Penultimate cricket match 2005

Verwood won a second successive game for the first time this year making four wins in total and safety for the season. We have an attractive fixture at Beaulieu next week and should win as they are in the bottom two.

Acting as captain in the absence of Dan who had become a father for the first time earlier in the week, I was fortunate to win the toss and chose to bat. The score of 126 for 2 seemed to justify the decision but a typical collapse meant a final score of just 151, the final 8 wickets falling for 25! It still seemed enough and sure enough a six wicket haul by John meant Verwood won with 13 runs to spare.

Plymouth

Glen and myself drve down to Plymouth on Wednesday to see the latest addition to the family, Grace, and enjoyed seeing everyone, including Rachel and Roxanne who have busy schedules with work and boyfriends. We had a good time walking round Saltram House

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-saltram/

and a barbecue in the evening. In any moments of free time, I was trying to resolve some problems with computers which had lots of pop ups and spyware as well as viruses. Good porgrams include Spybot and Ad Aware which remove almost all of the rubbish there is on the internet but updating Windows is essential too along with a good virus checker. Spybot and Ad Aware are available free.





The following day took us to Bigbury Beach where the weather was great until mid-afternoon. Great game of cricket with Glen 22, Lewis 52 and Jordan 90 not out. I think they were all bored by the end though. Along with Rochelle, the youngsters played madly in the sea with rubber rings and inflatable boat. 'I got it' was the cry of the day as they tipped each other out and tried to claim the boat for themselves

Hummingbird moth

We had a beautiful visitor to the garden on Monday, a moth exactly like a hummingbird.

Injured

Having won the fotball tonight comfortably enough at 4 - 1, I found myself at Poole Hospital A & E following a fall when tackled through on goal. I fell on my elbow and twisted it badly tearing the bicep and straining ligaments in my arm. Simon kindly took me to the hospital and drove my car home while I waited to be collected.

The next day meant I had to contact Weds and Sat captains to withdraw from cricket and put our holiday schedule in jeopardy.

Holiday activities

Saturday saw Verwood Cricket Club lose again with a defeat in the cold at Burley. However, Glen was pleased with a friendly football match at Potterne in which he played really well and helped his team win 4 - 2 against Fordingbridge.

On Sunday we got on and cut every hedge in the garden which looks well kept for a few weeks at least. Legs and arms cut to pieces as a result of the hawthorn. Pictures to follow. Lovely walk round the new golf course which had several varieties of dragonfly on the wing amongst the bullrushes. You'll see from some later pictures how the dogs are getting on.

Today, Glen and I spent the day on Bournemouth beach in the sunshine and returned glowing from too much sun, especially on my part. Glen got his PS2 steering wheel and 'Juiced' which should keep him occupied for a while. He already has Brian Lara Cricket 2005 to play.

Football at Wimborne to follow.

Isle of Lewis

This is the view from 1 Aird Tong across the beach to Coll. Beautiful and proof of the sun shining on the island.

This looks almost tropical with the CalMac ferry in the background.

Joe has his pirate look perfected and could be looking across to an island ready for plundering.

This is from the castle grounds to Stornoway harbour.

Photos of trip

As you can see, Alison, Joe and Glen were dressed for the tropical temperatures.

The harbour is small and situated right next to the town. Last year I went shopping for an afternoon in the town. 15 minutes later I spent the next 3 hours in a pub as I'd seen all the shops!

Trip to Stornoway

Just back fron trip to the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Lewis to be exact. Glen, Joe, Alison and myself all flew up from Southampton to Stornoway. For Glen and Joe it was their first air journey and they really enjoyed it despite the waiting around.

One of the highlights was the visit to the black house village: -

http://www.gearrannan.com/

The boys were trying to pick up a little Gaelic while away and Glen is keen to follow it up.