket news about I will be here intermittently.


Stay safe and keep well.

Look after those who need it.

back soon

Still nothing crickety

Wednesday is here, midweek, and I am scouring the papers to see if there is any crickety type news or you could very well be bored with 'what happened at The Wickets on Tuesday evening'.

And believe me apart from an hour with my new instruments of torture from the physio and having chicken casserole for dinner, excitement was very low on the ground.

Cricket news is very low on the ground, so I have decided to take a break until next Monday to see if anything interesting happens.

Honestly you must all be sick of hearing about wall paper and paint, physio and pilates, ebay and the charity shop,chutney making, and to be fair I realise what a flipping boring old life I live.

However life is for living in whatever form you choose.

I know that over the last few years I have let things take over my life and this has been crippling for me. Time to move on and spread my wings.

Live your life to the best of your ability.

Live everyday fully, ( in my case until 8.30pm when its bedtime).

Have a great week and I will be back next week

onward we go

Tuesday has dawned quite nice, I have been on a walk to the station and back ( 1/2 mile) and  need to try to keep this up on an early morning  basis.

I've laid out my bag in the dressing room/ pilates studio, and am starting to get slightly excited about my trip to Southampton, which after  being cancelled last Thursday was back on by Friday lunchtime, I'm with Logan Air, got 15kg free hold luggage and window seat .

This is /was to be my one and only 1st team away game ( including Scarborough ) so with this being back on I am over the moon.

There will be much bag packing in Yorkshire over the next few days as the boys get ready to fly to Mumbai.

I only wish that I was going  with them.

However I am going to be busy this week as I have just agreed to produce some vegan food for a local charity open day. So I have some of my famous 'sausage'rolls to make and also some vegan samosas.

That should keep me busy, not that I need to add any thing else to the schedule.

What I need is to add more chill time.

There is not a lot of cricket news so I am signing off and hoping to get a decent day in the office.

Happy Tuesday 

And back to the grind

Here we go again, another chance to make a working week better than the one before.

I can but hope.

The weekend has gone by too quickly and was a mix of all sorts of things, including  shopping, knitting and chutney making, as well as sleeping.
Friday evening saw us head out to the cinema to see Military Wives, which I highly recommend, I have seen probably every film that Kristin Scott Thomas has ever made { including her debut film which will always be my favourite}, and she never fails to please.

Saturday afternoon saw a few hours at the spa, as we needed to chill out and unwind a little. I feel asleep mid massage!
I really need to relax more, and intend to.

In cricket there was some bad and good news on Friday as it was announced that Josh wouldn't be on the Mumbai tour with Yorkshire but that 'my' Tom would replace him, so both my lads are going.
I was obviously over the moon, but feel for Josh.

Over the weekend, South Africa made short work of Australia in the ODI series.

England are playing warm up matches in Sri Lanka.

And poor old Jofra is still broken and will not make the IPL. I am seriously thinking that anyone will be lucky to see him bowl this season.
All that fast tracking...………………………..hmmmmmm


Well time is short and I have to head off.

Again this week, blogs may be intermittent. I have a lot of things going on and quite a lot of sorting out to do.
I've a couple of appointments after work which hopefully will push me forward.

Have a great week.

End of working week

Friday already and I am ready to stay in bed and sleep, however I am up and showered and ready to walk out of the door at normal time today, I hasten to add.

Its half day and I cannot wait to finish, lots planned, as out with chums tonight and then a bit of pampering over the weekend.

Cricket news is mainly a flurry of contract signing, as Jofra has extended his contract with Sussex, who get the broken version this season .

Josh Cobb has  re signed  as white ball captain for Northants.

Zak Crawley extends for Kent.

Its all go in the run up to the season which is now just over a month away.
And a busy month that will be, Yorkshire are off to Mumbai, Sussex are off to South Africa and I might manage a trip to Seaton Carew if I am lucky, and with my recent luck the road will probably be getting dug up!

The loss of Flybe has meant that I am now trying to get alternative transport to Southampton, and believe me driving or train are not something that I fancy.
It could all get called off if I can't get a flight and after trying for most of yesterday its not looking too hopeful..


And with that I am out the door and off to finish the week.

See you at some point next week.

Its dark and I am tired

I started this at about 3.20am  having  been banging around in the dark for the last half hour, I headed  off out the door to sample the delights of the newest Transit in the fleet and also the further delights of site life.

I can honestly say that tiredness is now just something that I am living with.

As my dreams of flying to Beirut for heat and culture has been binned for 3 years ( until I get a new passport) I spent most of  the mornings drive thinking about where I can go to  for some sun, scenery and rest. ( please note that I am not driving I am a passenger).

In cricket, England arrived in Sri lanka to acclimatise in preparation for the first test on 19h March.

In the made up game, they have announced that the prize money will be the same for the Mens and the Womens game. There seems to be a lot of money floating around...……………..for how long.


Well time to get on with the important things in life...…….having coffee.

Tuesday mumblings

Things are turning really busy for me at the moment, as I now am trying to get organised to go out and talk about facial yoga and all that it entails, this will be in a couple of months, but I guess preparation is the key.

A 4 am start this morning has made the blog very late, because believe me I had no intention of getting up at 3am to type a load of old rubbish!

Cricket news is still low on the ground

England lions are still in Australia and taking on New South Wales  2nd XI

Lancashire have resigned former T20 Tyke Glenn Maxwell, my run in with him at Headingley will go down in the events that caused me huge embarrassment . ( one of many, although not quite as embarrassing as shouting out your undying love for a Yorkshire player when his Mum is sitting in front of you!!!).

And with that I am off to do stuff, its cold, I'm on a site with no kettle ( at the moment although someone has just hightailed it to Argos)
Happy days!

Marching on

Here we are at March already and the season is getting closer, most counties are planning their pre season tours.
This is usually somewhere hot, meaning that when they come back they are all in for hypothermia first day out in the field.

Yorkshire look to be going into the season in a good position, they made a profit and are paying back the massive debt that has been a bit of a millstone.

The boys all seem to be quite positive and although I won't be at that many matches, I will be cheering them on.

This is a super short one and this week due to having  lot going o in the background, the blogs may be short or non existent.

there is also a huge lack of crickety type news.

Wishing you all a good week.

Finally Friday

Here we are again, Friday, in what has been a short working week for me.
After snow on Monday, op and then recuperating and  yesterday heading out to Headingley for an afternoon with 'the boys'.

Train from Ladylaineyville to Burley Park, what could go wrong...………………..everything, delay meaning missed connections both ways resulting in £23  worth of taxis , hmmmmmm, Northern rail not doing too well.

However an afternoon with the team including Ben { who I knew would be back from Australia but was sworn to secrecy} made for a great afternoon.
A teeny bit of gin tasting, some afternoon tea, and a very 'posh magnum' as well a hearing Patto and David Willey giving their take on the season made up for the rail problems.

Had a great time with John who very kindly acted as my chauffeur, and chatting to Yvonne, Derek and Dave. Lovely to  catch up with other sponsors.

Great to catch up with Ben, Tom was sound asleep at home after having his shoulder looked at.

A great cricket day, not so great rail wise.

And now I am off to put in some work, clear my desk and then head off  for a fun filled weekend.

see you on Monday.

have a great weekend

back again

so after  a couple of days of rest I am back on my feet and about to have a little jolly today.

I have been punctured and prodded and all seems to be in order, it seems when I have lost 3 stone my swollen knee might deflate, however I am not holding my breath.

I also have to work hard to build up some strength in my ankle, my Achilles tendon is apparently very weak.

I am sure that it will all get sorted in its own time.

We are nearly hitting the 7 month mark, so fingers crossed.

In cricket,Australia won the T20  series in South Africa, and Steve Smith has been made Captain of the made up game for Puff the magic dragons.

Good news that Adam Lyth in his testimonial year has also signed a new deal keeping him at Yorkshire for a while longer.

I have a busy day today and I need to get a wriggle on.

I've a train too catch and some chums to meet up with.

So I might be back, but this is coming is a very short one this morning.

Have a great day and hopefully I will be back tomorrow.

Another week begins

and what a week it looks to be, I'm having my knee prodded some more, the big meeting with the future new company owners takes place and it is nearer the start of the season, and I am so proud to sponsor Ben and Tom for another year.

Yesterday South Africa beat Australia in the 2nd T20 and its all down to the last game.
And South Africa ladies aren't doing too badly either .

It was also busy day at The Wickets as I had a trip to the dechetterie and picked up my train tickets for my jolly on Thursday.
I also continued to get rid of things on eBay, this in light of yesterdays blog was very much enriching my life.

I really have got the spring clean bug, and think that next weekend I might even strip the wallpaper off the sitting room wall and paint it.
I have seen a new mirror that I like and also need to go out to look for some radiator covers {if anyone knows of any that need rehoming let me know please}.
Oh my dog! lets see how much of that I get done!!!

The lovely Roxanne, {my cleaner} is going to do a good old pulling out of everything for me, mainly because I am still struggling with the rotator cuff problem, its getting there, but I don't want to aggravate it at the moment.

I am looking into re-enamelling my bath myself...……………….as I am a huge fan of 'Return to the chateau DIY', I watched Angel do it last week, and if she can do it in a floating kimono thing, well I can do it in my Iron Maiden T shirt.

I am not sure how many days this week, I will be here due to things going on , so I will see you all soon.


Oh and Ladylaineyville is a winter wonderland this morning ass we have had snow over night!!!!
WTDD!!!!


Have a great week.

I will say this only once

In the wake of the suicide of Caroline Flack, I have read with interest the comments about 'Be Kind', it makes me wonder.

I would have thought that most normal folk would not need to be told this, they just are, I do accept that there are those who aren't and those that  hide behind a keyboard on social media etc.

I would have thought that at least 99.9%  of people are kind.

The campaign to get people to talk about how they feel, what is going on in their head and their life is an interesting one.

Sometimes its not that easy to just pour out what is happening in your life.

I read on Friday the awful account of Hannah Clarke, a mother of 3 in Australia , whose partner burnt her and her children to death in their car and then took his own life.

The sad thing about this was that this lady had suffered years of domestic abuse...…………..but did not talk to anyone as she did not think that she was being abused as her partner never hit her.

He did however mentally and financially abuse her, before the horrific events which led to 5 deaths.

I read this account about 3 times and cried.

I know exactly what it is like to be physically, mentally and financially abused.

I know how hard it is to try to talk to anyone about it, fear is a big  part of this, along with the feeling that no one will believe you.

I know the absolute  fear of going home from work, not knowing what to expect.

I know the feeling of being told every day that you are fat, ugly and stupid.

I know what it is like to have your bank account emptied,  when your wages have just gone in, to be given 'pocket money' , have your phone checked regularly and be accused of things that were not true.

Hannah Clarke went through this too.

I managed to run, albeit with injuries that healed, but memories that will never.

It is hard to write this down, and  I am hoping that it will be cathartic, and I can finally lay this ghost to rest, and that I can now try harder to help others suffering in a similar position.

I am very lucky, I am not a victim, I am a bounce back survivor.

Never judge a book by its cover as it may well be just that...……...a cover.

Hannah Clarke was not a celebrity, she was a Mum and as such her death and that of her children have just become old news. Her family  though have to live with the terrible loss.

Being kind and listening to people should be part of our general makeup, not something that we are instructed to do.

Always try be your best self.

I haven't written this down for sympathy of any kind. Its my personal story and I have deleted this about 10 times before I decided to actually publish it.

Weekend eve

Friday  has arrived and I am still trying to sort out water problems at work, too much of it, in the wrong place and causing havoc on the water in the right place, if you get my drift.

I cannot wait for  half day finish ( fingers crossed I am not still here at 7pm), I have things to do, and will get them done, I am on a bit of a roll at the moment.

However a conversation yesterday with one of the Richard Tators did not fill me with hope, as it appears that next week we are hosting a large company with plans to sell us {again, for the
'old' staff}. Not happy times ahead I think.

I have t try to put that on a back burner as I am forward thinking ready for getting my knee poked about next week.

Apparently I will be able to walk perfectly well afterwards...……………….which is bloody brilliant because I haven't been able to do that since last July! I don't think they took into account how bad my problem had been before making that statement.
No driving for a couple days means that I am off for a train ride on Thursday.

As the weather continues to be filthy, I feel for Worcester who without fail { due to their position} are flooded and if the weather forecast for this weekend is anything to go by there will be no chance of  lowering of water levels.

Lots of chat in cricket papers about the made up game, and who is looking forward to playing. Apparently Jonny Bairstow is really excited about playing for 'Puff the magic dragons' of what ever they are called. Shame on you Jonny. { yes I know he is expected to say things like that, and I suppose the money helps to soothe his qualms}

And with that I am off to buy the breakkfast for a much reduced workforce today, lots of holidays put in following the bouts of sickness.

Have a great weekend.

Hello to midweek

Here we go, its midweek already, where are the weeks going?

I've a lot on in the next couple of weeks so please be aware that blogs may be intermittent.

I'm trying to get prepared at the office as I am in hospital next week for an exploratory op, and then can't drive for a couple of days after that. 

Preparation is needed.

Well now crickety news, Yorkshire announced that Adil Rashid had signed a white ball contract.

Hmmm, is all I have to say on this.

Is it pay for play?

As the season gets nearer I am undecided as to whether to have a staycation and take 4 days off to watch the 2nds play close to Ladylaineyville.

I wanted to go and have a summer holiday …………………….but the pull of cricket is strong, October holiday is still very much on the cards and also a couple of city breaks.

I'll mull it over.

There is still  a lot of contract signing going on across the counties, as the we head towards the starting line.

Apologies for the blogs being quite short but  my days start very early with calls and emails as water levels around our sites rise with the amount of rain that has been lashing down all over the country.

I hope that you are all safe and dry.

Have a good day, we are getting closer to the weekend.

Moving on

There has been a lot going on behind the scenes at The Wickets, usual mucking out of stuff and putting on ebay/sending to charity shop. 

Also a bit of mind laundry, which is basically clearing up the negative thoughts and make room for clearer thinking ( very new age).

And it works, things that I have fretted about  and been deeply up set about, are being set to one side as I move on.

About time too.

Also never one to rest on my laurels I am signing up to do another course, this time to train in aromatherapy, which I personally love and thought it might be good  to get a better insight into.

In cricket it was definitely a black armband day yesterday as Faf du Plessis, announced that he was giving up the Captaincy of South Africa, after the initial shock I think that he is doing the right thing.

Next step the big R!!!!

There is news from the made up game and England players are being named here there and everywhere, and they say they they play too much cricket { not for their counties though}.

Ah far too early to get into a rant.

Well time to face the tail end of Dennis and see what today holds.

Have a great day.

Busy extended weekend

It's been a full on time over the last 4 days, I had a trip away and then back home to do a facial yoga class.
 I met up with some friends and sat watching cricket on Friday after the usual farce of Valentines Day, which isn't a holiday it is just a marketing mans dream.
That said I did get some champagne and a new washing up bowl and drainer out of it so I'm happy with that.


I feel rested and ready for the week ahead, which judging by emails is not a good one.
It seems that a disgruntled ex employee has anonymously tipped off a licensing agency .
Long story short, we are being fined and it has other repercussions.
To be honest if you have a gripe with an employer , tell them don't hide behind anonymous calls.
We do know who it is as the person was one of only 3 people who knew about the 'problem'.
The other 2 still work here, me being one and the other being one  of the Richard Tators, the issue was in hand. Its a little bit disappointing.

In cricket England won the T20 series with the Captain saying that Alex Hales will not be back in the team soon. Hales has not played for England since last summer after an 'off field incident'.
Double standards I think as some members of the team have more lives than the local Tom.
#myopiniononly.

England Lions are not doing too badly against Australia Xl

I have to head out now into the continuing storm that has been raging over the weekend, and straight into the storm raging in the office.

Its not going to be an easy drive to work.

Stay safe today.

Quickie

this is a really quickie as I am running late, and believe me I do not want to be late.

Well the T20 series started and what a cracking game {mainly because Dale The Stare was playing}. All down to the last ball.
Great win by South Africa.

Over in the USA, the American team posted 35 to equal the  lowest score after being defeated by Nepal.
I wonder if Liam is as keen now?


And that's it for today, not sure if I am here tomorrow it will depend on WiFi.

so if not have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday.

Halfway through

Wednesday is here and it is T20 day, Dale Steyn is in East London with the SA team and I am totally excited.

England have named their squad for Sri Lanka, and after having broken Jofra they are going to give one last push on Mark Wood, I don't think he's a good bet, but hey what do I know.
They have called him the Durham De Villiers on the BBC website which I find wrong, he's more like the Brian Robson of cricket.
Strange mix up on the team front for this tour. Old Bambi boy is back {Jennings to the uninitiated}.
Lets see how this goes.

My trip to Worcester for a big dinner in June is on track, and apparently I will be sitting with none other than me old mate Paul Smith, looking forward to a good old chat with him with the former Warwickshire boy, Richard Stemp and Min Patel are also apparently on the table, Min a name from the England past { Edgbaston  England v India I think I saw him back in mid 90's, sat next to his wife at lunch}.

Pilates tonight and hopefully I will be showing signs of making progress and not rolling around on the mat like a whale waiting to be refloated.

I am also hoping that work may have calmed down today, although the rumours of more rain at the weekend is not a good one.


I have got myself a new player at Farsley Celtic FC, as my original sponsored player has now left, so I am  the proud sponsor of Chris Atkinson.
I will be cheering him on at Darlo on 14th March...……………..me at footy, who would have thought it!!!

Norty Morty, office boy who is building his new house, told us yesterday that he is calling it, The Light House, to which Mickey Dripping replied {due to Mortys football preference}
' what you aren't calling it The Stadium of Light House'?

much laughter I can tell you!

Right I am off to the hamster wheel, another day in the land of water.

Happy Wednesday

Tired Tuesday

Where is the time going , its already nearly the middle of February and I am now where near losing the 3 stone that the physio recommended ( I haven't even lost 3lb! might have actually put that on ), I am trying very hard to do pilates ( as recommended too), and now have a great selection of DVDs to use at home.

I can do this and I will, besides, I have some very pretty summer frocks that I intend to wear, instead of being in leggings all the time.

We are also now only one day away from the start of the T20 series, which will be on when I get home tomorrow night. Will my two faves be in the line up????

Have to wait and see.

I was surprised to see David Willey get the T20 captains job, I had all my money on Tom K-C.

Well Tom has a lot of time in front of him, so maybe better to play the game without the responsibility for a while longer.

I am keeping this short as I have been chattering on't phone this morning and have had some fabulous news, which sorry to say I cannot disclose yet.

I'm late, so out the door I must run.

Have a great day.

Weekend gone in a flash

Well the weekend is over and I managed to finally get things done at The Wickets.

The chimney breast is now a cream colour rather than  horizontal stripes in shades of brown cream and teal.
Not as easy as that sounds, and hindsight being a wonderful thing, means that when I tackle the opposite wall in the same striped wallpaper I will be stripping it off and not trying to cover it with one coat paint.

I have the wallpaper for the bedroom ready to be hung { when I have stripped that wall too} and it is in my  favourite Laura Ashley paper.  I will have this done before the season starts.

I was supposed to be dog sitting Mickey the Cycleshop Border Terrier yesterday but the storm that hit { and is still raging} meant that all plans were cancelled.

In cricket England tied the series after a wash out on Friday.
Now we are down to T20, with my 2 favourites playing.


Interesting to read that Joe Root is saying that they haven't over bowled Archer. I seem to think that you have and its to be hoped that he is fit for the summer.

And I hear that there is an Aussie in the England Lions camp...………..

And with that I am off to brave the roads, parts of where I am heading are flooded so hopefully I can get through.

I do know that there will be emergencies as I've just taken a call to say that  a site is flooded and have sent out 3 engineers already.

Happy Monday