Track of the week 12/8/18
Some frothy, poppy, jazzy summer sounds to enjoy whilst the sun continues to shine.
Lawn
Pic of the week 12/8/18
I lie.
The above photo was taken on 13th July, but I’ve been very remiss in posting of late – largely because the summer has been so wonderful, weather wise: wall to wall sunshine.
Alas, after rain today and yesterday, it seems that the heatwave is over, although their are hints that the long hot summer is not quite done yet and good weather – even if not as hot – may return.
The pic above shows the lawn as a brown and dusty barren patch. What it doesn’t show is all the dead branches and leaves in the smoke tree. That can be seen in the pic below (taken today)
We’ll have to wait ’till next year to see how it turns out.
It’s been a wonderful summer, lets hope theirs still more to come.
Back in black
Its been some time (since 13th April to be precise) since I’ve officiated at any level. That was the day “I did my knee” (see broken) ending my season and leaving me hobbling for weeks to come. I did begin to wonder if I’d ever take to the middle again.
But the new season has dawned and today I ran the line for Yeovil Town U16 v AFC Bournemouth U16. I really enjoyed it, not just the game itself, but the whole “experience” – turning up, being part of a team of three, interacting with players, coaches and managers, even the drive to and from the game.
For the record, Bournemouth ran out comfortable 5-0 winners, there were calls for offside for their second goal but I didn’t give it, I think the striker & two defenders were all in line, hence no flag.
Anyway, need to manage “the knee” and keep on with the whistle.
England I Still Believe – Scouting for Girls
Track of the week 24/6/18
Had to be this track this week.
A fantastic start to England’s World Cup bid – two games, two wins.
When the tournament kicked off, I had no expectations, but ten days in and could it be different this time? Could this be another Italia ’90? Could it be coming home?
I’m getting excited, I’m getting hopeful – always a dangerous state for an England fan.
But this track – just like Three Lions – sums it up, what it is to support England.
I still believe “Ing-er-land”
- And I still dream “Ing-er-land”
They think its all over …
Pic of the week 24/6/18
… for Sophie, it is.
She had her last exam on Friday (Sam had his last exam last week) and so the whole house breathes again and begins to relax, at least until mid-August when results start coming in.
I’ve got another week to go – feel I have finally broken the back of the year: still a busy week ahead, but the glistening prize can be glimpsed glittering in the distance …
In other news, its hot, hot, hot, and set to be all week (lets hope it last well into the hols and doesn’t breakdown at the end of the week.)
England beat Panama 6-1 today in the World Cup, two wins in the first two games, already qualified for the knock out stages, despite history, enough to make one begin to dream …
Ran 10K today in 47m 6 secs, reckon my knee is better!
‘Till next week, when the long summer holiday loom …
Romeo and Julie – The Rifles
Track of the week 17/6/18
Went to Pub in the Park last week – to see Scouting for Girls – but The Rifles were first and pretty good.
Good enough to make the exulted status of track of the week.
Milestones
Pic of the week 17/6/18
The end of an era.
Sam had is final GCSE exam on Friday, his last day at the Blue School, the last time Sophie drove them both in to school, the last day they went to school together. Sophie has another couple of exams this week, then its all over for her too.
No pick of the week from last week as Becky & I went to “Pub in the Park”, mainly to see Scouting for Girls who were, as ever, excellent. They originally topped the bill, but were bumped down the order to make way fro Squeeze, who were good, but not as good as Roy and his mates. First up were The Rifles who were good, well worth watching and would, I reckon, be a great act in a small, intimate venue.
Only You – Yazoo
Track of the week 3/6/18
I’ve been watching the brilliant “The Americans” over on Amazon Prime, a period drama set in the early ’80’s following a couple of Russian KGB agents, or illegals, living as ordinary american citizens. It is gripping, yet empathetic, stuff, certainly amongst the best TV I’ve watched in a while.
I’m well into series three now, and my enjoyment was ever so slightly dented by a little niggle, that said more about me than the show: I am clearly morphing into outraged of Tunbridged Wells.
In one scene we see a 15 year old girl listening to her Walkman. Asked what she was listening to, she said “Yazz.” Later, we see Philip buy Yazz’s album for his daughter. Now, I’m now expert (although I pretend to be) but Yazz came to fame in the late eighties, and this series is currently in circa 1982, plus Yazz was a bit of a one hit wonder (albeit a fantastic hit) and not many people would have bought her album.
And then, later in the same episode, we heard the above playing: “Only You” by Yazoo. It was clear they had mistaken Yazoo for Yazz. I was disporotionally disappointed by this – they had got the period pretty spot on, this was a basic mistake to make. It rankled.
But then I discovered that in America Yazoo were/are known as Yaz. It all made sense, all is forgiven.
Time to sign off, and settle down for another episode or two.
Decking, Park Run & Robin’s Nest
Pic of the week 3/6/18
So half term draws to a sunny conclusion.
Weatherwise, its been an odd one – started of hot & sunny, but by Tuesday that changed and it has, at times, been wet, wet, wet. But yesterday and today have been scorchio – brilliant azure blue skies.
Midweek I set to building the new (final?) deck and graveling in front of the sitting room French doors. All materials bought from Bradfords, am pleased with the results.
Yesterday I ran my first Park Run. Enjoyed it, running with others was an enjoyable change, and good for my pace. Ran the 5k in 22:49, the fastest I have run since my injury and it did help me run a little quicker today (ran my 7K loop.) Will run the Park Run again in the hols.
And we’ve got a robin nesting in one of the small metal trugs opposite the kitchen door. Its been flitting in and out all week and now there are eggs in the nest. Hope they survive the attentions of the neighbourhood cats …
On the garden front, at the start of this week I pulled up the Forget Me Nots and at the end of the week, planted runner bean and pea seeds.
Mini brake warning light came in so booked it in for the pads to be changed. Alas, the anti-rattle spring had corroded into the brake caliper (dis-similar metal corrosion: spring is aluminium, caliper, steel) so had to have a new caliper as well. Ouch! No change from £470. At least the sun has been shining, allowing some top down motoring, which is fun.
Bad – U2
Track of the week 27/5/18
Was a tough call to decide which track to pick from this fantastic (the best?) U2 album.
Could have easily been MLK, Indian Summer Sky, or A Sort of Homecoming, or more. Funnily enough, it would not have been Pride – the big hit from the album, perhaps having suffered from over-playing and over familiarity?
Anyway, reading this must be a wake up call to go and listen to the whole album, its worth it.