Must have kept my youthfull looks

The other day I was in the supermarket checkout queue and there was a little old lady behind me. I didn't recognise her but when I turned around she "You are Michael arn't you". Surprised I said yes thinking she must know my parents.
She realised I wasn't sure who she was when she explained she was "Diane ----- mother". I was gobsmacked because the Diane she was talking about was someone who was at scholl with me, not at Secondary school but in the Junior school, yes the under 11's, in other words she recognised someone who was at school with her daughter 40 years ago.
So I can't have altered as much as I thought.

Just to confirm my youthfull looks I played my first over 50's Table Tennis competition in Scarborough and much to my delight a couple of the other competitors querried if I was old enough.
Think they were dissapointed I was there cos they fancied their chances and I was ranked above them. For the record I managed to win the age group beating a bloke from Hull in the final. Did ok in the other (younger events), got to the Semi of the Over 40's & the last 8 in the Open age singles plus semi of the doubles.

Anyway thought I better write a post today cos thats it for a fortnight cos I'm away on holiday (with Jane of course). I wish you all well and will catch up on my return to the UK.

Happy Birthday Noddy

Well my first taste of music was in the Glam Rock years of the early 70's and there was only one group and one lead singer that summed up the era.

So Happy 63rd Birthday today to Noddy Holder

Ok I like to Win

Its the time of year I attend the various Presentation evenings of the local Table Tennis Leagues that I play in. Once again I've a few trophys to pick up, the above one's are from the Selby league I also got a few at the York league event.

It led me to think about my personality type and I've come to the conclusion its not just the table tennis but whatever I do I like to win. Reckon if I played a 5 year old at tiddly winks I'd want to win. I've always had a competitive nature and am at my best when someone tells me I can't do something, I love the adrenalin I get from a challenge.

Anyway I'm looking forward to the North/East Yorkshire Championships next weekend, its for players from a number of local leagues (York, Hull, Scarborough, Selby, Rydale, Bridlington, Northallerton & Scarborough). There is a over 50's event and its the first time I've entered something in that age group so I'm really up from the challenge, there are a few good players to beat though.

Taking Responsibility

Question - When does Obama start taking responsibility for what happens on his watch ?

Bloody French

Once again the idoiots from over the water have shown their hate for the British by insulting our Queen and not inviting her to the D Day tribute. I'm not surprised its a nation that still can't get over that fact the Duke of Wellington kicked Napoleons backside for him.

Lets not forget this is the nation of Brit hating snail eating numptys, yes our European partners are the ones that provided arms to Argentina during the Falklands war, burnt our sheep, vetoed us joing the origional EU and never vote for us in the Eurovision song contest.

Back to D Day they seemed to invite everyone thats anyone but not inviting our Queen seems just so delibrate. Why should she be invited, well that is obvious, it was our troops that helped liberate their country and the rest of europe. We would certainly be living in a different Europe today if we hadn't.

What part did we play in the D Day landings, well among the allies we were the ones that provided most troops (despite Hollywood pictures giving a different impression) a fact that France seems to have wrote out of their history books taught in schools.

Anyway it is irrelevant many brave men gave their lives to help save Europe so with tomorrow been June 6th I reckon we should remember them all Brits, Americans, Canadians, Aussies, Poles, Dutch & any more I've forgotten.

Another Cosy Weekend

Just had a nice (cosy) weekend away with my friend Jane, we had 4 days (and nights) together and again it went well.

Friday we travelled down and met in the town we were staying Banbury which is in the cotswolds. Our hotel was a medium sized one (23 rooms) the staff were very nice, it was a very old building with plenty of charactor (& creaking floorboards, lol).

Friday night we ate at an Italian restaurant called Fabios, it was excellent, I had Chicken and Jane had Lasagne we both followed this up with Cheesecake. Which reminds me "Cheesecake" is Janes new nickname but I wont go into why.

Saturday we spent our day wandering around Banbury, it was market day so plenty to look at. On the night we ate at our hotels restaurant, we both had Steak Pie in Ale Gravy, I must say it was excellent. After the meal we toured few Pubs most were old world type places it was nice.

Sunday we checked out of our hotel & had a drive around the cotswolds visiting some small town including "Shipston on stour" & "Moreton in Marsh". Eventually we made our way to our next hotel which was in Northamptonshire. It was a 4 star leisure hotel with its own Spa & golf course.

Part of our deal was for dinner on the first night so we ate in the hotel restaurant, it was really nice we both went a Pate starter followed by Belly Pork with crackling. Ok I'll put my hands up and admit we also had a small sweet (cheesecake again).

Monday we went for a hike around the hotel grounds which included woods, 12 lakes and a golf course. It was really nice apart from some parts were a little overgrown so at times it was like a jungle.

In the afternoon I had a go on a golf simulator (and will point out birded the 3rd at Pebble Beach). Afterwards we had a game of tenpin bowling, I think Jane had been practising weeks but she still couldn't match my natural talent, lol.

Monday night we had a drive out to a country Pub and had a traditional Pub meal, we both went for Fillet steak it was very nice, must admit I like country Pubs they have a real relaxed atmosphere.

After booking out of the hotel tuesday we had a drive into Daventry, a quick walk around town followed by a coffee before eventually saying our goodbyes.

Well just over 4 weeks to our next trip when we are going to Chicago, Im really looking forward to it.


Here are a few photos from our trip :-

Banbury -

Banbury Canal -

Banbury Cross -

Fine Lady on a cock horse & in front of it(Banbury famous statue) -

Banbury Market -

Shipston on Stour -

Moreton in Marsh -

Hellidon Lakes -

Hellidon Lakes Hotel -

Has anyone else noticed this ?

Don't know if this is just a sick coincidence but....

2007 - Chinese year of the Chicken - Bird Flu Pandemic devastates parts of Asia

2008 - Chinese year of the Horse - Equine Influenza decimates Australian horse racing

2009 - Chinese year of the Pig - Swine Flu Pandemic kills hundreds of pigs around the globe.

Has anyone else noticed this???!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Could it get worse????


2010 - Chinese year of the Cock - what could possibly go wrong? !!

How Blue can you get ?

Well today I reckon I've got the blues

Today is the day that the governments scheme to get people buying new cars and help the car industry comes into operation. The scheme involves giving anyone with a car over 10 years old £2,000 off the price of a new one if they scrap the old banger.

Sure some people will think great but not me because it doesn't help me and thousands like me, in fact I'd goes as far as saying the majority of the population will be worse off.
Well my car is 4 years old, I usually part exchange it when it gets to about 5years old, of course this great government innitiative as today devalued all 2nd hand cars of that sort of age. Its normally the people that have old bangers that buy cars 5 or 6 years old like mine, of course today they are all buying new, nobody will want mine.
So I'm left with the choice of taking a financial hit or keeping my car and running it into the ground.

Now I think the government should do this sort of deal for household appliances, you may have guessed I'm a bit pissed off. Today I put some washing on and half way through my washing machine decided it wanted to die, didn't go quietly though a real crash and bang.
Not really looked at it much yet but it looks like the motor (not sure what caused it), reckon a repair will cost between £100 & £120 where I can get a new washer for about twice as much. I'm deciding which is the best option, I know a repair is cheaper but its an oldish machine and I'm thinking it'll only be a matter of time before something else goes wrong. Maybe new one is the best option but I'll strip it first in case its a easier repair than I expect.

Then of course there are other matters like Leeds United losing in the play offs (& scumchester won the league), my foot is hurting (gout) and before anyone asks I haven't lost weight this week.

Anyway I'm gonna finish with a suitable song "How Blue Can you get" its by BB King and a classic (maybe it'll cheer me up)



Ok life isn't totally bad, I'm going away this coming weekend with my friend Jane, we are away 4 days and I'm really looking forward to it.

Best Accoustic Guitar Solo Ever ?

And on a 12 string guitar :-

Hello

It seems quite awhile since I wrote a blog article so thought I'd update everyone with whats happening in my life.

First on the weight loss front I'm sort of holding my own (so nothing changed there), Meals are going to plan but I've still got the age old problem of doing well all day but surredering to the hunger in the evening, not every day though. Think I need another push, maybe I should write on here exactly what I eat & drink at least that way I'm accountable & you lot can criticise when I fail.

Did a idiot thing last week, put the washing on & my MP3 player was in my shirt pocket. So now I've got the cleanest MP3 player in town and luckily after 2 days on the radiator its still working.

My love life is going well with Jane, we have really hit it off, I've got strong feelings for her & it seems she feels a similar way. Although its difficult us living at opposite ends of the country things seem to be moving forward at a fair rate of knotts. Our next get together is in 2 weeks time, I'm really looking forward to it.

Playing TT tonight, its the local league (York) knockout semi final, we've already sealed the league championship so are on course for the double. If we win the final is Friday night. There is a Presentation evening the following Friday, I'll be going to collect my trophies.

Last Friday I went out in Leeds for a meal with a few ex workmates, it was a good night. Went to a restaurant/Bar called "Tiger Tiger". I had a Mixed Grill which was nice (ok not good for the diet but it was a special occasion. Later we went to a Club but to be honest it wasn't my scene, think the music they play in Clubs nowadays is crap (showing my age).

Finally got to say good luck to Leeds United, my team again have reached the play offs and hopfully this year we will go all the way. Our form going into these matches is good so confidence will be high.
We've got them nice friendly people from South/East London "Millwall" in the two legged semi final. First leg is down at their place next Saturday then the return in Leeds on Thursday. The fans of these Clubs don't like each other so given the history between them the Police are only allowing the away teams 1,000 tickets.
If we win we'll play either MK Dons or Scunthorpe in the final.