1708 An amazing cricket day and Ballykissangel

I awoke sufficiently early to attend to several activities before settling down to divide my day between watching Durham at Somerset and undertaking some work at the computer or photographing completed sets.

In contrast to yesterday the morning was bright and temperature reasonable. After washing up and washing me, and completing my notes on Helen Keller and the fictional Esther Costello I made my way to Jarrow, to visit Wilkinson’s to see if they had any of black coloured set volumes which I need for the completed MySpace and Google not writing. This was a success with five bought as well as two more red and three bluish.

On the way I discovered that work on the second Tyne Tunnel has commenced creating additional problems on reaching the present entrance area which has to be negotiated before be able to take the road into Jarrow centre and Morrison’s Car Park. The work should be completed during 2012. The second tunnel similar to that on Merseyside has become essential but how effective it will depend on improvements to the approach roads and to the paying of Toll facilities at the North Tyneside end or start depending on which way you are travelling.

On my return journey I forgot to position myself at one junction with the consequence of then having to take a different route which brought me one end of Fredericke Street where the former Plessey Factory and then site of the replacement electronics factory and which once employed over 2000 people has been cleared in an attempt to rejuvenate the area. By coincidence I had written about the factory and the shopping street in December 2007 and only last night transferred the writing from MySpace to Google. I found the connection between the mistake and the recent work interesting.

On return the first interest was the news of those selected for the Test Matches against the West Indies at Lords and then Durham followed by three one day matches where the side for this is to be announced later as well as for the World 20 20 competition. Michael Vaughan former Captain and a centrally contracted player, as is Steve Harmison have not been included. However Graham Onions has been selected for his first cap in the 12 and is likely to play with two spinners in the selection. This means he will not be travelling to Brighton for the Sussex game but Steve will. Liam Plunkett will be available to take his place after appearing for England against the West Indies Touring side.

There was an extraordinary change in the county game with new Batsman Mustard joining not Blenkenstein and struggling to get any runs as Somerset had sharpened up considerably over the previous day. The immediate task was to increase the total to over four hundred runs to gain the final and fifth batting point. I misunderstood the situation yesterday in that it is only possible to gain 3 bowling points making a total of 8 bonus, with four for a draw and 12 for a win.

The uncertainty about Durham position was reinforced when Mustard was run out for 4 and the score had changed from 284 for 3 to 382 for 7 and where the run rate had halved. Then Ian Thorp added 32 in 53 balls with Blenkenstein steadfastly moving towards 150. Young pace bowler Mitchell Claydon also showed competence with the bat and he and Blenkenstein moved the score forward quickly once more with Claydon 38 in 33 ball and Blenkenstein looking at 175. He was out at 181 with Steve Harmison 10. The total had reached 543. Today their Captain said it had been the right decision to put Durham into bat and the outcome would have been different if the four or five catches had not been dropped.
The task facing the Durham bowlers was to take the ten Somerset wickets before they reached a total of 393, thus making them bat for a second time in succession. Given that Somerset had scored over 600 runs in their last game on a similar wicket this might prove a difficult task although it was to be hoped that Harmison would set out to show that the selectors had been wrong to overlook him and Onions that they had been right to choose him.

What happened next was beyond anyone’s wildest dreams as Durham on of their greatest days bowing against one of the strongest batting sides in the country on a batting sympathetic wicket.

When the score was 12 Onions clean bowled a surprised Marcus Trescothick and then Captain Justin Langer one fo the great opening batsmen of all time seemed to have the situation under control although the other opener Suppiah looked as if he was finding the pace of Durham’s openers a challenge. Then for Somerset the sky fell in. Suppiah was caught and bowled by Onions for 12. Hildreth who had scored 303 runs in the first championship match of the season was out leg before wicket also to Onions and the score was 39 for 3. Only one run later de Bruyn was caught behind by wicket keeper Mustard of the bowling of Steve Harmison for 0). Only nine runs later Nieswetter was caught Thorp off Onions for 0. Then Thorp replacing Harmison had his finest ever spell bowing Trego caught Di Venuto for 4, and bowling Banks for 2 and Stiff for 0. It was 66 for nine with Captain Langer standing bemused and helpless at the other end having scored half the total. Onions got his sixth wicket when Captain Smith caught Willoughby for 0 and Somerset were all out for 69 giving Durham record lead of 474.

The bowing figures were

Graham Onions 14.2 overs 4 maidens 31 runs and 6 wickets

Graham Thorp 6 overs 2 maidens 5 runs and 3 wickets

And Steve Harmison 8 overs 2 maidens 29 runs and 1 wickets.

Sky’s commentary team were universally ecstatic advocates of quality pace bowling and Sky had a memorable television event after the boring and disappointing Test draws over the Winter in India and the West Indies. Durham’s reputation was considerably strengthened and the Sky team were speculating that only Notts might be in competition with them for the Championship this season

It was not to be expected that the rout would continue as Smith continued with the bowlers who had ended the first innings. However the batsmen had found new resolve and determined not to repeat the humiliation and the bowlers had understandable lost some of their fire. Somerset ended the day 83 for 1 with Claydon getting the wicket of Suppiah but Trescothick and Hildreth looking strong. However Hildreth was dropped and one possibility two LBW decisions were not given when they should probably making up for two dodgy decisions which contributed to the Somerset batting debacle earlier. Such days rarely come and joy was to be able to watch rather than listen or read about later.

I enjoyed using pat of the chicken from Sunday to make a Korma curry dish on Monday and yesterday used the remainder for a stir-fry. To day I had the rest of the stir fry and Thai sauce for lunch and then two salmon fishcakes with cold baked beans for the evening meal. There were fresh strawberries for lunch bough from green grocers in Jarrow where I purchased four giant plums the largest I have ever seen. Grapes, bananas and melon have provided fruit over the week so far. I have discovered some thin salt and pepper crackers which are enjoyable on their own or with anchovies, for a snack this afternoon, or with a slice of salami previously.

I missed the third series of Ballykissangel when it was first produced, upset with the departure of the two leading characters. The third series has been that much more enjoyable because my expectations were so low. It was an effective recreation introducing several new characters while retaining the strengths of some of the originals.

The first was the arrival of the son (Sean Dillon played by Lorcan Cranitch ) of a deceased man hated for having created his wealth and built up his farming land at the expense of his neighbours. There were several notable episodes in which he featured with the arrival of his daughter Emma, when he makes his peace with his neighbour (Eamon Byrne- Birdie Sweeney) Birdie was given his nickname as a child because of his ability to mimic birds. Growing up in a poor family of ten he did not turn to acting until in his 50’s. He had 8 children all of whom are now said to live in Philadelphia. The son of his brother also arrives to create a second teenage interest Danny- Colin Farrell who has since had a developing major career in films and TV, culminating with his award winning appearance in In Bruges one of the funniest films of many a year, black, clever and beautifully shot in the City which I have visited. He establishes a relationship with Emma.

Other memorable episodes are when the town forgives him for the his father’s past actions after a tree partially destroys his home and they rally to make the house habitable again.
He establishes a relationship with Niamh the daughter of Brian Quigley after she has married dull and respectable Policeman Ambrose and borne his child. Hit by the death of her close friend Assumpta Fitzgerald she finds the stability of marriage and the demands of motherhood are not for her because of a sense of having missed out on life and the world. When Ambrose dies having discovered the blossoming relationship with Eamon Byrne, she is consumed with guilt and resentment.

The new priest plays a less significant role than before and in contrast to his worldly predecessor has been cloistered in a Monastery for a decade. As the idealist he is counterpoint for Father MacAnally who schemes and enjoys the good life playing golf and drinking whisky, but also is wise and compassionate. He was in his sixties when appearing in 52 of 58 episodes of the series and has continued working into his late seventies. One interesting note is that both the curate priests appeared in the series Father Ted which was religiously watched by my birth and care mothers.

The arrival of the curate priest’s sister provides a friend for Niamh and then for a fiesty relationship with the man who rescues her when the balloon in which she is travelling with Brian Quigley crashes into the sea. For a time it looked as if there would be a relationship with the older Brian who is her kind of strong and adventurous man, As tenant of Padraig for time and who operated the garage she break his heart as well as fancying Eamon Byrne. She is the free spirit running amok in what appears to be a tranquil and traditional Irish community.

The shock of the series is when school master Brendan has a fling with the vet Sioban and they have a child, eventually marrying and living together. We also learn that Kathleen of the village shop who plays the church organ and disapproves of all things modern and of change meets her beau of twenty five years ago and who before going to London to make his fortune, with money given by Kathleen promised to call for her to join him when he was established, but never did.

Brian Quigley continues in his role as the local wheeler dealer acquiring the golf course but shows compassion and understanding when his daughter begins the extra marital relationship and when her husband dies. He also shows hidden talents in the care of her son. The local Doctor is the star of one programme as the winner of the annual horse race on the sands. He appears in 38 of the 58 episodes.

Only two characters appear in every episode and surprisingly this is the pair of self employed workers mainly for Brian Quigley, Donal and Liam. In the latest episode they discover a hurriedly discarded crate of stolen best caviar selling for £80 a tin which they give to the cat before being told what they have. As usual the scheme to sell the find falls apart.

Two established film and TV actors also make appearances. James Nesbitt appeared as the estranged husband of Assumpta Fitzgerald, before making his name in Cold Feet and Murphy’s Law. James Ellis plays the eccentric Uncle Minto in 4 episodes. James had some 50 mainly TV credit shows and series which he has continued

It was a good day but two in a row is not expected

1706 Somerset vesus Durham at Taunton

The morning was wet and cold and not at all cricketing weather and the forecast for Taunton in Somerset, as everywhere else, suggested heavy rain around 3 in the afternoon. The match was interesting because Somerset had a strong batting side, especially at home whereas the Durham strength has become its bowlers, especially with Steve Harmison playing for the team.

Sky had decided not to have the usual match preface and we joined the coverage as Durham opened the batting at 11 am, having been put in by Somerset. Although the pitch was being described as ideal for bowlers with some grass and overcast conditions, Somerset started without the kind of attacking field which the decision to bat second indicated. This puzzled the TV commentary especially when all four pace bowlers failed to impress

My eyesight depends on strong lens and with the speed of bowlers seeing the ball from a stand or even at the boundary edge is a problem for me, so watching the close up on TV for a County game is something of a luxury.

I have never visited the Somerset ground and which is in the process of development. This morning a new stand was opened which includes several tiers of what I presumed were hospitality boxes and a new purpose designed Player’s Pavilion is under construction. I must say that the new stand is the most unattractive. There also appeared to be a dearth of spectators, surprising given the performance of the county last season and the visit of the current champions.

Later the commentators explained that although the tiers above the stand looked like hospitality boxes they were retirement flats with balconies overlooking the playing areas. It was also evident that spectators were not yet being allowed into the new stand which stretches one side of ground and which has been created to provide for the increased attendance as Somerset are hosting the Women’s 20 20 World Cup this summer. With the new stand the capacity has reached 10000, still poor by grounds now holding test matches but with the potential to increase to 15000 with additional temporary seating. It also emerged that the present chairman of the English Test and County Cricket Board is the former chairman of the Somerset Club. Wheels within wheels. The problem is that Somerset’s cricketing square has been the most placid. In the first championship game also held at the ground the visitors also batted first and scored 500 runs but Somerset then scored 672 for 4 with one player getting 303 runs before the retirement. Needless to add the match ended in a draw.

For this match the wicket was tinged with green and with early morning, early season, dampness it was expected that a good pace attack might gain early wickets. This may have been the reasoning behind the decision to ask Durham to bat first when the toss was won, fearing what the Durham bowlers might have been able to achieve.

However it was a great risk given, as I have reported that all Durham’s batsmen have been performing well and this is how it worked out during the first hour and a half. Somerset without Andrew Caddick and two others of their main bowlers are not fit, failed to make effective use of the new ball and Di Venuto carried on from where he left off against Yorkshire with his 140 as he raced to another 50, looking all set for a century before he fell to a good ball which swung in so that a stroke became necessary but with insufficient time to control, he gave a catch to first slip, who failed to hold but managed to direct towards an alert Marcus Trescothick. He made 53 and Stoneman who had taken his time was joined by Captain Will Smith.

Last season in the day night Pro 40 game I has watched Marcus Trescothick score a magnificent quick time 124. The championship game at Durham had been disappointing with Somerset batting first and scoring 352 and then Durham were all out for 100 less. Somerset declared at 192, setting Durham 300 but give them inadequate time and the match was drawn. Their South African overseas batsman Zander De Bruyn amd 120 and Hildreth scored 100 runs in his two innings. Trescothick managed only 60 runs in his two. Di Venuto 40 and 42 Stoneman 53 and 1, Blenkenstein 21 and 50 and Plunket were the main Durham Scorers. Ian Blackwell then with Somerset only managed 46 but took 3 wickets. In the return match at Taunton captain Justin Langer, an Australian former Test Player scored 31 and 109 Dr Bruyn 76 in one innings while Di Venuto 135, Blenkenstein 62 and Chanderpaul 93. In a rain affected game Somerset had only managed 224 runs to the Durham 400. These personal performances had a bearing on what happened on this first day.

Whatever Somerset’s 39 year old Captain had say over the lunch break, his team returned to the square with new found resolve and accuracy and Durham quickly lost Smith for 7 and Stoneman for 38. And indeed the position could have become concerning as three good chances were put down. However former Captain Blenkenstein and Graham Muchall got their heads down and raised the total by a hundred runs by teatime with both completing half centuries.

In the background lunchtime chat reference was made that the selectors are meeting today to chose the team for the first test with Harmison and Onions in contention and Plunkett has already been selected for the A side which plays against West Indies at Derby on Thursday. Plunkett’s involvement to led Matthew Claydon taking his place in an otherwise changed side from that which played against Yorkshire. Matthew although born in Australia and played cricket there is not regarded as an overseas player because his parents hold British passports. In the same way Venuto qualified as an European player because of Italian background although his experience was also in Australia.

The Sky commentators were full of praise for Durham‘s achievement last season in winning the Championship and for their approach this year in which they could have selected an additional overseas player but have decided to give county players and others from the UK the opportunity to play in the opening four day games. Obviously if several players are selected for England in addition to Paul Collingwood and with the conclusion of the Indian 20 20 league competition in South Africa, it is also possible they are waiting to see how things go before offering a contract for the rest of the season. There was a special feature in which all the main bowlers were given their opportunity to talk about their approach and enthusiasm for playing for Durham which the commentary team said was a model which other clubs should emulate, in terms of bringing forward local players.

Another aspect in the way pitches have developed in the UK. There has been deliberate policy to create wickets which lasted for four or five days for the championship and Tests because of commercial considerations. This has however resulted in boring draws which in the medium term could turn the public away given the commercial success the 20 20 format and with the World competition being held in the UK as well as the IPL and other tournaments taking place around the world. One development designed to ensure players also concentrate on the four day game is that the ECB has raised the end of season prize money five fold. Whereas last season Durham Players shared £70000 between them and the club was given £30000, this year on offer is £350000 and £15000. This could account for the Yorkshire approach, that given the vagaries of the weather, gaining a draw and first innings bonus points could make the difference in winning the championship or coming second or third.

The third wicket stand between Blenkenstein and Graham Muchall was ended at 285 with Graham out for 68. The Ina Blackwell joined Blenkenstein at the crease to rapturous applause from the home side spectators which had grown during the morning as the weather forecast of heavy rain proved false and a sun tan lotion and ice creams were a requirement for the afternoon as well as morning.

Again Sky provided insight into why Ian had left Somerset towards suddenly at the end of the season after being with them for six years. Ian appeared in excellent form and raced to 50 in 50 balls and together with Blenkenstein who reached his century after tea, they looked as if the would continue until the close of play. Then Ian made a mistake and to the delight of the home team, but not their spectators he was out for 50. Night watchman Graham Onions then was out for 0 and the day closed with Durham 372 for six and with the prospect of reaching 400 and five bonus batting points. However with rain forecast especially for Thursday it may be necessary for Durham to declare and test their bowlers against Somerset’s batting strength if they are to have any prospect of winning. If as expected Harmison and Onions are recalled to the Test squad then this will be added incentive for them both to perform well in this match. Tomorrow is going to be an important day.

1704 A sporting weekend and Ruby James

After four days of lazily watching cricket I need to work but am torn between sport, sport and more sport on the TV, football, cricket, motor racing, running and more football and other TV both live and catch up, a walk in the sun, wanting to read, to plan the week ahead, and more.

The first distraction came from Ruby James asking to be added to my friends and taking the trouble to pen a note on how the request was made. I could listen her all day and she interests because the combination of the sound, and what she reveals about herself, whether intended or not. Hopefully she will find someone who will not attempt to contain or change her. She admits she only comes alive when involved in song creating and performing and while that is the most satisfying of experience any human can have it is also a cross when it comes to undertaking the normal things such as a loving relationship, children, ongoing family relationships and on going friends. The path involves constant travelling, self observed experiencing and periods of reflection, alone. Although young, you know she understands this and is prepared to pay the price, for now. For every Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin who find fame a two edged sword, there are hundred of singers and musicians who seem able to combine making music with a satisfying life even though they are more part time than full time. MySpace provides a wonderful window into their world and at the moment I am exploring Spanish guitarists and flamenco players.

Shame on Yorkshire Cricket Club for lacking the self belief to meet the challenge set by Durham last week. Until late on Thursday the evidence was the two teams were well matched and then Yorkshire folded from 246 for five wickets to all out for 272, mainly because of a blistering attack from Steve Harmison and an accurate performance from Graham Onions with 3 for 49.

When local player Mark Stoneman was out in the first over for 0 the Leeds radio commentator got excited as he hoped this would herald a Durham collapse and nullify the 90 run first innings lead. However he had not allowed for Michael Di Venuto who last year scored 184 and then 45 not out in the same fixture, a total of 229 runs. This year he and only scored 26 runs in his first innings although had looked in command. On Friday he made 146 and until his dismissal looked as if nothing what going to stop him, making a total of 250 runs for the season so far.

Durham knew that that they needed to score quickly if on this wicket they were going to bowl out Yorkshire on the fourth day. Captain Smith 67 making 88 for the match and total of 288 runs for the season so far. With Blackwell also scoring over 250, former captain Blenkenstein contributing 100 and Mustard 135, The batting has got off to a great start.

It was the bowling where there was a question mark until Steve Harmison who had commenced to find pace and some accuracy on the Friday morning was supported by Graham Onion to wrap up the Yorkshire innings that hope emerged both for the match and the season as it is evident they are getting better with each innings performance. Durham have been noted for their poor starts to the season but the evidence, despite the one day loss and now the draw omens well.

The approach of Yorkshire was evident from the start on Saturday morning having survived four overs the night before. They offered no scoring strokes unless the bowlers were inaccurate. Everything else was defended and the bowlers had rely on getting edges which flew to where a fielder had been placed. Whereas on the Sunday and in the early pat of their first innings Yorks scored an average of five runs an over, on Saturday the rate was only two. Yet the game was of interest as the Durham bowlers attempted to force the batsman into making errors.

On Saturday I had risen early and having prepared the night before I was ready to leave so as to arrive well before the start of play. From the experience of previous years I expected the crowd to be less at weekend as Members had family commitments and would wait to see how the game progressed before committing themselves to attending. However I was unable to park in my favoured position because of the local rowing regatta. A full day of events loudly cheered by competitors and their families and friends who occupied the usual deserted river banks.

It was also warm, almost hot as the wind had dropped as I may have appeared overdressed with a coat, soft inner jacket and shirt but as the day progressed I was the one warm as the wind recommenced and the clouds rolled in and we were all reminded that this was spring and frosts were still possible at night.

On arrival I enjoyed a pan au chocolate with a cup of coffee either side, and then had two salami filled rolls with mustard for lunch followed by a fruit salad and the rest of the coffee. I had been for a cup of tea on previous afternoons but as a draw appeared inevitable and Sunderland were losing at West Brom, I indulged with a fat scone spread with raspberry jam and a thick layer of cream on each slice. It was delicious. I went outside to take a seat in the stand overlooking the wicket only to see rain bearing clouds roll over so stayed overlooking the restart from the shelter provided by the health club balcony. I waited until the rain stopped and as the shower was short there was the possibility of further play, but the inclination was to return home, which I did. and then listened to radio Leeds who were content with the draw.

The bowling deserved a better outcome. Onions was at least rewarded with 5 for 56 and a match total of 8 for 105. The most impressive performance was that of Steve Harmison whose 1 for 32 came from 28 overs which I would be surprised if was not his most economical and controlled spell for sometime. Blackwell with 21 runs from 11 overs and Thorp 18 from 11.4 all deserved wickets and the joy of winning the game. Credit to Yorkshire for their defence which I suspect would not have been the situation had Gough still been captain and he would have been unable to resist the challenge.

On Sunday morning I decided I could not bear to watch the humiliation of Sunderland losing 3.0 to West Brom after dominating most of the first half. Once West Brom scored their heads went down and there was no fight back, which was the mark of the team when Roy Keane was the manager. His appointment at the East Anglican club of Ipswich has just been announced. The present Manager Ricky Sprager seems a nice man with a footballing brain but I wonder if he will be the right man to get the team back into the Premiership if they are relegated and where some of the core players will want to move. Because of the dames which Boro have to play, the gap between the rest and West Brom and that Hull continues to lose despite their fighting endeavours I still think Newcastle and Sunderland will survive, but only just.

The sporting highlight on Sunday was the third Grand Prix win for Jenson Button in the cloudless heat of the desert track in Bahrain. Because the first two wins were in rain affected races where the steward’s safety vehicle was much in evidence and success was dependent on choosing the right tyres at the right time, this win was the more satisfying for him although as a spectacle it lacked the shunts and spills of all three previous races.

I did watch Match of the Day to confirm that the Boro had lost at Arsenal and where getting another point from their remaining games appears unlikely.

Food was disjointed on Sunday, ha ha... with the roast potatoes ready before everything else, then the portion of chicken and then some mixed beans, broad and red although I only consumed about a third of the remaining portion. Later I had the ham salad prepared for Saturday, enjoying a small piece of steak with mixed beans as an evening meal. There have been anchovies on thin crackers as a meal starter, and on Sunday there was smoked salmon with lemon droplets on thin crackers for tea. On both days of the weekend there was porridge for breakfast.

1702 Durham County Championship versus Yorks

To anyone not interested in County cricket the importance of the clash match between Durham and Yorkshire will have seemed peculiarly English given that it was also the most important National Budget day since the ending of World War II.

For those like me who were present at the University Racecourse ground Durham City in April 1992 for the first game played of First class County Cricket. Wednesday 22nd April 2009 was an emotional occasion as for the first time in the history of the club Durham were to take the field or its opening batsmen go to the crease as reigning County Champions of cricket’s four day two innings contest. Originally three days the championship and international test cricket is the heart and soul of cricket, and the one day 60, 50, 40 and now 20 over single innings games are froth and money making.

The Yorkshire team are not just championship neighbours but the most successful club in British cricket history with 30 titles although for over thirty years between 1968 and 2001 its policy of insisting on recruiting and playing only those born in county had a major negative effect. The Yorkshire supporters also voted against moving from the present residential location to a new Green field site for a super stadium another indication of an unwillingness to adjust to the contemporary transformation of English cricket. This I suspect is more rural Yorkshire than Leeds City which is adjusting to the exporting of manufacturing production to new economies. Leeds United, the football club, who rejected Brian Clough after 63 days, as its manager, was to have had a new super stadium until financial mismanagement led to the near extinction of the club as all its better players were sold to meet debts. The return of Martyn Moxon from Durham to Yorkshire as their Cricket Director is likely to transform the club as he was able to do at Durham.

My boyhood supporting team, Surrey has only own the championship 18 times, with seven successive wins in the 1950’s as I was leaving school and went to work in central London, passing every day Balham station from where the underground train went to the Oval station, round the corner from Surrey Cricket Ground. Then Surrey had P B H May, the medium paced Bedser twins and Locke and Laker, not one but two international class spinners of the ball. Our rivals were Middlesex, the posh club whose home was Lords, the headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club, the MCC and where it was only after becoming a member of the Durham County Club that I had the privilege of visiting the Members stand and facilities, where only Gentleman are allowed and one is obliged to wear a tie even on he warmest of a summer’s day. Standing in the Long Room in which every players passes as a team or batsmen was one of the most exciting experiences of my life along with having watched Denis Compton and Bill Edrich of county and England, bat along with Yorkshire’s Freddie Truman Bowl and Sur Leonard Hutton bat and whose signed book Just My Story was the first book about cricket I bought,

For the record, Yorkshire’s traditional rival, Lancashire, the War of the Roses, has won the championship 7 times with Essex, Kent and Warwick 6, Notts and Worcestershire 5, and where Gloucestershire, Northants and Somerset have never won. Lancashire, Middlesex and Surrey have never finished bottom and Yorks only once. It is five years since one of the big four won the trophy and Sussex notably won for the first time in 2003 and then again in 2006 and 2007. Warwickshire 2004 and Nottinghamshire 2005 heralded a change which Durham’s victory has reinforced.

It will have been a bitter pill for many of the hard nosed conservative Yorkshire man to have greeted Durham’s championship win with enthusiasm especially as it was a proud Yorkshire man who was one of a handful of individuals who changed the fortunes of the team with the departure of Chairman Don Robson in 2004.

Don Robson was chairman of Durham County Council. I am yet to establish if he is was one of the seven sons of a seventh son, Robson family, one of whom served on South Tyneside Council during the period when I was employed there and where another brother became Vice Chairman of my committee and good friend. Both have since died. According to Tim Wellock, the author of the informative, entertaining and moving book about the development of Durham from a club which finished bottom of the championship for three years out of its first five and twice more subsequently, Don tended to run things and he ran the County Council and concentrated on the finding a site for the Club ground to be created and for its development into a venue to hold international cricket matches and which brings in major revenue, rather than put the emphasis on creating a winning team.

Of course this is an oversimplification. In the early days he and the Director’s of cricket brought a succession of international cricketers to play for the club, all of whom were past their prime. The most notable was Ian Botham who performances singled handed won the Ashes a few years earlier. While several gave 100% to club they no longer had the drive and ambition required to win a championship title and it is also fair to say that some, Johnny Morris in particular, were disasters. The comparatively small Durham hard core membership remains generous in giving praise for anyone, regardless of the team who plays cricket well and will loyally support home players who give their all and can take frank comments. However as with local football teams, because of years of performing badly in what are competitive and partisan games, supporters can quickly turn on someone who consistently fails to deliver or who tries to take on the crowd at their own game, instead of answering critics on the playing field. There is also a different approach towards anyone who is not regarded as a Durham man.

As mentioned, in 2004 Don Robson retired from the chairmanship and this coincided with a combination of new appointments and local men coming good. While players like Simon Brown and John Wood had reached the fringes of the senior international squad, it was the emergence of Durham born Stephen Harmison and Paul Collingwood as important members of the English team, and with Phil Mustard and Liam Plunket coming into consideration, bringing in Dale Beckenstein as a player and captain, under the direction of Yorkshire’s Martyn Moxon which turned the tide in an almost unbelievable way. It was the irony of ironies that when Yorkshire became desperate having barely survived in Division one of the Championship and successfully pleaded with Martyn to become their Director of Cricket Durham, were reaching their peak and had the excellent Geoff Cooke ready to take over. Geoff has been with Durham from the beginning and was able to continue the momentum created by Martyn with the additional advantage of understanding the nature of Durham Cricket Club and its supporters through and through.

Wednesday was therefore a very important day in the history of the club and in the development of a rivalry between Durham and Yorkshire. Until the last couple of years there was a comradeship from adversity between supporters of the two clubs with a number having dual membership, especially those living in South Durham and North Yorkshire and where with two motor routes it is easier for those in North Yorks to get quickly to the Durham ground than it is for them to get into Leeds.

As with the game on Sunday the wicket was set on the west side of square, restricting the behind the wicket west mini stand to about half the usual size and so with the influx of visitors from Yorkshire I was lucky to have free seats on either side. Given the win on Sunday the travelling Yorkshire fans were in good spirits and optimistic that their team would teach the new championships about rightful places. Although the wicket was good, Durham’s early batsmen had to work hard and four wickets fell before lunch Stoneman for 2 at 20, Du Venuto who had started positively at 41 for 36, Muchall at 69 for 13 and finally captain.

It was only in the afternoon that new signing Ian Blackwell came into his own and was out just five runs short on what would have been his second 100 for his new county. Later and yesterday Phil Mustard moved from playing a supporting to a commanding role but he ran out of team mates after reaching 94. Durham reached a creditable 364, and yesterday when Gale, Vaughan, Rudolph and McGrath were out at 142, it looked as Durham was about to achieve again the dominance of last year. In form Brophy 75 and Bresnan 40 added another 100 for the fifth wicket during which time I came home as the sun had gone in and I was tired having been up a five am with the latest Travel Lodge sale of rooms for £9. However having got both these batsman out Durham start today with the edge hoping to get the last four wickets quickly and take a good first innings lead. I suspect Yorkshire will eek out the runs and everything will depend on the second innings and how the wicket performs on the fourth day.

I used the intervals to take closer look at the new stand and sat in it for a time and it certainly gives a football view of proceedings. The seats are comfortable with good leg room. Yesterday I tool my own high backed folding chair and enjoyed a boundary view which bring an intimate involvement in the game although I was very tired for most of the time given the early rising.

I bought my copy of Tim Wellock’s book Summers with Durham during the luncheon interval on the first day and which he signed to Colin. He is a former player for Durham University and then in local leagues at Tynemouth, Darlington and Sedgefield and then for his true love of village cricket at Aldbrough St John near his home. He was a full time journalist and deputy editor for the Northern Echo before becoming a free lance sport’s writer in 1987 and followed Durham Home and Away since becoming a first class county in 1992 and is able to say he has seen more games than all but a handful of supporters, as well as writing for the Daily and Sunday Telegraph. He has also penned the article on Durham in this year edition of Wisden. I like his story about two supporters who travelled through the night by car to get to Kent for the winning morning last autumn. I had nearly done the same but counselled myself against doing in case it was the kiss of death for the prospects of success although it appeared that only the intervention of the devil would alter the outcome. God was on our side.

1699 Super Sports Sunday

This has been a beautiful Spring day with sunshine and clouds from midmorning to lunchtime and then clear blue sky until eight in the evening. It was warm enough to sit in the sun in a jacket but without a top coat.

I awoke early and time to go back to sleep and wake up feeling right for going downstairs for the start of the third Formula 1 Grand Prix race this time in Shanghai China. It was also the third race where the weather played a major part and the race stewards’ vehicle was in evidence and for the second time this season there was a different team dominating- the Red Bull has wings etc.

There was two days of sunshine for the practice runs and the Red Bull duo of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber finishing 1st and 3rd for the starting grid with Alonso of Renault 2nd and the two Brawn Mercedes 4th and 5th. Ferrari could only make 8th and 13th as their terrible start to the new season continues and McClaren Mercedes 9th and 12th. Have the days really gone when the championship was divided between McClaren and Ferrari?

When I switched on the race had just started in driving rain and horrendous spray behind the safety car and this continued for the first 20 minutes and eight laps until the rain stopped sufficiently for the divers to indicate that although they were aquaplaning around the circuit this was due to the slow speed and inability to warm up the tyres and the breaks. The Safety car then left.

The spectators who were not undercover were soaked and the invisibility of the race because spray, and then further rain, would have made the expensive outing a disaster. For those watching on TV there were plenty of spills as cars shunted into each other or of the track as they hit surface water. People overtook and were overtaken by the same drivers. Drivers made mistakes as they took risks to gain the lead or a place as did some teams with their decisions on refuelling. Jensen Button made a mistake which potentially cost him the second place as overall the car of Vettel was better and paid put to the belief that Brawn had stolen a march on everyone with their initial designed which the others would not be able to catch up as their vehicles were developed to the latest regulations and new design features. Jenson still finished 3rd and a podium place which means that he held on his top spot in the driver’s championship with team mate Barichello second and Vettel moving into the third place Lewis Hamilton is 10th after his punishment for misleading after the first race. After the sacking of the man held to be responsible for the misleading statements Ron Dennis who has held the reins of control has also departed in a move seen as helping to prevent, discourage a more appropriate word perhaps, the International Federation imposing further penalties on the team and Lewis Hamilton. We shall see.

I enjoyed a kipper for breakfast and then prepared a packed lunch of three brown rolls filled with salami and olives, and two cracker sandwiches with smoked salmon and a carton of prepared fruit salad. I took a mini detour to the council run waste disposal centre to rid of the boxes in which black and grey lever arch files had arrived and then sped off in the raised spirits sunshine to the Riverside where a spectacular sight was to greet me as I entered. It was evident that the fine weather had brought out a crowd by the number of cars already parked even though I was there a good 45 minutes before the game was due to commence. People were also used to the 10 45 start of previous games and cricket spectators are lovers of tradition and routine.

The surprise is that the new upper tiers to the east stand south of the scoreboard are almost completed if not completed and closed off for safety reasons until those games when they are needed. The shell of the new playback and scoreboard between the Members stand and the health centre is also up and will be ready for the Test Match with the West Indies. Planning permission has also been granted for the further stands, a second replay scoreboard and a conference and accommodation centre and permanent floodlights. It will be a top class venue when completed for the 2010 season.

I sat for the first hour of play overlooking the wicket at the southern end after having a cup of coffee in the Member’s lounge at the new price of £1 with a plate of chips still £1.50 although I resisted. I had the rolls and fruit salad watching the play before moving to the Member’s lounge to watch Newcastle at the Spurs and returned for 4 hours in the sunshine behind the wicket and at the sun shining all day northern end. I had a second cup of coffee during half time in the football and enjoyed the smoked salmon around six and would have liked a cup of tea but was too lazy by then to go back to the Members lounge. I decided not to buy the programme which on reflection was a mistake as I had also forgotten a note book and a hat. I have lost my cap and the green hat as well as Astrakhan fake Russian style hat leaving only the all weather Australian type of bush hat left. The shop was sold out of Durham caps with only England and all white ones left and the large ones with brims. I have the fake panama hat somewhere to be resurrected. I acquired my copy of the 2008 Member’s Handbooks which is the best produced for a long while if not ever and with the Wisden I had all the records and background information one could wish for.

This bring me to the game itself which proved not a good day for Durham. Neither Harmison or Plunket were at the best and no bowler but fear into the Yorkshire batsmen who massed 268 for 7 in their fifty overs, having been put in by Durham. While Vaughan got only a moderate 43 Rudolph 73 and Brophy not out 66 caused the main trouble putting on 78 runs for the second wicket and then a further 32 for the third which fell at 152 Steve gave away 63 runs for his 8 overs.

Durham never recovered from losing Mustard at 2, Muchall at 31 and Di Venuto at 48. Smith and Blenkenstein out on 68 for the fourth wicket but after Smith went, Blackwell went five runs later and while Breeze staying with Blenkenstein brought hope with a Breasy 29, when he went the innings came quickly to an end although I was in my car listening to the second Cup semi final when the last two wickets fell to give Yorkshire an away win by 80 runs and with 9 overs to spare.

I have mixed feelings about Newcastle, wanting Alan Shearer to do well, but concerned less they should replace Sunderland in the relegation position and wanting rid of Mike Ashley. They were outplayed by Spurs and only during the last half hour when Alan gambled and played Viduka, Martins, Owen and Smith up front did they look as if there was a chance scoring a goal but they missed two good opportunities so Spurs held on to their goal to take the points. At present it is likely that three of the bottom six clubs will be relegated with Sunderland learning the group with 35 points and Hull and Blackburn with 34, the Boro with 31, Newcastle 30 and WBA 25 all six having five games and a maximum of 15 points to play for.

I have entered my forecasts for all the remaining matches this season and my prediction is that Hull, the Boro and West Brom will be relegated with Sunderland climbing to mid table and Newcastle finishing 5th bottom.

Manchester United put out a second eleven for the semi final and although they should have been awarded a penalty according to the match reports neither side scored by full time play or during extra time. With two poor penalty kicks to begin with, Everton went through 4.2 with Man U having one kick left. I am pleased by this for the Everton’s manager who is proving the most successful of the English manager with little resource.

On return I enjoyed a cuppa soup fishcakes and beans followed by cold rice pudding and coffee. Later in the early hours I had a cup of tea. After a day relaxing in the sun I needed to do some concentrated thinking and but I was too relaxed.

1698 A sporting weekend

To day has been a good day marred by one little act of stupidity. After the match I walked to the bus station to find the last passengers boarding the 35 bus so I rushed on and found the last seat only to see another 35 arriving as we moved off and the though occurred. Which direction was the 35 travelling? Towards South Shields or in the opposite direction. It was a few minutes before I could discover the truth. It was the wrong way route so I got off again close to the Varsity bar restaurant and then decided to walk along the High Street rather than return to the bus station. This was pride although it was closer than the High Street stop for the four bus options to South Shields.

This was an important reminder that at my age I need to take care and remember my age and potential frailty. I enjoyed the trip back although it takes 50 minutes and then the walk up the hill and which will the walk to the Sunderland Bus station, mini bus trip and further walk and wait meant that the journey home took 90 mins, compared to 35 to 40 by car. But I saved cash on petrol and contributed less to the environmental destruction of the planet as well as my own physical fitness, so I felt good about it. Having given myself a little lecture about thinking before acting, I did it again. Approaching Azda from Ocean Road there was a group of adolescent boys on pedal bicycles and I had previously noticed this group on previous occasions, but on those instances they were just standing around talking. In this this instance they were throwing what appeared stones at another boy on the other side of this part of the pedestrian area of bar and public houses. Although one missile was not aimed at me it was thrown regardless of my presence and was sufficiently close for me to react and I told the young man to behave. He apologised and explained that he was aiming for someone else. I said that did not make any difference hw was behaving badly. It was a forceful and confident telling off without anger or malice. A smaller young man in a motorcycle type helmet with disguised his appearance came up in what was intended to be a threatening manner so I told him to behave as well. I threatened to call the police if they did not take my advice. The group appeared shocked that anyone was speaking to them in this way but stopped the stone throwing. Inside the ground level entrance of the store I was approached by a heavy set man in his late twenties. The type you usually see in doorway security at this time of night. He explained that they had nearly hit him so I said I hoped a word had done the trick in preventing them getting into trouble, that night at least. It was their way of letting of steam with back to school after the weekend. It struck me that he had been observing the youngsters from inside the store commenting on their behaviour to other shopped who had been hesitant to leave, but after my words were content to do so. I had forgotten my advice to myself an hour before, forgot my age and just reacted. I hope I continue to do so though.

I had gone to bed late with everything going wrong with problems publishing writings on both Myspace and Google and then printer refusing to recognise the cartridges. I resolved the printer disconnecting from the computer and turning off before going to the match then only using the printer separate from the computer to copy the card to hand. This worked.

Less successful has been resolving the publishing of previous and latest Blogs on Google. If I open Google Blog on the Internet Explorer when I go to paste what has been copied Internet Explorer crashes and reconnects but to the starter screen and every attempt to paste again results in the same cycle. However if I load Google Blog on Mozilla Firefox this works except I have to use Microsoft Works Word and Microsoft Word does not. The reverse occurs when using Explorer. However this is not the end of this story as on Mozilla the complete Blogs do not print out so presently I have to upload on Mozilla and print on Explorer. I also ran into problems on MySpace uploading the latest writing but this appears to have been a temporary problem.

There has been no sign of Blackbird for two days although I have been up late and out for part of both days. I had a quick smoked mackerel salad for lunch and a banana with a cup of coffee at the ground. My allocated seat today was a good one although at the back of the East Stand it was still about the same level as the upper part of the Director’s box as close to the centre line as I have been. It was also an end of row seat and with a post across the gangway. If I was going to take out a season this was a good spot and worth asking to see if it is free in future. It is a long climb but getting fitter it did not pose a problem as long as one is early and able to take it steady. Going down is more of a problem and the choice is to wait until the final whistle and until everyone in the rows below have departed or to leave the seat early in sufficient time to get down to watch the closing moments on the way down or on the TV screens as I needed to go to the gents first. I was able to watch a late substitute hit the post with a good shot after some good action before the final whistle.

This was a vital game for both sides as a win would achieve a small cushion over the bottom three sides which presently include Newcastle and the Borough. Hull brought with them the best support I have seen all season and the performance the team justified the commitment of the fans. The players were well organised and played as a team and if their future lives depended on what they did, which at one level is true. Sunderland in contrast looked nervy because of the way Hull played attacking football and tried to hold a defensive line well up the pitch. This is potential dangerous as a skilful and confident team will cut through their defence and have a clear run at the goal. Sunderland were not quite good enough although looked liked to be more effective before the goal. On balance I thought Hull should have been one or two goals up as the first half ended and then Sunderland scored a goal which later on TV was shown to have been offside. However it was a fine decision given that Cisse received the ball from Kenwyn Jones. The goal countered although one other into the net did not. I thought the narrow win was deserved.
This took Sunderland above Hull and also Blackburn who were beaten at Stoke who are nearly safe, but with teams at the bottom having five or six games to play, 15 to 18 points any team getting two or three wins and a couple of draw points should survive if they are presently above the bottom three. West Brom play tomorrow as do Newcastle. Newcastle have the toughest of games against Spurs and will be lucky to get a point. Alan and his assistant Manager were at the Portsmouth game this afternoon preparing from when Portsmouth plays at Newcastle in May, a game which is on the TV. Sunderland have perhaps the easiest of final games and the penultimate game against Chelsea is not as challenging after what happened today as it could have been. Chelsea in beating Liverpool have reached the semi final of the Champions League along with Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona and this evening beat Arsenal to reach the final of the FA Cup. Their place in next season’s competition appears secure as they are 13 points ahead of the fifth placed team who have one less game to play and can only gain 15 points if they win all their games, with Chelsea only having to win one of their six games to confirm their position. They are 15 points ahead of the next team who likewise have to score a maximum 18 make up a goal difference deficit of 20 and Chelsea only gain 3 points. Moreover while Chelsea still have a chance of winning the League they have a deficit of four points on Manchester United who also have an additional game to play. It is still likely that one North East team will be relegated with Hull and West Brom being the likely two others.
On return I enjoyed a cuppa soup, two fishcakes with beans and a fruit salad with a snack of two thin crackers and with a slice of salami x 2 and coffee.

Today was the first two matches of the Indian 20 20 competition in South Africa and I was able to watch the highlights of game between Kevin Petersen’s side and captained by Shane Warne. Unfortunately the composition of the 8 teams and the scores in the first two games has not been found on the internet either through the BBC or the official site of the Indian League. I then found a site with the information Kevin’s Team the Bangalore Charges scored 133 runs with Shane Warne and Mascarenhas taking 5 wickets including two of the first two balls with Kevin scoring 33 and Dravid the star with 66. The Rajasthan Royals could only make 66 with Kumble taking 5 for 5. In the other game the Mumbai Indians, the holders with Tendulker 59 reached a creditable 169 which is 8 plus an over while Flintoff’s team the Chennai super kings could only reach 146 with Flintoff. Although every match is on Satanta I shall miss most first through watching Durham with five days this week, four days on TV next and six the following six days some 15 days plus days away for others reason and travelling.

Arriving at the match earlier there was time to read Friday’s papers and undertake a word search. Having reach over 65 wins at chess the highest run to date I stuffed up this evening while watching Match of the Day. The political situation is building up and more on this tomorrow or Monday. The weather forecast for tomorrow omens well.

1692 Stars in their eyes

Saturday was a day of several highs and lows. Birdie flew off as I opened the day room curtain, and has not been since although I was out for the greater part of day. She is back this morning. I had to go out first thing to top up the mobile as a message intended for sending the previous evening had been held up because of insufficient funds. It was bright and the supermarket car park already indicated the weekend rush to follow. On return and sending messages I enjoyed writing until deciding on an early lunch as I had gone without breakfast. I made a soup in a cup and then with two eggs instead of the usual three or four made an omelette with prawns and a couple of slices of salami. This was also enjoyable and I was soon organised to leave for the match just before one pm.

There was some post. A supply of ink cartridges had been delivered via a post office delivery van, and if there is post on a Saturday morning it comes early so finding several letters on the mat as I left was unexpected. One was the annual notice of the increase in my occupational pension. The letter said there was an increase of 5% and together with the improvement with tax allowances appeared to explain the significant increases. It was excellent news. I began to think how I might use the addition over the coming year, but did not stop to examine the detail‘s as I wanted to catch a bus before the rush. Although Birdie did not seem to be present I did not want the noise and fumes of using the car to cause any problems, similarly on return. If there is wind, opening the door can create the effect of a wind tunnel, blowing over chair or dustbin when it is severe.

On return my first thought was to check the details of the income changes for if the amount was correct there could be an issue of having paid too little tax but found I had completely misread the notice and although there was an increase it was small. I felt stupid.
It remained a pleasant spring morning as i walked down to the bus terminal and found that my delay with the Mail meant that I had just missed my choice route bus first route bus and had to wait nearly after an hour instead of the usual quarter. This was because of the match the service organised itself so that one immediately followed another as provide a service after the first became full. As the journey progressed three other buses going towards South Shields centre were noted. There are at present four route services between South Shields and Sunderland, the E 1 E2 and E6 and the most direct route the 35. In theory this means a must leaving every four minutes but they tend to set off together and at one two of the other routes were behind my bus as we left a stop on the main road passed the Town Hall.

Sunderland were playing one of the great team in the world over the past twenty years and perhaps the greatest team in terms of the consistent winning of trophies. Not only did we expect to lose but to lose badly given the way our team has performed over recent weeks with three losses in a row. The opening minutes confirmed this view as Manchester United demonstrated their ability to move forward with speed and skill. I feared we were to experience yet another football lesson. We had some moves forward but lacked the confidence and sharpness of the visitors and when they scored this came as no surprise. However Sunderland were playing well and matched Manchester at times with the playing skills and accurate passing. At the interval I thought the 1.0 score against us was unfair and therefore the equalising goal was no surprise. At one point before this the ball had hit the post and we were desperately unlucky not to score. The winning goal from united had an element of luck in it but although the loss brought us closer to the relegation bottom three within 2 points the feeling was that all is not lost, yet. I had an excellent seat close to an aisle but the policy of attending match by match rather than invest in a season ticket remains the best approach because of commitments, weather and poor play means that I would only attend a proportion of the home game anyway,

After the game I walked into Sunderland where the two lanes of the bridge roadway are given over to those on foot making their way into the city centre for car parks, the bus station and the pubs and bars. There were not a lot of shoppers left as most establishments had closed at five. My target was Wilkinsons to see if they had more of the black volumes in stock and I had brought with me a soft carry bag in hope. They did not. I then went to the Varsity Bar in a converted former civic building which is located close to the city centre Sunderland University site. I wanted to watch the Newcastle game at Stoke and fancied doing so in company although I knew from a previous visit that the audience would be hostile to Newcastle but in the present circumstances if given the choice between them and Sunderland my heart was with Sunderland more than Alan Shearer. Two of the three North West Clubs presently looked doomed along with West Brom.

I was hungry and rather than a snack decided to order a jumbo size sausage two eggs and beans plus chips for the cost of £2.50. After the food and watching Stoke score the first goal and looking as if they could go on for two or three more I decided it was time to make my way home and rather than wait for the next 35 took the E2 . Before then I noticed a man in a suit and tied back long hair move cases and bags, all his worldly good it seemed in two groups as I walked to the stop and then saw that he had managed to move some distance and close to Varsity bar as my bus went along a nearby street. He did not look the usual homeless character living on the streets. I suppressed an instinct to enquire and try and assist in someway. I am not sure I was right to pass by on the other side of the street so to speak. Perhaps I was more affected by the incident a minute or so before when there was a police vehicle and three officers speaking to one man outside a fast food outlet. It was evident this was the end of a situation as he then walked off and officers returned to their vehicle but it was a reminder that great caution has to be taken in cities and town centres on weekend evenings. This was underlined when arriving in an almost deserted South Shields centre, a very drunk and shouting man in his later 20’s early 30’s appeared from the entrance of the Ship and Royal threatening to take on all comers. Whereas the Sunderland bar had become packed with a combination of football supporters and Saturday night early revellers, I did not get the impression that the few visible occupants of the bars and pubs that I saw in Shields heralded the build up for the evening. What the situation would be like a few hours later I will investigate on another evening. The liveliest place appeared to be the supermarket as I took escalator feeling lazy after a good day. On my way tot he bus stop earlier the traffic had been at a standstill in the road leading to the supermarket and vehicles were waiting to join the queue already in the car park waiting for the next space. As I have not been this way at this hour for some time I cannot say if this was normal or unusual but suggests that in the recession food is making way for a night out.

I was back and organised before Britain’s Got talent, sorting the washing that had finished drying before departure but I left for my return. This time there was greater concentration on good and brilliant acts rather than the embarrassing hopefuls.

The biggest surprise was a plain 47 year old who reminded of Hannah Hauxwell. At the age 46 Hannah was living the family home on her own, a spinster, looking after a small farm in the Yorkshire hills which had no electricity or running water and where her income was said to be less than £200 a year but she was happy. She became famous world wide following television programmes and books about her life. She remains alive although in old age has had to leave the farm but still had an eccentric and lonely lifestyle in a village. I predict a very different future for Susan Boyle except for the world wide fame although I hope fame will not alter her basic personality. A young male tenor should go far as well as some of the novelty acts. A young black dance troupe from North London can also be expected to get to the final but less certain is a family of five mother, father a brilliant teenage son and two adorable twin girls. The son is a great find and the daughters will have all the parents saying wow.

I went to sleep watching an episode of Taggart reminding of what army life can be like as the instructors with their mission to turn out a succession of effective killers who can withstand the extremes of deprivation and weathers push the recruits to breaking point. Fortunately I woke in time to catch the hour later edition to find out the ending. Two of those killed had participated in the rape of a female recruit and a recruit had been pushed into undertaking the killings to stop them and their girl talking.

I have mentioned being contacted by someone from Australia regarding an ancestral branch of the family. The contact has now provided confirmation papers on another branch where an ancestor became the Mayor of Cape Town. I will send copies of the papers to interested members of the present day extended family tomorrow.

1191 England Win Rugby world cup; Arsenal Stadium Murders and Ladyhawke.

It was a great night with a great result. As the texts revealed afterwards English men and women all over the world listened or watched in disbelief, disappointment, growing hope and the wonderment. In sporting terms this was Dunkirk turned into victory.

Four years ago, Sir Clive, as he became, Woodward had created a settled winning side whose names had become known across the Rugby world. Winning the world cup became a strong possibility although whatever the result it was expected to be tight. One of the most iconic moments in all of British sporting history is the drop goal by Johnny Wilkinson in the final seconds has been replayed more than the famous moment in 1966 when the later Kenneth Wolstenholm uttered those immortal words, "they think it is all over, it is now," as the final goal sealed the victory.

The last four years has seen Johnny Wilkinson injured, recovering and never getting back to the phenomenal kicking ability which culminated in that glorious matching winning moment. He has however scored more points in World Cup Football than anyone else and his place in the cup squad offered a little hope after a Team in the process of rebuilding following a series of defeats and failures to come close to being champions again. It was all reminiscent of the Football world cup win forty year ago. When England crashed to South Africa 36.0 in the preliminary phase of the competition it was possible to get a bet on an English cup victory of 66 to 1. What price now?

The game against Australia could have been a one off, but the feeling was of another gruelling victory when we scored a try within seconds of the start, the quickest ever, the dream was underway, Still cautious we were gripped with feat as the French fought back with vigour and slowly took the lead, although this would not have been so if Johnny had succeeded in three opportunities to kick a goal, two most difficult. So the game drew to a close, and tense well there is tense and then again there is tense, but this was tense as we still believed in the dream, for once in a lifetime, if we are among the fortunate, we live the dream, and so it was. First the French were about to score a try which would have put the game out of reach hen stand in Joe Worsley, remember that name, stopped them win inches by one of those tackles that are only written about in Boy's own books, and then with five minutes to go, a penalty was awarded because of a high tackle on Jason Robinson and Wilkinson had a kick again to take the lead and of course we knew he would not fail, did we not? Didn't we? And he did not and then well there was an instant opportunity for a drop kick, but he seemed to move away, or so the commentator thought no he realised he was just getting into a better position and it happened again, the lightening striking twice I mean, he kicked that dropped goal again and now the French had to score a try and convert to win for we 14 points and we were 9.That was the measure of those two kicks and the commentator could no longer contain his delight bordering on ecstasy, and for a moment I thought he would say they think it is all over, now it is, but if he thought them, he kept his counsel because the French were not done and pressed back as if their national honour was at stake, well it was you see, but our men with their backs to wall as we need to be to bring out our best, stood firm in what appeared to be interminable minutes but were in fact only seconds, and that whistle came, and it was done, we had won.

But this is only the semi final, but by King Harry and St George, a any English person who was not there or does not understand will curse their ill fortunate for ever more. And it is just a week for the third and final part of this fantasy made into reality, along with Lewis Hamilton's an attempt to become world captainship driver and with Sunderland and Newcastle both on TV on the Sunday and the Monday it promises to be a weekend to remember.

So how did you celebrate will my experience was unique, of that I am certain, because it was just before ten that I remembered I had forgotten to get the first two parts of a 19 DVD series about the first world war given with the Mail. Now on Saturday the supermarkets close at 10 pm so they were out so it was likely to be a garage. It was two minutes past ten when I decided not to stop at Azda and while there was every other paper at the garage by Mabel's former residential home, there was no mail, and the garage on the way to Cleadon village did not have papers and that in the village was closed so I decided one last try at the end of the A1M, and there were two copies and I only needed one and a small bar of chocolate and one of two custard creams.

So to day was destined to be anti climax especially after getting up with the dawn and making ready for the new cooker and then the phone call calling it off, so I spent the day with rubbish TV as a consolation and over eating and drinking, mostly water though as this morning I had two bacon rolls in baked onion and cheese topped rolls, and this afternoon half a piece of gammon joint £1.25p worth with potatoes and corn and a deep sleep in between the most awful film about sport and football ever called The Arsenal Stadium Murders made in 1940's although the film had a significance for me because it was as I remembered going to the ground in the late 1940's with the uncovered standing terraces at either end when I stood with an uncle to watch Stanley Matthews in a 4.4 draw, which then reminded of the day I watched Sir Donald Bradman come to the wicket and return being out first ball in his last innings in his last Test match in England. With regard to the film which featured a special charity match between the Gunners now called the Gooners and an ammeter team one of whom dies poisoned on the pitch it should be compulsory viewing for all professional footballers and their wives as to why they should thank their talent and lucky stars. . Several Arsenal stars played for the home side and Brentford players doubled for the amateurs on the pitch and this was the last arranged fixture before the outbreak of World War II. The investigating police inspector has a penchant for funny hats and for theatricals in which his colleagues dress up in tutus

After the sleep I watched a beautifully photographed medieval family fantasy Ladyhawke in which Michele Feiffer played the cursed love destined to be only a Hawk in the presence of her lover until the curse is lifted with the help of Matthew Brodericke and Leo Mckern. I had watched the film before and therefore that I was still full of sleep helped my anticlimactic recovery.

Passing thought I did say Gordon needed several miracles and a faultless personal performance from now if he and his political party are to recover. A Rugby World Cup plus Lewis Hamilton and Formula One driver could be the start.

And thus the day commenced to peter out until in the evening there was Michael Plain had been in the Baltic states and the Russian Naval outpost country 16 of his European tour so far.

Followed by the discovery of another Dylan evening of homage to him and to folk music. Some I had seen before I am not sure about composite black and white film of thee Newport Folk Festival 1963 1966, which I viewed twice featuring the folk side (after the Jazz on a Summers Day film which I had seen in 1960 on the day after the end of the prison experience.

Among those appearing with Bob Dylan where I had been listening recently to a two disc set, so it was good to see and well has hear versions of` Blowing in the Wind, The Times they are a changing, Its all over now Baby Blue, Like a Rolling Stone Maggie's Farm some in the later programme on his first England visit, also Joan Baez with Peter? Yarrow doing a comic number and then being herself Oh my trials lord soon be over and that tingling excitement came back as it always does for voice which could make the phone book sound revelatory truths and Peter Paul and Mary (If I had a hammer, sung for hours walking from Liverpool to Hull) and Blowing in the wind and the times they are changing, the Blue Ridge Mountain Dancers which reminded me of Irish Dancing, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, there is a time, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, ( I woke up this morning) encountered on a day long river boat trip down the Thames to Margaret Buffy St Marie, (I have four of her DVD's because she is amazing and unrecognised I suspect because of her American Indian origin.
Donovan with his banned from BBC song, Howling Wolf and thirty to forty others Spider John Koeg I liked, and Mississippi John Hurt with Candy Man, the Staple Singers. The Freedom Singers. and in London on the recovery of his TV Madhouse programme appearance in the mid sixties ice bound London with an except from Acker Bilk having returned from the US with Stranger of Shore success, followed by Pete Seager, (Green Corn Eugene McCall who married Peggy Seager. With Odetta in Rome who is also in the later Newport film with a deep voice

1190 Sports and Local Matters

The could become a day of national pride or humiliation as one English team attempts to take a further step in reaching the finals of the European football competition which is to be held next year and the English Rugby team fights another Waterloo, this time in Paris, in an attempt to reach the actual final of the Rugby World Cup for the second time in four years and where no team has won the trophy in succession. The first stage of the X factor finals has been postponed for a week as a consequence and the latest opinion poll shows that the Conservative party would have won a General Election had one be called and had a winning majority which shows Gordon with the sense not to have attempted the charge of the left brigade, but he should sack the advisers who suggested the idea to him.

In contrast to the fortunes of national teams my experience has recently been more of humiliation, not concentrating enough and plain stupid absent mindedness. Yesterday I had visited my mother's bank (where I also hold an account as did my late aunt) to make an appointment to commence the transfer of funds and account closure process. When I did this for my aunt four years ago the staff could not have been more helpful and arranged for me to see someone that day, (it may even have been immediately), but I was prepared that it might not be possible to see someone that day as since the bank was taken over by a French concern, (who also control the local water supply and the cinema chain where I used to have a see everything as frequently as you like pay one charge a month subscription) I mention the French connection not just because of the Rugby this evening but sometimes there is the impression that it is the US, the Russians and the Chinese who now own sufficient of our business and property to have more of major say in how our national affairs are conducted, were it not that we control most of the money through the City, which is why those in control of corporate finances, asset companies and the banking and insurance system are nearly paid as much as professional footballers. As I also noted recently it is the French and other European countries who still build ships, and not the UK, or the USA. Just wait for the Chinese!

Anyway back to my visit to the bank where the receptionist seemed puzzled by my request and I had to speak clearly and slowly because English was not her first language, European, perhaps new, perhaps old it was difficult to tell as her accent was better than her comprehension. Perhaps she was French! Anyway she was young and desirable so I immediately forgave her the fact that I could not have an appointment until Monday week. When I returned home I thought about this more, and thought hey wait a minute, I can get to see my doctor quicker than that. You had someone there instantly signing up customers for your new credit card on the spot, offering year long free credit and three months without charges as an incentive. So I spent an hour putting everything down on paper, making copies of the documents which I assumed would be required. It is a small estate and as last time probate or letters of administration were not necessary I hoped this would now also be the situation. However in the Will the estate was first left to the sister with whom she lived for most of her life, and who was the name other executor, so I assumed that I would need to provide evidence of the death of my aunt, and that the account of my aunt was still in being albeit with only a few pence. This was important to mention because previously the sisters had held separate savings accounts and current banking accounts which caused a problem because they both had the same initial and surname and had lived at the same address. This also caused a problem with medical records which is a subject for another day. Anyway last time it had taken some time before the situation had been understood by the bank and everything sorted out. So this time I was ready with all the paper work an accounts references which had been reduced to two. When you get to my age you quickly learn that sorting out the affairs when you least want to is a challenge. I think of all those service widows with children who have faced the problem as a consequence of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and just how many seriously wounded have had to try and start new lives with their usually young families or whose chances of having a prosperous and successful family of their own has been significantly affected. The do not need the glare of individual media publicity, but our politicians need to be certain hat every bereaved family and those who are severely wounded, mentally, emotionally and physically are given the highest priority and respect.

What was I saying about not concentrating enough on the task in hand. Ok back to the bank I also had an account from the days when the bank was a building society and provided the main mortgage for the house, and then looked after the profit when the mortgage was paid off by an insurance investment scheme and which effectively balance out all the interest charges and investment expenditure, so that the in monetary terms it was just the original loaned capital which was paid for on a property which had increased in monetary value ten fold at that time and seventeen fold when it came to be sold. More about past times when it was possible to move homes and buy better and more valuable property and make a side profit. The task of become part of he home owning democracy seemed hard enough forty years ago, but now I am horrified what any young couple from average background has to face before they are able to inherit their share from any family assets, if these have not been taken away by a combination of residential care costs and death duties.I have a suspicion that the North East, well those of us in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland would be better off being part of Scotland than we are by remaining in England, but then there is the cricket team, the football team and rugby, although our best two male tennis players are Canadian and Scottish. I must stop this digressing and own up.

This morning I decided to personally deliver the letter to the bank with all the relevant information and copy documentation because of the ongoing post workers strike which looks like being settled except for the two areas where workers went on unofficial wild cat strike and now the politically motivated leaders and other "trouble makers" realise that having failed to bring everyone else out with them they are now vulnerable to being sacked under the law and with the union prepared to look the other way, as there will be no love lost for those who deliberately attempted to usurp their authority. I could waffle on for hours about that too.

On Friday I parked the car at the Metro station close to my former home to avoid taking the car into the city and this morning I decided to go to the next station, the Stadium of Light, named after the Sunderland Football stadium and where there is a large car park. I had never used this station because it is not the nearest station to the stadium. The reason is simple because it was decided to name the closest station to the ground St Peter's which is within walking distance and hopefully will attract more visitors once it becomes a world heritage site, the football team do well in the Premiership and the new main line route between Sunderland and London is opened. It had occurred that if the car park was big enough and free I could use it to park on match days as I knew there were traffic lights at the entrance. I could then take the Metro train for the two stops into the city for any shopping or a meal, or both as there is a great Chinese buffet restaurant I wish to try when weight reduction has progressed, before walking back over the Bridge to the match. However this is where the experiment started to fail badly. In order to get to the platform into town, well it was a town for twenty years after I arrived before it became a city, to everyone's surprise as it did not and does not have a Cathedral, I had to climb a great staircase, walk over a bridge and then down another set of stairs, or what II did which is take the extraordinarily long, long, winding pathway for those in wheel chairs, pushing prams or lazy like me. Anyway while I was on my way down the train arrived and departed so I had the maximum waiting time possible until the next train. Worse was to come onh the return journey. At the bank there was no one at the reception desk although a jacket signalled that a person was on duty, so after waiting a few minutes I joined the queue waiting for a cashier and had waited for several minutes before turning round and see that the receptionist was back and was able to deliver the letter.

The main city station is a disgrace for most towns and is a double disgrace when compared to the magnificent station at Newcastle. I accept that Newcastle is a major stop on the main East Coast line between London and Scotland. As far as passengers are concerned Sunderland used to have four trains an hour in both directions, going to Newcastle and the Gateshead Metro shopping centre, and into Northumberland in one direction, and from Sunderland to Middlesbrough in the other. These were small two to four carriage trains and on match days or Saturdays, as well as going to work or home times it would quickly become standing room only. The opening of the Metro link between Sunderland, Newcastle and the Airport changed everything. Trains still go to the shopping centre and Middlesbrough but there are now only two trains an hour and between Sunderland and Newcastle they only stop once at Hewarth in addition to the four metro trains with their longer carriages. The below ground station remains drab and above there is a simple booking office and passage way to the taxi rank and pedestrianised but uncovered shopping area although since arriving in the North East the Bridges indoor area has been created and extended as the town begins to have the feel of being a city.

This is to change for the better because a new East Coast route is being created and should have commenced this year but keeps being put back. This will enable direct travel between Sunderland and London although how this work out in terms of the two city stations remains to be seen. The main station or at least it was regarded as the main station is underground with only one platform, but long enough to take inter city trains. The opening of the Metro created a second station with direct access to the a new bus and coach station and is similar to that at Gateshead which is also superior in terms of interchange to Newcastle from that perspective. There is little in terms of walking distance between the bus station metro and the undercover shopping centre and between the city metro and the undercover shopping centre. In Sunderland the bus terminal is a better station than that the City where it presumed the inter city trains will start and finish.

It was at the City station that the stupidity of the day occurred. I arrived to find a seven minute wait so I sat on the nearest available seat and decided that I was time to adjust the clock on my mobile phone to the correct hour. I was brought to attention by the movement of a train, my train out of the station. In my absent mindedness I was sitting at the end for the train to Hexham. There was nothing for it but to wait the 15 minutes for the next. The trip took the greater part of two hours when it could have taken about one.

On Thursday I thought the phones had stopped working, all three indicated a line fault but I was reassured that this was not so BT and despite my scepticism eventually followed the instructions and had to confess that the line was in order, however it was not one of the phones as after unplugging everything and attaching a phone to the test socket in the main connection to the house and reconnecting everything as before, everything worked but no one has an idea why.

I finished watching England's convincing first half win against a poor team, which country were they from, but went to sleep during the second half Boy John Motson, he who does the BBC commentaries has got a thing about those to pay a fortune for hospitality and then because the service is slow, delay going out into the cold instead of watching in smokeless comfort with big screens to avoid missing anything, swigging the rest of the champagne and canapés. If it had been me I was would have continued getting my money's worth until the prawn sandwiches and fresh cream cakes were ready for after match tea. If you pay several fold the cost of a match or event ticket for hospitality you should get your money's worse.

I then felt only in the mood to continue to beat the computer at chess promising that I would not continue at the first hint of tiredness, but failed to heed a leaden eye and instead of 100% wrecking draws I was defeated a couple of times in quick succession. Gave it up and slept a little. Later when I reached fifty games without a draw or defeat I should have stopped but no like every gambler on a winning streak I had to do one more and in a commanding position allowed a draw, So I have given up in failure to concentrate on other things.

Just learnt that the first underground system in mainland Europe was in Budapest courtesy of Michael Palin. Admitting incompetence, stupidity, absent mindedness is always difficult. Anyway it was at the point when I awoke late afternoon during the England football match, which we won 3.0, and where everyone attending had wasted their time and money, that the TV started to be difficult. Given that it is a new TV this is worrying. At first I thought it was the Sky system because a pushy young woman rang to say my box had become out of warranty and would I like to take out insurance against the cost of a replacement. No I would not if it happens I will cancel my subscription and then take out one of the offers for new subscribers which offers better terms than my present.

The back of my TV, Sat, Video and DVD set up is amazing. I do not understand how I managed to get all the connections to work as there are scarts and other connectors linking everything in such a way to enable TV via terrestrial aerial, digit freeview and Sky and the recording by video of all three if wished, plus the playing of all kinds of DVD's CD's including photo CD's. Suddenly the whole works stuttered and froze, flickered and appeared to die. Now unplugging everything would be a nightmare because I would not remember what I had done, reminding of those films where bomb disposal men record every decision so if they are blown up the next man would not make the same mistake. So I decided to first check that nothing was loose and then switched off the main socket, waited a couple of ticks and see what happened. There were continuing problems so I switched off and made myself a cuppa and then wunderba, or wonder bra whatever your inclination, it all worked and I am now playing the DVD of Tyne to Wear photos. Not tried a DVD, to see if it will automatically switch from one file to another as there are about twenty files each with an average of 100 photos, but so far so good.

The past couple of days have not been without any success as I am replacing the gas cooker with another similar, but slimmer, with a top level grill, but one large oven and it proved to be the least expensive cooker in the store item although the cost of disconnecting and taking away and connecting the new added just of 25%. This was not without it problems as first I could not find one sales executive and the store's man, unpacking new stock, had to get one of the two cash desk girls to give a call on the hailer. None of these three could sell me the cooker and when the sales assistant arrived he failed to three

This is happening to-morrow with an automated system for finding out the four hour delivery slot Ugh Ugh 8.15 ro 12.15 which means finding out how to set the phone alarm again. Will need to be up for 7 and take the car out of garage by 8am. Have sorted out everything in readiness bar putting away the washing up and giving the stone floor a scrub. It all worked, the automatic clock alarm. Sunday is a beautiful day with a cloudless blue sky again and I was typing away correcting last night's writing when hey ho the phone rang to announce that the gas fitter had told the company he no longer wished to work for them so the earliest the delivery can be made is next Thursday hopefully when they have arranged to employ another.

Last night the photo DVD worked moving on to new files in recorded sequence but for making and distributing copies to family and friends I will have to decide on the order of files to achieve the effect I want. That for another day.

The previous night I stayed up around midnight selecting photos of Rock stacks, caves and rocky bays between Trow Rocks and Whitburn beach South Tyneside for a competition in a regional newspaper with a digit camera as the prize More interested in any reaction. Might send another selection on Parks and open spaces.

I had intended to watch as programme about local lad Bryan Ferry who along with Kate Addie and the lad who formed the Eurythmics came from Wearside with Catherine Cookson, the best known from South Shields, but the ull screenpics are worth seeing so will continue until the rugby. In fact I was able to watch the Bryan ferry programme or at least half of it after the rugby, but more why it was only half later.

First my attempt to become a financial wizard. I have paid for the funeral and associated expenses plus the Cooker, plus car service, MOT and repair, plus AA cover but not the Car Insurance, all by Credit Card after testing out that although the numbers have changed and I cannot contact the company via Internet as my log on does not work and I cannot get through by phone. Fortunately I was able to change the pin number at a cash machine, to one I could remember and then draw some cash to test that the activation worked and then also drew some cash to be sure so I was able to use.

This credit card company advised that it is giving away double points which means that for every £1500 pounds of expenditure one gets four cinema tickets, so I should get around 12 tickets worth around £60-£80 for putting all the expenditure on the card. This I will get anyway whether I chose to pay off the balance immediately from interest earning cash or seek an interest free balance transfer to another card
The money to pay to pay the card is earning interest around 4% which is £120 on £3000. The 0% balance transfer offer is deceptive because there is usually an up front charge with one card offering 12 months % on balance but with an upfront charge of 2.5% that is £75. There is a net profit of £45. There is the hassle of moving the balance and ensuring that there is a cash flow from my bank savings to current which I can do automatically on line within a matter of seconds after logging on.

Barclaycard has a new variation if you keep a balance for 15 months you get a £150 cash back on £3000 but the catch is no upfront charges but 6.9% for the transfer where a balance has to be kept for 15 Months which means an interest payment of around £250, so you in pay £100 making a net profit £20.

And so we reached the match. But that will be left until tomorrow.