Topics

Tonight's blog may take some time, so, for now, I will give you a list of topics to ponder over whilst I type away.

Coach Trip
Pharmacy
Game Off
TV Awards
X-Factor
Weather(It's a Brit thing!)
Bike Theft
Jungle
Track and Field

....and breath!




First of all may I take the opportunity to say whichever 'Chav' stole my little girls bike from her School last Friday had better start peddling very, very fast, because if catch as much as a glimpse of a 'hoodie' on a pink BMX over the next couple of day's there will be explaining to do of near biblical proportion. Receiving the news of the theft, and of Issy's tears, sent me into a rage that has yet to die down, so let's hope for every one's sake that I don't come across the culprit responsible.
OK I have now counted to ten. Last Thursday's weekly lunch not only broke new records, it also saw new faces. Incredibly, 'Bevs' decided to bring along the brother's grim, Chris Robertson and Mark Ellis, for lunch. This, after already keeping us waiting for 40 minutes, went down like the proverbial lead balloon.
After the initial shock the waitresses let 'Dingle' and 'Robbo' in, which was all the more surprising considering 'Robbo' looked like he was going to rob the place with his beanie hat and hoodie on, and that 'Dingle' didn't utter a word, he just stared at the girls with menace.
Anyway we eventually ate (shocking banter from the girls, you just can't get the staff nowadays!!!!!), 'Manse' was emaciated by the time his food came, I was freezing and ill (little did I know it was the start of the Delhi Belly) and had to resort to wearing one of Kev's knitwear specials, and Kev himself was just annoyed that I wasn't paying!.
As far as 'Robbo' and 'Dingle' were concerned the big 'ginger' one brought his own drink (we spiked it with fifteen lumps of sugar when he nipped to the loo, he drank it all!) and answered the shop's phone, and the big 'white' one said nothing, ate, and left! (to be fair to Mark though he has since bought a round of drinks and spoken).
That leaves the bill payer, Scott Bevan. It was actually my turn to pay but the big man thought it was his, and who am I to argue! After adding Maureen's coffee and cake to the total (Maureen is a lovely lady, future author, and widow to a former WW2 bomb disposal expert) the final bill came to.....well let's just say he dropped his wallet. See you on Thursday lad's, my turn.

The trip to Stockport was obviously a disaster, two day's wasted, two day's spent with Benyon, and two day's on and off a coach - The fact that the rugby had been postponed the night before should have seen us boarding the coach and driving back a day earlier but it wasn't to be.
Back in the engine room, and having the added bonus of returning earlier than expected on Saturday night, it was straight to the 'Chippie' for a fish and chip supper with the Miller's and then a slice of X-factor.
I then had to suffer an episode of the 'Celebrity Jungle' with Sam Fox exclaiming to her Mother "Yeah babe that's right" and Joe 'Pie and Mash' Swash telling someone that he "ditent believe it" (It's 'did not' Joe, my old 'mucka').

Last but not least, the TV awards. I was invited along by the BBC, and I dragged Lee Mansell and Kevin Nicholson with me. They were both horrified to hear that my name was in the hat for an award when we arrived, so you can imagine what it was like when my name was called out. 'Lamb' turned a funny colour and Kev refused to let me out to receive the award. Nevertheless we all had a good laugh, I mingled at an international level whilst 'Ant and Dec' destroyed the buffet and any respect that I had built up in the media world. Thank's lad's!.
Tonight it was father and daughter on the athletics track and tomorrow night it's Dad on the football field. A win is needed, that is what we have been training for and that is what can get it we all do it right.

CH

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Howard Peplow. A massive big up to you and the boy's from myself and the team. Doing a really tough job in a really tough place.

CH

Mission

I am officially in remission. I am typing away in the knowledge that I may be called away at any point, and I'll give you a clue, it's not to go on international duty! I trained this morning and then, in hindsight, riskily met the lad's for lunch (report to follow at some point including cameo roles by a balaclava clad Chris Robertson and a sponsored silenced Mark Ellis). This was rapidly followed by a trip to the doctor, two prescriptions, and then bed. I am currently (for safety reasons) in very close proximity to the bathroom. Tomorrow, hopefully, I will board the old yellow peril and travel northwards with my team mates. Destination Stockport. Mission - to get to the third round.

P.S Get well Danny Stevens, pick you chin up 'Bev's'(broken his own lunch bill record), and good luck to 'Toddy'- a top lad, a top pro, and an already missed 'Roomy'.
Gotta go as the contractions are starting, it could be a long night.

CH

'A Hard Day's Night' !
In 'Beatle' form that lyric sums up yesterday's events. The day began in pain (stomach cramps) and ended in pain (stomach cramps). In between that we all faced, in no particular order, wind and rain, a five hour journey there, and a five hour journey back. Oh yes and we squeezed in a game of football as well.
It would not have flattered us to have been leading that game by 4-1 at half-time but it wasn't to be. Again, after leading a game we should have won, we were pegged back and had to settle for a point. We have to win those sorts of games and that was the 'strong' message that came form my mouth in the changing room afterwords - the combination being so disappointed for the lad's massive efforts and also having major stomach turmoil did nothing to lighten the mood!.
This morning I popped to see Ian at the Cary Arms in Babbacombe. I haven't been for a while and wow, what a place. Great coffee, great beer (too early for me though, just!) and the rooms are amazing. Ian didn't believe me when I said that our team 'warmdown's' were sometimes taken in the sea below. I think it's a log fire and an overnight stay for my next 'warmdown' though. Calling all babysitters!.

WELL DONE HANNAH on achieving your Duke of Edinburgh award. I am delighted that you made it through, and all this whilst wearing your T.U.F.C jacket. I know it must have been a bit nippy so next time I will have to try and source you some official club merchandise of the 'winter warmer' variety! (Club hat and gloves to follow shortly as well, so keep an eye on the post).

Thank your Mum so much for her beautiful letter (very difficult to write I'm sure) and give Mum and Dad a big hug from me. Well maybe just a handshake then Paul!!!.
Love to all.

CH

Virus?

Conditions at the racecourse were fierce this morning but we muddled (or should I say puddled) through, and although the lads lost at the weekend, the attitude was spot on. I am going to have to love you and leave you again tonight as I think I may have the onset of some sort of Swine flu/Man flu/Delhi belly type virus. My stomach is in knots(unusual), I am freezing(unusual) and I have a massive headache (unusual for me, very usual for my wife!). Humour is obviously getting me through! I did the 'punditry' for the BBC this afternoon and I really winced my way through it - god knows what facials I was pulling!
I am going to toddle off to bed now to try to sleep off, or sweat off, whatever is taking hold. Firstly though, as my wife is away, it's bath time, story time, and give me the control to the T.V time, for the rest of the Hargreaves clan.

P.S Love you Mum, don't worry I am still working on the BMW convert able!

CH

Too much, not enough

Too much driving, too much choring, too much noise. Not enough rest, not enough peace, not enough quiet. Back to work tomorrow, back on the sofa tomorrow, and back being cracked tomorrow. Gotta go, the children are in hyper mode(X-factor time).

CH

Same old story?

Same old story I suppose, played well but lost. I watched the game and we played really well and never really looked in danger, but after missing some decent chances there is always the threat of conceding a goal, and we did. I am really disappointed for the lads because a game we should have seen out, and at least drawn, ended up being lost. In the papers tomorrow morning it will look like a routine victory for Rotherham. It was far from the case, but if we don't kill teams off when we are on top, we must, at a minimum, not lose. We must learn from it though and bounce back, starting on Tuesday.

CH

P.S Well done Cam for completing your week of tests, we are all very proud of you.

P.P.S Sorry I missed you Andy and Joe, thanks for today Jill and Paul, and see you soon Mike.

P.P.P.S (if that abbreviation exists!) Thanks for keeping me warm in the first half 'Mrs Manse'!.