Hope you weren't expecting a political treatise on "coalition government - collision or collusion ?" - another day maybe ...instead,some bits off babycam during the "clear the memory card" moment ...
In the (almost) style of the Monty Python "Travel Agent" sketch, here's a "lizard in the bath" - or should I say a blue-tongued skink (Wednesday morning) ...
Don't tell Roy Keane (lunch - Wednesday lunchtime) ...
Big Pole ... Blue Sky ... Seel Park (earlier today)
Small Cat attempts escape through tiny gap in window ... fails ... (earlier this evening) ... to go back to the original premise though - I reckon Nick Clegg/Liberal Party will get the best part of 0 (zero) votes in the next election after whoring himself to the Tories - and do you know you could substitute the word "Labour" for the word "Tories" - makes no odds. Enjoy your "15 minutes of fame" - diehard Liberals will never vote Liberal Democrat again - and the gains from Cleggmania (which turned out to be few) will once again return to their previous voting patterns ... .
Just over a year ago Mark Taylor was a member of the Whitley Bay squad that beat Glossop North End in the FA Vase Final. In January this year he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - and to put it diplomatically - that is not nice ...
Last night there was a charity game up at Hillheads Park where the team of 2009/10 met the team of 2002 - and notwithstanding the local interest (over 1300 turned up), it's worth pointing out that a small group of Glossop fans made the long journey up there as well, to show their support ..
Now that's what I call non-league football - a "true family" - and my thoughts go to Mark and his family as well - hang in there ... you have the support of many more people than you think. If anyone out there would like to show their support for Mark check out ..
... with some interesting "playground politics" ...
"I'll swap you Trident for a referendum on electoral reform" - seems fair (!) ...
"Inheritence Tax threshold for 'Mansion Tax' ?" - yeah, why not ...
"£6 billion spending cuts this year in exchange for ... well nothing really" - "Please please please can I be deputy leader of the gang David ??" - oh go on then ...
All we're missing now I suppose is some snappy word that joins together "Cameron" and "Clegg" - you know what I mean (e.g. "Brangelina", "TomKat", "Brunch", "Smog") ) - this lingustic joining/morphing of two words is actually known as a "portmanteau" (I always thought it was some kind of bag/suitcase !)- but there you go - learnt something new there !!! Another option might be to join together the Christian names - but all that comes to mind there is ........ "Dick" !!!!!
Meanwhile the education sector quivers with fear - and that's probably knackered my chances of getting a job in local government this year ..... .
Today's "dolescum constitutional" up to Top Mossley included spotting this in the window of one of the numerous estate agents that make up the "employment base" in Mossley - ha ! Tell me what you think - for a house that costs over £380,000 .... you might expect better - or to put it bluntly - it's a bloody embarrassment Bridges (and note the correct spelling of "embarrassment" !) - I'm out of work - and I can spell (feel free to double-click - it looks even worse !!) ...
... at 1540 today I have to sign on - but my mind will be a long long way away from the trivialities of job seeking ...
In Memoriam ...
ACKROYD, John Douglas 32 Baildon ANDERTON, Edmund 68 Bingley BAINES, Alexander Shaw 70 Bradford BAMFORD, Herbert 72 Bradford BULMER, Christopher James 11 Burley-in-Wharfedale COXON, Jack Leo 76 Bradford COXON, Leo Anthony 44 Halifax CRABTREE, David James 30 Bradford CRABTREE, Harry 76 Bradford DEMPSEY, Derek 46 Morley FIRTH, Muriel 56 Baildon FIRTH, Samuel 86 Bradford FLETCHER, Andrew 11 East Bridgford, Nottingham FLETCHER, Edmond 63 Pudsey FLETCHER, John 34 East Bridgford, Nottingham FLETCHER, Peter 32 Gildersome FORSTER, Nellie 64 Bradford GREENWOOD, Felix Winspear 13 Denholme GREENWOOD, Peter 46 Denholme GREENWOOD, Rupert Benedict 11 Denholme HALL, Norman 71 Bradford HALLIDAY, Peter Anthony 34 Bradford HARTLEY, Arthur 79 Bradford HINDLE, Edith 79 Bradford HINDLE, Frederick 76 Bradford HODGSON, Moira Helen 15 Oakenshaw HUDSON, Eric 72 Bingley HUGHES, John 64 Bradford HUTTON, John 74 Bradford KERR, Walter 76 Bradford LOVELL, Peter Charles 43 Bradford LUDLAM, Jack 55 Bradford McPHERSON, Gordon Stuart 39 Bradford McPHERSON, Irene 28 Bradford MASON, Roy 74 Silsden MIDDLETON, Frederick Norman 84 Bradford MITCHELL, Harold 79 Bradford MUHL, Elizabeth 21 Leeds NORMINGTON, Ernest 74 Shipley ORMONDROYD, Gerald Priestley 40 Bingley ORMONDROYD, Richard John 12 Bingley ORMONDROYD, Robert Ian 12 Bingley POLLARD, Sylvia Lund 69 Bradford PRICE, Herbert 78 Shipley ROBERTS, Amanda Jayne 20 Bradford SAMPSON, Jane 18 Leeds STACEY, William 72 Sleaford, Lincolnshire STOCKMAN, Craig Albert 14 Bradford STOCKMAN, Jane Ashley 16 Bradford STOCKMAN, Trevor John 38 Brighouse TURNER, Howard Malcolm 41 Bingley TURNER, Sarah Elizabeth 16 Bingley WARD, Simon Neil 18 Shipley WEDGEWORTH, Robert 72 Guiseley WEST, William James 78 North Hykeham, Lincoln WRIGHT, Adrian Mark 11 Bradford
... may they all be resting in peace ...
... a truly horrible horrible day that must NEVER EVER happen again ... .
So - 365 days after being at Wembley snapping the Glossop senior squad - I ventured down to Surrey Street, Glossop ... for the Vodkat League Reserve Cup Final. As predicted, I WAS late turning up (ironically due to a problem with a Speedwell Bus - Glossop's main sponsors this season - the complaint WILL be going in tomorrow morning). Unfortunately I missed the first goal (in the first bloody minute !) in what was a highly entertaining game. There was a good level of skill from both sides - and there were a couple of Glossop players that caught the eye tonight (if only Mossley had a Manager who was scouting tonight !!) It was two well-taken goals (that I saw) that won the cup for Glossop tonight - with a slight "oops" in between (!) ... and we even had a pitch invasion of the canine variety !!! Some "rough and ready" pics at
(Maybe it IS time for a rest from football - it's certainly time for some "snapper kit upgrade" - but that depends on other things ... like getting a bloody job !). That's football sorted for this midweek anyway - Saturday sees a trip up to Lancaster to see middle boy, fiance and fiance's parents, so no football there (yes I've checked all options !!!). There's always next week though - early hints involve the Stockport Senior Cup Final next Tuesday at Woodley Sports (still need to confirm this though) - but until then, I'll have to fill the blog with some other illuminating stuff (gardening and job hunting spring to mind !).Stay tuned - you never know ...
Just had a major "internet disappearance" - hopefully this - and pictures should now be there - in the corrected format (i.e. did not realise I'd missed a bloomin' goal, so had to make some slight "amendments" - just when the internet crashed !! Fingers crossed ). .
... no ju-jitsu for small boy tonight (too much coursework to do !!) - so ... off to Surrey Street to see Glossop Reserves take on Padiham Reserves in the Vodkat League Reserve Division Cup Final (note kick-off change to 1945 hrs folks - I'll probably STILL be late mind)...
... in the basement of the Vodkat League, it was truly a "winner takes all" game at Crilly Park (although to be pedantic, a draw would have been sufficient for the home side). The grass/dandelions had been trimmed since my visit earlier in the week, but it was a nervy game throughout with few chances at either end. The decisive goal came with 20 minutes left when Stephenson ran on to a "route one" ball to finish - and condemn Ashton Athletic to the second relegation place (although as we all know, so many promotion/relegation issues these days have nowt to do with "on the field" performances - so it's a "wait and see" moment - and not just for Ashton Athletic I'm sure ...).
Game over - a few quick post-match pics and then back to the station to get back home for food, quick change and off up to Mossley for the "Awards Night" (see earlier post). Today was another "back-breaker" in the garden - taking advantage of some half-decent weather to do some serious digging and wall building (while Fleetwood Town were beating Alfreton Town in the race for the Conference Premier) - and then a restful evening ... and this ... next midweek - no idea as yet - although I do have a "possibility" for the week after next. .
I'll do the football tomorrow - suffice to say Atherton LR beat Ashton Athletic 1-0 - so Atherton stay up - and Ashton go down (subject to the usual "close season off field" shenanigans ... .
... well it might be a right royal mess nationwide - but there is always the 'locals' ... witness this one where Mossley have finally "removed" one of the three Independent candidates (or the "Mossley Raving Loony Party" as I affectionately know them as ...)
... well done to Paul (now get back on the "train improvement manifesto" !!) - and then - just for fun - there's this one ...and no it's not me - I wish (he said, thinking of the expenses !!) - and I'm a little unsure about "Floyd Paterson" as well - remember him against Cassius Clay back in the 60s ...
... meanwhile - nationally - the "horse trading" continues no doubt ...
Tomorrow - yes it's Atherton LR v Ashton Athletic - a must win/must not lose game for Atherton - witness the bottom three in the league - and two go down ...
You get the picture - a game with something rather important on it !!
... and then tomorrow evening is the Mossley "Presentation/Awards Evening" - and I've been summoned to attend with camera (must learn how to use this bloody external flash properly - and also get some extra AA batteries - just in case !).
But for now - a stir-fry chicken meal to create ... .
... taking advantage of the situation, after returning from Bury last night about 2330, I "dug in" for a night in front of the box armed with a few tinnies !! "Our" result (Stalybridge & Hyde) finally came through at 0630 this morning - a much reduced majority for Labour. Reason for the late call was given as an "increased turnout" - 59.2% wasn't that brilliant though (up from 53% in 2005) was it ? So - nationally - the "horse trading" starts here I guess ... including electoral reform no doubt (a rough calc I did about 3 hours ago - Conservatives averaged about 34,700 votes per seat; Labour averaged 33,400 per seat ...... LibDems averaged 122,600 votes per seat !!) - how about a return to "Rotten Boroughs" ?!?!
Good night at the Comedy Club @ Bury Metro - hardly any mention of the General Election either !! Other big news from yesterday afternoon - I've made it to the "second interview" stage following my efforts a couple of weeks ago - 10 days to prepare ... positive vibes, positive vibes ... but now I think a couple of hours kip might be in order ! .
OK I lied about the voting - if you don't vote you can't complain - so USE IT ! ...
However - on my "dolescum constitutional" today up to Top Mossley to get tonight's tea from the Co-op (and yes I got my voting out of the way as well !) I spotted this in the window of our local Veterinary shop ... people need to know this - in fact they're itching to know this ...
Tee Hee !
Tonight - still unconfirmed - but I'm charging up the camera batteries just in case (the "just in case" being the Vodkat Challenge Cup Final @ Curzon Ashton) ... who knows ... certainly not me at the moment ...
QUICK (1635hrs) UPDATE - Bury Comedy Night it is - and I've wasted my time buying/preparing food (apparently we're "eating out") ... sorry Winsford, Abbey Hey .. can't do it ... .
Just got back from the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ... but I wish I'd been at that game !!!
0-1 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 2-4 2-5 2-6 3-6 4-6 5-6 Motherwell then miss a penalty ! 6-6 (93rd minute)
... and City blow it at home to Spurs ... oh dear ... with money no object, that could spell doom for "Henry" Mancini (maybe Sheikh Mansour could tempt John Flanagan away from fitted kitchens !)
... and Walshaw Sports beat Hollinwood 3-1 on pens after a 2-2 draw in the Manchester League Gilgryst Cup Final at Ewen Fields ...
... the gig - Rokia Traore was excellent (can't say the same about the support band though - Sweet Billy Pilgrim - made the Smiths look like "smiley happy people" - turgid would be my instant view I'm afraid - some good harmonies, but oh so bloody miserable !!) - a slow, gentle start from Ms Traore with stuff from the album "Tchamantche" - some homage to Miriam Makeba ("Quit It") and then she literally "got Rokia" with some lengthy Afro-beat - culminating in a 30 minute "jam/segue" at the end including a bit of Fela Kuti ("African Woman") - solos, dancing, the lot ! Excellent band behind her as well - certainly a top night out ...
... believe there's a General Election later today - and we've got 'locals' as well, so there'll certainly be some differences in voting between the two - for me anyway ... the evening should be spent in Bury - but that's still to be confirmed ...
(and just going back to football (high scoring version) for a tick - well done to Belper Town Reserves who clinched the Central Midlands Reserve Division Championship with a 10(ten)-0 thumping of Forest Town Reserves) .
... tonight ... some interesting stuff on - I mentioned the Gilgryst Cup Final at Hyde United earlier in the week - I won't be there, because I'm off to the Bridgewater Hall to see Rokia Traore from Mali - for those who've never heard of same check out this 70 second "bits and bobs" video from a few weeks ago in New York City - it's Youtube - the sound is poor - but you'll get the idea ...
We mustn't forget the other "big match" tonight - Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - the town of Mossley is awash with Reds and Blues .. but it would be nice to think they'll all be shouting for one team and one team only tonight (a forlorn hope knowing some of the Reds "wot I know" but .. you never know).
Other news - little - had a quick peep in Seel Park today whilst on the way to the Co-op - nothing yet ref the new floodlights - got an e-mail ref my job interview the other Friday - the recruiter said he put four up for the job - two are definite "no's" and there's me and one other guy "still under consideration". With the dearth of interviews etc that I've had (or not), it's a bit of a victory so far (beaten two at least !!!) and a bit of a confidence booster knowing that I'm still in the frame, therefore I must have something to offer someone - still have to keep plugging away mind ...
... and finally for now - that garden jobby - all we need to do now is put sand (or gravel ?) between the stones - and apparently some "alpines" around the edges ...
Well, I finished the garden bit this morning (sadly no picture - forgot !), which gave me time off for good behaviour in the afternoon. An important game for Atherton who needed just a point to ensure safety - which they didn't get - some pictures at
No goal pictures - the ref kicked off early in the second half (and caught a lot of us out !), and the second goal was a "did it cross the line ?" moment - confirmed by the linesman. This means that Atherton HAVE to get something out of next Saturday's game against fellow strugglers Ashton Athletic in order to preserve their top division status - might just have to go to that one ... .
Ever one to extend the football season as long as is humanly (and financially) possible, I took a trip to the Blocksages to watch Dukinfield Town take on Manchester Gregorians in the Manchester League - also gave me a chance to drop off a CD of piccies I took a couple of months ago (the night before Duki had to send all three of last season's trophies back to the various leagues !). I also nipped in to Asda to make a quick "hard copy" of some of the better pictures - MISTAKE - they might be "instant", but they appear to 'crop' something rotten - maybe I should have tweaked/sized the pictures better on the CD !!
To the game (a 1400 kick-off which actually started quite late due to the late arrival of the two liners !) - Gregorians started like a house on fire, taking the lead after a couple of minutes, and also contriving to miss a penalty. Duki were playing the better football overall, but every Gregorians attack looked likely to result in a goal. The equaliser arrived - but then it was "switch off" time and almost immediately it was 2-1 to the away team and it remained so until half-time (a quick pint in the "cosy" clubhouse and a check out of Sky Sports News (although it was only just after 3 o'clock). Second half ...tried a few different positions (oo-err !) including sat under the rail at almost zero feet !! Went to 3-1 before an absolute screamer gave Dukinfield Town some hope ... but - yet again - the concentration disappeared, and they were made to pay when Gregorians quickly restored their two goal advantage ... and that was the final score. Some pictures at Dukinfield Town 2 Manchester Gregorians 4
After the game - a pint in the club and watch the various "stories" unfold on the Sky Sports News - and also a chance to confirm my suspicions that the Gregorians goalkeeper was in fact ex-Lilywhite Martin White (his big "claim to fame" at Seel Park was to score a goal against Nantwich Town in 1999 'from open play' as they say - yes from his kick out - one bounce and straight over Nantwich 'keeper Stuart Heeps !). Apparently he's now coaching at Gregorians, and as their regular 'keeper was unavailable, he stepped in between the sticks (not for the first time this season either he told me). Then it was home for some Mediterranean cuisine from Mrs Smiffy ...
Today has seen a little more garden work - not yet complete (have to keep an eye on my back as they say !) - sorting out the "grassy/weedy" bit as mentioned on Thursday - so here's the "work in progress" as they say ...
Eight down ... four to go (two more rows of two) !!
Might well finish off tomorrow - well it is a Bank Holiday - although there's always the thought of ... MORE FOOTBALL !!!!!!!!!!! Not too sure about this midweek - the two best options are "unavailable" to me - on Wednesday (the Manchester League Gilgryst Cup Final - Hollinwood v Walshaw Sports being played at Hyde United - I will be watching Rokia Traore @ the Bridgewater Hall) and Thursday (Vodkat League Challenge Cup Final - Abbey Hey v Winsford United being played at Curzon Ashton - I will be at the "Comedy Night" @ Bury Metro) - so we'll have to see what else we can contrive (maybe one of the Athertons tomorrow in the Vodkat League ??) ...
News from today - it's a Fleetwood Town v Alfreton Town final in the Blue Square North - Alfreton beat Workington 3-1 (4-1 on agg) - and (shame) Fleetwood beat Droylsden 4-3 on penalties after winning the second leg 3-1 (3-3 on agg) - to be played next Sunday - looking at the Droylsden message board, there may be some severe "fall-out" after today's game - talk of some "over-enthusiastic stewarding" has been mentioned ... we'll find out more later no doubt ...
Other than that - a fruitful afternoon (say no more) - a nice sirloin steak for tea - the Bank Holiday weekend has well and truly started (check out the weather - hmmm !). Tomorrow sees some serious "garden-type" shopping before afternoon footy at the Blocksages ... .
I wonder what the descendents of Winston Churchill think of this "hi-jacking" by the British National Party ?A touch naughty I feel ..
I must say however - in the interests of fairness - that our local rag the "Tameside Reporter" has managed to exclude the BNP Candidate for our constituency (Stalybridge & Hyde) from their "Election Special" supplement today - nor is he mentioned on the Manchester Evening News "Candidate List" .... don't worry, they're certainly not getting my humble vote, but fair's fair ...
Meanwhile, back @ the TV "Mass Debate" (tee hee !) my instant reaction was:
Brown - Stolid .. but .. those bloody ears ! Cameron - Smarmy.. lousy make-up job Clegg - Fresh .. but .. looking like a member of the "same club"
Did absolutely nowt to influence my voting intentions ... with not having to leave the house early to go to work these last few weeks (months ??), I've also suffered the slings and arrows of Radio 4 in the morning - and I'll be honest - I'm bored - we have three parties who are more interested in slagging each other off rather than sitting down and telling the truth (although I'll be honest, I don't think reporters like John Humphries do much to encourage "proper debate" either - now there's a phrase .. "proper debate" ..).
... and none of them offered me a job either ... .
OK - I missed the first two due to Mossley's Thursday's games - it's now half-way through the third one (2120) - and all I have worked out so far is .....
Hasn't Gordon Brown got HUGE ears ? Maybe more later ....... .
'Twas the Conf North Play-Offs (1st Leg) last night - and a big "Well Done" to Droylsden (beating Fleetwood 2-0) and Alfreton (beating Workington 1-0) - I like to think I've friends at both of the winning teams (as well as "Docs" @ Fleetwood of course !), but it certainly opens things up for the second legs on Sunday. Couldn't attend at the Butchers last night - should have been college but it was once again cancelled "late doors" (this time - family bereavement) - getting to be a bit of a joke this college course - delays, communication breakdowns, numerous cancellations - a 17 week course that's going to take the best part of 52 weeks to complete (either that or someone "up there" is telling me that IT is NOT the way forward !!). Fingers are crossed for an Alfreton v Droylsden final ... incidentally, let me just say that Droylsden snapper Carl is "calling it a day" at the end of this season - he has his own reasons, but it's going to be a helluva loss on the non-league snapper circuit (check out here for his pix from last night) - one of my early "mentors" when taking up the DSLR route was Carl ...
Anyway ... Thursday - a total "zilch" on the job hunt front - a miserable day weather-wise - Mrs Smiffy will be well hacked off when she comes home from work - we were going to have another crack at the garden - yes that's what I ended up doing last night ... 'tis a deceptively large garden in various parts - so we're starting at the top and working down - last night was organising borders (me setting up stones and faffing with weeds and soil) and planting up ( the expert - i.e. not me !) . I took some "snaps" with babycam today in the rain ... and we had a guest star appearing as well !!
The "grassy/weedy" bit in the middle is next to sort out ...... but what's that in the tub ??
Yep - a grey bugger ... so you go closer ...
... and he runs up the tree !!
Tonight - another culinary test - we had a load of left over salmon a few weeks ago, so I created salmon fish cakes/salmon patties and attempted to freeze them in such a way that they wouldn't turn to mush once defrosted - they've been defrosting all day (in the fridge - word on t'web was "DO NOT DEFROST AT ROOM TEMPERATURE" (mush prevention I guess !!) ... we'll see !! .
"Welcome to HELL !" - the ever genial Harry Galloway - Curzon Chairman
... in the Unibond League 1 North Play-Off Semi Final ... all in all a pretty grim game to watch as a supposed "neutral" - when Curzon took the lead on the stroke of half-time, I reckoned that would certainly open things up ... but to be honest it didn't. The Bay penalty seemed to be the cue for Curzon to completely lose their way for the next 15 minutes, during which time Lee Davey put the Seagulls ahead. There then followed 9 minutes of normal time and God knows how long added on time (officially 5 if I remember) when Curzon surged forward for that elusive equaliser - which was not forthcoming ... pictures at Curzon Ashton 1 Colwyn Bay 2
So it's Colwyn Bay who travel up to the Giant Axe on Saturday to meet Lancaster City (2-0 victors over Skelmersdale United). Had it been Curzon, I may well have gone myself - but circumstances (OK finances really) dictate ... so, I'll be looking elsewhere ... the good money is on Dukinfield Town v Manchester Gregorians (with a 1400hrs kick-off). .
1) Now have to sign on weekly instead of fortnightly;
2) Have to extend my search to jobs up 90 minutes travel (by public transport) from home - you know the deal - 70% of your wages go on travel and the other 30% to the bloody Exchequer;
3) They have my CV - and their "Job Match Team" (!) will do stuff on my behalf - well, y'never know !!
So ... I've put myself forward for a possible "Work Trial" in Hyde ("Work Trial" = work for nowt for 30 days, and then they say "No" - or is that me being pessimistic ??)
So ... I've just applied for a job in Wigan ...
Tonight - looks like I'll be the only Mossley fan there shouting for the "local team" - every bugger else has been applying for "honorary Welsh passports" !! .
Nothing to do with overheating trainers (!) - down to me using the external flash on Saturday - and the "old age" of the camera I guess !! Noticed yesterday that the Exposure Compensation seemed "stuck" at +2 - and the pop-up flash ... wouldn't. Seems that there is a tiny plastic (aargh !) switch in the hot shoe that drops down when you attach an external flash, and (should) pop up when you remove it (allowing use of the on-board flash) - all I was getting was a whirring noise and "ERR 05" !
Step forward Google - or more to the point Conrad Erb - an excellent article indeed (that does beg the question "How do you take photographs of your own camera - ha ha !) - so - a quick trip to the local DIY shop for some baby screwdrivers (£1-69) - a piece of paper so I didn't lose the tiny screws (free !) - and bingo - problem solved ! The plastic switch was "sticking" in the down position, so I gave it all a bit of a clean - dust and gunk - wiggled accordingly - and put it all back together again.
Success !! (although I may well stick that tiny screwdriver in my camera bag, because it may well happen again - maybe not just age of camera, but also my insistence in "not hiding in the stands" when the rain comes down - and we've had a pretty cold and wet winter - haven't we ??).
So - all sorted for tomorrow night @ Curzon Ashton ... but - before that an appointment with a "Personal Adviser" down at Chez Dole - I've hit the magic 13 week mark - maybe they start to get dirty now ... suppose I also ought to mention the job interview I had on Friday - the interview went fine - then I was given a lengthy test which unfortunately included "newer" stuff from SQL Server and T-SQL where my knowledge is next to non-existent - ouch - this was not mentioned at all in the job spec - ouch - we'll just have to wait and see - and in the meantime ... keep looking and keep trying ... .
... after yesterday's game, a quick hour in the club to snap presentations etc - and hear the sad news about the resignation of Mossley Manager John Flanagan (will say more later) before dashing down to Manchester to catch the TransPeak "slow coach to Belper" to catch up with Mrs Smiffy ('twas her Auntie's 90th yesterday) - a brisk walk today (Monsall Dale, Tideswell Dale and a couple of other Dales) before home. Tonight is Part Two of the family "Come Dine With Me" competition (small boy), so I don't think I'll get too near yesterday's pics before 2200 tonight - and with it being the last game of the season, it would be nice to do a "bumper bundle" - please bear with me - yet again !!
A quick look around yesterday's other results has turned up a nice local game for Tuesday night - as in Curzon Ashton v Colwyn Bay in the Unibond 1 North Play-Offs - that was TOTALLY unexpected - and then next Saturday ... who knows ???
Back later - or early tomorrow - with "the goods" ... .
Got a job interview later today ... so can't bugger about with pictures too much now - got a deserved 1-1 draw in the end - and here's the equaliser from Andy Russell (click for big) ...
Will try to get more up later - but as well as job interview, 23rd April is also Wedding Anniversary (26 and counting !!) - so I may well struggle !! Please bear with me ! .
... of the Orange variety tonight - me and Mrs Smiffy gave Gurinder Chadha's "It's a Wonderful Afterlife" a go down at the Ashton Multiplex flea pit. Having done one review this week ... why not another ??
Overall impression was ... rather weak. A bit of a muddle between humour, horror and romance with a plot (?) that didn't really go anywhere. If you're going to cast Sanjeev Bhaskar - give him some dialogue (he was sadly underused with very few funny bits). Maybe I missed some of the jokes - there were certainly some Indian people in the audience laughing at times when I wasn't. A few nice "rip offs" mind - exploding stomach a la "Alien", the final scene was reminiscent of "Ghost", and the lengthy "Carrie" - type scene at the party was very good indeed. I'll be honest - until the credits came up at the end, I thought it was Maureen Lipman playing Mrs Goldstein - never thought it would be Zoe Wanamaker !!
So ... harmless fun I guess - no doubt people will try to compare it with Chadha's other real biggie "Bend It Like Beckham" - it's certainly not a patch on that film. Would I recommend it ? Well on a "2 for 1" night - maybe ... .
Whilst on my "constitutional dolescum walk out" today, I spotted these very strange things up in the sky - noisy as well - so out came the babycam - can anyone advise ??
Three up in 15 minutes - pegged back to 3-2 before a fourth goal pretty much sealed it just before half-time. Second half was a "genteel affair" with not a lot to play for (apart from 7th place in the table !!) - and only one more goal. We also had a cameo outfield performance from goalkeeper Peter Collinge (he put himself about a bit too !!) - older viewers may remember Rod Bates doing the same for Mossley up at Penrith one Sunday afternoon (as I recall he did the full 90 minutes though) !!
A crowd of only 90 though - oh dear ... Thursday sees Skelmersdale coming to Hurst Cross - revenge for the 5-2 defeat might be sweet ... and hopefully a few more through the gate as well, before the season comes to an end with a "real proper home game" on Saturday against Rossendale United. It would be nice to finish the week with 9 points - and maybe, just maybe 6th place - although if Leigh get a point or more tonight at home to Salford City we can look no higher than 7th - which would cap what has to be seen as a tremendous season considering all that has gone on !
The Unibond 1 North is pretty much sorted now - Halifax confirmed as champs (although they had to come back from 2-0 last night to get "that point") and Lancaster City, Colwyn Bay, Curzon Ashton and Skelmersdale United in the play-offs (yes I know Leigh "could" - but we are talking mathematics - and a goal difference of 14 !). Oh, and commiserations to Belper Town, beaten 2-0 at Pride Park by Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final - hope they all had a cracking night out though ... enough for now ... .
Best of luck tonight to Droylsden who play our good friends (!) Trafford in the Manchester Premier Cup at Ewen Fields (Hyde United FC) - best behaviour boys !!
... and also to Belper Town who will be treading the "hallowed turf" of Pride Park in their Derbyshire Senior Cup Final against Matlock Town. Me - I'll be watching Mossley v Garforth Town up at Hurst Cross ...
I see Curzon Ashton made a bit of a c*ck-up last night losing 2-0 away at lowly Harrogate RA - makes getting that third place (and a home game in the play-off semi final) that much more difficult now - unless they want to play away ?? While already 99.99999% certain of the title, FC Halifax Town should wrap it up completely at home tonight against Clitheroe (unless of course they lose about 12-0 and Lancaster smack 20 past Radcliffe Borough ... yep ... unlikely !!!).
Nearly there ...
Oh yeah - I have another job interview (this time an IT one) - Friday afternoon ... .
Due to a "series of unfortunate incidents", we find ourselves in possession of 4 return rail tickets from Stalybridge to Edinburgh (the "advance" type - as in "No bl**dy refund whatsoever" - d'oh !). Details below:
Friday 7th May
Stalybridge depart 1526 York arrive 1635 York depart 1646 Edinburgh arrive 1913
Sunday 9th May
Edinburgh depart 1400 York arrive 1626 York depart 1645 Stalybridge arrive 1745
All journey legs come with seat reservations ... and are obviously easily extendable from Manchester etc.
If you were booking now - they'd cost you £82 each - all we want is to recoup our "losses", so we're knocking 'em out at £35 each (or nearest offer !).
If anyone out there in "bloggerworld" fancies a weekend in "Auld Reekie" - or knows anyone who might - pleae let me know - Ta !
(That was a begging letter on behalf of the Smiffy Party) .
... missed it on Saturday night - too busy faffing with photos - but ITV4+1did the business tonight...
OK - only Episode 1 (but I believe only 6 to play with instead of 17) - this opener was called "Arrival" (just like the real thing) - but I'm not convinced at the moment ...
1) Remakes always fill me with dread - the obvious question is "Why ?" Only recently I mentioned on here watching the re-hash of "Assault on Precinct 13" ... and "hash" just about summed that up ... so many other remakes have either been "pants or pointless" ... so probably I went into the start with a slightly "biased" view.
2) It's been "Americanised" - another cause for concern ... "The Village" isn't a village at all ... it's bigger (and has a night club - WTF ?!) - the area around "The Village" is also "bigger" (i.e. a bloody desert) - some tokenist "Brit" slants (kept seeing a Moggy Minor floating around in the background - and the 147 taxi was certainly right-hand drive !)
3) Only seen one blazer (on the dead "93") - the whole idea of "Individual vs Collectivism" loses a lot purely on the lack of blazers/"uniform" dress - and no penny-farthing either !!
4) "The Village" people are not just "people with a secret" (ex-Government agents etc) - they just seem to be people who have had their memories wiped (OK there was a pic of the Statue of Liberty and talk of "dreams", but nowt much else - yet) - and what was with the bomb ?
5) James Caviezel (Number 6) seems to be playing the role more like Jack Bauer out of "Lost" rather than the pure anger that was Patrick McGoohan - put that down to the writer maybe ?? We don't really know where he's come from - something that was fairly obvious in the original (what with the "Danger Man" prequel and the opening credits) ... maybe this will become clearer - eventually ..
It might appeal to some - but I'm not too sure after Episode 1 - I'll stick with it mind ...
Here endeth my effort at being Barry Norman ... maybe I should stick to football !!! .
... phone call from Ashton College - Wednesday night computer course cancelled as tutor is "trapped" somewhere outside the UK ... and no, I didn't "blow my top" when I got the message ... .
... a brisk seven miler today round Edale, Rushup Edge etc etc ... won't bore you you too many photos either (too late anyway) - just the one (double-click for big) !!!
... couldn't make the Mossley game ... they lost 5-2 (sounds poo, but at 3-2 down, pushing for an equaliser ... you can guess the rest). Anyway it was Bower Fold today for me - a couple of beers in the Hare and Hounds first and the chance to see Eastwood Chairman Rob Yong "in action" - a chat with a couple of Badgers told me how much this guy does for the team (i.e. a lot !) - he even travels on the supporters "Booze Bus" rather than the normal option - and I helped myself to some of the "gratis chips" he bought today - cheers ! (and I STILL have the photo of his choice of Ilkeston Town Player of the Year - obviously cannot divulge this "exclusive" until after the event !!).
Anyway ... game - bad start for Celtic when Barry Keeling got a red - a typical "by the book" decision by the ref who is of course hidebound by the refs rule book (you know that book ... it's the one where the phrases "discretion" and "common sense" have been deleted ...) - however a quick regroup (move Michael Carr back a bit) and to be honest over the next 89 minutes Eastwood threatened very little, and when they did the Celtic defence coped with ease ... and when the winner came it was a bonus I reckon ... nice for Celtic to finish their home games on an "up" though ... it's certainly been an "interesting" few months at Bower Fold since the departure of previous Manager Steve Burr ... for many Celtic fans the season end cannot come quick enough ... but if you look at today's performance - there's something there ... something that just might carry over to next season ...
Some pictures from today ... given the excellent weather, I was a touch disappointed - put that down to the cameraman I guess - bugger all else to blame - even got the new eyepiece up and running ... anyhow they're here ...
Took advantage of the good weather this afternoon for a gentle stroll up the Huddersfield Canal to Uppermill and back home via a quick slurp in the "Railway" @ Greenfield (Copper Dragon Golden Pippin to be exact !) - and saw quite a mixed bunch on the way ...
... and so back to football - unable to get to Skelmersdale v Mossley tomorrow so a more local choice has to be made - mind will be suitably made up later ... .
Brief ... well beaten ... no complaints ... play-off dreams all but gone .. just a few snaps from the night (including a controversial "lens change" at 3-0 down !) to be found at
You can guess which team recovered best from their defeat earlier in the week ... but with everyone on three games a week due to the rigid "season end date" ... it's just getting very silly ... .
... and that's not just today's quick walk around Ambleside, Wansfell Pike and Troutbeck - maybe some pictures later ... got home about 1830 ... dutifully checked e-mails - to see this ... the follow-up to this
We are pleased to inform you that you have passed your assessment, unfortunately on this occasion we are unable to offer you the position you applied for.
At present there are no further vacancies within your area but we would like to keep your name on our waiting list for any future vacancies.
Oh ... and the camera eyepiece has yet to arrive - what I DO have is a postcard from the Post Office saying that a parcel is waiting for me down in Ashton - because the sender didn't put enough postage on it - so I have to pay £1-10 (including £1 "handling fee") - so much for free postage ...
Several words come to mind - mostly beginning with "a" and ending with "rse" ....
2045 - Update - some pictures from today - Belper Town 1-0 up against Stamford in the Presidents Cup Final at half-time !
2050 - Update - 1-1 straight from the kick-off apparently ...
FINAL UPDATE - two in the last five minutes ... Belper Town 3 Stamford 1 - first Unibond trophy of the season sorted ! Good to finish this post on an "up" ... .
... 0930 hrs - Lancaster Wetherspoons - sensibly sipping tea and eating a bacon butty (while the rest of the clientele are recharging their alcoholic batteries !). Needed to check e-mails so here we go .... and also last night's football - looks like Mossley's 5th game in 8 days was a game too far, losing 3-1 at Colwyn Bay. HOWEVER ... it's obviously hitting everyone - Radcliffe lost again, Skelmersdale lost again - and with Curzon losing on Monday, no real ground has been lost. Notice also that Lancaster lost their second game in a row, at Trafford last night - the title could well be Halifax's by Saturday. Off for a wander around the Lakes today - home in time for Thursday night though - the next six-pointer of 2009/10 against Curzon Ashton (another "home game" @ Hurst Cross) ... .
Monday ... a bit of "family shopping" in Manchester - a trip to the pix to see the new Tim Burton "Alice in Wonderland" (settled for the 2D version as we'd left our x-ray spex at home) - thoroughly enjoyable - late lunch in Tampopo - and then home ... and as me and Mrs Smiffy are off to visit middle boy in Lancaster tomorrow (thus missing the Mossley trip to Colwyn Bay), I got time out to go to the Tameside Stadium to see tonight's big game, where I joined the other 802 paying customers to watch a footballing lesson ...
It might have been "Alice in Wonderland" earlier, but it became "Aspin in Wonderland" tonight - my Golden Goal ticket (49 minutes) was soon thrown away as Halifax took the lead within 60 seconds - and I have to say ... they just ripped Curzon apart tonight - simple as that. For a night match, it wasn't a bad set either - see Curzon Ashton 0 FC Halifax Town 5
So ... Halifax now four points in front of Lancaster (who visit Trafford tomorrow night - wonder how Melford will behave !) - pressure now firmly on the Dolly Blues for that auto-promotion place ... and looking at life in a selfish sort of way - Mossley now only 7 points behind Curzon with a game in hand - and we play them on Thursday night - getting tighter and tighter in the play-off situation. Fingers (and everything else) firmly crossed for Mossley's trip to North Wales tomorrow night ... would love to be there, but ... the perils of family (and anyway they managed six points over Easter in my absence so ... see that as the lucky omen). .
Football of course - and another three points for Mossley who ground out a 1-0 win against Radcliffe Borough. Like Thursday it certainly wasn't a classic, but it was a much improved performance - and it's getting to THAT time of the season where it's results that count - especially with that tantalising play-off spot still mathematically possible. Most of the other results "went our way" as well, and Mossley now sit in 7th place ... pictures from the game at
Home, change and off to big city to see the John Butler Trio - and an amazing evening it was (if we take rail travel out of the equation - late into Manc and late out afterwards - trapped @ Gorton for 30 mins - broken-down train in front !). That man is a real guitar genius ... no photos, but I have got an iffy video of "Ocean" - too long for Youtube @ 11.5 mins - maybe I'll get Windows Movie Maker on the case.
Today - a wander round the Longdendale Valley - and a rare outing for the old "cheap and cheerful" 28-105 lens - and it did OK as well (even at the "macro" level) - some pictures at
This week sees some more football (surprise surprise !) - a trip to see middle boy up in Lancaster (and some "walkies" in the Lake District) - some shopping in Manc ... and maybe, just maybe some positive vibes regarding employment ... .
... is a trip down to Manchester Academy 1 with our Michelle and friend to see the John Butler Trio - I'm sure I've mentioned them before but here is one hell of a guitarist - just a shame it has to be "in that big shed" - I reckon he's worthy of the Bridgewater Hall myself !
But first - some very important football to be done - obviously the "biggie" in the Unibond One North is at the Shay between FC Halifax Town (2nd) and Lancaster City (top) - this game will obviously have a big bearing on who gets the automatic promotion slot, and should pull in a big crowd. The race for the play-offs continues - and I continue to involve Mossley in that race - even if "it doesn't happen", Mossley will certainly have a big say in who DOES get into the top five ... Leigh Genesis (5th) are at home to Bamber Bridge; Skelmersdale (6th) away at Harrogate Railway; Clitheroe (8th) are "on the 3G" at Woodley Sports, while Mossley (9th) entertain Radcliffe Borough (7th) - there'll be much telephoning and "mobile internetting" come 1645 today. Quick word on the Southern Division as well - as in come on Belper (tricky awayday at Carlton Town) ... believe !!
My tip for the Grand National ("Grand National" - a very good album by ... John Butler Trio - honest !!) - obviously with Mossley on an excellent run at the moment (won 7 drawn 1 lost 2 in the last 10 games) - it HAS to be a "nod" towards our Manager Mr Flanagan ... even with a form guide of 0000 this season, I'm going for "King John's Castle" (currently 40/1) !!
I'll leave you with a "check it out" video of John Butler playing "Ocean" - watch and enjoy some amazing fretwork !!
Following yesterday's job interview I got an email not 20 minutes ago containing this ...
We are delighted to confirm that you have passed your recent assessment and we are moving your application to the next stage. We will contact you again in the next few days to discuss your application further.
Fingers crossed eh what ?? Now all I need is that new eyepiece for the camera to arrive either today or tomorrow before the Radcliffe game. I managed to "lose" my eyepiece somewhere in the Derbyshire area on Easter Monday - and being a "speccy four eyes" it's a bit of a bugger getting eye to viewfinder because of the worry of severely scratching my glasses ... there you go, the perfect excuse for the "less than brilliant" sets of pictures from Monday afternoon and last night !!!
EBay came to the rescue (£3.99 post free - the RRP of a new Canon eyepiece is something daft like £13 excl p&p !), and an e-mail received yesterday said "posted" - so I should have no excuses on Saturday afternoon ! .
Three points is three points ... Raccy B won tonight ... so we're both closer to Leigh Genesis ... now on to beat Raccy B on Saturday ... and hopefully a much improved performance behind the lens as well as on ... ! .
... well I had a (non-IT) job interview this morning - and considering it was only my second interview in 25 years ... it didn't go too badly at all (i.e. much much better than the first one !) - felt a lot more comfortable ... we wait - we see ! The sun is shining as I tap, so I reckon there'll be no problems with tonight's game against Woodley Sports going ahead (!!) - and of course it's tonight's game now when all the gate receipts will be going towards the Ashton United appeal in the Marcus Hallows court case - so if you've nowt to do tonight, why not bob along to Hurst Cross - shout for Mossley (or Woodley - you choose !) and help a very deserving cause ...
Now - off to get some nibblies before shooting off to the game (via Stalybridge Buffet Bar of course !) - pictures later - later could well mean midnight-ish if/when we win ... or much later if the unthinkable happens - after a six-point Easter weekend for Mossley (of which I saw none !), I am quietly confident ... that play-off place really is STILL within reach - one other important game tonight is Leigh Genesis v Radcliffe Borough, although I don't really know what would be the best result for Mossley - maybe a draw is the best option when you look at the "situation" ...
5th - Leigh G Played 37 Points 64 (they're in the final play-off place) 8th - Raccy B Played 35 Points 53 9th - Mossley Played 34 Points 52
...and who do Mossley play on Saturday - yep, Radcliffe Borough !
It's all to play for ... Have to finish with a couple of amazing comebacks from last night's Unibond fixtures ... Matlock were 3-1 at home to Worksop with 13 minutes left - won 4-3 with a 92nd minute winner ... but even more incredible was the FC Halifax turnaround - 3-1 away at Garforth with 2 (yes TWO) minutes left - and won 4-3 with a 94th minute winner !!! If you're in the Halifax area on Saturday, why not take in FC Halifax Town(2nd) vs Lancaster City (top) - that's going to be one helluva game ...
The decks are cleared as they say - some pix from Belper's rather disappointing display against Chasetown on Easter Monday (and a few sneaked in from our pre-match walk just up the road):
Next up ... Saturday's game at the New Manor Ground where Ilkeston Town came from a goal down to beat AFC Telford United thanks to a winner from Jason Lee (yes last seen by me playing for Corby Town at Stalybridge earlier this season - now signed for Ilson). Ilkeston Town 2 AFC Telford United 1
Naturally, a day out in Ilkeston involves a few Erewash hostelries - as in "Spanish Bar", "Observatory","Little Acorn"(pre-match) and the "DewDrop", "Good Old Days" and "Spanish Bar" (post-match) and a bit of a natter with the "usual suspects" !! The win against Telford does their play-off aspirations no harm at all (Monday's results could have worked out better for them -although Stalybridge's apparent capitulation at Vauxhall Motors has probably removed one team from the "last play off place" equation - still need to check out the fall-out from that one ...).
Two down - one to go - and it's another team with thoughts of the play-offs - i.e. Belper Town - I'll probably sort them pictures tomorrow - you'd be better off checking out the "master's collection" here. (or even Ken's set here !)I do need to get myself up to date quick-ish as there's more football on Thursday night when Mossley entertain Woodley Sports (that's assuming they let me in after my prolonged - yet enforced - Easter "absence without leave" !).
Plenty more stuff to do tomorrow - prepare for interview on Thursday - keep looking for jobs - and Easter holidays means give the house a "good bottoming" (oo-err !) - onward ever onward .... .
... after a long weekend "got longer" ... down to Belper on Friday morning - and straight down to the painting/hole filling and general "stuff" - which carried on for the next couple of days on and off. Amongst the "off" bits I managed to see a little bit of football - although being without internet (no dongle here !) for four days - and only picking up a "Non League Paper" on Monday afternoon, I felt a little bit "out of the loop" to put it mildly (although many thanks to Trotsky for keeping me "up to speed" on Mossley's "six point weekend" - which to me means that tantalising play-off place is still there ... maybe ... just maybe ...)
Still - back now and I've sorted out Part One of the three-part "non-Mossley binge football weekend" as in Friday night's "starter" ... subtitled "The Ross Hannah Show" - a quick trip back up the A6 from Belper up to Causeway Lane:
... as part of the "Come Dine With Me" experience, I had to nip up to Top Mossley to get some extra stuff (mostly beer but ... !). Walking back I spotted this in the window of Mossley Library :
We often see "howlers" around the towns and cities of his wonderful country (it's mostly apostrophes ! ) but ... in a public library ??? Pardon me for being an old git who can spell but ... God help us all ... it puts the "Pull/Push Vigorously with Care" into the shade really ... .
Dagenham and Redbridge 1-0 Torquay United
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