TGIF

 

Woohoo its Friday and its my last day of work  as I am on holiday until the middle of next week. 
This time tomorrow I will be hurtling ( well OK driving like my Granny) down the A1 to my holiday cottage, I cannot wait.

I am really hoping to switch off from everything for a  few days. I need it. 

I will however have my DAB radio so that I can keep up with the cricket ( I chose a cottage without sky so that I am not glued to TV), I think it is going to be interesting today, SA are in a good position in their 1st innings despite losing wickets. 

Yorkshire are still 'darn sarf' today playing Kent in one day action, Ill be keeping an eye on this result.

Tonight I am out on a works do so any chance of Faf or David Wiese spotting is out of the window.

And now time to head off and finish the week,  do the final checks of  the local walks in the area of the cottage as well as the local shopping options.

Rumour has it I may  see the aurora borealis too

Holidays are coming

Have a great day 

Happy Thursday

 

 

After over bearing weather for the last week making sure that the made up cricket game was played it was obvious that the first day of the test ( like THE test, like ENG v SA test!) was rained off   after lunch.

It all to play for though in the next few days.

Listened to Andrew Strauss having a natter on TMS , not sure he has  real cricket interests at heart. Obviously  hearing that The  Hundred and test matches can survive side by side, makes me worry more as it is obvious that the fat pay cheques from this nonsensical game  have blinded the hierarchy to what the real cricket fans want.

I could write a thousand pages on what is going wrong here, and have been banging on about it for years but hell who am I! And what do I know1

To all the cricket [purists out there, we appear to be doomed!

In other news due to an oversite by the powers that be at work I am only flipping running the show for two days! That's brave of them to say the least. I hope I remember things from my chemistry O'level!!!!! 

The washing machine is on this morning as I do more washing ready for my hols. I need to get a wriggle on and get the housework done too.

Well time to head off to the office and get another day under my belt.

Weather here in the North East of Blighty is cool and overcast (6.55am)

Happy Thursday

Happy Birthday TLML

Happy Birthday to TLML ( and apologies to my lovely friends who have not had a birthday blog post ).

I 'met' this lovely lady at Finals Day may years ago, I say met, what I mean is I was screaming my undying love for her son when she was sitting, unknowingly  to me, in the seat in front.

The next week she introduced herself to me!

Shame of it!!!!

And so it began.

We spent many seasons chattering with each other when we caught up at cricket. 

If the pandemic did one thing for me it made me see who my  friends really were and I am so pleased to say that TLML and I kept in touch through it all and that as they say is that.

Fast forward to this year, we headed off to Iceland for adventures further afield than Northallerton.

I just want to wish you , Karen, the best day ( even though I know TLDL will be putting you through your paces).

Happy birthday and I cannot wait for March 2023.

look out Reykjavik, we are coming back.

 

 

 

and for now I am waiting for the next GDMA breakfast meeting.

Midweek musing

 

Well here we are at Wednesday and my first venture back for a while, I'm super busy with work and  at home, I have fitted a sliding door onto the downstairs shower room and have some painting to do there, I am planning to strip the striped wall paper off the walls in the dining room over the bank holiday  weekend, so more painting will be taking place.

I am also keeping everything crossed that I will have a new toilet and washbasin in the shower room before the end of September which will be really lovely and a huge improvement.

I am currently sitting in my office listening to South Africa ripping through the top order of the England team. Oh dear, lets hope that it gets better after lunch.

Yorkshire are 'darn sarf' today sunning it up in Essex. Fingers crossed for the lads.

I have been watching a bit of The Hundred mainly if I think that Faf or David Wiese are on ( yes I totally am that shallow) and have to say I am still not being won over. Its just too over the top for me or maybe it is the enthusiasm of  Nass who is cannot get through his stint commentating without extolling the virtue of the new format ( and obviously checking his bank balance on an equally regular basis).

And that's about it for today as I continue my work in performance chemicals.

Have a grand day one and all

wine, weekends away, and Wiese

 

Well its Friday and I am cramming so much into life at the moment, there is  not much time for blogging.

I've been busy working, fitting a new sliding door onto my shower room, and I went to York for the weekend to stay with TLML and TLDL. 

This was brilliant, lunch out with TLML'sM and shopping and then a night out watching The Mersey Beats which was great singalong entertainment. 

We also went to a car boot sale which I loved as there are not too many where I live, so a good rummage was in order.

Monday saw me back at work and the big bosses from Denmark were over which was interesting in many ways.

Interesting to see  how they responded to my take on how I saw my role working within the company, positive feedback and  a free hand to get it done.

As you all know I am a very vocal opposer of The Hundred, but will admit to watching the Northern Superchargers ( or whatever they are called I am not au fait with the teams), just to see Faf ( out for a duck ) and David Wiese who did not disappoint ( unlike yesterday).

And today I am going home early as my boss is going to help me fit 2 new worktops in my kitchen! 

Its all going on!

Sorry that there is so little crickety chat, but  life is very interesting for me at the moment so I am taking every opportunity.

Have a great weekend and I will be back soon.

Another day

 

So as you may remember a few weeks ago I had a very bad reaction to a horse fly bite, on scanning through my pics I found the bite that I got in May ( above) not quite as bad but causing a lot of pain, infection and bruising.

Fast forward a couple of months to the last one I got which really floored me and  which is still not fully healed up. The doctor has suggested some less strong antibiotics but as I am still trying to get myself pulled round after the last ones, I am hanging out for as long as possible.

I still use the 'silver' plasters which are antibacterial, I put on at night  about twice a week. 

I haven't mown my lawn in weeks for fear of getting bitten by anything living in there!

Anyone else react badly to these pesky things?

Reading through the BBC cricket blurb, I came across this headline

'One day cup 2022, all you need to know about the county cricket's  alternative to The Hundred'

WTFF!!!! who writes this !!! alternative to a made up game that has yet to start it 2nd season! what utter piffle! and one more nail in the BBC website coffin.

The one day cup is not an alternative it is far superior.

And talking one day cup, Yorkshire are in action at York cricket club against Northants.

Lets hope they win as I notice that the 'Gibson out' gang are starting to find there voice already. Sad that coach hasn't even  been in place for a season.

I will just keep an eye on the scores from work

and talking work I had best eat my breakfast and get ready to go.

have a great Tuesday.

Happy Yorkshire Day

 Happy Yorkshire Day to my fellow Yorkshiremen ( or is it Yorshirers to be PC?!!!).

Well talking Yorkshire  I see that after the shock step down and future leaving of club captain Steve Patterson, the baton has been passed to Jonny Tattersall!!  Is it a baton or poison chalice? 

I wish him all the best and I think that he will need it.

Interesting reading over the weekend, as Mike Atherton interviewed Kunwar Bansil, showing the flip side of what has been going on at the county that I love. 

I personally miss the great duo of Ian Dews and Richard Damms  who inspired many Yorkshire players. And both were highly respected by players over the years.

Sadly once Piers Morgan starts shouting his mouth off about it all, you know it will not end well.

It was good to see Gary Ballance back on the field, and wishing him all the best.

And South Africa sealed a T20 series win. Great to see the lads playing some great cricket, I miss Faf and Dale but have loved seeing the development of a great team.

I've had a very busy week, down to Marlow via outer Mongolia ( or so it seemed)  Lots to do at head office, then home again to a wet weekend, filled with painting and decorating.

This week will be equally busy  and I am away for the weekend with TLML and TLDL.

August is a very busy month for me as I have lots of things planned including a little mini break. lots to look forward to.

So if I don't make it back here this week, I hope its a good one for you all.

 

busy busy

 

Its been mega busy  weekend, after nearly melting in the heat last week, I had a lot of jobs to catch up on.

I managed to finish the painting of the newly panelled hallway, which will have another coat but that will be next weekend.

I watched a little bit of the cricket ( as did everyone thanks to rain) and I  made chutney, did washing and packed my bags.

I'm off  'darn  sarf' with work for the remainder of the week, time to do some extra training and make use of the hotel facilities, as well as catching up with friends, which will be wonderful.

The heat last week, made for hard  times at La Maison, as I had very little sleep for 3 nights and took to living downstairs, getting to the first landing was an achievement, before being hit by  oven type temperatures.

I do have a hot house, even in winter so I shouldn;t complain ( but I will). We do after all insulate our houses to keep the cold out, it also stops the heat escaping! no wonder they turn to furnaces in the summer.

I've no crickety news except that I have managed to sneak a day to watch Yorkshire before the end of the season .

Also I found out that TLJL scored his first century at Stokesley, place of my birth!, he was about 11 apparently ( I think that's right) and I would have been just  a tad older ( that is not right!)

Have a great week, 

New week,

 A new week begins and we are well into the middle of July and over half way through the year.

Who knew that I would pack so much into the first 7 months, not me that's for sure.

Life throws some curve balls sometimes, but I have been lucky to actually  throw it right back and move on.

Its nice to have some calmness in my  life at last. Walking away from situations and people that want much and give little turns out to be  the easiest decision to make.

So the weekend, I was up and out early on Saturday morning to do lots of little jobs before settling down for cricket. I came home with Micky Bell, he wasn't on my shopping list but I rarely say no to having some time with him.

Back home, fan set up for Micky, chicken cooking for his dinner, it was all settle down for the first semi final of Finals Day.

Yorkshire playing Lancashire. 

Some great batting from Tom K-C , but seriously Jordan Thompson, a cracking 50 after his death bowling in the quarter finals! Keep an eye on him!

Matty was in to bat on a hattrick ball, I have to say I felt sick, but cool as a cucumber he faced it well.

with 204 under their belt it looked a good score.

Into the field they went Matty taking Phil Salts wicket was great to see. however it was not to be our day and Lancashire won by 6 wickets.

The lads did well and I am so proud of them all.

I settled in to be team Hampshire ( my former besty team in the south).

And they beat Somerset.

So the final, well all I can say is ECB we never needed another format of cricket. T20 delivers surprises time after time.

With Hampshire thinking they had won and it turning out to be a no ball, it couldn't have been any more exciting. They won by one run and  that team deserved it with some amazing fielding and bowling.

I did see Dane Vilas looking very displeased and appearing to tell James Vince this, not that James cared he was going to lift the trophy.

I am not a fan of T20, however I will go and watch as it is what it is, quick fire, money spinner for the counties.

The Hundred, dreadful made up game, silly rules and a money spinner for the sponsors and the ECB.

Scrap it now!

Sunday, well I painted, which in this heat was not a great idea!

And with that I am off to the land of performance chemicals

Have a great day and week ( just in case I don't come back this week)

Another week nearly over

 

Another week nearly over and another weekend to try to get the hall painted after my DIY endeavours.

Being a 'girl' I know very little about paint except that it goes on the wall and you need to put covers on the floor, use a brush or roller and in my case hope for the best outcome. I have used most paints over the years and know that in my case 'one coat' does not mean what it says on the tin.

So yesterday I bought 'trade paint' as I was informed that it covered better  ( higher pigment or something) and that it 'goes further ' than other paint, I'm hoping this means that it transfers itself to the walls  without much work from me ( trust me to pick a heat wave to do decorating).

Only the weekend will tell if this is a success.

Horse fly  bite is still inflamed but in a smaller radius and looking less angry by the day, I am  still struggling with  tummy problems and a bit of potassium levels problem, but nothing that I cannot deal with. I hope to never have another bite EVER!!!

Yorkshire are playing at Scarborough, this year will be the first time in many many years that I haven't been to the ground for any game of the season ( except 2020 obviously). There has been some great batting form Adam Lyth and Jonny Tatts, there is something about Scarbs that brings out the best in players, who can forget Rashid and Maxwell back in 2015.

I am also gearing up for Finals day on Saturday, having been before I know what a very long day it is if you  stay to the end ( especially when your team are playing in the final). Its even worse when it rains!

And with that I am off to work, 

have a great day and a super weekend.

and 'bonne fete nationale ' to my lovely French friends.

its been a while

-

Well its been a while since I was last here and believe me its been filled with lots of things. 

1. I got bitten by a horse fly nearly 2 weeks ago, it very quickly became inflamed and I very quickly became  unwell. After numerous attempts to get to see a doctor, I resorted to speaking a pharmacist. I was told it was one thing, and how to deal with it, by the early hours of the next day I had to phone 111.

Was seen very early last Sunday morning and given a massive dose of antibiotics.

At work the chemists in the labs made me  a batch of 'silver' antibacterial plasters to aid the healing of the bite.

I am still a little under the weather as the antibiotics took their toll on my system and I am on probiotics to try to get things back to some order. The bite is starting to look less angry and I never want to see a horse fly again ( not that I saw it in the first place).

2. I had some midweek training at work with my now retired counterpart from 'darn sarf'. The company put me up for the night in Darlington ( living it up) and we went out for dinner and drinks ( I was on non alcoholic). I have another couple of training sessions although I am up and running now.

3 Same evening, The Vikings played an absolute blinder  beating Surrey by 1 run! Some amazing bowling  from Matty and the coolest cucumber ever, Jordan, who bowled the last over.

I would have gone to Finals Day ( surprisingly there were tickets available, but  with trains and hotels it took the cost to well over  4 nights in Reykjavik in  March, so lads I will be cheering from the sofa ( and as still not 100% thats probably the best place for me).

4 Politics went mad, and I came off Twitter as the amount of spite and hatred was just too much. Since lockdown I have become Apolitical, not believing anything that is said by anyone. My thoughts that if there was a better way to do things they should have all pulled together in the unprecedented times  and yes I know 'backers and the likes would not have liked this, but as I said unprecedented times. 

Last tie i will mention anything to do with politics again.

5 Have been watching Wimbledon  which I enjoyed a lot for the first time in years.

6 Spent some time sunbathing, sadly not with the Med lapping in the background.

And now I am off to work and hope that you have a great week.

Last day of the week and new month

 Hello July! how did you creep up so quickly! 

We are now over halfway through 2022.

Busy weekend ahead for me, as I get home in time for cocktail hour and then quick change and out for dinner, its all go!

I have another joiner coming over in the morning to possibly do some joinery in the  garden and  sort out new kitchen worktops.  That's just the tip of the iceberg but lets see  if he shows up first.

I will be still painting and hope to have the hallway finished by Sunday.

Crickety news

England are playing India today, so I might pop the radio on to listen.

I can't wait for the SA boys to tip up!

As I am out tonight I will be missing out on T20 ( not that it worries me). Ill check up on the results when I get home.

Here's wishing you all a lovely weekend,

And finally, well done 

Finally Bean & Andrew Gale!

Back again

 

Tuesday already and the big boss is up for the day from HQ 'darn sarf' first real meeting with him, and we are all out for dinner tonight.

Sorry if Fridays blog was a bit hard to read, it had been a wonderful and difficult week in equal measure. 

Its was a busy weekend, I was out with the 'water treatment' lads on Saturday afternoon and apologies to anyone who may have spotted us in Darlington!.

Sunday was cricket on the radio ( and TV) and busy busy, making chutney, bottling up the sloe gin and doing some painting. I am trying to get the hall finished after my DIY paneling last week. I feel that this might be the start of the final push to get things done in the house which would be great as  next week it will be 3 years since the big move.

crickety news, England won, 'Captain' Morgan is retiring from international cricket, TLJL 31 no overnight.

Yorks 2nds are in Nottingham this week  and  my Tom took 2 wickets. I'll be keeping an eye on this game.

As I cannot decide whether to go away for sunshine in September, I have booked a cottage in Yorkshire for a few nights and think that this might be just the job!

Well off to earn the pennies to go away.

Have a great Tuesday.

Thought for Friday

 After what I can only describe as a rollercoaster 6 months, I am pleased to be back on solid ground, upside I have realised  that life is too short to be unhappy with a situation, so just change it. I have put up with unhappy situations over the last 20 years ( marriage, job) and struggled on ( for the same amount of years it seems, 5 is obviously the number that finally makes me break free).  Now I am taking every chance/opportunity that comes my way and not looking back.

This week has been a a tough one,  40 years since an accident which changed my life forever. Also The day that Jon and I loved more than anything and had our own way of celebrating, well those are in the past and now firmly back there. The accident was life changing, and change my life it did, but I would never have met Jon if not for it and probably would not be writing a blog. So I do believe that everything happens for a reason.

Closing one door will always open another, I have only truly realised this recently, and I went through the newly opened door at a gallop.

This week, my friend lost her wonderful 14 year old grandson, so suddenly that  even writing this I am still unsure it really happened, she saw him before he went to school and shortly afterwards he collapsed and died. Life is too short and we never know what is around the corner. So take every chance that comes your way.

A touch of crickety news, The Vikings won against The Rapids. AND  Yorkshire 2nds beat Durham 2nds by 4 wickets. Well done teeny Tykes, very well played.

I am now off to enjoy the last day of the week.

Have a great weekend. Hug your loved ones tightly and  take a chance.

wall to wall sunshine

 

Thursday already, and I woke up to sunshine again this morning.

Yesterday I was up and out the door ready for 2 days of training, however this had  been cancelled on Tuesday due to covid. I could have had seen the full game at Richmond if I'd known. My wonderful boss kindly gave me a flyer at 3pm with the choice of racing down to Richmond or going home early, much as I wanted to go to Richmond, I headed home, put washing on, cooked, bottled up Elderflower fizz  and made some chutney ( it was far to hot for any of that).

I sat in the garden taking in the evening sun, just mulling over things in general.

A quick check of the scores saw that Yorskhire 2nds  need to take the last wickets by lunch and wrap up the match before tea today.

Good to see 'my' Benji have a run out with Northants 2nds. That made my day.

And today international cricket is back at Headingley. Sad to see that the troubles of late make bigger headlines for journalists than the game.

And with that I am off to do my thing

Have a great day

back in the real world

 

Well back to work today after 2 days in the fresh air enjoying 2nd XI cricket,  great to see the lads playing well, all youngsters looking to the future of the club.

Durham were a mixed bag, an old timer and some up and coming youngsters.

I am puzzled how Durham use North Yorkshire  as 2nds grounds, I think I say this every year. Makes me a tad cross.

Yorkshire were in a strong position when I left at tea yesterday, and hopefully the next 2 days will go well.

It seems to be impossible to get any results  on line.

I really had forgotten how much I love 2nds cricket, I have over many many years, watched up and coming players, (I remember watching Matt Walker at Maidstone and he is now top dog at Kent).

Back home and last night was more work on the DIY paneling in the hallway. The weekend will include a look at paint colours for the walls as it is all completed now.

What will be the next job? 

I think removing the wallpaper in the dining room, it, like that which I removed from the salon is not to my taste and I have put up with it for  3 years. As I've said before  creosote brown and teal ( the colour of gangrene!!!!) are not my thing. 

And now time to get my act together and head off to the office.  2 days of intensive training, so need to be clear headed.

Have a great day.

Two day treat

 

It's a long weekend for me and so I decided to make the most of it. I was up and about as normal yesterday  and then set off down the A1.

A slow and steady journey and off at Scotch Corner, slight delay on, what is the worst 'roundabout' as a coach had broken down on the last set of traffic lights, (I'd been through three and was approaching the fourth). Finally back on track it was a straightforward journey to Richmond, parked up and shopping in no time.

J headed off to the cricket ground, for it was indeed going to be 2  days of cricket.

Had a long chat with everyones (who knows  him) favourite umpire, quick chat with 'my Tom' and then came on.

Durham were batting and continued into the afternoon, 4 Wickets by Tom saw much clapping from the corner as they dismissed Durham.

Coach arrived before lunch and stayed most of the afternoon, good to see him out watching the 2nds. 

Overnight Yorkshire 2nds were 115-1.

Looking to be a good day today too

And it was scorching yesterday I got tanned and also extra blonded!!

Here's to another lovely day.

This will be my last cricket of 2022, sad, but I have lots of other things to do.

Hope you all have a good day

*apologies for any typos I'm doing this on my mobile*

Friday again!

 Here we are inn the middle of June and another week over

Its been a busy and interesting week  and the weekend is looking the same.

I was going to to go the Durham v Yorkshire T20 game tonight at CLS, a match I haven't missed in donkeys years,  however this year I am going to miss it. Firstly Mr Funky is at work on night shift and as anyone who has been to this match will know, you virtually do a nightshift trying to get out the car park after the game! so it would have been an early exit for us, so that he can get home for work.

Secondly I have an early start tomorrow as I am off to see  TLML for a GDMA breakfast meeting, ( and then shopping and lunch), so its  probably for the best.

Thirdly for all the lovely mechanics best efforts the warning light returned on the limo last night.

As for crickety news, well TLJL added another century this week to his averages and  Kent looked very happy with their win. Over the moon for Jack.

England won against New Zealia, with Jonny Bairstow being the man of the hour.

Next week sees me off to watch cricket at what could potentially be my last of the season,  I have lots of things that I want to do this summer and cricket has taken a bit of a back seat.

And with that I am off to do the day job.

ooh and forgot to say, after joiner woes, I did one part of my paneling myself last night, well done me! the rest will probably be done before I retire.

Bon weekend tout le monde.

Bon chance les hommes ce soir.

Another week begins

 Monday  again and back to work, at least last week went over quickly.

Saturday saw me ( once again) let down by the joiner, I am not sure what it is about me and joiners, but I can't get the little buggers to do any work for me.

The annoying thing is that its not just one job, I have several that the last joiner didn't complete!!!!

Micky came to stay and we headed down to the brewery to meet Mr Funky the Chauffeur. I think we all had a good night, Micky got bacon and treats, was allowed to sit on the sofa and charmed everyone that saw him.

In crickety news

Have to be truthful saw about 30 seconds of the test match and no idea what's gone on.

Yesterday saw Micky Bell and I go to see my sister as she was due to go on holiday today, however she  wasn't feeling up to it so made  the decision not to go.

And on the way home the service light  came on in the car!  after having so much time to get the car seen to as I was about town for 7 weeks, it would choose now, when I am travelling  out of town to work to demand a service, not sure how I can sort this out, as work is not on a transport route!!

Ah well, best go and see if I can get to the garage early.

What  a weekend.

busy couple of days

 

This sort of resembled me the last couple of evenings, now that I have had to go back to work, I was thoroughly enjoying the LOL life ( lady of leisure), however all good things come to an end. No more mid week galivanting with TLML, no more spur of the moment jaunts to Espana ( for the time being), time to get back to filling the coffers.

I've been so busy ( and tired) that I haven't looked at any cricket news or news in general, and the only news I watch on TV is France 24, I especially like their Africa bulletins.

So really this a blog about nothing! ( which, I hear many of you say will be the same as the last 10years) and yes, the blog has been going for nearly 10 years! who would have thought it.

Those were the times of 'Fryanday' , and  getting the pictures for my yet to be published book 'Cricketers posteriors', although in this woke era, I fear it is past its  chance.

The blog today is no 2971. who knew I had that much rubbish to talk about.

Will I continue past 3000 blog posts? I'm not sure yet, who knows what is round the corner.

And with that I will close for today, and wish you all a happy hump day.