Postman's Holiday Number 2

Following our 70 odd mile walk along the Ridgeway not that long ago - it was a 50-ish mile jobbie along the Cleveland Way last week - and in a break between football, I've sorted a few snaps out from same - at

Cleveland Way - July 2012

 All caught up now with pictures - time to get the tea on before wandering up the road to see Mossley take on Altrincham in another pre-season friendly - wonder if Damian Reeves will get a game for the away side tonight ?  It was sad to hear about his and girlfriend's personal tragedy recently - and they both have my every sympathy (it's somewhere that Mrs Smiffy has been - it's not nice).  Great to see all the messages of support on the Altrincham Message Board -I quote from "sweetfa" - "family can be a great help, and Alty is your extended family" - and you can be sure that everyone out here in messageboard/bloggerland feels the same way.  If you're up at Seel Park tonight - even the Mossley fans will be right behind you ...

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A Day at the Olympics ...

Oooh look - a "Mexican Wave" - tell-tale sign of boredom usually !!!

 
... a jolly day out at Old Trafford (with 66,211 others) to watch a couple of games - arriving a touch late (I missed the New Zealand opening goal) - blame public transport/security checks/me not catching the earlier train (!).  Once Egypt equalised they were definitely the better side.  NZ were hanging on at times, and the last five minutes or so was a comedy of missed chances by the Egyptians ... with almost a "smash and grab" by the All-Whites at the death - NZ should be happy with a point.  During the break between games I tried for food - and failed (although apparently they DID re-stock later, but it would have meant missing 15 minutes or so of the second game).  The second game - Belarus started the brighter and even took a shock lead - but then Brazil upped it a gear (although I don't think they got out of third gear all day) and two classy finishes - a Neymar free-kick and a third from Oscar (which came after a cute back heel from that man Neymar again) - saw the Brazilians run out comfortable winners.  Some pics from  Block W202 Row 4 Seat 250 at

Olympic Football 29Jul12

After the game ... transport back into Manchester was a "bit of a problem" - so much so, that I reckon I'll give Wednesday's game a miss - don't fancy missing the last train home !!  ("20 Minute Later" Update - I must have been in "Stupid Mode" - the game kicks off at 1700hrs so it becomes more a question of when I finish work, get home get down town etc. - we'll see !)

Back to work tomorrow - hey ho ...and I might get round to those holiday snaps sometime this week as well ...

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Curzon Ashton v Blackburn Rovers

Well I got there on time  anyway (after getting home not much more than one hour before kick-off - so a bit of a bonus really).  Not being lazy - or maybe I was (only took about 60 pics all day !) - but here's a small selection from today ...

Curzon Ashton 2 Blackburn Rovers XI 2

A good comeback by the home side after going 2-0 down - an excellent second half performance against a youthful Rovers team (noticed no anti-Venkys turnout by the Rovers fans either !!) with some rather useful performances by a few of the newer signings (?) as well - Stuart Cook certainly caught my eye - hope that Curzon have snapped / will snap this one up ... other results from today include Mossley winning 3-1 at Bacup Borough, Ashton United drawing 1-1 at Warrington Town and Droylsden drawing 1-1 "away" at Stockport Sports - I say "away", but believe it or not this game was played not 5 minutes from my front door up at Seel Park Mossley - had I known this I'd have probably been there this afternoon - the perils of a "week off") although I have managed to update all the friendly results from my week away ...)

Back in the football mode anyway after a week away - and later today it's off to Old Trafford to take in some of the Olympics (a double header with Egypt v New Zealand @ 1200 and Brazil v Belarus at 1500).  Having done loads of checking - and double checking (!!!) I'll be taking the camera ... with a lens less than 30cm in length (apparently that's the rules that I can get away with but I'll be taking a copy of the official e-mail reply in order to make sure I get past whatever security will be there - G4S, Army, Navy, Air Force or MI5 - I dunno  !) and making sure I turn up 24 hours early due to the security - at least I have the ticket in my sticky hand - whilst "oop north" this week I heard some horror stories of fans not getting into St James' Park Newcastle until 10 minutes before the end of the Mexico game - despite having tickets !!)  ... so watch this space ... and having heard some nightmare stories about the football @ Old Trafford on Thursday (as in running out of food and drink rather early !!!) I hope that it will all work out OK.  The holiday snaps are uploaded on the pc, but that's about as far as it goes at the moment (but for starters here's "Sunset over Saltburn-by-the-Sea" from last Monday ...)

We (GB) appear to be medal-free after Day 1 as well - but having watched the opening wotsit on Friday night in the Haybiurn Wyke Inn just outside Scarborough (whilst supping copious amounts of Daleside Bitter) I reckon Mr Bean should receive gold for his marvellous one fingered efforts during the "Chariots of Fire" interlude !!!

Back later today ...

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Coming Soon - Football ?

Yes - one week's holiday almost over - been walking the Cleveland Way this week (now you know the reason for "football free mode" !) - now sat in the Hayburn Wyke Inn near Scarborough after a 15 miler today preparing for food - and more beer. Home tomorrow - and hoping to make a game in the afternoon - and Sunday = Olympics at Old Trafford. S'pose we'll watch the thingy tonight as well ...

Saturday - 1400 hrs - HOME (so can now change the font !!!) - off to Curzon in a few mins for the PSF against Blackburn Rovers ...

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Fame !

Watch "Best Veteran Football Blog Award - Football Blogging Awards 2012" on YouTube

Excuse poor blog-style - doing this via phone - enjoy :-)

Two in Two

... some pics from the last 48 hours ...

Stalybridge Celtic 3 Manchester City XI 2

Mossley 1 Hyde FC 1

... will add a few words later today - it's way past my bed time ...

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE - two pretty good games in two days ...

It may have been a youthful Man City side but Celtic came back very well from 2-0 down at half-time - it probably helped when they actually put a couple of strikers on at half-time !!  I guess the City squad train full-time as well - both sides stuck at it for the full 90.  The first Celtic goal was a rather harsh penalty (in my humble ...) and the winner was a bit of a "pinball jobbie" - but they all count. Talking to some of the Celtic fans during and after the game, they thought it was a much improved team performance from the 0-3 reverse against Hyde six days earlier.

On Saturday Hyde FC put out a strong XI in the first half - but Mossley fought well after losing a bad goal ... again the equaliser was a touch fortuitous (a misjudged bounce - thank you very much !), but in the second 45 Mossley created a number of good chances and the Hyde penalty was a touch chaotic at times - but a promising performance from the home side nevertheless.  As the friendlies continue, no doubt the football will improve with players getting to know each other (and the fans getting to know the players !) - and others returning from holidays etc.  And hopefully the weather might improve as well ...

Right - off to the shop for a "Non League Paper" - and some spuds - tonight ... a roast beef dinner !!

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Same as last night ...

... just back from Mossley's 1-1 draw against Hyde FC today - will do pictures later (once I've done Friday's Stalybridge Celtic pics first !!).  However .. - here's a "Flying Salmon" from today - as in Gavin who's scored the equaliser for the home team ...

Time to put the apron on - no it's not the Masonic Ball - it's the "Back Yard Barby" !!!
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Will Catch Up Later ...

... just finished work - and now ON HOLIDAY !!

Went down to Bower Fold last night to watch Stalybridge Celtic come back from 0-2 down against a youthful Man City XI to win 3-2 - not yet sorted out pictures from that --- apart from this one ...

I call it "Haircut 1 Haircut 1" ...

This afternoon - up the road to watch Mossley v Hyde FC - followed by "back yard barbecue" (weather permitting natch, but looking promising so far !) - that leaves two lots of pics to do tonight - eek !

Laters ...

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Isn't Photoshop Clever ...

Two pictures of the heron from last weekend's walk ...

When I checked 'em out I was cursing a bit - "almost - but not quite ..." was the cleaned up version !!  However a "bit of a play" with Photoshop ... and this was the result ...

... which cheered me up somewhat  !!  OK it's not "real" - but it'll do until the next time I get a chance !!!

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Not showing off but ...

... Burnley did me proud with their report on the Mossley game (four pics and a credit at the bottom !!)  ...

Burnley website

Every little helps - one day ... maybe ...

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Looks like I picked the right night ...

... a trip to Congleton was a "Beartown too far" to be honest - and then the word filtered through that Mossley's game against FC Halifax Town had fallen victim to the weather ...  so I cooked a posh meal instead (chicken, chorizo, leeks,potatoes, mushrooms tomatoes and green peppers) whilst listening to some of the latest EBay purchase which arrived today - a 5 CD set of

... OK I've got "Axe Victim" on vinyl  as well as some of Bill Nelson's later "Red Noise" stuff ... but listening to stuff like "Maid in Heaven" and  "Fair Exchange" brought back quite a few memories - first saw them back in 1974 (at the "Top of the World" in Stafford no less !) supporting Cockney Rebel - and they totally blew Steve Harley et al right off stage ... and they just got better after that. I reckon that's one of the beauties of being old - you're now in a position to fill all those gaps in your music collection ... the ones you couldn't afford to buy when you were young.

PS - Droylsden won 3-2 at Congleton ...

PPS - It rained at work today ... !!

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Curzon Ashton v Hyde FC

Playing with "panorama" - takes y'mind off the football !!!

 ... my God that was grim - thank Christ it was only a friendly.  Hopefully the two Managers got something out of tonight's "spectacle" - because I'm damn sure the 190+ crowd (at a fiver a time) got very little (apart from the usual "Eeeh Heck it's a bit nippy on Ashton Moss ... even in July !!" sort of thing).  A 0-0 draw - I can say no more really - scraped together a few pictures for now at 

Curzon 0 Hyde 0

... and that was hard work too - tonight's jaunt means tomorrow @ Mossley (v FC Halifax Town) is now "out of bounds" - one can only do so many and keep Mrs Smiffy sweet !  Next stop (hopefully) is Stalybridge on Friday night (but I'll have to be good for the rest of the week mind !!!)

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Evo-Stik Fixtures 2012/13

OK - ignore last post - three quick links ...

Ashton United Fixtures 2012/13

Curzon Ashton Fixtures 2012/13

Mossley FC Fixtures 2012/13

Now to the DIY ...

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Blogging on the Move

Just downloaded Blogger for Android - damn sight simpler ...

HOME NOW TO EDIT - when I said simpler I meant simpler than trying to use full-blown Blogger on a moby !  Still need to check out fonts etc photo uploads etc ... but give me time - we're on hols next week (another walking holiday - this time Northumberland Coastal Path) so I'll try to get up to speed "'afore we go".

Meanwhile ... in football world the Evo-Stik fixtures came out today at noon - but I can't stop just yet - I've got some DIY to do first before heading off to Curzon Ashton for their PSF against Hyde FC ("Two Tame Sides" in one blow !!). If I'm efficient at said DIY (unlike some of those cowboys out there that you have to pay !!), I'll be back with links etc ...

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Sunday Walk ...

Gotcha !!

... just a few pics from today - including however some of "that heron" (mentioned a couple of weeks ago when I only had cameraphone).

Diggle Walk 15Jul12

Fifteen minutes of glory now over - off to cook tea and get ready for work next week - weather looks decidedly iffy once again ... although it's been great today !

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Potato Growers of England - RELAX !

... your livelihood is NOT under threat - from me anyway !! The "Poundland Potato Crop" has now been harvested ...

 The bag ...

The result ...

Total yield = 1kg

... and with a 1kg bag of Tesco Everyday Value spuds being knocked out at 69p ... I reckon I'm 31p down on the whole project !!!  Just about enough for tonight's tea I reckon !

Hey ho - let's hope for better profit margins on the tomatoes and peppers ...

  

... next - off for a walk down the canal with a small lemonade promised at the Diggle Hotel ...

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Football Blogging Awards 2012

Results from same:

Best Male Blog - The 4th Official

Best Female Blog - The Liver Bird

Best New Blog - My Old Man Said

Best Veteran Blog - Six Tame Sides (whoo hoo !!)

Best Club-Specific Blog - Anything Palmeiras

Best Podcast - Chelsea Football Fancast

Best Comedy Blog - Fitba Thatba

Best Video Blog - The League of Ireland Interview Show

... and a jolly good time was had by all (although I can't speak about the apre-ski down in the fleshpots of Deansgate Lock, Manchester - "veteran" here went home for a nice cup of horlicks (OK several beers - but you know what I mean ...).

Here's to next year !

Today's first jobbie I think will be harvesting my "Poundland Potato Crop" - seeing as there's a severe potato shortage in the UK due to the cr*p weather - I'll put 'em on EBay later !!

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Mossley v Burnley ...

... have to be honest - 'twas another (IMHO)  thrown together Mossley team (cries of "who he"; "who he" were resonating around the ground) ... up against a Burnley "Development Squad" - as in last season's Youth Team who had therefore played together as a team for 12+ months ...

Whatever - it's a friendly - a "training session+" if you like - and the result is certainly not that important - but I'll tell you anyway; 'twas 2-0 to Burnley ... one very early goal and one very late goal.  In that sense therefore Mossley did well for a good 75 minutes, albeit mostly in a defensive role - which will explain the lack of pictures today - or the large amount of Burnley-based pics if you like !!! They're here anyway ...

Mossley 0 Burnley 2

Home after - shower/shave etc before heading down to Stockport for the National Football Blogging Awards evening ... and yes ...  I'm a winner !!!  Up for two categories (Best Male and Best 'Veteran') - I managed to get the "old codgers award" -(OK by Veteran they meant blog that's been going for more than 3 years !!) - a couple of pics from tonight - with me on the "other side of the lens" for a change ...

"Well - veteran - "Six Tame Sides" began as a fanzine back in 1991 - when 'cut and paste' meant scissors and Pritt Stick etc etc"- and so he wobbled on for a good 2 minutes - a proper 'acceptance speech' !!

Tonight's "Oscar" (with an unfortunate spelling mistake lower down - but hey - I'M A WINNER !!!!)

Home - more celebratory beers - sort football pics out - and this - best call it a day 

Other results from today:

Curzon Ashton 2 Denton Town 3 

Darwen 2 Ashton United 1

Stalybridge Celtic 0 Hyde FC 3

Irlam v Droyslden called off due to damaged sewer pipe at ground (!!)

Gone no further than that tonight - will find out all the goss later today

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It's going to be a long day ...

... so I'd best go get work out of the way first !

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Beer of the Month !!

Just for info - this has been on at the "Britannia" in Mossley for the last few days ... and it's GORGEOUS !!!  I offer up ...

Incidentally - it's now official - as in on the "Britannia" web site - regarding the "Trans-Pennine Rail Ale Trail" - basically it's by "appointment only" after 1900hrs.  'Twas only a matter of time - I know I've mentioned it a few times on here, but what started out as a proper 'real ale' trail has descended into a cheap and nasty stag do/hen party/glorified p*ss-up turning good local pubs into 'no-go areas' for the locals at the weekend (even Stalybridge Buffet Bar serves real ale in plastic glasses on Saturdays !!! Would you drink real ale out of plastic ?? I certainly don't anymore)  Good to see honesty and integrity winning over the "fast buck" option - to be honest I can see this happening at other places as well ... it's certainly happened in other places such as Dublin and Riga - idiots and gobby loud-mouthed drunks (as most are at 1900hrs having been on the pop for 7+ hours) are just no fun at all ... some interesting posts on here as well.

Anyway ... my celebration of a top beer has 'gone off the rails' a bit ... it's Friday night - and I stayed dry for most of today - onwards to a very busy Saturday ... unless I think of something else (or find out some scoop) later.  Time for tea ...

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