Quiet here innit ?

... weekend away (family duties - no pictures - not for web consumption anyway !), and a "quiet" day today (laid SIX patio slabs - think that's a record for one day - and still found time to watch Portugal stuff Korea DPR !). Appear to have had rather a lot of hits today from the Telford area linking back to a game against Mossley back in 2007 - had a nosey on their message board but couldn't spot anything of note !

Tomorrow I get to sign on at dole city ... and tell them that I've got a job starting next Monday - that will be fun ... but apart from that ... aaah, just remembered I need to sort out my photography insurance ... like now (think it runs out either midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow) ... but apart from that ... Spain won (just glad I swapped Torres out for Bendter in my Fantasy League team - at least he can score !!) ... but apart from that ... OK one pic from the weekend - the River Gardens @ Belper with East Mill in the background ...



well that was worth waiting for eh what ...
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Algeria Aftermath ...

2230 - first thoughts ? Yes ...

Obviously I missed the sight of the USA game last week (see below) but I sent a txt to Mrs Smiffy just after half-time today as in, "Tonight 'looks' like last Saturday 'sounded' - awful" - and that just about sums up the shambles that I've just watched up at the Football Club ...

It's only a matter of time before our hysterical tabloids finally put all this bull to bed and finally admit that "We're Not Very Good" - witness tonight - toothless up front - Glen Johnson getting skinned every time down the Algerian left - midfield looking non-existent at times - bring Crouch on, and he crops up on the right wing - great place for a 6 foot 7 inch player. Big up to Algeria - they'd done their homework and they got a result - and made England look ordinary.

Apparently Rooney came off saying to the camera "Nice to hear your own fans booing you, that's loyal supporters." Now - some words to the man who earns £150,000 per week (yes - per week i.e. more money than most people earn in 20 years). Point 1 - You'll find that most of the England fans out there are not "loyal" football fans - they're just rich peeps who can afford it (as in Prince Bill and Prince Hal) or ex-pats who took their money out of this country - why the hell do you think all the trouble/violence has happened elsewhere (as in this country - we'll see what has happened tonight tomorrow no doubt) - if you want to talk to the "loyal supporters" - feel free to pop into Mossley (or any other pub/club in England - where you will find the loyal supporters) sometime - you got a lot more than a mere "booing" tonight - because you deserved it - you and 10 others (plus subs) basically did nowt tonight - all of you - yes ALL of you were an absolute disgrace. I heard Capello talk about "pressure" - maybe you've got the "pressure" of the UK tabloids bulling us up - and what the hell was Beckham doing on the bench (now maybe that's "pressure" ??).

Pathetic - thank God I've no England players in my Fantasy League team - back to realism again I guess ...

That's the early "stream of whatever" out of the way - I'm sure I could have said more, but ... Wednesday afternoon will be VERY interesting ...
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Tonight's Game ...

Is everyone confident ?? (I'm never confident when England are one of the teams - the perils of being a realist).

Will Robert Green play ?? (He'll know by 1730hrs - Joe Hart for me, but I bet "Calamity James" gets the nod)

Will there be "trouble" at the big screen showing in Manchester ?? (I reckon everyone will be bunking off work early - it is a Friday - and the "lubrication" will have already started - so I'd assume "yes" - even if the "Manchester Evening News" try to 'manufacture' it - allegedly).

Will the Yanks get anything from this afternoon's game ?? (Slovenia already 1-0 up - which will give them six points, and through - I'm going for a Slovenia win - which would put a little more pressure on England).

Is everyone happy with the Germany result ?? (On the grounds that they're not English - I'd assume "yes" !!).

Will I be up at Mossley Football Club to watch the game (Someone mentioned free food - so I'd assume "yes" !!).

Just got back from B&Q with more "garden supplies" - patio slabs and sand and cement - but there will be nowt happening this weekend - yet another "trip away" ...

(New Job Contract has arrived though - to be perused later !!!)
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Been saving this for a while ...

... for those who don't know - those unfortunates claiming the dole are "obliged" to fill in a "Job Diary" (i.e. efforts you have made to obtain employment) which has to be presented every time you sign on - one of the usual 'scams' is to write "Read the Manchester Evening News Jobs Supplement on Thursday" ... well it fills a line ! Anyway - to my point.

Today's "Manchester Evening News" as usual advertised on the front page - "Inside: 12 pages of jobs" ... oh really ??

Page 1 - Flashy "front page" advertising jobs website - NO JOBS
Page 2 - Index, "Problem Page", List of people who've got 'senior jobs' - NO JOBS
Page 3 - A typical heartwarming story about someone - NO JOBS
Page 4 - Jobs (less 1/8 of a page advertising job website)
Page 5 - Jobs (less 1/32 of a page - advert)
Page 6 - 1/2 page of jobs - 1/2 page advertising job website
Page 7 - Jobs (less 1/16 of a page - adverts)
Page 8 - Jobs (less 1/16 of a page - adverts)
Page 9 - Jobs (less 1/16 of a page - adverts)
Page 10 - Full Page advertising job website - NO JOBS
Page 11 - Jobs (less 1/64 of a page - advert)
Page 12 - Full Page travel/holiday advert - just what the unemployed need - NO JOBS

The above figures are a bit rough and ready (I could have done this with a ruler, but that would be taking "geek" toooo far !!), but by my reckoning, that "12 Pages of Jobs" equates to a shade over "6 Pages of Jobs".... and it's pretty much the same every week. Maybe next week, I'll attempt an analysis of the actual jobs on offer - but maybe I won't ...

France were poor tonight as well weren't they ? "11 Players of Football" probably equated to just over "5 Players of Football" in the end - the rest were just adverts for the club game ...
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Same Blog - Different View

... at last - getting out of the bloody garden and saying something about the World Cup ...

Check this out

Hope you weren't expecting anything sensible ... otherwise you might have got this ...




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... Then there were Two ...

... from this morning ...



Maybe they are from our "taddies" - and I'm pretty sure there's a third "thingy" floating around in there as well - success !!

(and it appears that "barley straw" is the answer to yesterday's question - although a bit of green is no real problem !)
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A New Garden Visitor

... a roasting hot day, so it was "easy on the garden" this morning - just filling in the gaps between the slabs with soil - just for "support" before they get properly pointed up - then an afternoon of "admin jobs" involving trips to Ashton and Manchester followed by college tonight.

Going back to the garden this morning - the damselflies returned (I assume same ones - I may be wrong as I failed to fit yesterday's pair with electronic tags) ...





... but then - a big splash, and something else appeared from the murky depths (need to check out whether it should be that murky - job for tomorrow !!!). We have a frog - and I'm sure it can't be one of our "house tadpoles" because it's far too large (but then again, I know bugger all about this wild life stuff) - see what you think ...







I'm gonna miss all this week commencing 28th June ... and I WILL reveal more once the employment contract arrives via Royal Mail ...
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Start Date - 28th June 2010 - 0900 hrs

... you work it out !!!

(and it's NOTHING to do with IT/Computers/all that sh*t)

suffice to say ...


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Pond Porn ?

... apparently not !!

Taking advantage of some half-decent weather today, and with the knowledge that my dole signing-on is now back to fortnightly, I ventured forth into the garden to use up the rest of the available slabs in the "Build a Patio before November" game. I've now got none left - needs a trip out to B&Q for more stuff sometime this week. A day off tomorrow might be good for my back, but I might well dig out some more soil and sort out some footings/foundations for the walls that now need building - still got some concrete left to play with ... here's the state of play at the moment ...



I reckon another 6 slabs should finish that particular level ...

But back to the title - I spotted "some action" in the pond (!!) and thought "Hmmm - red dragonflies getting jiggy with it" - but I was wrong on both counts !!! It's actually a red damselfly ovipositing i.e. laying eggs (with the male still attached) - as usual babycam was close to hand and I offer up a couple of "not too bad efforts" of said damselflies (double-click for big as usual):





Cute eh ???

Finish this one with a thought for NZ Neal - might be a Mossley fan living "over there" - but I bet he was jumping up and down with the rest of them Kiwis when Winston Reid put that equaliser in against Slovakia in the 93rd minute - tonight - we cheer for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - or North for short !!!
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Weekend in Wharfedale ...

... to sum it up, camping, walking, talking, drinking and eating - and yes I did manage 90 minutes of football in the "old fashioned way" - with a radio (albeit a wind-up jobbie - at least we were three or four seconds ahead of the people on the nearby pitch with their DAB radio - tee hee !!). Having got home and seen the "lowlights", it looks like I was one of the lucky ones - what the hell was Capo doing playing the third-choice keeper ???

Eight-miler on Saturday and a six-miler today - seemed to have been a lot of bird-life looking at the pictures (all with the cheapo 28-105mm lens - I've stopped bothering with the heavier lenses when out walking !!!)

Wharfedale piccies

Anyway - caught up with the football with all the "three minute highlight" options most of the games on the net - now eagerly awaiting the "big one" on Tuesday ... come on North Korea !!!!

Now it's Monday ... and let's see what can go right/wrong this week; the early "bad start" was that the patio slab I laid in the pouring rain last week has "failed" - been down there tonight, looked at it and lifted it - bugger ! ...
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24 Hours ...

... is a long time in "jobhunt world" ... from those "heady moments" of Wednesday, I now find myself in "Black Friday" mode ... yep yesterday afternoon's IT job interview has gone thumbs down/pear-shaped as well. It looks like the Gods of IT are telling me "Forget it mate - too old and not up-to-date enough with your skills" ...

Looks like we're banking on t'other (non-IT) one for now - not sure what all the "checks" are, but as far as I know I'm not a criminal, I've got two legs and no (apparent) disability ... so ... we wait on. Meanwhile I believe there's some called the "World Cup" starting today - and in true "timing fashion", we're off to the Yorky Dales tonight for a weekend under canvas (well nylony-type stuff really !!) - nearest pub is apparently 5 miles away - so Saturday night, after a good long day walk, might involve a good long night walk (it's either that or a wind-up radio - or a peep through a caravan window !!!!! ... away again next weekend - but Friday night's Ingerrlandd game is a go-er in Mossley - phew !!

Back Sunday ...
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Options Narrowed ...

... finally got an answer on that second interview I had the other week - and it's a "thumbs down" ... onward to Stockport this afternoon ...
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Quandary Time ...

This job hunt "sh*t" - you plod along - you apply - you justify yourself at the dole every Tuesday - no loyalty points for being a "trier" - just the same "automaton" reactions that everybody probably gets - even the lazy idle buggers - when it boils down to it, we're all the same I suppose in the eyes of the DWP - and also many of the smug (i.e. employed) people out there in Britworld ...

... but then, just like a London Bus, you wait a while and then several come at once. I've still got an outstanding decision on a second interview (IT job) from a couple of weeks ago - then I'm offered an interview (tomorrow @ 1400 hrs) for a three month contract - IT work) - so I ring the recruiter from the earlier interview - he's still chasing (bank holidays and staff holidays appear to be holding things up) - he says, "Go for the other one anyway - if you get the offer, I can go back to T***T*** and push even harder for a final decision". Then - another phone call this morning - from an even earlier interview (which had resulted in this decision) - I'd given this one up for dead (a bit like "we'll keep your info on our database" which I always assume to mean "thanks but no thanks ...") - basically this looks like it 'could' be a definite job offer - but ... they need to do some "checks" first - it's only 24 hours a week - it's only a six month temporary contract - and it's not IT (and not brilliant money) ... starting to get a bit complicated ...

Other than that (!!) - managed a couple more slabs in the "Get the Patio down before the summer finishes" race (had to stop because the weather turned nasty !) - and during the "Top Mossley Walk", a diversion into Seel Park saw that five of the six stanchions now have lamps on them (the guys have probably done the other one by now as well) - will check out pictures later (again only babycam), but now it's "Get ready for College" time (nearly five o'clock).
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Fiat Lux ...

... or at least one-third of the same (and it's got nowt to do with washing a small Italian car either - 'tis Latin for "Let there be Light" !!)

Today's afternoon trundle up to Top Mossley to get the tackle for tonight's exotic meal (I call it "Italian Builder's Breakfast" - pasta with bacon, egg, mushrooms, passata and chicken mixed in) saw me bobbing into Seel Park - to see this ... enjoy (albeit only babycam !) - we now have two out of six stanchions (the middle two) with bits on top (so we can at least see 30 minutes of football).









The lights are coming back to Mossley AFC ...

(Plus for all you patio fans - just been to B&Q for some more slabs and mortar stuff - managed to get two down in the end today before the heavens opened ! Let's see what the rest of the week brings ...)
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Patio - latest ...

... I know you're all gagging to know (suppresses titter !!) ... well it's moving on - slowly - the (too) hot weather of late last week has disappeared (probably something to to with the old weatherman adage "When there's a Test Match at Old Trafford - pack your umbrella !"), but here's a couple from this morning - as you can see in the background the earth moving (for levelling) takes up a lot of time (I feel a "raised bed" coming on - send for some breeze blocks !!) ...



... and yesterday (while it was hammering it down) a trip to the Garden Centre was made (aargh !) in order to upgrade the Bird Table to Bird Table XP - another "globey" thing in an attempt to ensure that all the bloody Rooks/Crows/Corvidae don't nick all the seeds - seems to be working OK in the first 24 hours anyway !



The score so far today - cups of tea 5, online job applications 4, slabs laid 1, Mossley players leaving 1 (Chris McDonagh has signed for Curzon Ashton - probably to replace Michael Norton who's upped sticks for the glory of FC United) - a mixed Monday morning indeed !
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Too Hot to Blog ...

Been taking some "time out" the last few days - literally ...shovelling tons of earth to level up the garden to lay this bloody patio !! At this moment in time - 11 slabs down - at least 15 to go (and then to sort out edging etc - aargh).

I could have done something in the evening - but I've been too knackered to think straight (so much so, I was watching the 20/20 cricket last night on S4C between Morgannwg and Gaerloyw) so I've been slobbing in front of the box !! After the cricket I headed for ESPN Classic (Mrs Smiffy was out !) and watched the official FIFA film of the 1998 World Cup - I love the official films - none of this digital crap - all 35mm - and the cameramen are not "football cameramen" - they're artists in their own right. I've seen the 1966 one of course - now that WAS a treat because when I saw the "real thing" (I'm old enough to remember it vividly) - it was in black and white, so to see a colour version was marvellous. Watched the "Hand of God" one the other day as well - excellent stuff.

Who needs HD ??

(Might try to drag together some of the more "interesting" football stories into a bumper post sometime soon - but not tonight - it's "Come Dine with Me" night at our Michelle's).
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Evolving Pond Life ...

... Thursday lunchtime - college training course finished yesterday (got a certificate (!) so need to update CV as well), so it's back to the "other" grind - now on a break from the job hunt misery so I wandered down the garden - preparing to lay another patio at the bottom here ...



A quick peek in the pond to see some legs growing out of one of the tadpoles - there appear to be 8 knocking about, but this one seems the most advanced ...



... and so it grows (with apologies to Nick Lowe !!!) ...
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Giving the Estate Agents a Break ...

... well, I've not been up to Top Mossley for a few days !!

Here's a belter from Swansea Council - the sign was designed - and then the words were sent out for the required translation for the bi-lingual finished object - reply received - sign manufactured - and "hung up" ...



However ... a slight problem. The Welsh translation comes out as:

"I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be translated."

A 'n fawr camgymera !!!

(hope I got that right - otherwise, I'm next in line to be crucified !!)
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Weekend Stuff - 1

Drove down on Friday afternoon - quiet Friday night - Saturday - rained all day (!), so shopping and slobbing - and I rustled up a cassoulet for tea ! Sunday dawned well - so before brekky, I had 20 minutes in the garden hanging around the bird table ...

Some Garden Birds

... went for a seven miler after a "full English" - over Ragleth Hill - followed by an excellent evening meal at Housmans cafe bar - well recommended (even had a decent local real ale on - Three Tuns Brewery "XXX"). Today - another crunching "up-down-up-down" tramp over Caer Caradoc and The Lawley - then home for take-away pizza. Obviously some more pics to follow - but not now ... as ...

... tomorrow is Day One of a two-day "dole-funded" course ("Office 2007 upgrade/refresher") - just hope they've told the buggers down at the dole (should be sign-on day), as I know they're extremely efficient in turning things off (i.e. money) and a touch tawdry in turning things back on (i.e. money).

Still no news on "that interview" the other week - will surely get a "yea or nay" quite soon this week ...
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I've been away ...

... wandering the hills around Church Stretton for a few days (and as you've noticed - no internet connection !!!) ... but now (1830 hrs) home - with some catching up to do ... for starters, here's some bits from the Mossley Whit Walks on Friday morning ...

Mossley Whit Walks 2010

... more later ...
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Mossley Whit Walks

... just a couple from this morning - might do some more later ... and we got to see our new MP as well (no I've not Photoshopped him in !!!!!)



... and one of the predictable "let's get some nice reflections off the brass" type picture ...



The sun is shining ... some of the d*ckheads are out on the lash already ... you won't find me out in Mossley tonight ... because I'll be in Church Stretton !

(still can't get over that Ashton United decision though ... crazy, just crazy ...)
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And they call it Justice ....

I reproduce the statement from Dave Aspinall, Chairman of Ashton United, issued not long ago (45 minutes ?) with reference to the Marcus Hallows case ....

Ashton United v Marcus Hallows

As a club, Ashton United FC have been dealt a significant blow to their future by the recent court ruling, which rejected their appeal in the case brought by Mr Hallows.

At the outset of proceedings Ashton United clearly demonstrated that it did not have the financial means to meet any substantial claim from either its own funds or assets, yet Mr Hallows and his legal team continued with their legal action, aware that a successful outcome on their part would be liable to have serious implications for the club’s future. A dangerous precedent may have been set by this verdict, which Ashton United always felt was deeply flawed and everyone at Hurst Cross urges fellow clubs who may, one day, find themselves in a similar situation to take every possible action to protect their assets against potential claims in the future. Players cannot play without clubs to play for.

It is not difficult to determine who the real winners are here; Mr. Hallows will never get back the career he lost through an unfortunate accident on the field of play, the verdict will not help protect other players from accidental injury in similar circumstances, yet the cost of the legal fees due to both parties are much greater than any award granted to Mr Hallows by the court.

Further appeals would be financially unviable and unlikely to succeed so, over the next few days, officials at Ashton United will be consulting with their solicitors, insolvency advisors, the Northern Premier League, the Manchester F.A. and Tameside Council about the club’s position, with a determination to carry on the club’s proud 132 year history if at all possible. Due to the urgency of this matter it is unlikely that any further official statements will be forthcoming in the immediate future.

I wish to place on record my thanks to my fellow directors, the officials, players and supporters at our club who have helped fight this action from within, the officials from the Northern Premier League for their assistance during this whole affair and also to our fellow clubs, from all levels of the game, whose officials, supporters and players have so generously backed our cause.

David Aspinall, Chairman, Ashton United FC.

I'm going to leave it at that for now - until the full horrors of this "decision" finally kick in ... you all know the full details - maybe Marcus Hallows is the new "Jean-Marc Bosman" ... I go away to think about this - and no doubt the repercussions will begin ... now ...

Truly a sad sad day for non-league football ...
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"Down the Pan" at Mossley AFC

... OK - the stanchions are up ... there's been some wiring work done this week (with more to come hopefully - leave it with me !) - see below ..



... they've even re-seeded the important parts of the pitch - see below ...



... but - I have to report - one of the great institutions of Mossley AFC has now disappeared - an institution that has helped my constitution over many years ... I can only show you the damage ...







Yes - the outside gent's toilet nearest to the School End has been demolished - I can assume only to assist with some dressing room/refs rooms extensions - but it was a good toilet, a fine toilet, more importantly a NECESSARY toilet - pre-snapper I could always peep over the top to see stuff - and when the "photography" kicked in I could still poke the lens over the top when I heard the "correct" noises... the wall was just that "right height" ..

To me this is possibly more of a crisis than the "floodlight disaster" - at least that's virtually sorted, but if we end up "playing uphill" second half - - - - then there could be problems ... and I don't think I'm the only one who may suffer.

Is this progress ??? Are there any plans for a "replacement relief option" ??? As a shareholder, I'm astonished that I was not informed of this "removal of relief" - there will be hell to play at the next shareholders meeting - I'll tell you now .....
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Council Cuts Kicking In Already ?

Well we've all heard the Queen's Speech (a misnomer if there ever was one - does she give a s**t ? - I think not !!) - and we've all heard stories about where the cuts will be made - I just wonder if Tameside have already made a "pre-emptive strike" ...

Our bins should be emptied on Monday - it's now Wednesday afternoon - and we shoved our wheelies up to the approved spot on Monday morning - other peeps still go for the "bag option" - this was the scene on our street not half-an-hour ago ...



Remember - these bags have been here for over 48 hours ! The bins are up the other end of the street - still full. I went on the council website and logged a "complaint" at lunchtime - I await a reply with bated breath ... And just to show it isn't just Mossley - I was in Ashton this morning - a "registration" @ Tameside College for a dole-funded course (Office 2007 "upgrade/refresher" - it's free - why not ?) - and afterwards went into town, heading for Asda - and cheap-ish nosh - being on foot I had to go through the subway - to find this ...



So - maybe the street cleaners are already on the hit list ??

Getting ready for college now - but I'll be back later tonight with a "footy club update" (lights etc) - and some dreadful news as well - a Mossley AFC "institution" has completely disappeared - and it will certainly affect me ... watch this space ... (try about 2200 hrs !)
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No - It's NOT a vendetta ...

... but when you're walking past the place on a fairly regular basis ... you can't help but look - and this is today's "spell it like some speak it" c*ck-up ... all we need now is the "close to hospickle" tempter !!!



Belting goal from Glen Johnson mind ....
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Saddleworth CC v Bamford Fieldhouse CC

As promised ... some cricket !

Another glorious day so after a bit of gardening/tidying/shopping, I loaded up "the beast" and wandered down Manchester Road to Well'i'Hole, the home of Saddleworth Cricket Club to take in just a couple of hours of their game this afternoon - so you only get Saddleworth batting (just for information though - Saddleworth scored 290 in 45 overs including an unbeaten century from one "Bez", and then skittled Bamford for 104). Some excellent batting - and some good fielding by several extremely young Bamford players. Oh - and for the real ale drinkers - the club serves Thwaites "Original" and "Highwayman" on draught !

Good to know that the big lens is still roadworthy - there is a bit of "gunk" inside the lens - and the 'lock' doesn't work - it just slides out on its own when you point it down (hence it being "given away" to me a year or so ago !!), but it works pretty well in nice weather (have to use the monopod though - it's bloody heavy !!), so it might get a few outings over the next couple of months. Pictures at

Saddleworth beat Bamford Fieldhouse by 186 runs

P.S. I did buy a "Non League Paper" - and there were no football fixtures in it all !!

P.P.S. Tea was pasta and bean salad, green salad and a selection of cold meats and pork pie with chutney !!

Ardsley Celtic v Bay Athletic

Last game of the season ? Maybe ... I was told yesterday that there might be some stuff in the Spen Valley League - and I haven't picked up a "Non League Paper" yet ... so ...

Anyway - yesterday - hit the road (OK rails) at 1047 and headed for Huddersfield where, after half-an-hours wait (and a pint of Glentworth "Lightyear" !), it was off to Wakefield. Free bus from railway station to bus station, one Greggs sausage roll (eek !! solids !!) and then a 15 minute bus ride up to East Ardsley, where most of the cars had Leeds United stickers on them. Just an easy 10 minute walk to the ground - I felt like I'd been there before, because, thanks to Google StreetView I'd done a "virtual walk" from bus stop to ground - it's all in the preparation y'see !!

It was a big open complex with three pitches - there was a "footballathon" happening on one of them (Tingley Athletic Juniors), and the posts were being erected on the other two (as well as the game I was going to see, Ardsley Celtic Reserves were also entertaining Storthes Hall Reserves on the other pitch - for those interested, Storthes Hall won 10-2 - and I believe Celtic Reserves finished with only 9 on the pitch !). Before the game I had a bit of a natter with who could only have been the League Chairman (got the full rundown of the history of the trophy as well !) before the championship trophy presentation - and then we began what turned out to be something like a 35minutes each way game (apparently with full agreement of all - it was bloody hot !)

In the end, an easy win for the Champions - but they took their time getting going ! Obviously nowt to play for - and it was bloody hot - but I'd say it was probably the introduction of ex-Lilywhite Paul Quinn as sub early in the second half that finally got Athletic out of second gear, showing some of the hard-working midfield skills and vision that we saw at Seel Park a couple of years ago. Before the game I was told "the race was on" for top scorer between another ex-Lilywhite Kitson Gayle and Paul Pyke. Unfortunately Gayle had to go off, but Pyke managed to score a couple of the goals - one very "intense" single-minded player indeed (who almost got himself in trouble with the ref near the end !!). For the pictorial view of the game ...

Ardsley Celtic 1 Bay Athletic 5

That I believe was the final ever game for Ardsley Celtic - next year they return as Tingley Athletic.

An early start - a short game - meant I was back in Wakefield in time to see the last 15 minutes of the Blackpool/Cardiff game in the "Elephant & Castle" (Timmy Taylors "Landlord" !) across from the railway station - some reckon they're already dead certs for relegation from the Premiership next season - but weren't they favourites for relegation from the Championshipship this season ?? I wonder how Fleetwood feel about this as well - with them having gained promotion to the Conference Prem, they'd expect an upsurge in attendances, but with Blackpool now entertaining the delights of Chelsea and Manchester United - and with "plenty of room" at Bloomfield Road (averaging under 9,000 this season) - many might take the short tram trip down there instead - we'll see ...

So - home early, and another quiet night in (Mrs Smiffy is away this weekend - how else do you think I got such a lengthy trip in yesterday ?!?). Today - a bit of shopping, and then if this weather stays glorious, I might just dust off the "big bugger lens" (170-500mm) and find a bit of cricket this afternoon - Saddleworth CC 2nd XI are at home and it's an easy stroll from home ... need to decide what to do for tea first though - hence the shopping !
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West Riding County Amateur League Champions ...

... are Bay Athletic (for the third year in a row no less) - here's some pictures from the presentation which took place today just before the final game of the season away at Ardsley Celtic ...

WRCA Championship Presentation

I'll do a bit more later - i.e. the game itself !! Suffice to say I had a a grand day out - and football continues to exist this season !!!
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The Quest Continues ...

A "quiet night in" last night - finally got round to watching "The Damned United" (thanks to Gaz for the loan of same !) - wildly innacurate at times, but still an enjoyable watch. Followed this with a BBC4 binge (Neil Young and James Taylor - two excellent tunesmiths !)

Today ... into darkest Yorkshire today for a West Riding County Amateur Football League game between Ardsley Celtic and champions Bay Athletic - they're even presenting the trophy today as well !! Could well be a bit of a Mossley connection as well this afternoon, as there are some ex-Lilywhites in the Bay Athletic squad (Paul Quinn, Kitson Gayle and Brighton Mugadza - and I wonder if Paul's Dad, Gerry - ex-Mossley Manager - will be in attendance ?) - weather looks promising for a gentle walk, train, wait, train, bus, walk option (it's the other side of Wakefield by the way) - early KO might mean early pictures - you never know ...
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Pies Prize for Glossop North End

Pies ... a subject close to every football fan's heart (and cholesterol level as well !). The ultimate accolade is of course national recognition, and two days ago a pie that is sold at only one football ground in the country received exactly that ...



Congratulations are in order to Mettrick's - who've won several prestigious awards over the years - and some good positive publicity for Glossop North End as well !!

Feeling peckish now ...
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Mossley Pond Life

No - not that sort ... this sort !!



Part of the garden project is a "wild life pond" (no koi carp here - not with the herons on the nearby canal !!), and as part of the setup, I raided a pond in the field at the end of our street for some "mud and water" to get a few wrigglies etc to get us going (and I'm pretty sure there were about 4 tadpoles in there as well - but they're a bit camera-shy !). Things are now starting to happen - pics not brilliant (need to do a crash course in macro-photography now !!), but you get the idea ...



What are these ? Looks like some kind of millipede ...



Some kind of water snail - and friend ...



Pond skater ...



"Brian" smiling for the camera !!

... plus plenty of other beetles, flies and little wriggly-type things as well ...

Saturday beckons - and yes, I have a game up my sleeve - and it isn't @ Wembley !
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Apres Dentist ...

... no probs - spit and polish in the end - although I'm looking to replace the four teeth at the front in the long run - yep the ones that come out at night - a very very old denture that goes back to March 1986 when I had a "bit of a do" whilst driving over the hills (read all about it on the 25th anniversary next year !!!).

Home via Top Mossley - and a quick peep in at Seel Park to see whether the lamps had arrived for the new floodlight pylons - not yet (now been told "a couple of weeks") - anyway a quick play with baby cam and you get this - with the airplane noise, kids in the skool playground, a strange "clunk" and then at 35 seconds - aargh ! ....



Home - job hunt - then out to do a bit in the garden ... and then - a new toy to play with (self-assembly naturally !) - it seems to work though as we only came in at 2230 !!



(It's smaller than it looks !!!)
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Today's Day Out ..

... eek !
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Stockport Senior Cup Final 2010

... the football season continues (hurrah !) and it was off to Lambeth Grove, home of Woodley Sports yesterday evening for a Cup Final to watch - the Stockport Senior Cup Final between Cheadle Town Reserves and Linotype/Cheadle Heath Nomads. I'd done this particular Final a few years ago (here and here) when it was held at Stockport County FC - and that game also featured one of tonight's teams - as in the Nomads.

A glorious early evening weather-wise - and a healthy crowd too - saw Town take an early lead - before it all went horribly wrong, leading to a 1-5 scoreline at half-time. As is my luck, I took up position at the wrong end (!!) but ... that's life ! In the second half Cheadle Town pushed on a bit (and Nomads did slightly "remove foot from pedal" a bit), getting it back to 5-2, before the goal of the game sealed it for one of the few teams I know of with a slash (/) in their name. I didn't stop for the presentations as I had a lift (and many thanks to Dave for same !), but overall it was a well deserved victory - some pictures at

Linotype/Cheadle Heath Nomads 6 Cheadle Town Reserves 2

Now ... what can we find for the weekend ???
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Still an Eyesore ...

Sign-on day today - and due to the timing (1545), I have to catch a train out of Mossley at 1455 leaving me with a "little time to kill" (often spent doing some shopping - but not today) - also just for the "hate the dolescum crew" - it costs £1-30 return from Mossley to Stalybridge - just to go and sign on - this money is non-refundable .. I suppose I could walk it - but then I'd probably be accused of wasting time when I should be "actively seeking work" - small rant over. So - today's time to kill - a wander round Stalybridge - including a trip through Armentieres Square ... that needs sorting ... big style

... this is the side of Armentieres Square, Stalybridge that you are supposed to see (and the side that the Council will "show off") ...



... but this is quite literally, the "other side of the road" ...



... and that "mess" has now been there for several years - maybe a job for the new incumbent at Tameside Council, one Kieran Quinn who has quite literally "ousted" the monolith that is/was Roy Oldham.

We wait with bated breath ...

(and if you're waiting for pix from tonight's 6-2 win by Cheadle Heath Nomads against Cheadle Town Reserves in the Stockport Senior Cup - later today - promise - just needed to get this out of the way first !)
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So much for Monday ...

The "old" Irlam Station building - now a chicken run !!!

... wide awake at 0500 - up at 0630 (needing to make sure small boy got off to college on one of his "early days") - wandering around the 'garden estate' @ 0645 "avec cuppa" preparing my mind for later on ... naturally when I checked out the trains to Manchester, First TransPennine Express had decide to make my journey to interview as hard as possible (i.e. train from Stalybridge to Manchester Oxford Road was going to be late enough for me to miss onward connection - b*st*rds ...) - so it was a case of stick with the stopper from Mossley to Manchester Victoria and then walk very very very very briskly down to Deansgate station to pick up the connection to Irlam from there - which was made with five minutes to spare !! Not the best prep for a job interview but ... I gave it my best shot (and more), and now it's a case of "wait and see" - I then had to turn down another interview tomorrow !! It was offered to me as a job "in Chester" - tricky enough via public transport - but when I delved further it was actually the other side of Chester - no dammit it was virtually in bloody Wales (Ewloe for those who know this neck of the woods) ! On a regular commute - well nigh impossible - so I've probably also knackered any further chances with job offers from Hays IT Recruitment ...

OK - so fairly comfy with today's performance - got back to Mossley - and seconds after getting off the train I was hit with a literal "kick in the teeth" when "Chippie Alan" came out of the shop to tell me that Mossley Fan Dave Mellett had died of a heart attack whilst on holiday in Malta. Dave and son Darren were very long-standing Lilywhite fans - I'd once rescued Darren's pc from a bad attack of the "viruses" and would often get "pulled in" pre-match to try to assist the two of them (plus butchers Andy and Keith) in finishing the Saturday sports "quizword" thingy from one of the tabloids. So - another Mossley fan has headed for that great "cantilever stand in the sky" - and he too will be sadly missed. My condolences go out to Darren and Mum and family.

I guess Dave was also unaware that Mossley have now appointed their new Manager as well - and I guess to many it's a surprise appointment as well. Rather than going for a "name", former Stalybridge Celtic Reserves boss Shaun Higgins has been handed the "hot seat" at Seel Park. Shaun is a "local (Tameside) lad" who has played for Oldham Athletic and Hyde United before taking over the Celtic Reserve team. Strangely enough, the Stalybridge Celtic Reserve and Youth setup has "moved house" to Mossley this close season as well (albeit that this was anounced well before the Managerial appointment), so there have been further appointments there as well - check out MossleyWeb for the full new set-up. Best of luck to Shaun and crew for the future ...

Meanwhile the season DOES continue - tomorrow night there's an "option" for those desperate souls (including me) - the Stockport Senior Cup Final between Cheadle Town Reserves and Cheadle Heath Nomads/Linotype (or is it Linotype/Cheadle Heath Nomads ?). "Game on" to be played at Woodley Sports Lambeth Grove ground with an early (1900) kick-off.

That was Monday ... good, bad and some hopes for the future ...
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Football-Free Weekend ...

... yep, didn't even watch the Cup Final - and our Sky subs mean I'm not watching the Oxford/York game either !!

Weekend away in Lancaster - and a major cock-up on my part - I turned down the option of a "freebie" to the Mossley 30th Anniversary Bash in exchange for being "official snapper". I thought it was on Saturday night - I was wrong (as in - I could have done the Friday night "do") - cue much gnashing of teeth by yours truly when I found out ... on Saturday morning - my fault of course !!!

So - a bit of digging in "le jardin" on Saturday morning - up to Lancaster after lunch (they appear to have removed the "black armbands" following the Colwyn Bay game - curtains were open as well). A wander round - and a quick drinkipoos in the "Merchants" ("Lancaster Blonde" and Mordue "Radgie Gadgie") - before off for a family meal at "Quite Simply Food" - damn fine nosh it was as well, and a first meet with our big lad's prospective "in-laws" - went well ...

Today - after a trip to the Lancaster tip at Salt Ayre (some "crap clearing" before lad and lady move into their "new abode" in the not too distant future) - a 6.5 mile wander around Littledale (just on the top edge of the Forest of Bowland - not far from Lancaster) before home ... and this ... some "weekend snaps" at

No Football Here !!

Mrs Smiffy now cooking a curry - which will be followed by a bath and some last minute revision for the job interview tomorrow morning (not just "an interview", but a "second interview" - so I must be very close !!). So - I'd be grateful if all you out there in "bloggerworld" can emit some "postive vibes" tomorrow between 1000 and 1100 - if successful, my manifesto promises to buy some nice new camera tackle to "upgrade" the 'Six Tame Sides' photographic output next season - and I can finally lose the "dolescum" moniker - the quicker the better as I feel that quite soon there'll be even more people chasing even fewer jobs - something to do with an election and a "coalition government" that look ready - and willing - to start screwing those peeps at the bottom of the pile in order to save money for our nuclear bomb ...

Wish me luck ... I'll need it !
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More Estate Agent "Howlers"

Same company as noted before - but this is on their website !!

Well worth a "double-click" for any aspiring English teacher ...



:-)

Start Licking your Lips ...

... for season 2010/11:

Sat 10 Jul - Woodley Sports v Altrincham
Wed 14 Jul - West Didsbury & Chorlton v FC United of Manchester (1900 hrs)
Sat 17 Jul - Hyde United v Manchester City XI
Sat 17 Jul - Cliftonville v FC United of Manchester
Sat 24 Jul - Prestatyn Town v Hyde United
Tue 27 Jul - Wigan Robin Park v FC United of Manchester (1930 hrs)
Sat 31 Jul - Belper Town v Boston United
Tue 3 Aug - Belper Town v Derby County XI
Tue 3 Aug - Ramsbottom v FC United of Manchester (1930 hrs)
Sat 7 Aug - Belper Town v Matlock Town
Sat 7 Aug - Bala Town v FC United of Manchester
Sat 14 Aug - Belper Town v DVV Duiven (Holland)
Sat 14 Aug - Mossley v FC United of Manchester

... not bad for starters !!

Check out here as well - no doubt it will be updated fairly regularly ...
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