Unprecedented

Sparkshop have found a winning formula and the heady potion of experience and new blood has resulted in yet another win as the victories continue to pile up and we begin to feel blase about the competition and murmurs of avoiding promotion become louder. Those discussions are always followed by a remainder of the season without victory so we know how to avoid success as much as any Geordie Premiership side.



The team had a more familiar feel as Richie, Chris and new Matt begin to bed into the team giving a stability which has been lacking until the Trill boy's recent transfer activity. So despite the big fella taking his shooting boots off to the States, the return of Chris from white water rafting in North Wales and sweating in his 'bivviee' meant we had a full side to take on a bunch of young lads who clearly expected to ease past us without too many problems. New Matt played alongside me in attack as our new formation was retained. Never change a winning team unless you have to and other cliches.



Dom, Matt, Chris and Kev gave ample cover for Richie in goal who was relatively underemployed for most of the match apart from his missiling throws which found Matt or myself in a fair amount of space frequently. Amazingly the game went well despite the crap ref being in charge and even more surprising was the fact he had a good game apart from an early error in avoiding seeing a clear deflection for a corner to us. However, that simply served to help Kev avoiding smacking the ball high, fast and directly for a throw onto the next pitch in all probability. The other corners suffered from Kev failing to realise we were the team in white with green bibs rather than the team in white as we usually are. Sadly it was difficult to tell the difference from his usual quality.



It's normally Dougie with those excuses such as failing to realise he was in goal until the first two shots had passed him.



The goal which won the game followed a quality move down the right. I picked up the loose ball on the touchline pursued half heartedly by a bald bloke who was rapidly left in the wake of a blistering run down the line. An exchange of passes with Kev led to a perfectly weighted ball as I managed to continue the run without the aid of oxygen before dinking over a cross met forcibly with the head by an onrushing new matt. His header was fierce but was turned onto the post by the keeper who spilled the ball to see it slammed home by new Matt from close range. That was his second goal of the league and puts him level with me in the top scorer stakes, a more worthwhile pursuit than of late as we are actually managing to score at the moment.

There could have been more with a clear header spectacularly missed by me from close range after a flighted corner from Chris. A little dink finish was well saved by their keeper as I ran free in the area and in truth we would have walked it with a second goal as they were imploding.

Their desperation was fully revealed as first Matt and then Kev brought down the opposition in slightly mistimed tackles. Kevin's led to a few exchanges which Chris enjoyed and he used the adrenaline to provide him with the energy for a manic few minutes in which he chased down every ball despite the likely threat of retribution from a very angry player who managed to barge into me on the touchline but without making proper contact because his target area was far too small. A bit Rio trying to kick the wall on Sunday and managing to kick a woman instead. A sad comment on England's golden generation.

Saints got a good point last night which means a draw at home might be enough to stave off relegation at the weekend provided Leicester get their just desserts at Stoke. Ian Holloway may well be regretting his choice of clubs after the weekend.

Good luck to Saints and to Brizzle in the play offs. Argyle are set for their highest finish since colour tv came on to the scene which will do me for now.

Sparkshop

We have a game at 8.15 this evening and I can already see the rain falling! It's supposed to be sunny all day but it seems to rain just about every Monday these days. There were times when it was fine for month after month but maybe it's just a sign of getting old and I'm aware of getting soaked more frequently.

Anyway. After last week's win we have a foundation to build on. Not forgetting I have a new job for Sept so everything must be going in the right direction.

I guess it will be straight to the bar to watch the second half of Saints at West Brom afterwards.

Pictures and breaking news!

The bluebells are out and it seems like spring is here and my teaching future appears to have been resolved. The only problem is that my principles seem to be disappearing just as quickly as
my hair colour did so many years ago.

On Thursday I was the only teacher at school to say I was going on strike but it wasn't really worth it as I wasn't in school that day anyway as I had my interview for the new school academy. To recap I have been looking for a new position for some time after the decision to go with the academy was made. However, the matching across process meant that I was ringfenced for Asst Head position in new school which led to competitive interview, something I had to do on the chance I would not get another job before the end of May, deadline for resigning from school.

I went feeling confident I would get a different job at another school which meant I could be relaxed and honest. I was very, very honest and spent most of the time explaining why I couldn't work for the academy and what my plans were. To my complete surprise, the interviewing panel turned round and said they were desperate for me to stay, that I was an outstanding leader and that they would create a new post, deputy Head, for me alongside a wage increase of several thousand pounds to keep me. I wasn't quite sure what to say and spent the next 48 hours thinking it over because it is a complete volte face on my part and one I worried would lead staff to question my integrity and risk my credibility.

To a person they aid I'd be a fool not to take it and that they were pleased I would be staying which made me feel better about it. So now I've sold out and gone for the academy. The decision does not sit easily at all and I feel guilty for taking it when I ought to be feeling elated.

It will be interesting to see how things go.

From the ashes, a phoenix rises

Sparkshop rallied in their second game to record a momentous victory after months of going without a win. A balmy, dry evening welcomed the team to Wimborne where we lined up to play Ferndown Forestors with a new addition to the team in the shape of Richie who is playing in goal for us. We welcomed back Dougie too as we fought to overcome a defeat in the opening game two weeks ago.

It was a frenetic start and Sparkshop quickly found themselves behind to a penalty awarded when Kev slid in to tackle an attacker in the area for some reason. Perhaps because he had a clear shot on goal. It was an uncontested award which was coolly slotted home and left Richie wondering what he'd let himself in for but it was an illusion as ability won out in the end. Having won a game it is important we make the most of it and perhaps exaggerate the scale of the achievement.

Silky football graced the astroturf as the ball was stroked with panache and much aplomb although I'll have to ignore the five minutes endured by Kev as he let the ball slip under his foot and kicked at air in front of goal.

The equaliser came midway through the first half with a neat through ball played on by Matt which sat up nicely for me to thump home inside the far post. However, an even better strike early in the second half got us the lead with an intelligent throw from Kev finding Matt C bursting through the defence. His right footed volley flew goalward unerringly and settled us into a confident period of play in which we stroked the ball around making the most of the time and space afforded to us. The defence was sound and well marshalled by the new keeper who talked them into position and Dougie and Dom had a comfortable evening. The midfield of Kev and Matt functioned well and new Matt held the ball up well throughout. It was his knockdown which led to a third goal with ample time for me to give the keeper the eyes before slotting the ball home easily from close range.

More goals could have followed but 3 - 1 was a good result for us after so long without a victory and gives us a platform to build on.

Glen's football weekend

Glen had an interesting Friday evening with the Bournemouth elite team playing Somerset and then Plymouth. It was a chastening experience for the boys who were soundly beaten in both games, 3 - 0 and 7 - 1 respectively. The other sides had been together for some years which may explain how good their football was at times but also there were problems in the coaching and organistion with no input for the players during or after the game. That was a little disappointing and a couple of the lads have decided to withdraw from the set up as a result.

Glen has benefitted though and has made real progress so we'll peservere despite the disappointing nature of the games.

Sunday saw us make the long trip to Weymouth for the penultimate game of the season against Weynouth Victoria who lie 2nd in the league. They had beaten Rossgarth 6 - 2 in the first meeting this year but it was a much closer affair with Rossgarth going down 2 - 0 in a hard fought match. The first goal came just before half time with a long range shot going over the keeper and the second coming just after half time with a cross being sliced into the far corner for an unintentional strike on goal.

Glen was off for most of the first half having taken a kick on the knee but returned to dominate the second half with lots of running, heading and throwing himself into the melee. I have no idea where he gets it from.

Misc pictures

There are many differing topics in the pictures starting with Maria at Weymouth today when we went to collect Joe but he wasn't up yet. Sun was shining but it was so cold and does Weymouth ever need that relief road. I usually go via Osmington but took the road from Dorchester and it was murder. I hate that road.

There is a photo of the deer I saw the other day when I was walking the dogs in the woods down the road. It stayed still for at least a minute and then trotted off serenely without the dogs noticing it.

The bluebells are coming on now but they are still far from in full bloom after such cold and wet weather. They look good up close but nowhere near the same swathes of blue and scent as usual.

The final 2 pictures are from the New Forest on Sunday where it looks like Glen has caused the tree to topple over.

He is playing two 45 minute matches on Friday for Bournemouth against Plymouth in one game and against Somerset (?) in the other. I'm going to try and get some proper photos of him in action as opposed to my inaction.

Gardening

It was a very busy day with an early start to cook Glen breakfast this morning when he had bacon, toast and spaghetti before going off to school followed by a walk in the woods with the dogs. I'll add a picture of the deer I saw later. Then it was off to the gym for an hour and then into the garden for the rest of the day. I cut the grass, raked the lawns and recut it after exposing the path from where the grass had encroached over the past couple of years. I sorted out the greenhouse and fixed the door and am ready to plant a few veg especially lettuce.

Between the showers I also put up the swing seat in anticipation of some summer sunshine before painting the chiminea with some anti rust paint and tidied the shed. Finally there was time for another walk in the bluebell woods with the dogs during which I got caught in a sharp shower.

Argyle on tv tonight which I suspect will result in a loss to Wednesday as they have plenty to play for still.

Linwood New Forest

Today we took a trip to the New Forest for a morning walk with Maria and Glen following which we hoped to have dinner at the High Corner Inn but it was already fully occupied leaving us to eat at the Monmouth Ash on the way back home. We had a wide range of weather with the cold biting as we arrived, warmish sunshine and torrential rain mixed with hail. A typical spring day for mid April but one which meant we had the challenge of getting the pushchair through some pretty boggy ground.

Glen had no game today hence the trip out, and he spent most of the walk kicking his ball around and climbing trees. Maria fell asleep immediately we started walking and woke when we got back to the car.

I must confess we got back for the 2nd half of Liverpool beating Blackburn, followed by Arsenal losing to Man U and the standard bleating about decisions costing them any trophy this year rather than acknowledging they don't have the squad to cover injuries and suspensions. I think Wenger ought to look at himself to a degree. There was still time to watch Real Madrid win one nil on Sky Plus and no school tomorrow!!!

Family trip to Plymbridge

The video is of us at Plymbridge where the girls were trying to get Grace wet by throwing stones into the water as she washed her dirty hands.

Climbing Sheepstor

This is a video of me walking up Sheepstor while Alison rested by a stone wall in the sunshine and out of the wind which you'll hear blowing away when I turn round taking a panoramic view.

Dartmoor Day Four Castle Drogo

We were greeted by the first bad weather of our stay as we began to make our way home across Dartmoor to give us the opportunity to visit Castle Drogo even though it was close to Exeter which is one place we don't go to.

It was pelting down at one stage but cleared up enough for us to have a long visit including a cream tea. The castle is owned by the National Trust and was only built 100 years ago or so. It is very impressive with exceptional gardens which must look at their best in another month's time.

Castle Drogo is a country house near Drewsteignton, Devon, England. It was built in the 1910s and 1920s for Julius Drewe (businessman and founder of the Home and Colonial Stores) to designs by architect Edwin Lutyens, and is a Grade I listed building.^[1] Castle Drogo was the last castle to be built in England, and probably the last private house in the country to be built entirely of granite.

The stately home borrows styles of castle building from the medieval and Tudor periods, along with more minimalist contemporary approaches. A notable feature is the encasement of the service staircase, around which the main staircase climbs. Its defensive characteristics are essentially decorative.

The castle has a fine formal garden, designed by Lutyens with planting by Gertrude Jekyll, which contrasts effectively with its striking setting on the edge of Dartmoor. The garden is noted for its rhododendrons and magnolias, herbaceous borders, rose garden, shrub garden and circular croquet lawn.

Dartmoor Day Three Part Two

The next part of the day took us to Princetown with its famous prison. The weather made it seem less foreboding than it would usually have been. There is also a photo of the dam at Burrator and one of Maria in our bedroom at Yelverton after we had enjoyed another evening meal, this time with Morag. She had gone to great lengths to feed us with a three course meal which was lovely. It was then back to the bed and breakfast where we watched Cloverfield and quite enjoyed it although it was a little disappointing in respect of the creature attacking the city. Much better to leave it unseen.

We said our goodbyes that evening having seen everyone and got Bridie a new phone, another one, and seen Jamie at the Carphone Warehouse as well.

Burrator Reservoir part two

These are some further views of the area showing just how fantastic the views were. It just began to rain as we turned round and made our way back to the car.

Dartmoor Day Three Part One

Once again we were fortunate enough to enjoy some beautiful early morning sunshine on Thursday morning when we made the short drive from Yelverton to Burrator with its reservoir supplying Plymouth. Maria was soon asleep and missed most our walk round the area which took us almost to the top of Sheepstor. The pushchair is very good on rough terrain and we came across a garden with lots of bird feeders where I took the photo of the nuthatch perched on the seed dispenser. The light was superb and there were very few people about so early in the day.

Dartmoor Day Two Part Four

We had our evening meal at Chrissie's on Wednesday and Maria had a bath with her cousins, Grace and Lilly. They had a lovely time and it was good for Maria to be in part of her routine with a bath before bedtime. You can see some of the room we were in for our stay and the amount of stuff we had to take for Maria.

Dartmoor Day Two Part Three

Having already done lots of walking in the morning, we went over to Plymbridge in the afternoon with the girls and had a walk along to the Cann Valley viaduct which overlooks the quarry where the peregrine falcons nest. There was a raven nest as well with 4 chicks clearly visible, mouths agape waiting to be fed. It was quite spectacular when a buzzard flew over only to find itself under attack from the ravens. The female peregrine was eating a pigeon presumably brought by her mate as she incubated the eggs for a while before flying into the tress.

Grace was keen to get in the water and ended up with wet feet before we played some games on the old railway line.

Sparkshop inaugural game - full report

It was with a sense of occasion and purpose that the proud members of the newly formed Sparkshop ambled aimlessly into the warm up area last Monday evening. Showing a turn of speed not to be seen again that evening, we determined to save ourselves for the match and avoided any pre-match preparation as we settled to working out if we had enough players for the big occasion.

Dougie is currently touring Eurodisney and was unavailable for selection as were Adam and his mystery hamstrings and Mike, Adam's friend who had played well in the last game as Iscape. We were down to the bare bones once again with Matt (new one) taking the keeper's jersey, myself, Matt C and Dom at the back, Darren, Chris and Kev taking the middle and up front positions. Encouragingly we had Darren back and the rain was falling which captured the conditions prevailing when we'd last won a game several weeks or months ago.

It was a close contest to begin with and we turned round level at nil nil but the signs were not encouraging from some respects as we had not registered much threat on goal while being attacked pretty relentlessly ourselves. Despite this, Matt did well in goal turning a great shot onto the bar with a fingertip save, modestly acknowledged. Best wishes to Nick who is recovering from quite serious illness and is unavailable for some months.

Dom went in goal for the second half and the trouble really began although nothing to do with Dom being in goal. He, like Matt, made several crucial saves, but was helpless with a penalty awarded almost from the kick off. Darren handled on the line and was sent off for preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity. Down a man, the team struggled manfully but were unable to prevent a 4 - 1 defeat. We did score a good goal with Matt (new) scoring from the left with a neat finish low to the keeper's left.

We have a week off now in which to regain our fitness levels back to pre-Easter peaks when perhaps the sun will shine and we'll blossom in the spring.

Dartmoor Day Two Part Two

After Lopwell Dam, we drove the short way to Buckland Abbey, the home of Sir Francis Drake after the dissolution of the monastries by Henry 8th. Maria was awake during this part of the day and enjoyed Drake's drum and a look at the chickens and the restaurant.

There is a lot of restoration work going on presently and since we last visited, 20 years ago at least, an Elizabethan garden has been excavated and is being planted up with vegetables and herbs.

Dartmoor Day Two

Wednesday was a beautiful day and we were up early to enjoy the sunshine at Lopwell dam where we used to go fishing for flounder. I never caught anything that I remember but spent hours sitting around doing nothing in the middle of nowhere here. It was quite stunning with the light being so bright but the modern world intrudes everywhere; I was asked for a job reference while walking on the banks of the Tavy!

Maria slept most of the way round which wasn't surprising given the excitement of staying somewhere new and all the attention she was getting from people at the B & B.

Dartmoor Day One

We had a few days down in Plymouth from Tuesday to Friday and caught up with family as well as enjoying some of the sites in the area, particularly those I associate with growing up. We had lunch in Drake Circus before going out to see Murdina and family who were off to see Egypt on Thursday as part of Paul's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Then it was a short drive to Chrissie's where the girls got to play, Maria being very taken with Grace, 2, and Lilly, not quite 1.

We had tea with a different sister each evening which worked out well for us! It was champagne for us from Murdina to celebrate what would have been Nat's 19th birthday. That was lovely touch on what is always a difficult day for us.

We stayed at a B & B in Yelverton which was both reasonable but very accommodating with a great vegetarian cooked breakfast. We were made very welcome.