Service

Well I have been wiped out for a few days. Not a bed ridden, lucozade, grapes, type of illness. No, it was more of a headache (never really had one before), face ache (didn't even know it existed), very tired (how can Tarzan be tired?), coughing up green stuff like I have been smoking fifty 'Bensons' a day (I know you didn't need to know that but I had to share it with you!) type of illness.
Not to worry though, a much needed visit from my folks (Avy and Mart), some beach relaxation (although I never sat down) and a few press ups and I feel a lot better.
I did actually ring the NHS direct at one point. After I had explained my symptoms the first lady on the other end of the line said "Shall I order you an ambulance as you are describing stroke like tendencies"....my reply "Well I would rather you didn't as I don't really fancy an ambulance rocking up in the close and I think the kids might be a tad distressed!!
Its amazing how much I perked up after speaking to the second (less cautious) nurse who said it was more likely a sign sinusitis/cold/rundownness (not a word I know!).
Anyway today I feel better ish as we enjoyed a real old school day at the beach with. Three generations of Hargreaves along with, deck chairs, doughnuts, a funfair, ice-creams, and a meal in a pub.
I have commented on several eateries on my blog, usually all favourable I might add. But today it was poor. The establishment was The Grove in Exmouth, a great venue and somewhere that should be spot on. But no, the staff had faces like the proverbial smacked **** and were as motivated as the inmates on death row. The burgers were cool (not as in 'Phat' cool!), the vegetable lasagne (bad choice by Avy I accept) came with a Groucho Marx tash and glasses, the Steak and Kidney pudding was a 'Pudding' and the beer was at best, wet!. All in all not great. It may have been an off day - staff out last night etc etc, normal chef not in etc etc - but I think the microwave in the back was taking a serious hammering and at around a tenner for a main course it gets 'Donkey of the week' from yours truly.
I am providing a service here for all those poor families who go out to eat as a treat and end up being very disappointed and a few quid lighter.
I used to be a true Brit (never complain just take it on the chin) but my wife and I were in New York a few years ago having a break (I know big time eh!!!!!!) but anyway we were eating at a really good place and everything was fantastic. As my wife was about to drink (sink) her glass of wine she noticed a smudge of lipstick on the glass, it was nothing much so we just dismissed it and carried on.
However the guy opposite noticed and called over "Hey you guys i'll get the waitress straight away, come on". He did that and she came straight over. The guy continued "Hey these guys have a glass full of lipstick over here". The waitress shot over and was totally mortified saying "I'm so sorry let me sort that straight away". The result was not a free glass of wine, no, it was a free bottle of wine, delivered with lightning precision and with another massively unneeded apology.
The guy who had brought it to the waitresses attention turned to us and said "You Brits are too nice, it's all about the service. Your paying, and if it ain't right, your not".
The thing was that the waitress actually thanked the guy who had told her, there were no 'dummies' spat out and everyone carried on as normal. You get my point!

CH

P.S

System failure

Man down!! Tarzan has fallen foul of a sinus/cold/flu/ type problem and so is taking to his bed. I may be a trifle rundown but I will beat it in the night and be back with you tomorrow. Where's the Lemsip I'm off to bed!

CH

Return

Welcome back! Tomorrow the blog randomness will return and next week I will aim to reintroduce my video appearances....until then Bonjour!!

CH

Break

Playing with my daughter on the beach, tennis and cricket with my son and a night in watching TV, I am back in Devon and I am loving it. I am delighted the season is now over and I can spend some time with my family. My time at Oxford is at an end and the main objective has been achieved, promotion. No words were really said at the end but there didn't need to be as Oxford were always moving on and I was always going to be heading back to Devon. As we all know football is an unforgiving industry and one that tests the best of characters. This season has really tested my resolve and has also put a massive strain on family life, something I take very seriously. I will have a long hard think now about if, where, and when I want to play again, or not! Maybe the time has come to hang up the boots and coach or manage or maybe it is time to try something completely new. Or maybe another challenge will come along and tempt me.
Either way I hope this seasons blog has given you a further insight into the world of football and also the chaos of family life. I bid you farewell as I aim to eat, drink, and be merry for at least a week! Thanks so much for reading.

CH

Rugger

I found myself watching a sport with a different shaped ball tonight, the Exeter Chiefs versus Bristol rugby play-off game. A very nice man let me in to the stadium -it was all ticket!- and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Exeter won 9-6, all points were penalties but there was some great action. It will be one hell of a second leg at Bristol next week. I think getting battered is a regular occurrence in that game, but as I watched on I couldn't help thinking it would be great to be on the pitch. How long I would last is another thing entirely!

P.S Rant about Tesco - they have officially gone England mad. T-shirts and flags fair enough, but pink cowboy hats, dog bowls, toilet seats, and a whole host of other ridiculous stuff all emblazoned with the England flag on is just mental. They will obviously sell out!.

P.P.S Rant about MacDonalds - went in one today and walked straight out again. It smelt like an old sock and was crammed to the rafters with Chav!. Maybe I caught them on an off day!.

CH

Finale

It has been one hell of a last few months. This is the first time I have had time to sit down and reflect on those eventful months. Obviously the weekend was incredible, so many fans made the journey to Wembley to see the team win and with it gain league status. Being on the pitch is the only place to be at Wembley and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of pain as I saw the lads run out, but to be with the team and to be able to help with a bit of last minute advice and support was a close second.
As I spoke to James Constable - just before he set off to climb the steps and collect the winners trophy - I couldn't help but think about last season and doing the same thing myself.
I had been saying to the lads before the play-offs to imagine themselves scoring and lifting the cup and that it would then happen. I know this because I said it to myself before last seasons epic run in! As with most clubs there are always some special people behind the scenes and at Oxford this is no exception. I have just travelled back from Oxford after joining the squad for an open top tour of the city. As I left the Town hall (and the lads to party hard) I spoke to Jim Rosenthal and his pleasure at seeing the club back in the league was huge. People like Jim are there for the club in good and bad times, once a fan always a fan as they say.
Leaving Torquay hurt me a lot and I honestly didn't see it coming but joining Oxford has been a sort of mission that had to be completed. I wanted to lead the club back up as a player and although it hasn't quite gone according to plan I had the stomach for the fight and wanted to help the club and it's manager achieve their goal. After around 10,000 miles in the car, a few more injections and stitches, plenty of hotel stays, and a bucket load of stress at work and at home that goal has been reached.
I sit here now with the children tucked up in bed oblivious to the ins and outs of football and I wonder what the future holds, on and off the field. And so there we are, another season over!

I left Wembley with my parents on Sunday night to travel 'up north' for a celebration of someones life due the following morning - I call it a celebration but of course it was actually a funeral, the funeral of Guy Allen.
Guy was a larger than life character who loved football and fish! He was the same person at the helm of a company worth millions or with a fish round worth pounds. He got it all, had it all, and lost it all. His generosity was incredible, whether it be holding huge parties, buying gifts for people, or slipping 'twenties' into top pockets. He made a big influence on me in my life and his death has only reminded me of his spirit, enjoy life and don't take **** from anyone.


CH

Promtion

Job done

CH