Midlands Visit 2012-1

I commenced my second 73rd birthday celebration weekend in succession at seven in the morning without a plan for the time before travelling to the Midlands with the aim of arriving at 3pm the earliest booking in time without paying a premium.

My first reaction was to decide to undertake some writing until nine but on inserting the new USB storage device to transfer any work completed from desktop to lap top for continued working I discovered an application for debugging and speedy up operations and this eventually required me to reboot having closed down the desktop overnight.

I used the process time to sort out the dried washing up and prepared a food bag for the trip after putting out the general rubbish. The food bag is only for emergencies except for a prawn salad en route as otherwise there are four three main meals out including one combined with a theatre visit, possibly four or with one in doors so to speak plus two other meals provided, I have access to a microwave for the breakfasts of mushrooms and tomatoes and or porridge. There was one hiccup in that I put the general Wheelie out before taking the shells off the prawns, always a messy process, and the heads stink out the house waste bin if left for only a couple of days.

I decide to write until about nine, then pack and then vacuum the floors and wash the day room and kitchen floors which is a bit like wearing clean underclothes whenever one leaves the house in case one has an accident or becomes ill and requires medical care. I take the decision to leave around eleven to eleven thirty.

Last night I enjoyed the third and last of three Master Chef Final programmes because the individual I liked most won. Most of the time I fail to comprehend the ingredients used or appreciate the emphasis on balanced flavours and the complex process involved under time pressure plus the extraordinary presentations are mind boggling. Earlier in the week the winner was preparing starters which included truffles at 90 Euros’s each individual plate. Next week I will begin the Leveson reporting again which will include the detailed examination of expensive hospitality offered by journalists from various newspapers.

There were two other programmes enjoyed last night although I used the fast forward button going through American Idol which should have reduced the number of contestants by one but where in fact another was eliminated because of warrants for his arrest after giving not once false particulars but several times and having been identified from his stage appearances and having failed to disclose to the programme makers there was no alternative but to expel him and wish him well and this was followed with photos of him leaving to be picked up by the appropriate authorities.

The main viewing was a catch up on the Sopranos which I hope to cover before departure. As the series has progressed into its penultimate series the violent departure of Tony’s closest allies continued coupled with the disintegration of his family life. The fourth episode of the season commenced with the elimination of the New York couple caught up the war between the three rivals trying to take control of the Carmine crime family interests

The fate of Tony’s wife Carmela was much to the fore as she decided she no longer wished to cope with her son A.J ( Anthony Junior) and then embark on an affair she has previously verged at the brink, with a Priest, and two associates, the last being Furio who Tony is now having Italy scoured to bring retribution for having dared to fancy his wife. Carmela’s problem remains that of Catholic guilt and living off the proceeds of violent crime together with living with a man who has regular sex with the girls at the strip club and also attempts less clinical relationships with any woman who takes his fancy and reciprocates interest. About the only thing in favour of Tony is that he is not violent towards women, surprising given the way his mother treated him.

Son AJ continues to show all the signs of following his father and has become your average teenage scumbag, lying, cheating, make use of everyone to further his interests. This time in All Happy Families he is told to go and stay with his sister after a concert in New York City and not with his friends in a city hotel. Meadow is not enthusiastic as she is with her boyfriend so when AJ telephones to make excuse she covers for him and he and his mates get drunk and do drugs with the outcome that he wakes up with his face stuck to the carpet and his eyebrows shave off. When he uses the F word she decides to pack him off to Tony.

Having got Meadow into college she has the same ambitions for A.J who shows every indication of having no ability or interest. When his grades are below the minimum requirements for entry the parents are summoned to the Principal of the High School and he and Carmela have an instant sexual attraction so she accepts an invitation for a private lunch and later dinner.

Being Carmela she discusses her growing carnal desire with the latest priest who understandably advises against sin and suggests they talk the situation over with Tony. She cannot accept the strictures drawing attention that to her husband’s continuing infidelities in addition to his criminal activities which she feels are being sanctioned by the church.

A passionate sexual relationship develops in episode six of the season, Sentimental Education, in which the Principal leans on the Grade’s Director to fix it so that AG gets the minimum required. Understandably the Principal feels guilty about allowing his sexual passion to override his professional integrity and when Carmela begins to exert more pressure this time on helping to get AJ into a good college, he snaps and breaks off the relationship. Carmela who had briefly warned him about the implications of a relationship if Tony found out does not take the rejection well and utters a threatening warning.

Meanwhile AJ has quickly tired of being with Tony and pleads with his mother to return home. Earlier Tony has bought AJ the latest four wheel drive jeep vehicle built like a tank after hearing that a couple of kids from the High School were killed joy riding. AJ is told he can take the car out once and then it will remain in the garage with his mother holding the keys until he improves his grades. AJ’s solution is to cheat.

Tony is not coping well without a regular woman and he sends Dr Melfi a large basket of toiletries suggesting he wants to return as her patient. She discusses the development with her therapist and he suggest Tony is attempting a cleansing so as to start again. She is upset because the letter with the delivery indicates that he continues to blame her for what happened. He eventually apologies, profusely, and she takes him back as a patient where he admits his attraction to Christopher’s woman Adriana.

What I had no appreciated before is that her club is located in New York City and which perhaps explain why Tony and his crew use the office at the club to conduct meetings and other business under the misguided belief that as Adriana has no criminal previous the Feds would not be interested in her and therefore in them meeting there. It was when Tony and his crew were using the office for a private Poker game that attention of the group is focussed on what a desirable creature is Adriana. When Tony arrives one evening to use the office she is taking a snort of cocaine and invites Tony to join her. They talk and she admits she wishes he had been her father because of his kindness and understanding

Dr Melfi is pleased when Tony talks of his attraction before getting involved which she tells him is a sign of growing insight and maturity. As when Carmela discusses her situation with the priest and others she lists all the arguments against involvement but is seeking permission and approval. In Tony’s instance he subsequently makes his way to the club late evening bumping into his daughter Meadow who is there with boyfriend and other college friends who comment about her father’s commitment having said he has an office in the building (episode Irregular Around the Margins.)

Adriana is pleased to see him and expresses the wish that she could do a line of cocaine and Tony says he is not adverse so he drives her to her family home neighbourhood when she knows someone who can supply them. There is every indication given the lateness of the hour that a physical relationship is also on the agenda, However they have a major accident and while Tony escapes without a scratch she is badly bruised on her face and neck caused by the car seat belt. However that Tony was not injured but she was, becomes the immediate cause for gossip that she had been going down to him while he was driving. Just about everyone is laughing at the concept.

By coincidence Christopher had been sent away overnight on a job for Tony and when he returns he quickly learns of what is being said and goes ballistic. He collects the injured Adriana from the hospital and then beats her up and goes looking for Tony. In truth Adriana was being nice to Tony under pressure from the Feds to find out what he and his crew were using the Club for. She had also been suffering from irritable bowel syndrome brought on by stress which had not helped with her sexual and general relations with Christopher. She had become vulnerable and open to anyone paying her nice attentions, something which Tony has capability.

When Christopher goes for Tony the crew take him to a deserted spot with the intention of whacking him however Christopher reluctantly accept the explanation. They hijack the emergency doctor when he is coming off shift in order to convince Tony further. He takes his cousin, the one training to become a professional masseur who gets the doctor to admit that the injuries were consistent with those from a car seat belt. In order to cement the understanding Tony takes Carmela, Christopher Adriana, and a couple of others out for meal at a result where other crew members including the principal gossip, a fellow captain are also having a meal by prior arrangement. The gossip comes over to greet Tony’s party and he and Christopher shake hands. However there is every indication that bridges have been burnt, the die has been cast, etc.

My immediate memory is of two other stories. Tony is increasingly irritated by the behaviour of released from prison crime boss Feech La Manna who is always dominating conversation with tales of his past exploits. Because of his improved insight and a comment by Carmela Tony has been alerted that his crew humour him because he is the boss and they are afraid of they can do. She feels this is the same of the wives towards her. This is partly why she feels isolated and hankers for a meaningful relationship.

In addition to the garden work incident Feech does a deal with Johnny Sacks, the former New York Underboss who is part of the three way fight for control of the Carmine family interests. The daughter of the Jewish doctor and gambling group member is marrying and at the wedding Feech and his crew bring a car transporter and their weapons and load up the most expensive cars in the pound. The doctor appeals to Tony to find out those responsible and if he can rescue the vehicles. When Feech is summoned he brings Tony a cut saying that he got a better deal from Johnny than Tony would have offered using his joint operation with the Russians and Sicilians.

Tony discusses the situation with his associates and decides that he will not make the same mistake as before in giving people chances and will nip the situation in the bud. His advisers suggest a different approach to whacking him. Christopher calls one day on Feech to bring a bespoke suit he had promised. They are invited to drink wine with peaches but Christopher explains that they have to take some hot large flat screen TV’s to a garage. Feech cannot resist rising to the bait and offers them the use of his own garage lock up for a fee. His Parole officer supervisor arrives having been tipped off and demands to see inside his garage. We see Feech on his way from court back to prison where presumably he will now have a further long stretch to complete his originals sentence and contemplate revenge.

The other story also concerns another of the parolee’s, Tony’s cousin. He works hard at the Chinese Laundry and at gaining his professional Masseurs certificate. His boss is impressed with his effort that he offers to set him with his own business. His wife is delighted with his rehabilitation and in the first episode the couple with their two sons are invited to use the pool at the former Family home of Tony and Carmela although he is present for the event. Their new life is short lived. Tony the cousin finds $12000 and starts to gamble heavily at night as well as working to prepare the premises owned by his former boss and now partner. When the couple row and the partner visits Tony’s anger spills over and he beats the man up thus ending the relationship. In the final scene we see him meeting with boss Tony asking if the job Tony had mentioned with the crew is still open.

I did not set off until after 11.30 so hungry pulled into a lay by after leaving Ryhope and before joining the A19 and enjoyed salad although with the portion small I was quickly hungry as the day progressed. I resisted the temptation to snack and my intention of losing another stone before the end of the cricket season commences in earnest.

The rest of the journey continued without incident although there congested traffic in the opposite direction in the area before Nottingham. I stopped for a comfort break and a drink from a can of Pepsi brought with me. I only consumed part of the can before depositing in the bin. The traffic from the A 38 M1 turn off towards Mansfield was busy with mid Friday afternoon traffic.

I arrived at the Travel Lodge just before the start of Cheltenham Gold Cup. I have only ever been to one live horse race, the Epson Derby taking my bike when fifteen or sixteen and to a Point to Point even earlier in which a relative was riding. I had switched from listening to a double CD on the music associated with the John Thaw Police Detective Programme Morse only to find the Film reviews were only available on Digital or the Podcast with Five Live devoted to Cheltenham. I have mentioned that in the new Sky series Luck with Dustin Hoffman, a trackside syndicate had won over $2 million with a an accumulator. Some at Cheltenham, a visiting Irish man had won over £1 million with a five horse accumulator win which had ended with combined odds of 163000 to 1.

Running in the big race of the week, the Gold Cup was a horse who had won the race in the previous two seasons, a feat not accomplished before. I listened to the race in car as arriving at the site there was no time to book in and turn on the TV. The horse was second favourite but was pulled up unharmed before the half way mark in the race.

I then went to the convenience store for a new can of shaving gel and a new pack of disposable razors. Although I had shaved I looked and my face felt that I had not. I had been experience this for several days now which I believe was due to a cheap supermarket brand form can. Certainly using the gel and a new razor I looked and felt better. The two items had only cost £2.83.

I unpacked and set up the computer before going to a restaurant for an arranged meal. My companion for the evening was delayed so I had opportunity to watch a large number of early evening diners arrive. The place offer two two course meals for £9 during the day, previously £8 for several years, if taken weekdays before 5 otherwise it is one of those two for one restaurants where the main courses cost between £9 and £15 if ordered on ones own so it is inevitable people come in groups with a large percentage of families. Although located along a countryside main road with only villages in the area it is very popular at weekends and there were few tables available when my companion arrived. However the establishment is well staffed and organised. I enjoyed a large chicken breast crown smothered in barbecue sauce, with coleslaw, corn on the Cob and potato chips, with a Pepsi while I waited and good American coffee afterwards. Back at the Travel Lodge I enjoyed another coffee. Across the way there is a Bakery that provides Bacon rolls in the mornings except Sundays but now the Lodge is offering Hot Panini’s and Muffins on a 24 hours service at £3. I resisted and will continue to do so over the weekend.

Tomorrow there is a prebooked pre theatre meal and evening show so I had hoped to go to bed late and have a good night’s sleep in order not to tire during the show. As I am finishing this off in the middle of the night the plan has so far gone awry

Autumn London 2011

Over six months ago I failed to find inexpensive accommodation on the South East Coast for Durham’s visit to Sussex and took a punt on the possibility of the County Cricket Club reaching the final of the latest version of the one day competition final at Lords. I was able to book three nights at the Croydon Central Travel Lodge which is located about 100 meters from the East Croydon Railway station. The cost of the accommodation was £19 for 2 night and £9 for the Sunday (£47 in total) exceptional value as it covered the weekend Friday and Saturday nights which are usually the premium rates of the week.

On arrival on Friday afternoon the allocated room was on the second floor, one level above the reception counter, the bar and restaurant and as with wheelchair room previously occupied it was ginormous with three double windows instead of the usual one. The space between the end of the double bed and the desk at the wall was longer than the length of the double bed. It was a great room and I slept well.

Durham did not make the Final on the Saturday losing to Somerset but Surrey, the cricket club from my childhood which had won the County Championship for six years in succession with the likes of the PBH May, The Bedser Twins and Tony Lock, were crowning what was becoming the best year in a long while with their appearance in the Lord’s Final.

I was tempted to attend but hesitated about getting myself a ticket because holding the game in mid September was speculative in terms of the weather conditions and Somerset having narrowly missed out on the County Championship last year and losing the two one day final competitions, and losing out again this year’s 20.20 finals day appeared destined to prove the team with the greater need to win.

When I returned from a family visit on the Saturday I watched the highlights on TV and learned that Somerset failed again. I noticed the large unoccupied areas and that the match had been interrupted on three occasions by rain. There had been heavy rain at least once where I had been so I had made the right decision and although I was pleased that Surrey had won my loyalty is now firmly with Durham although this is not say I might transfer that loyalty should my domestic circumstances change.

Somerset won the toss in the sunshine of the morning but none of their star batsmen, including captain Marcus Trescothick, could make an innings of substance after getting off to a good start. He was out for 15 from 17, Kieswetter 16 from 23, Trego 16 from 14 and Compton 26 from 41. It was left to young England batsman wicket keeper Josh Taylor to make a spirited 86 from 72 including two sixes and seven fours to enable Somerset to achieve an unremarkable 214.

Surrey still celebrating from their promotion to the first division as runners up to Middlesex was not going to be denied from getting their first silverware for eight years. Captain Hamilton Brown opened the innings and was only defeated by a brilliant throw from none other than young Taylor, out in the field, as Kieswetter is the sides number one wicket keeper, when 78 from 62 with seven fours and one six

Because of the rain instead of batting the full 40 overs Surrey were allocated a run chase in 30 overs under the Duckworth Lewis scoring system. Although Somerset took five wickets in all, Surrey reached their target as De Bruyn, previously of Somerset, hit 17 of 20 and Spriegel 24 from 16 with fifteen balls to spare. After watching the highlights I read little before going off to sleep.

The weekend had commenced well as I had managed to get the journey from Newcastle to London for £15 (plus postage £1 (£64) Moreover the train commenced from Newcastle so taking the first eligible Metro train at 9,30 and arriving at 10 am the train arrived soon after I reached the platform and after waiting ten minutes for the reservation tickets to be inserted in the appropriate seats I was able to get one of two free tables in the adjacent carriage close to the entrance and the luggage compartment. Although I could have used the lap top to write I decided on the notebook preparing for my next published piece on the concluding episodes of the fourth series Torchwood, Miracle Day which was finished over the weekend and published immediately on return to South Shields.

I also decided to read the two unread George Gently novels, among the first five of the 46 in the series which ended in 1999, and which had commenced in 1944.I had been given three for Christmas and it had taken time to overcome my disappointment as understandably the author, Ian Hunter who came from Norfolk and spent his life in East Anglia had set the majority of his novels there. Part of the attraction for me was the setting of the first three series in Tyneside and Northumbria and the two episodes of the 2011 series in County Durham and North Yorkshire. The TV series features Martin Shaw a man of considerable individuality although after reading the two novels, Gently Down Stream and Gently on the Shore I can see the links with the original character except I am not sure if Martin Shaw ever sucked the Peppermint Creams which the book man buys by the one pound weight with great regularity. I will write a separate piece on the TV series and the two books later in the week.

The journey to Kings Cross was uneventful with the table only shared by a mother and daughter going out for the day in York from Northalerton. I enjoyed a purchased chicken, bacon and pasta salad together with a belated delivered to the table coffee from the Trolley £1.50 and £1.99 illustrating the mark up for coffee (£67.49).

However the chaotic situation at Kings Cross station is a different story with barriers now installed for platforms 1-8 and everywhere the showing signs of the rebuilding and modernization. I will detail the developments in relation to the return journey. I made the mistake of going to lift on the new entrance to the Underground train system which meant taking the moving stairs with the luggage to reach the main concourse for St Pancras at the read of the restored station which is the desirable route only if it is raining. The best way is to go along the platform of the National Trains and out at the side where here are also the platforms to the Regional services and then cross the new and main concourse.

I just missed the next train to London Bridge, East Croydon and onto Brighton but found a platform seat until the next train arrived and then enjoyed the sight of the latest sky scrapper in the City, reflecting on the business man earlier on the journey south had taken a seat across the aisle at York and was constantly on the phone or using his Tablet and mentioned two and half million at five percent on one call, such is the life others lead.

The walk from my house to the station at South Shields, then between to the London terminals and then down the hill from East Croydon station to the Travel Lodge all brought to the fore my increase in weight and that I get out of breadth quickly pulling the case on wheels with the rucksack on top. The weight problem would hamper what I was to do over the weekend. I have to meet this challenge now more difficult because of the additional year since the last effort.

After unpacking and setting up the computer to confirm the times of the three films I hoped to experience over the weekend I enjoyed the first of two lots of oriental style chicken wings £2.50 (69.99) before setting off back to the East Croydon station and Victoria. The previous evening I had added £15 (84.99) to my Oyster card which registered only 50 pence and where I received an email reminding that the addition would only be activated when I used the card at one of the Yellow card readers and ensure that the light turned green as well as remembering to touch down the card at the end of the journey. Back at East Croydon Station I was unsure if I had correctly used the card and checked with an assistant who reassured that I was OK. It was only when the train set off that I realized I had left my Cineworld Vouchers in the hotel which meant I had to return which would add to the costs of the travel and be rush for the start of the performance. I opted to pay and to go to the Cineworld at Wandsworth getting off at Clap ham Junction and taking one of several bus routes immediately outside the station.

Opting for the stop after Wandsworth Town Hall where I once played Chess on behalf of Croydon Borough Council I went to buy a can of Pepsi at store I have used before on the way from the next stop back to the shopping centre in which is located the Cineworld. Unfortunate I selected a cherry flavoured diet can by mistake and which tasted gross 65p (£85.64) so after a few large mouthfuls I binned the can in the nearest street container for trash. The film I saw was Tinker Tailor, Soldier Spy £6.60 (£91.24) about which I shall write a piece together with my reactions to the first episode of the last series of Spooks.

On the way back to Clapham Junction I noted two pairs of the Police men and women at the main entrance of the station although it is possible that one pair was replacing the other as they moved down the street. It was on Saturday evening that I saw the boarded area that was once Reeves Corner and then on Sunday morning went for look on foot. There was no sign of the rioting at Clapham apart from the police presence. On that first evening in Croydon a helicopter flew over the town centre for several minutes and appeared to make several circuits while the sirens of police/emergency vehicles was heard over a period of over half an hour. I did not go out to observe.

At the M and S at Clapham Junction station I purchased two packs of 4 Pain-aux-raisins £3 (94.24) enjoying two on return with one possibly two cups of coffee during the rest of the evening and also thirsty went to reception where the machine selling cold cans of Pepsi £19 was out of order so I had to purchase a bottle which I drank in the seating area £1.60 (£95.84).

On Saturday I woke early and decided write the piece on Torchwood and became so engrossed that after dressing and sorting out the room I was late for the planned visit to the house and its family with whom I had been raised as a child. I could have caught one of the three buses from a stop close to the Travel Lodge but decided I need some cash as I was paying for the lunch out and was weary about relying just on a Credit card. There was a TSB branch across the road at the Whitgift centre where I withdrew £50.

I then made my way to the bus station from all three buses departed and he first to arrive took the circle route around the once infamous London overspill Roundshaw Estate, passing the large St Elphege Primary school which had been created because of the estate from its site, now a private child nursery centre where it had been a Preparatory school a short walk across one then quiet road from where I lived. My closest cousin in age had been taught to write and simple arithmetic by mother as was the youngest in the family who was born several years after us. The circular route has been changed with the inclusion of one way passing points to slow down movement.

The other thing I noticed is that quite young children appeared to be getting on and of the bus just for one stop unaccompanied. Because I also had a query about the deductions made on the Oyster card I have just sent over half an hour checking the present fares and concessions operating in Greater London and discovered that children under 11 can now travel on buses for free unaccompanied and without having to have a card although they are asked to have age verification if at the borderline. They can also travel free on the Underground and train if accompanied by an adult.

The Oyster card on line system is excellent as one can get a list of all journeys made and the prices charged. I could not understand that it had only cost £2.60 with the card to St Pancras but £2.90 about half the distance to Clapham Junction. This is because the time of travel was during the evening rush hour 16-19 and is charged at the higher rate. I also had not had a confirmed check out at East Croydon so was charged £4.40 instead of £2. Having digested all the latest information I will forget by the time I next visit.

For lunch we went to the Toby Carvery at Park place where I enjoyed a large helping of roast beef with roast potatoes cauliflower and broccoli, braised onions and mushrooms followed by a lemon ice cream and accompanied by unlimited diet Pepsi. There were surprisingly fewer people present than anticipated. The final tally for 3 adults was £28.71 plus tip £3 (£127.55)

In the evening I watch an episode of Dr Who, then the X Factor and then the cricket. I also eat the second carton of oriental style chicken wings £2.50 (£130.05) two cups of coffee and one of the pains-aux raisins having eaten another also with two cups of coffee for breakfast. I nearly went for a cold drink but went without.

Tired I went early to bed and to sleep but woke alert in he middle of the night, did some writing and went back to bed and to sleep. I remained uncertain what I would do on the Sunday. It was London Open House that weekend with hundreds of places to visit not usually open to public inspection. I was tempted to visit the new shopping centre at Stratford and see if one could get close to the Olympic Park. However my main interest remained the latest Almodovar film and I was aware that prolonged walking might prove too great a challenge, I would sleep on it!

Having gone back to bed after waking and writing it was after seven when I roused myself to discover a bright but cloudy Sunday morning in Croydon. I enjoyed a coffee with a pain-au-raisin twice, immediately on waking and then before going out for the day. I made three decisions. I would go and see the latest Almodovar film showing in the Haymarket at 15.20 and I would travel by bus stopping in Brixton for lunch.

On my way back from the visit to relatives in Wallington the previous evening the bus had passed by the site of the former Reeves Corner main furniture store, now demolished following the fire and surrounded by boarded up so my third decision on leaving the Travel Lodge was to walk straight down the road which passed the Wetherspoons’ (open and full of early Sunday drinkers), the side entrance to Alders and the entrance to the now pedestrianised High Street, along passed the entrance to Surrey Street continuing down the hill passing the closed indoor market, Argos and directly onto Reeves Corner looking for signs of the rioting.

In fact as I been advised by the relatives the damaged centred on Reeves Corner, an adjacent pub which was externally damaged to one of its two fronts although evidently closed and a short row of properties the other side of the Reeves main building from which the dramatic shot of the woman jumping for her life from one of the flats above had been taken. This is at one edge of the Corydon shopping area. And while I did not go along to South Croydon where the restaurants are located I did travel along the continuation of the High Street through to Streatham and Brixton and apart from closed shops through lack of trade there was no immediate indication of fire damaged premises. Apart from Reeves corner the only change noticed was that the main street entrance to the Travel Lodge was closed with the entrance tucked away at the back.
At Reeves Corner I took a bus to the station and from there found the queue for the 109 which goes along the main highway to Brixton. I have travelled on this bus before noting the mixture of races and the absence of English Language among those who are of white skin. Sunday mid morning was a very different situation although almost from the first stop at West Croydon the bus was full and during the journey it remained full but emptied and refilled at least half a dozen times and while on a previous journey during a weekday I counted just over 100 arrivals and departures of adults, there must have several hundred between 300 to 400 at a rough guess. There were people well dressed in their Sunday best for church or clutching several bags of supermarket shopping or on a visit or meet up with someone. There were families with prams and on the way back one mother with a pram and one child struggle to get her buggy along another where a father with pram and child were already sitting.

Oh to be a parent again! I do not believe that children were so uncontrolled in my day and until recent decades. There were two examples which come to mind. In the morning of the previous day after I had moved back from seat close to the entrance to enable a grandmother to sit with her daughter alongside the pram. The child was awake and enjoyed the contact with her relatives without express any desire to be taken up and sit with them.

A second mother with pram joined the bus towards the end of he Roundshaw circle and she also had a toddler who ignoring her strictures rushed upstairs and could be heard running to a seat at back. The mother had to locate the pram securely and then go upstairs and drag her protesting infant down. The child refused to stand with the mother and then when the grand mother who had taken my seat also moved back the child refused to sit on the lap of her mother demanding a seat of her own. It seemed to me that the mother had lost control of her child if she had ever gained it.

A large West Indian Lady arrived on the bus so that standing in the passage way in the bus it was difficult for anyone else to pass by, The mother was determined to find herself a seat and seemed to have no regard for her two children one of whom the girl was full of beans as they say and talkative and the situation provoked a conversation between the two strangers in front and other raised eyebrows near by. Then there was the father alighting from the bus with his pram and another child also looking full of weekend out of school life but completely in control and clearly enjoying having the children with him on his own.

However the overriding impact of the experience was to be impressed because despite the crush which I suspect was normal for the time of day everyone appeared of good humour and chatting to those who were friends or family. The languages were various, African, Spanish and central European as well as English, The age range was also wide but the distance travelled were short with myself the only individual downstairs to make the full journey. The journey took at least 45 minutes because of stopping at every stop, and the time taken for passengers to leave and to arrive. Almost no one paid cash for their journey

It is decades since I visited the Brixton markets. Unfortunately the three covered arcades are closed on Sundays:- Reliance Arcade, Market Row and Granville arcade now called Brixton Village Fortunately the vast open fronted shops of the Victorian Terraces of Electric Avenue were open (Eddie Grant song). Electric Avenue was the first street market lit by electricity previously Popes Lane (?).And the depths of some of stores resemble mini markets and the circular road way commences a block from the railway bridge and just before Cold Harbour Lane and then continues back to the overhead railway. While the area is dominated by West Indian and African foods and goods West Indian groceries outnumbered the African here with their huge piles of sweet potatoes and yams and various colourful fruits and vegetables. I noted packs of half dozen large red sweet peppers for £1. There are also meat and fish stores with barrels of recently caught ungutted fish and pots and pans and everything one needs for the household. A farmers market was also open on the other side of the overhead railway line. Brixton is also the end of Northern Line Underground system and a bus transit centre.

I had intended to eat light but could find no where selling sandwiches and Boots had run out. I therefore settled for monster K.F.C meal at £4.99 comprising the established Tower Burger with a spicy Italian sauce (layered bun with chicken burger, slice of cheese, hash brown, lettuce, mayonnaise and the spicy sauce) plus a piece of chicken breast, a buttered piece of corn, small fries and Pepsi You could max up for 40p. The deserves respect Godfather is the latest launch from KFC and aroused much controversy because it is a Tower bun with a different sauce and the sauce lacks zing tang bite which named Godfather could expect. My investment brought the cost of the weekend to £132.54

It was then time to take the bus to Piccadilly Circus closest stop to the Haymarket. Unfortunately there was works on at least one of the bridges over the Thames river which meant a change route and traffic chaos so the half hour journey took the best part of an hour. However instead of going over the Westminster Bridge it continued to Waterloo and along to Charing Cross station where the driver announced he was turning around.

For about half an hour I engaged in conversation with a visiting Australian who I would say is in his sixties and who enquired if the bus was going Leicester Square. I said it did not directly and then advised that the bus was on diversion had come on the screen and that we would hear further announcements. He asked about my home so I mentioned about the North East and the changes hat hd occurred since living there and this led to an argument more than a discussion about the position of the UK around the world. He seemed angered with my defence of British policy and actions over recent decades in order to protect British living standards and interests regardless of disagreements between political parties about the best way of doing this.

The early exit from the bus meant that I walked through Leicester Square noting that the central area is still boarded and long way from completion and the surrounded area is having pavement replacements. Checked out the films on view at the Trocadero before doing the same at the Haymarket and then continuing to Carlton House Terrace to have a look at the statues and resting against the plinth of the Duke York above the steps to the Mall and St James Park watching the new phenomenon of the hired bicycles from the automatic held and charged stands.

I was still in plenty of time for the film so went in search of Pepsi but was not in the area for public houses or cheap cafes and I could not see the price of bottle at a mini supermarket. Back in the Circus there was the splendid party shop where you can buy splendiferous large cakes for £29 or sit down slices with tea for the price of a gold bar. I then stood by the fountain to the side of Circus observing the range of visitors passing by some taking pictures against the fountain.

Before reaching the cinema I noticed a corner store which boasts of being open 24 hours. Here I purchased a large bottle of cold still water for 65 pence which I enjoyed while waiting in the cinema bar the ten minutes for the theatre was ready. I will leave the film until write about the last episodes of Who do you think you are as the combination seems appropriate,

It had rained hard while experiencing the film but it was possible to get to the all night store without getting wet. There I purchased bacon and lettuce sandwich for £1.90 freshly made in store where it was possible to have a sandwich made up, so that with the water the total reached £135.09. It was while at a high stool window seat that I noticed a bus to Brixton pass by. As there was a stop across the road I decided to venture no further despite the prospect of another long journey as the traffic inched its way out of inner London. Had the weather been better and I more in the mood I would have got a bus to Victoria station and hoped here was a quicker route across the river Thames from there. The journey seemed to take less time but it was dark by the time I was back in Croydon in time for the X Factor and the first episode of the new series of Downton Abbey. I would watch the first episode of Spooks on return home. I enjoyed one pain-au-raisin with coffee saving the remaining two for the morning with the intention of keeping one for the train journey.

In the event I eat both with separate cups of coffee on waking and then before departing. I left just after 9.40 and struggled with the luggage up the hill to the station where there was a train arriving as I reached the platform at the end of the long walkway. There was a later apology for only a four carriage train with luggage everywhere and no place to sit but I did not mind getting a seat only after reaching London Bridge. At St Pancras I decided to wait close to the side entrance to enjoy some of the cold bottle water I had purchased with a sandwich and crisp offer from Boots for £3.79 together with a pint of semi skimmed milk £4.38 (£139 47).

From where I sat I had a good view of the completed new dome roof as part of the proposed new ticket office and waiting area, shops and other facilities to the new look Kings Cross station. This part should be open later this year with the whole station refurbishments by the summer of 2012 in time for the Olympics; The station development is part of a high 67 acre development of residential, commercial sporting and cultural development which includes the New University of the Arts with 4500 places. There will be a large screen view of all Olympic events and ten new areas of parks, open spaces and cinemas and theatres. At the height of the Olympics the transport net work will involve 450000 passenger movements each day. There will be a seven minute duration fast rail link to the Olympic Park.

Having digested some of this information I was more amenable to the crush and chaos of the present station although the situation has improved with many more seating and an attempt to organise throughways more effectively. They still only managed to let the horde onto the train to Edinburgh 10 minutes before scheduled departure time with the consequential rush especially as I had located myself at the wrong side of the concourse for the train which went from the furtherest platform away from where I was standing. Fortunately I had been allocated a table seat close to the carriage entrance and was able to place my case in the allotted area at floor level.

The second bonus was that no one came for the two window seats so that the young woman opposite and was able to stretch our legs after the train got going and moved to the window placing my shoulder bag on the vacant seat. The first part of the journey involved helping an elderly couple, that is older and more frail than me, to work out where they should be sitting as their ticket was badly printed and looked to read seat 8 and 50 at the aisle which did not make sense. The buffet car attendant worked out the numbers were 48 and 50 aisle seats. They moved to the correct seats which were also at a table just past midway in the carriage and I rescued their seats from a family without tickets who had gone in seat of seats. They proved an odd trio alighting at Newcastle comparising a woman in her early thirties and a boy who I presumed to be her son ten to twelve years of age who remained silent throughout the journey when they managed to gets seats behind me and then shared the vacant table to my left, albeit for a short while as the vacated seats had been reallocated from Durham to Edinburgh. The young man drank beer and was evidently not the father and appeared several years to the junior of the woman. I finished the police detective novel soon after reaching home and unpacking. I enjoyed a Mex Tex platter and coffee and fell asleep watching the recording of Spooks which I then watched again before going to bed. I decided to leave the return to the Leisure for the early morning swim until Wednesday. My need was writing and writing and writing catching up.




.

Summer visit to Nottingham for Cricket 2011

Burning sunshine and delicious meals are two of the memories of my past week of travels which included stays at three travel Lodges in the Midlands, Nottingham Riverside, Nottingham Donnington and Mansfield. Pity about the cricket.

The cricket was to have been a four day championship game during which Durham would secure their third championship win barring misfortune in their two remaining games of the season. In the event having lost three championship games in succession they are at risk of finishing only fourth. The match was over just after tea on the third day. I shall return to the cricket later and first concentrate on food as this week is going to be the last week of my self indulgence this year with from Tuesday a major effort to lose substantial weight even if this means the inability to concentrate on writing and other work. Losing at least a stone before Christmas has become a priority.
.
I did not commence the journey south until after lunch on Sunday as I wanted to complete the third part of a writing project in four parts, where the intention has been to finish before departing. For lunch there was a pork steak with onion rings, mushrooms and chicken pieces in batter plus potato wedges and in the evening a perspired chicken and bacon pasta salad. The day had commenced with a bacon roll. This morning Friday 26th August, the start of the Bank holiday weekend I purchased a large bacon bap from the bakery adjacent to the Mansfield Travel Lodge which revealed another example of the land of variable pricing as the special officer was the bacon roll in white or brown bread with brown sauce and butter if wished. As there was coffee available in the room I asked just for the bap thinking there would be a reduction in price, silly me £2.15 for the bap on its own all day but with the coffee special offer until 11am and it was good coffee for only £2.05. Oh the joy of the land of variable pricing.
On the journey back I stopped at the Blythe service area on the AI where I have stayed at the Travel Lodge on several occasions in past times and refused to pay £2 plus for various sizes of Costa Coffee noting a vending machine where for £1.30 there was coffee with milk and sugar which I sat in the same seating area in the food court as for Costa Coffee.

Earlier in the day I enjoyed a piece of chicken breast topped with cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce, some chips and cut chopped lettuce followed by apple crumble and custard as part of a 2 x 2 course meal deal for £9 in total. The previous evening at the same Inn I enjoyed chunks of beef in a red wine sauce, new potatoes in their skins, small onions, broccoli and another vegetable not remembered again as part of a deal this time 2 for 1 main course which worked out at around £5 per dish. Earlier in the week I also enjoyed at the same venue large strips of chicken with thick slices of bacon and salad followed by a different kind of bread and butter pudding which was described as cake, also with custard. On two days the main meal eaten at lunch time was a carton of spicy chicken wings eaten cold and requiring plenty of facial tissues to wipe away the colouring from mouth and fingers. I eat one at my seat in the middle tier of the Radcliffe Road stand at Trent Bridge and the second on a bench below the stand in the shade £5 for the two cartons.

For two other meals there were crusty small baguettes purchased from the Coop store across the road from the ground with salami and olives around £3.50 per helping and on two other days a large bap filled with Turkey, coleslaw, lettuce sand tomato around £2.50. Breakfast, part from this morning and the day of departure comprised two small pain au chocolate individually wrapped in a pack of at least eight, may be ten. One other pain au chocolate was purchased with a cheese twirl. Oh there was another bacon bap purchased on the Wednesday morning in the Member’s Bar plus coffee and on the On Tuesday I could not resist a huge scone with a giant dollop of cream and strawberry jam with tea for £2.99. 0h the joy of food now abandoned.

Because of two session in burning sunshine I consumed a vast quantity of Water including two 1 litre bottles from the M and S at Donnington Park, one which I consumed sitting in the general seating area accompanied by almost all a box of oblong dark chocolate Jaffa cakes in a double box special offer of £1.20 with ten cakes in each box, the second was shared. After investing £1.10 for a bottle of Pepsi from a machine on the thirds floor of the stand on the Monday which I enjoyed I lost the cash on the Wednesday before the out of order notice went up. I found another machine which provided energy sport’s drinks and tried one which had a fruited flavour which was OK but not thirst quenching. A bottle from the close to the Rent Bridge Inn cost £2. Cans bought on two occasions from the Coop were 75 or 85 pence and from the machine at the Riverside £1 where I enjoyed one on the three nights of residence. Ne purchased at a garage in Nottingham cost 75 pence.

For once on such trips I did not use tins of baked beans or rice pudding, pot noodles or tins of sardines on plain crackers,, the latter I though I had left at home but found in the food for emergencies bag together with a carton of Pâté which I spread in chunks on two bread rolls which had to be defrosted. Not one Danish was enjoyed and I took no fruit and of the cuppa soups I enjoyed two on the first and second nights.

I have commenced to have the road network structure in an around Nottingham in my head although this has been achieved with much trial and error over the five days of the visit. On Sunday I was fairly confident of find my way to the Riverside taking the Nottingham Derby, Brian Clough Way A 52 road from the M1 just passed the Trowell Service area where I have stayed for the cricket on three of my visits for County Championship games this decade The stop is useless for future stays because the cross over road from the Northbound Lodge to the southbound towards London or vice versa has been closed. I had forgotten the correct turn off the A52 to join the A453 to the Riverside Lodge and continued until the A52 cease to be a dual carriage way ring road and continues to towards the junction who leads to the MI Nottingham South and the spur to the Donnington Park service area. I retraced and found me way to the Travel Lodge.

In the morning on my way to the ground I misjudged a junction turning and found my way into the Meadows but could not find my way out without retracing the route. I then had difficulty in find my way to the stadium but managed to find a park place in a side road a few minutes walk from the ground.

On the way back I got lost three times in the Meadows Area which has the River Trent on one side and the A453 on another and where the Council has a £200 million reorganisation and development plan underway. I spend about half an hour drive in, around, back and forth before finding my way back to the Travel and about 40 mins for a journey which should take ten.

On the Tuesday I need to find my way to a village south of Mansfield and decided again taking the route from the Trent which I have attempted before as well as from the Nottingham South off MI and gambled that I would not have to spend hours in traffic going through the city using the well signposted A 60 route to Mansfield and Doncaster. This has I discovered joins in A52 inner ring road going North across the city. This result in spending only 40 mins or so to my destination which was over ten times the distance.
The only problem on the way back is that I missed the right traffic light junction back up passed Nottingham Central Station and continued across the Trent to the cricket ground, doing the circular tour back over the Bridge and from there I then knew how to get to the Travel Lodge without finding my way into the Meadows.

The following morning I found my way directly to ground with my car fully loaded as unable to get another cheap night at the Riverside I took the option at one over half the price at Donnington. Once before I had taken the route but in darkness and from a further distance and I had forgotten the build up of traffic approach the main roundabout. This time leaving around 5pm as the match had ended I found myself in a stream of slow moving traffic for almost the whole length of the journey along the A453 to the roundabout, approximately 7 miles. But which I found of interest as given the day light I was able to get a good view of that part of the city and surrounding countryside. The roundabout enables you to join the M1 at Junction 24 or take the spur to the Donnington Spur to the Services area at 23a.

Here the Travel Lodge is unique as it forms two sides of the Inner courtyard of services with the inside rooms of the two levels overlooking the all night long stream of visitors to Costa Coffee below my window. There is a lift only on one side and you reach the other by a second floor level walk way. It has the advantage of an M and S store and WH Smiths as well as the usual fixed price range of a fast food burger and chicken outlet where the basic meal now costs around £7 to the general hot food supplier offering fish and chips, all day breakfast, meat and veg perhaps curry menu where again the main course plus coffee or soft drink will set you back £10. My beef here being too lazy to see if the air conditioning was working is that one could not open the window even a little.

The following morning on my way back to the Mansfield area, I travelled along the M1 north to by now very familiar central route into Nottingham at Junction 25 Sandiacre but this time instead of going south on A 52 ring road I went north on the A 60 joining up with the road from the city centre, a road which I have now travelled in both directions.

There is a third spur from the M1 travelling from the north into Nottingham. I have used the A610 especially when travelling also to get the Park and Ride at the Forest or to go the village when staying at the Northwood bound Travel Lodge as he 610 is just a short distance

I noted from the Meadows Development plan that two new metro tram routes are planned which I presume will be extensions from the present route which ends at the central station.

On the fifth night I stayed at the Mansfield Travel Lodge which is on the west side of the town and where I have mastered less my way around the town although I have some good mental images but where I am not always successful in getting to the M1 in the way I had intended. The town can be reached from the North junction 29 which is before the Tibshelf service areas and which is used by the National Coaches on the way to London On the Thursday I arrived via the 617 to Newark Link which I also used on the following morning as I was making an after lunch visit to Newark, It was on this Journey which usually took 20 mins I had to add over a further hour because of the volume of traffic before the bank holiday. I had planned to join the A1 at Newark for the journey home but seeing the link road was full I took the 617 to Ollerton joining the 614, the two sides of the triangle but a clear way without holds ups as also was the situation on the A1 although going south there was nose to tail, stop and go traffic for the greater part plus continuous rain and spray.

Travel to Merseyside for cricket

It is 21 44 Monday 27th June and I have been in the city of Liverpool for 24 hours. It has been a weird period of time.

I am going to work backwards.

18.25 The cricket game ends early because of bad light. I make my way from the entrance of the ground along the road for some fifty yards to the crossing over the dual carriage to the Travel Lodge where I am staying. Before doing so I visit the all day small we sell everything store for a can of cold Pepsi and a bottle of cold Volvic still water for £1.20. This is price paid for just one item in Bar of Toby Carvery or within the ground of Liverpool cricket club.

The crossing is pedestrian controlled in that the more regular pressings of the button the quicker the crossing light changes from red to green. I go first to the car and collect the packet soups, a tin of baked beans, pain au chocolate for the morning, indigestion tablets and liquorice sticks.

In the room I enjoy the can of Pepsi after changing from trousers to track suit bottoms and removing the sandals. I also drink about a third of the water. I prepare the soup using both cups and the have the beans and a pastry followed by some of the black grapes already in the cool bag.

I watch the local news which confirms that although the wicket has a green surface, and which someone sitting next to me, an umpire said is worse that the usual club pitch, it has been passed fit for play despite 20 wickets falling in in the day. The argument being the conditions were special which made the ball swing fiercely. More on the cricket later.

I turn on the computer after leaving it with the plus switched off at the socket so the battery ran out while I was away. I am tempted to watch Spartacus on the ITV player but I have indulged watching the first episode of Mildred Pierce with Kate Winslett. The book was published in 1941 and made into a success film in 1945 with six academy nominations with one win for the leading actress Joan Crawford and Mildred. This film which I remember but cannot recall had a changed story from the book. The present five part mini series is said to be more faithful to the book. I will write about the mini series another time.

9.30 am I leave the Travel Lodge having prepared three salami with olive rolls. These I eat at 11. Noon and 3pm. I do not eat the pastry. I buy a can of Pepsi soon after arriving at the ground for 75 pence and then a bottle of Pepsi for £1.20. Other expenditure is a score Card for 70 pence.

The ground reminds me of that at Hartlepool except the facilities for members are worse. There is an ancient pavilion on three floors with the players on the top floor When I asked if there was anywhere where I could get a drink I was told to go up the stairs by an steward and confronted a sign which just said players and officials. There appear to be an area with drinks in pouring jugs but no one serving. Others that had followed worked out that the bar was across from where we were. It was closed and the stairs to this also appeared closed. Because of the location of the wicket only half the outside seating was available and have been taken up by Lancs regulars who had got there where the ground opened borne of experience earlier in the season.

In front of the Pavilion at pitch side there was a media tent and then a sponsors tented pavilion. Most of the seating was in hard seats and benches located around the boundary fencing. There were three small erected stands. One side on to the wicket and the other two either side of the site screen. I elected to sit on the top row aisle seat of the second. To reach this one had to go through the tennis court behind the site screen. The ground has a pleasant aspect and there are plenty of trees with car parking. In one corner adjacent to the main pavilion there is a similar designed building but smaller which looks like a former players pavilion but the building is now a day nursery with a separate on street entrance. The ground filled as the morning progressed with no spare seats visible by the end of the day. There were good side temporary toilets. There was only one refreshment tent selling beer but with a small area of sandwiches, tea coffee and a chill drinks cabinet. In this respect facilities at grounds such as Stockton, Darlington, Gateshead Fell, Chester Le Street Cricket Club and Hartlepool were better. Only that at the University ground Durham City were as limited. The facilities are inadequate for playing all county games for one season.

I made two outings during the day. Immediately across from the Travel Lodge there is a vehicle MOT centre. There are four eating place . The first is a Chinese take away which offer fish and chips. This was doing a great trade at lunch time and was busy the night before when I arrived. The are two restaurants serving Indian/Asian food. The first is described as basic similar to those in Ocean Road but not offering any special deals. The second is a large up market building and up market prices. However in the midst there is a small British Restaurant with perhaps a dozen simple plain wooded tables and chairs. The starters are around £5 as I assume the puddings with the main courses from around £12 to £25. With drinks I would expect two people to pay £75 to eat a three course meal here. There is also a betting shop, pharmacy and female hairdressing.

At 9.30 as it had been earlier it was scorching hot so after putting on plenty of sun protection I wore just a short sleeved shirt and trousers taking the light summer jacket my had a small carry bag with the food and little else. At 2 the sea fret had arrived with a cold wind and I put on the jacket. At 4.15 during the yea interval I returned my room at the Travel Lodge and made a cup of tea to warm myself. I then replaced the summer jacket with my green lined coat. It remained in the 80’s everywhere else. To morrow it should be cooler and less humid everywhere but sunny after some over night showers.

I had left the Emirates Durham International around 17.30 on Sunday afternoon when the weather continued to scorching hot and sunny. I had travelled no more than a couple of miles when the skies darkened and on coming vehicle showed lights and traces of a rain storm. There was then heavy rain over the next 20 miles during which time I stopped to eat my sandwiches in the car at the Durham service area without going into the facilities. It then brightened up to the same weather conditions of the day. I stopped again for a comfort break at Wet herby and because I was feeling tired. I was not at best alertness for the rest of the journey but OK. The weather over the Pennines was glorious although the incoming low sun was blinding at times and added to driving difficulties. I was OK until reaching the service area above Manchester where I have stayed on previous visits to the city.

I was aware from previous experience that after this service area one has to concentrate even more than usual because of the filers and junctions off the motorway on either side of the carriage way. These go south to Chester and North Wales, to Warrington and Widnes or north to the Lancashire mill towns, to the county town of Preston or to the sandy beaches of Southport. I was OK until seeing signs for the 5080 to places which were not on my list so I kept going to the end of the motorway and sure enough the sign to 5080 was the first on list of three junctions. All was OK until I saw but did not register sufficiently the turning I had to take off the third and final roundabout and end along a road which appeared to be taking into central Liverpool and not the more countrified residential housing I had expected from the guide map. I should have stopped at a service area for a local map book.

I retraced by steps and took what I thought was the correct turning but the road was Aigburth Drive not Road and took along an area of Parkland which I assume borders the river. It seemed to go on for ages and eventually I found someone who correctly guided to Aigburth road from its end in the other direction which I had first intended. This was fine because it meant that the Travel Lodge was on my side of the dual carriage way. The accommodation is basic with not even a cold drinks machine. There is however plenty of free parking and I had passed the entrance to the cricket ground less that 50 yards on the other side of the road. There were some restaurants and a few other outlets across the road. After unpacking I went to the Toby for a cold Pepsi around 22.30. The TV has most of the free digital channels and I commenced to watch Beyonce before going for the drink who put on an hour and three quarters top pf the bill set from 22.00. She is the first female to head the bill on the Pyramid set for a quarter of a decade. I was impressed with her energy and clearly she regarded the event as one of the most important in her life, never having appeared to so many people in one go. I liked the message of her music.

Now to the main event and purpose of the visit, The cricket. On the Sunday afternoon Durham played second in the 20 20 League table Leicestershire. Durham battered first and made 187 runs which was 10-20 short of what I thought would be needed and should have been achieved given the great stated. Gordon Muchall made a solid 65 to anchor the innings. Leicestershire set a cracking pace and appeared to be cruising at 12 an over adding 95 runs for the third wicket after a shaky start. Then as three wickets fell at 113 and two at 125 they batting became more cautious and bowling and fielding tighter and it was evident we were heading for a photo finish with 22 runs required for the last two overs. With 3 runs required off the last ball I thought the radio commentator said that the Durham bowler had caught and bowled the player however this as not borne out by the scorecard.. However Durham bowled well enough to win the game in that last over just. An important result because this puts Durham firmly in the top four although it is still anyone one result except perhaps for Notts at the top with four points clear and 3 wins more than anyone else with 6 games left to play and for Northants at the bottom with only 4 points but with two games in hand and 16 points to play for even they cannot be ruled out from a place.

There were rumblings of discontent about the state of the proposed wicket before the game against Lancashire commenced yesterday morning. There was also surprise when Durham invited Lancashire to bass first after winning the toss. I explained that Durham had been successful by allowing opponents to bat first score up to 250 runs and then batting for the greater part of two days with totals in excess of 400 to gain maximum batting points and then either wining by an innings or having a good draw with having achieved more bonus points which all added up to the end of the season.

However while in fact the scenario worked no one anticipated that 20 wickets would fall during the day and the wicket would be declared a good one which a combination of heat and cloud causing the ball to swing violently on the green pitch. For a time it looked as the conditions would cancel out the dramatic closing of the Lancashire first innings for 84 with 20 of these runs from Harmison who had three of his wides go to the boundary. Thorp 6 for 20 and Onions 2 for 19 did the damage. However at one point Durham were also 60 for 6 and it was former championship winning Benkenstein who was 80 odd not out with support from Onions who took the visitors into a lead of 100 runs. Lancs were into bat again with 9 overs to play and in the day and 20 minutes but bad light led to only one over of more play. Lancashire need a total of 350 plus to give Durham a challenge and void the visitors taking a 25 point lead but with Lancs having a game in hand to play. It still would mean Durham had the championship to lose. Benkenstein with over 1000 runs this season is now the player who has scored the most runs for Durham in the history of first class cricket. The match was nicely poised despite thE Durham lead of 100 runs

Travels at Christmas 2010

To- day, Tuesday December 28th 2010, I am celebrating the best Christmas for more than decade and possibly one of the best ever. The main reason is that I did not spend it alone, involving a journey of some 180 miles, something of a challenge given the continuous atrocious weather conditions.

There was heavy snow falls in most parts of the United Kingdom with few, if any, areas escaping some snow and the extreme cold condition with temperatures below minus 20, colder that in parts of the artic and the Nordic countries. However it was significantly colder is Moscow according to someone who was working there recently.

Because of the severe weather warnings for the Christmas period I took the precaution of booking an early morning one way rail ticket for the Thursday before Christmas with an early morning of 8.30. At under £30 this meant if I was able to us my car, the first preference, then there would not be any great financial loss. Until this summer the idea of making a train at Newcastle by 8.30 was out of the question but after approaching 100 early morning swims the time posed no problem.

I am already looking back over a year when I managed my finances badly and have left myself in a restricted position for the next two to three years. I will begin the New Year cautiously.

The travel omens were not good first with mounting chaos at the UK’s premier airport, Heathrow, Greater London. In fairness to the travel companies it was reported they wanted to communicate to passengers not to travel until checking with them that their particular flight was going ahead but the management at the airport are then reported to have indicated the belief that they had learnt from the situation which developed in late November and would be able to cope.
In the event although one runway became quickly available there were few flights, if any, because most of the parked planes were locked into their station due to the failure to clear snow and ice below them. There was several days of chaos with some passengers sleeping rough within the airport terminal unable to return home because of traffic chaos and unable or unwilling to obtain temporary accommodation unless arranged by their travel agents/flight companies. There was mounting pressure which led to the Government offering to provide troops and the Chief Executive announcing he would not accept the entitled performance bonus this year. That other airports found themselves in similar situation here in the UK, in Europe and over the past 24 hours, in North America, was of little consolation to those coming home for Christmas, visiting relatives around the world or just getting away for the holiday period.

There was also chaos on parts of the rail network, with those using the fast trains to Europe hardest hit and for a time, significantly, on the East Coast Line with various problems which prevented most travel for 24 hours. This posed a challenged for me given the variable road conditions where suddenly you could become engulfed in blizzards, ice and freezing fog. However there appeared to be a respite on Wednesday morning so a week ago I hastily got myself prepared with a view to setting off as soon as it was light the following morning, preparing to take a wrap around, soup and coffee as well as food in case of some major delay.

In the morning I checked the road conditions and according to local news the way out through Durham County along the AIM was good and there was no reports for Yorkshire. However the weather report mentioned that heavy snow, falling over the south and west had reached the midlands, my destination, so reconsidered starting off and staying at the Days Inn Wetherby, or the Travel Lodge Sheffield Donnington. No sooner did this plan unfold the clouds covered the previously blue sky and first flurries commenced of what quickly became a blizzard and that was that for the day.

In the evening British Rail sent an email to say that although the line from Newcastle to London was now clear, it was not from Doncaster to Newark, my train destination, and from where I was to be collected by car for the rest of the journey. The email advised that I would be able to use my ticket for a direct train but within a short time of the original departure. The options was a train just before 8 and then one about 9. I arranged everything for an early start leaving the decision to order a car until the morning.

As it was dry and I was well organised I set off just before 6.45am down the hill, missing a Metro train as I reached the end of the platform but another came within 15mins and I was in Newcastle at the main line station by 7 40. A train to London about that time was cancelled so those passengers awaiting were advised to get the next scheduled for 7.52 the one I was to take. This in turn was delayed because of a local train and did not arrive until 8.15 by which time those travelling on the 8.32, my original train, were also arriving. Despite the arrival of three sets of passengers I was able to find a seat among those in the buffet car which also meant I was able to quickly get a hot coffee.

Sitting opposite was someone who driving from his home at Wark the vehicle left the road and went into a hedge at some 20 miles an hour damaging both rear light indicators and the rear bumper. The car was drivable to Hexham station where the train was caught to Newcastle onward to his central office at York although as area manager his patch stretched from Dundee to Hull. He was relaxed notifying the right people of the accident, arranging for a replacement vehicle and having contact with his family. We swapped bad weather stories and he admitted that when it happened he had wondered how it would end.

There are two aspects of the holiday which I will mention. I attended a nativity service in a Church of England which is clearly endeavouring to attract families with children of all ages. The pews have been removed and replaced by comfortable cushion chairs. There were two large screens on which the words of the hymns were relayed and instructions given to parents to usher their children to where the play was being enacted. There was also a full audio system for the small choir and musicians and hand mikes for the vicar and a woman who orchestrated the play with ongoing responsibilities for the children/family aspect of the church. The church was more American in style than evangelical revivalist and I was torn between feelings of admiration and uncomfortableness reflecting the usual struggle between heart and reason.

The second note is praise for those in the planning authorities which allowed the village to grow to the extent it has become an ideal countryside community with more than adequate local facilities such as a primary school, round the clock mini supermarket and a community which encourages the best aspects of village life without claustrophobia. The village grew primarily with a development of the chalet bungalow and two storey dwellings of the lodge type mixture of brick and wood with upper floor windows inserted into the elongated roofing. While each property has off road garaging to the front there are pleasant walkways between the rear gardens which lead to the various older public pathways which dissect the village or circumnavigate its eastern boundaries with the surrounding farmland. While these properties on this side of the village are all of a similar construction the remaining new development comprise individually styled executive housing.

I left open the day of return to take account of the weather but is looked good for the Monday, after the Boxing Day and I selected a train departure around mid morning anticipating that I might have to make the two hour journey without a seat. It looked this would be the situation as more and more people came to platform coffee and snack stop which also led into the waiting room. Shortly before the train arrived I had an important decision to make. I could make my way to the far end of the platform where the first class compartments would stop in the knowledge that for the payment of £20 I would find a seat, or take a gamble and position myself just under cover from where I was located and hope that by going into the open area just before the train arrived I would be able to place myself by an entrance door into a compartment and find a newly vacated seat. This happened although I was not alone with the same idea but seized the first vacant seat by the luggage area, leaving mine by a doorway. The seat was booked between London and Edinburgh and I assumed that it was vacant, sitting down without asking the adjacent young man if someone was away at the buffet car or toilet.

My confidence was rewarded. Others were not so lucky and were left standing although majority of those getting on at subsequent stops were also seat successful. I and the others nearby were entertained by a large colourfully dressed woman, perhaps in her early thirties, who at one point explained that she was a watch fanatic who could not bear to be without the knowledge of the precise time. The dial and wrist strap matched the colour of her top, skirt or dress and she explained that while she has seen one of a similar style for £160 she had purchase this one for under £30. Some eight of them in different colours! She loved to spend money on clothes and jewellery and he accompanying husband gave her a weekly allowance to do so.
She was on her way to a family wedding and met up with a first cousin, a slim and very attractive young women a dozen years younger together with the brother of the girl and her boyfriend. During the journey I learnt much about their present and past lives.

The Metro journey home was comparatively quite until at Hebburn a man entered with a whippet like dog who was instantly attracted or threatened by another creature already sitting nearby at least quadruple its size. The arriving animal began to let out some blood curdling cries which were responded by the other animal until its owners ensured it quietened. This contrasted with the other master who made little effort and which confirmed my impression that potentially vicious dogs are owned by vicious or potentially vicious people. Although the pavements were covered with slushy or compacted snow the roadways were clear and therefore as it was not raining I was able to trek my way home without the additional expense of hiring a car. I was pleased to find everything in order at home, including the one card I had had expected but had not arrived before departure.

Although I could have stayed up to watch the start of the fourth Ashes Test in Australia I missed the opportunity forgetting that a start on Boxing Day meant midnight on Christmas Day. I say could of in the sense of there was opportunity to do so, but I was long asleep by the start of play although I did wake around 2 am and could have gone down to witness the final collapse of the Australian first innings at 98 runs. The wicket was lively as prepared and England was fortunate to win the toss and admittedly it had quieted down by early afternoon when the away side commenced to bat. However by the close of pay England had amassed over 150 runs without loss. The issues was whether they could survive another lively wicket at the start of play the following day

The following morning of the match there had been some reverse swing which resulted in the loss of the openers Cook for 82 and Strauss for 69. But Trott commenced another fine innings and batted the rest of the day and following morning to end undefeated with 168 runs. Prior gave him excellent support with 85 and so did Peterson with 51 although he was the innocent cause of an incident which has probably ended the Test match career of Ricky Ponting the Australian captain. He has been one of Australia’s best batsman and has captained the team to its position as consistently the best in the world of cricket. It is his failure to make any runs this season which has contributed to the dramatic decline although this takes nothing from the fact that all the batsmen with perhaps the exception of Collinwood have performed brilliantly, and Collingwood has been brilliant in the field and bowled well when required.

Now for the incident in which the Australians claimed that Petersen had snicked a ball which passed closely to one side of his bat. The replay suggested he had not touched the bat. The Australian appealed against the not out decision and the celebrated when they saw a white spot on the bat which before close examination suggested that the bat had made contact with the ball. However closer examination indicated that this white spot was on the opposite side to where the ball has passed. It was conclusive evidence that the original decision was correct and should stand.

It is understandable that in such circumstances without the benefit of close examination of the technological evidence he would question the umpire. However he lost his cool and commenced a prolonged disagreement with the umpire, then with Petersen and then with the other umpire, unheard of in cricket, especially at this level and meriting a yellow or red card. In the event he has been fined 40% of his match earnings after some apology although it was not as fulsome as the circumstances required. His reputation has been badly damaged although he could have commenced rehabilitation had he batted well after England ended the third morning all out for 513, a lead of over 400 runs. Australia commenced well as anticipated on a flat wicket in hot sunshine, scoring at 5 runs an over for the first 10. Then at 53 one opener ran out the other, but still there was a determined look about the Australian batting and then the flood gate opened with the second wicket for 99, third at 102 and fourth at 104 with two more falling before the close of play. As midnight approached here in the UK the 7th wicket fell before something of a rally involving Haddin and Siddle but when the 8th fell at 258 the end was close, in fact no further run was scored and when the 9th went it was all over because the injury to Harris meant he was unable to bat and the celebration could begin.

To retain the Ashes in Australia and to do so emphatically has resulted in national jubilation and humiliation in Aussi land where local supporters did not take up their seats leaving the area to travelling Brits and those in Australia who still identify with their original homeland. However the series is not won until the final game next week where a draw will be sufficient to achieve this. It is time to catch up on recent films experienced before the New Year.