Saturday, July 31, 2010

Crossing Windermere








We had a half hour cruise across Windermere from Bowness to Ambleside with the intention of catching a bus out to Grasmere from there. It was a day when the light would have tested all the skills of landscape painters, patches of light brightening the enveloping gloom. The rain held off still but the weather helped 'toughen' up the appearance of the hills sliding into the lake.

It was then on to Grasmere, home to Dove Cottage where William Wordsworth lived in the early 19th Century little realising that his work would torment me as an A Level student almost 200 years later. Somehow I feel had he known, he wouldn't have written some of the poems as he would have had some sympathy for struggling schoolboys. There aren't many young men who will admit being moved by a poem about daffodils. Perhaps Morrisey but that's about it.

Friday, July 30, 2010

The Lake District






Alison, Maria and I arrived at Windermere yesterday at lunchtime, much earlier than we'd anticipated thanks to Maria getting us up at 5a.m. which meant we set off some 5 hours earlier than expected. The beneift of that was to help us avoid traffic on the 317 mile drive which allowed us to arrive shortly before 11.30, just the six hours ahead of when we'd told our hosts we'd be arriving.

The first stop was the Lake District Visitor Centre with a lovely adventure playground and colourful gardens followed by a drive to Ambleside where we sat by Windermere impressed by the lush greenery which was out of keeping with the harsh slopes I'd expected. The local environment was far less like Dartmoor or the Highlands tahn I'd anticipated but it was nonetheless very impressive.

Today we started out by walking to Bowness shortly before 9 and avoided the threatened rain as we wound our way past the dry stone walls and slate buildings toward the centre of the town and Beatrix Potter World.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Sparkshop update atumun cup

It was a balmy evening in Wimborne despite the late kick off as we started the next incarnation of the 7 a side cup, the competition with no discernible format. We were in our first game whilst the quarter finals of the summer cup were in full swing and were pitched against the team we'd beaten 2 - 0 a few weeks previously.

Line up

DAVE in goal
DOUGIE DOM in defence
PHIL PETE MATT in the middle
RICH IAIN in attack

It was a very good game for us despite only winning 2 - 1 on the night which turned into a draw with the goal advantage the opposition started out with. They are the kind of team we were always well matched with in the past but we seem to have progressed and played some quality football at times, particularly in the first half.

Dave created the first goal with a quick release which set Rich free to set up Phil with a great pass. He smacked the ball in with confidence and was quick to return the favour with a superb ball after a strong run down the right bringing together a flowing move full of controlled passing. The ball played inside released Rich in the area and he kept his remarkable scoring record going with a neat finish to the far corner.

It's not always been the kind of football we've been associated with but there were some genuinely good moments which threatened more goals throughout the game. It was an unfortunate goal we conceded but it didn't really take the gloss off a fine performance.

Continuing the film reviews from last time with Inception, we went to see Toy Story 3 yesterday and it is just as good as the first two. Very funny in places with stand out performances from Mr Potato Head and Barbie and Ken. Having seen plenty of comparisons between Wayne Rooney and the animated vegetable, Mr Potato Head looks better than Wayne Rooney to be fair. He also had an equally effective World Cup.

Finally, have a look at stinkyriver.co.uk for a fine read full of detailed descriptions of new Matt's journey around Europe. If you enjoy castles, it's the place to go. There is a lot more to it than castles but they do get a few mentions.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Glen's prom






Glen had his prom a couple of weeks back and is pictured with his mate, Rob, and Bridie. With exams out the way he has got himself a busking licence and today earned £15 in 3 hours in Poole. If you want to see and hear him sing, go to You Tube and type in Glen Salmon. He isn't the footballer but is the fifth video down.

Football update

It's been quite a while since the last update but truth to be told, there have not been many victories to report although the food in the Pye has been excellent post-match.

Starting with games, we drew 1 - 1 in the cup last week with new Matt hitting the bar with a deflected shot which fell obligingly to myself to head home and lost last night in a league match which saw us stumble to a 3 - 1 defeat.

It would be a lie to say it was unmerited but it was a spirited performance against a useful side who were able to break quickly and exploit an increasingly noticeable lack of pace at the back. Looking well out of it at three down, we did hit back to score as new boy Craig threaded a nicely weighted ball into my feet allowing me to turn and hit home.

You'll have noticed a changing line up were you in the crowd. Last night we took to the field with Rich in goal, Dom, Dave and Craig at the back, Phil and Matt C in the middle and me up front. Dougie was otherwise detained, as was 4 pint Pete and in the big news, new Matt is now old Matt. He has left for adventures abroad in his converted van which has all the conveniences you could wish for in a home.

He'll be missed enormously as spaceships are not easy to come by but he has left a legacy of goals on which to feast the memory. First Kev, now Matt. Truly the end of an era. What does the future hold for the boys in Dundee Utd white? I'll try to keep you updated.

In the meantime don't forget to check out old Matt's blog to keep up to date with his travels. Use the link below to visit the attractively named 'Stinky River'.

www.stinkyriver.co.uk/

One final thing - go and see Inception - great film.

Rain, endless rain

I often moan about the weather in this blog and I am afraid today is going to be more of the same. In fact yesterday I managed to dodge the ...