Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Broken computer
Sorry for no posts for a few days, my computer isn't working. Hopefully I can get it fixed soon and I can catch up the backlog. I'm on borrowed time today, hope to get back on line later on
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Never trust Google Maps
Friday 1st July
The committee who designed the colours for the weather over here didn’t do a very good job, it’s all grey and no imagination and the use of any blues or yellows. Yet another boring grey day but we are getting used to it. One day the committee may have a day off and we might get some variation.
I had to do it eventually but I blotted my copy book. I got it in early to get it out the way, Foolishly Dave had appointed me tour guide and responsible for directions for the walk from the hotel to the station. . I really thought I knew where I was going to get to the station but Google Maps had the entrance to the hotel as being on a north – south road and we came out the front door on an east - west road. That’s my story anyway and I’m sticking to it. At least I was brave enough to ask for directions and we still made the train we wanted anyway. Dave doesn’t like stairs so naughty words were uttered at the designer of Middlesbrough station. Needless to say I’m looking for a new job.
Apart from that just a boring change / change / change train trip to Scunthorpe. Change at Darlington, change at York, change at Doncaster and then down the branch line to Scunthorpe. It’s a really pretty little trip to Scunthorpe, a canal mirrors the railway line for lots of the way and some very pretty views across the valleys as we made our way merrily along to our destination. Arrived at the hotel to again fall victim to the Travelodge check in time not being till 3pm. Was that a pub we saw next door? You beauty, it was so we enjoyed the surroundings in the Old Farmhouse hotel for an hour or so. We also found the ATM machine there that has been programmed not to like Australians. Luckily there was a Tesco’s across the road which had ATM’s not similarly trained so cash was safely removed and transferred to waiting wallets. We were whole again!!
Then it was off to the Eddie Wright raceway outside town to find a lovely little set up in what used to be a field up to about six years ago. Lovely track design and shape but not the easiest viewing track because the surrounds are so flat. Never mind, the longest journey starts with one small step and they have the foundations. Interesting surroundings with four or five wind turbines next door rotating merrily around while generating electricity. It was the second leg of a knock out cup match with Ipswich and the visitors held a huge advantage from the first leg. With nothing really to play for and a cold grey day the crowd was disappointingly small but it was their loss. After two heats the score was 9-3 to the home team and I thought it was going to be a boring one sided meeting. After that is slowly picked up and by half way through I was thinking “hey, this isn’t half bad after all”. Scunthorpe ran out fairly easy winners in the end with Lasse Bjerre very impressive for Ipswich and David Howe doing pretty much as he pleased for the victors. A super slick presentation and we were all done by around 9pm. Other tracks take note!! There were juniors and a second half after the big boys had finished so Scunthorpe are certainly doing their part to develop speedway. I’d very much like to visit again on a sunny day with more to play for; I think it would be a cracking experience. Dave was like a pig in sh*t, he had been taken out into the centre of the track for heat 15 and was wearing a huge smile. Happiness is something that suits him. I also had the pleasure of finally catching up with renowned speedway artist Jim Blanchard. Jim specializes in recreating paintings from photos or other media. Very nice they are too, I have two at my house, one of Leigh Adams and one of Jason Crump. Jim was super company and we had a nice chat about all sorts of things. It was then back to our hotel courtesy of a lift from Dave (Dobbie, not my travelling companion Dave) and Brian who were on the way back home to the Holbeach area. It was too early to go to bed so it was back to the pub next door for a pint and a chat before we hit the sack. Leicester tomorrow to meet my Auntie Heather and husband Frank and then the speedway to see the long awaited new Leicester speedway.
The committee who designed the colours for the weather over here didn’t do a very good job, it’s all grey and no imagination and the use of any blues or yellows. Yet another boring grey day but we are getting used to it. One day the committee may have a day off and we might get some variation.
I had to do it eventually but I blotted my copy book. I got it in early to get it out the way, Foolishly Dave had appointed me tour guide and responsible for directions for the walk from the hotel to the station. . I really thought I knew where I was going to get to the station but Google Maps had the entrance to the hotel as being on a north – south road and we came out the front door on an east - west road. That’s my story anyway and I’m sticking to it. At least I was brave enough to ask for directions and we still made the train we wanted anyway. Dave doesn’t like stairs so naughty words were uttered at the designer of Middlesbrough station. Needless to say I’m looking for a new job.
Apart from that just a boring change / change / change train trip to Scunthorpe. Change at Darlington, change at York, change at Doncaster and then down the branch line to Scunthorpe. It’s a really pretty little trip to Scunthorpe, a canal mirrors the railway line for lots of the way and some very pretty views across the valleys as we made our way merrily along to our destination. Arrived at the hotel to again fall victim to the Travelodge check in time not being till 3pm. Was that a pub we saw next door? You beauty, it was so we enjoyed the surroundings in the Old Farmhouse hotel for an hour or so. We also found the ATM machine there that has been programmed not to like Australians. Luckily there was a Tesco’s across the road which had ATM’s not similarly trained so cash was safely removed and transferred to waiting wallets. We were whole again!!
Then it was off to the Eddie Wright raceway outside town to find a lovely little set up in what used to be a field up to about six years ago. Lovely track design and shape but not the easiest viewing track because the surrounds are so flat. Never mind, the longest journey starts with one small step and they have the foundations. Interesting surroundings with four or five wind turbines next door rotating merrily around while generating electricity. It was the second leg of a knock out cup match with Ipswich and the visitors held a huge advantage from the first leg. With nothing really to play for and a cold grey day the crowd was disappointingly small but it was their loss. After two heats the score was 9-3 to the home team and I thought it was going to be a boring one sided meeting. After that is slowly picked up and by half way through I was thinking “hey, this isn’t half bad after all”. Scunthorpe ran out fairly easy winners in the end with Lasse Bjerre very impressive for Ipswich and David Howe doing pretty much as he pleased for the victors. A super slick presentation and we were all done by around 9pm. Other tracks take note!! There were juniors and a second half after the big boys had finished so Scunthorpe are certainly doing their part to develop speedway. I’d very much like to visit again on a sunny day with more to play for; I think it would be a cracking experience. Dave was like a pig in sh*t, he had been taken out into the centre of the track for heat 15 and was wearing a huge smile. Happiness is something that suits him. I also had the pleasure of finally catching up with renowned speedway artist Jim Blanchard. Jim specializes in recreating paintings from photos or other media. Very nice they are too, I have two at my house, one of Leigh Adams and one of Jason Crump. Jim was super company and we had a nice chat about all sorts of things. It was then back to our hotel courtesy of a lift from Dave (Dobbie, not my travelling companion Dave) and Brian who were on the way back home to the Holbeach area. It was too early to go to bed so it was back to the pub next door for a pint and a chat before we hit the sack. Leicester tomorrow to meet my Auntie Heather and husband Frank and then the speedway to see the long awaited new Leicester speedway.
Late night Parmo feast
Thursday 30th June
Up with the lark, then up and at them!! Couldn’t get the shower to work so ended up washing using the sink in the room. The cord for the light worked but try as I might I couldn’t get the second cord to work so the shower would fire up. Bloody English plumbing. In Australia we have a funny system, all you do is turn on the tap and water comes out the shower. Simple, easy to understand and practical. Downstairs for eight o’clock nosh up and then out the door to tackle the mysteries of another day. Fairly uneventful trip from Poole to London. Dave and I split up at the start because the train was fairly empty but as I filled up I gave up my seat so a woman and her children could sit together and wandered along a few rows to fill a vacant seat next to Dave. He had been busy entertaining two three gents from the south coast although I’m not sure the lady opposite Dave was all that thrilled with the laughter emanating from the four of them. About half way (Winchester maybe) one gent got off and the lady saw a spare seat elsewhere and she quickly scarpered. The spare seats were filled with a GP and her son who were on the way up to London. Nothing much got missed out, we talked about travel, flying, Australia, Euthanasia, the UK strike, pension plans, sport, Wimbledon, tennis, Walkabout Bars, speedway, retirement age, beer, sport and whatever else came our way. Quite eclectic characters we all were. In a way it was a shame the trip ended, they were good company.
From Waterloo it was out into the wilds of the Underground to find Kings Cross. We were lucky, one change needed at Oxford Circus and both times a train pulled up just as we arrived at the platform. Safely on to the train and as one of the first on we got a seat which was a nice change. The time flew and it seemed like in no time we had reached Northallerton which was where we changed trains. Caught the British equivalent of a red rattler and off to Redcar we went. Cab to the hotel; dump the bags and then another cab to the track. Super little set up Redcar has, since I was there last in 2008 they have added a small grandstand and a bar. This was to be the best atmosphere at any track so far (and it has set the standard). Lovely passionate Redcar crowd making plenty of noise with a delightful young lady equipped with a big drum doing her bit to contribute to the general din. We had some great company, two BSF speedway fans Drac (Redcar fan) and Bandits4life (Berwick fan) bantering away and both giving each other as good as they got. Both were sending comments to the speedway live updates results site and it was nice later on to read the contrasting points of view!! On track Redcar beat Berwick 46-43 and a nip and tuck meeting it was all along. Aussie Kozza Smith was superb for the visitors and wow is he a completely different rider from the one who used to look quite ragged when he first started. Now he is smooth and quick and looks like he is ready to take a step up to the next level. For Redcar the two “forty something” riders Jason Lyons and Gary Havelock both showed they have still got it. Havelock rolled back the years with a superb pass in heat 14 to seal a Redcar 5-1 to put the home side back in the lead after being 3 points down and the crowd went wild. Somehow my texted message to the updates side of “the crowd went ape droppings” got posted as “the crowd went mental”. Mitchell Davey needs a mention, last year he was down on confidence and riding badly, tonight he was heaps better and really got stuck in and fought hard for his point s. His 5+2 was well deserved.
We had been told in the bar “you must have a Parmo while you are in Redcar”. We got directions to a wonderful little establishment and at sometime after 10pm the “parmo” arrived. It’s a chicken parmagiana in Australian language and it was a super meal. Heaven only knows what we were thinking because it was a huge meal and totally the wrong thing to be eating just before bedtime but it came under the heading of either “who cares” or “you only live once”. As luck would have it some of the riders / mechanics / friends were at the same place so we had a bit of a chat with Aussies Robert Branford and dad “Chopper” plus Arlo Bugeja. It was a very full and tired little soldier who fell into bed sometime after midnight.
Up with the lark, then up and at them!! Couldn’t get the shower to work so ended up washing using the sink in the room. The cord for the light worked but try as I might I couldn’t get the second cord to work so the shower would fire up. Bloody English plumbing. In Australia we have a funny system, all you do is turn on the tap and water comes out the shower. Simple, easy to understand and practical. Downstairs for eight o’clock nosh up and then out the door to tackle the mysteries of another day. Fairly uneventful trip from Poole to London. Dave and I split up at the start because the train was fairly empty but as I filled up I gave up my seat so a woman and her children could sit together and wandered along a few rows to fill a vacant seat next to Dave. He had been busy entertaining two three gents from the south coast although I’m not sure the lady opposite Dave was all that thrilled with the laughter emanating from the four of them. About half way (Winchester maybe) one gent got off and the lady saw a spare seat elsewhere and she quickly scarpered. The spare seats were filled with a GP and her son who were on the way up to London. Nothing much got missed out, we talked about travel, flying, Australia, Euthanasia, the UK strike, pension plans, sport, Wimbledon, tennis, Walkabout Bars, speedway, retirement age, beer, sport and whatever else came our way. Quite eclectic characters we all were. In a way it was a shame the trip ended, they were good company.
From Waterloo it was out into the wilds of the Underground to find Kings Cross. We were lucky, one change needed at Oxford Circus and both times a train pulled up just as we arrived at the platform. Safely on to the train and as one of the first on we got a seat which was a nice change. The time flew and it seemed like in no time we had reached Northallerton which was where we changed trains. Caught the British equivalent of a red rattler and off to Redcar we went. Cab to the hotel; dump the bags and then another cab to the track. Super little set up Redcar has, since I was there last in 2008 they have added a small grandstand and a bar. This was to be the best atmosphere at any track so far (and it has set the standard). Lovely passionate Redcar crowd making plenty of noise with a delightful young lady equipped with a big drum doing her bit to contribute to the general din. We had some great company, two BSF speedway fans Drac (Redcar fan) and Bandits4life (Berwick fan) bantering away and both giving each other as good as they got. Both were sending comments to the speedway live updates results site and it was nice later on to read the contrasting points of view!! On track Redcar beat Berwick 46-43 and a nip and tuck meeting it was all along. Aussie Kozza Smith was superb for the visitors and wow is he a completely different rider from the one who used to look quite ragged when he first started. Now he is smooth and quick and looks like he is ready to take a step up to the next level. For Redcar the two “forty something” riders Jason Lyons and Gary Havelock both showed they have still got it. Havelock rolled back the years with a superb pass in heat 14 to seal a Redcar 5-1 to put the home side back in the lead after being 3 points down and the crowd went wild. Somehow my texted message to the updates side of “the crowd went ape droppings” got posted as “the crowd went mental”. Mitchell Davey needs a mention, last year he was down on confidence and riding badly, tonight he was heaps better and really got stuck in and fought hard for his point s. His 5+2 was well deserved.
We had been told in the bar “you must have a Parmo while you are in Redcar”. We got directions to a wonderful little establishment and at sometime after 10pm the “parmo” arrived. It’s a chicken parmagiana in Australian language and it was a super meal. Heaven only knows what we were thinking because it was a huge meal and totally the wrong thing to be eating just before bedtime but it came under the heading of either “who cares” or “you only live once”. As luck would have it some of the riders / mechanics / friends were at the same place so we had a bit of a chat with Aussies Robert Branford and dad “Chopper” plus Arlo Bugeja. It was a very full and tired little soldier who fell into bed sometime after midnight.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Visiting the capital of the English Riviera
Wednesday 29th June
Time to move again. Did the “sardine special” to Birmingham but after that the train was less full and I got a seat soon after Coventry. Lowlight of the trip was my mobile phone going off between Wolverhampton and Birmingham with some cretin from Telstra trying to get me to move from Optus. I’m not normally rude but I do make the occasional exception and I reserved some of my best work for this particularly smarmy and obnoxious telemarketer. Put the phone away to some knowing half smiles from a few people around me who I think had been through similar. I was among friends. It was change trains at Winchester for Poole and I was in the capital of English Riviera soon after noon. Very kind of the British rail website, suggesting I change at Winchester meant I didn’t have to change platforms.
I wandered across the road to the George hotel for a few pints of Marstons Pedigree and another lunch of huge Yorkshire pudding filled with sausages, mash and peas. Next time I’m taking a photo before I start eating, it really is a thing of beauty. Dave was due in around 2:30 so rather than getting too relaxed and contented in the pub I thought I’d go and meet him at the station. Waited while three trains came in and then got a message “I’m in the pub, where are you?” Sneaky devil had taken a short cut off the other end of the platform and I’d missed him. Back to the pub I went and after a quick pint of Marstons pedigree we headed to the B&B. Strangely enough the place is called “B&B” which is imagination at its’ best at work. Met the owner Pete and was given the key to my room after parting with the princely sum of twenty quid. Room rates don’t get much lower than that. It was not what you would call a palatial room but never mind, it was all I needed. A bed, a sink, a TV and just enough room to turn around. A quick trip up the launderette (cheers Francis for being so helpful), a quick web surf, Dave stealing my mouse, Dave stealing my internet access (I think I see a pattern emerging here), a short walk via the pub and we were at the alleged jewel in the crown of British speedway. I have to say I was disappointed with the stadium given what I had read. The entrance and main stand is lovely but other than that I thought the place was drab and dreary and a little depressing in a way. Wolves, Ipwsich and Newport were all nicer looking set ups I thought. It was uncanny when we ran into a couple from Victoria who were into bikes and often visit the state motorcycle centre at Broadford and are also close friends with one of Dave’s best mates from a few years ago. They are more road race fans and had Isle of Man TT shirts on so I suspect that was where they had been.
The meeting was another average one. Not good, not bad and entertaining in parts. Poole beat visitors Belle Vue by 47-41 but I thought Belle Vue were unlucky. After being behind most of the meeting Poole finallyhit the lead after heat 13. Poole have a get out of jail card in Chris Holder and Darcy Ward in heats 13 and 15 and visiting teams need to be well in front after heat 12 to have half a chance. Holder & Ward didn’t disappoint and claiming maximum 5-1’s in both heats 13 & 15 pulled it out the fire for Poole. It’s the sign of a good team though, if a team can ride poorly and still sneak the win it’s not a bad thing. Dave Watt backed up the two main aussies really well but the rest of the Poole team (Andersson, Doyle, Newman and James Holder) didn’t do much at all. For Belle Vue Kling was very good, Rory Schlein was excellent but had a engine failure in one of the later heats that really hurt Belle Vue as it came at exactly the wrong time. Chris Harris had a stinker, he is a far better rider than that and he would be kicking himself this morning I would think, a couple of better rides and Belle Vue may have pinched the points. Nice to meet Gavin Elmes and Bob Cole again plus meeting Charlie the ex Mildura track man and BSF’ers Home Straight and Dorset Delight. Also managed to catch the BSF’s main wind up merchant and pee taker Steve Shovlar who paid us a short visit to dispense his interpretation of speedway wisdom. I actually agreed with him on this occasion but I hope no one tells him that.
We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow so it was a quick wander back to the B&B, breakfast teed up for eight o’clock and then pretty soon after that my head hit the pillow and I was out like a light.
Time to move again. Did the “sardine special” to Birmingham but after that the train was less full and I got a seat soon after Coventry. Lowlight of the trip was my mobile phone going off between Wolverhampton and Birmingham with some cretin from Telstra trying to get me to move from Optus. I’m not normally rude but I do make the occasional exception and I reserved some of my best work for this particularly smarmy and obnoxious telemarketer. Put the phone away to some knowing half smiles from a few people around me who I think had been through similar. I was among friends. It was change trains at Winchester for Poole and I was in the capital of English Riviera soon after noon. Very kind of the British rail website, suggesting I change at Winchester meant I didn’t have to change platforms.
I wandered across the road to the George hotel for a few pints of Marstons Pedigree and another lunch of huge Yorkshire pudding filled with sausages, mash and peas. Next time I’m taking a photo before I start eating, it really is a thing of beauty. Dave was due in around 2:30 so rather than getting too relaxed and contented in the pub I thought I’d go and meet him at the station. Waited while three trains came in and then got a message “I’m in the pub, where are you?” Sneaky devil had taken a short cut off the other end of the platform and I’d missed him. Back to the pub I went and after a quick pint of Marstons pedigree we headed to the B&B. Strangely enough the place is called “B&B” which is imagination at its’ best at work. Met the owner Pete and was given the key to my room after parting with the princely sum of twenty quid. Room rates don’t get much lower than that. It was not what you would call a palatial room but never mind, it was all I needed. A bed, a sink, a TV and just enough room to turn around. A quick trip up the launderette (cheers Francis for being so helpful), a quick web surf, Dave stealing my mouse, Dave stealing my internet access (I think I see a pattern emerging here), a short walk via the pub and we were at the alleged jewel in the crown of British speedway. I have to say I was disappointed with the stadium given what I had read. The entrance and main stand is lovely but other than that I thought the place was drab and dreary and a little depressing in a way. Wolves, Ipwsich and Newport were all nicer looking set ups I thought. It was uncanny when we ran into a couple from Victoria who were into bikes and often visit the state motorcycle centre at Broadford and are also close friends with one of Dave’s best mates from a few years ago. They are more road race fans and had Isle of Man TT shirts on so I suspect that was where they had been.
The meeting was another average one. Not good, not bad and entertaining in parts. Poole beat visitors Belle Vue by 47-41 but I thought Belle Vue were unlucky. After being behind most of the meeting Poole finallyhit the lead after heat 13. Poole have a get out of jail card in Chris Holder and Darcy Ward in heats 13 and 15 and visiting teams need to be well in front after heat 12 to have half a chance. Holder & Ward didn’t disappoint and claiming maximum 5-1’s in both heats 13 & 15 pulled it out the fire for Poole. It’s the sign of a good team though, if a team can ride poorly and still sneak the win it’s not a bad thing. Dave Watt backed up the two main aussies really well but the rest of the Poole team (Andersson, Doyle, Newman and James Holder) didn’t do much at all. For Belle Vue Kling was very good, Rory Schlein was excellent but had a engine failure in one of the later heats that really hurt Belle Vue as it came at exactly the wrong time. Chris Harris had a stinker, he is a far better rider than that and he would be kicking himself this morning I would think, a couple of better rides and Belle Vue may have pinched the points. Nice to meet Gavin Elmes and Bob Cole again plus meeting Charlie the ex Mildura track man and BSF’ers Home Straight and Dorset Delight. Also managed to catch the BSF’s main wind up merchant and pee taker Steve Shovlar who paid us a short visit to dispense his interpretation of speedway wisdom. I actually agreed with him on this occasion but I hope no one tells him that.
We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow so it was a quick wander back to the B&B, breakfast teed up for eight o’clock and then pretty soon after that my head hit the pillow and I was out like a light.
Brave New World
Tuesday 28th June
Yay, not moving today !! I was meeting a work colleague for lunch in Milton Keynes so I wandered down the station to catch a train to Milton Keynes. The Wolverhampton to Birmingham train line must be one of the busiest around, every time I’ve been on it the train has been totally crowded. From Birmingham onwards I was on one of the Virgin super duper trains and very nice they are too. Got to Milton Keynes mid morning. What a strange place !! It was one of the new cities created in about the late 1960’s and its like something out of Brave New World. It is a strange design city, its based on a long narrow rectangular grid. The railway station is at the one end of the rectangle, then as you head up towards what you think will be the city centre there are lots the high rise office blocks, then at the top end of the rectangle is a big shopping centre. There actually is no defined city centre which is weird. The city design is all bland and horrible and square and predictable with practically zero character or atmosphere. It’s like something you would expect in Japan or Hong Kong. I’d hate to work or live there. The really funny part was at the very top end of the rectangle was an outside market which reminded me of the little markets in the alleyways Hong Kong or China so the Hong Kong remark wasn’t too far off.
Adrian Snook (a work colleague from Rockwell I had met in Milwaukee in 2010) picked me up and we went to the village of old Milton Keynes to the Swan Hotel. Lovely little old place with a thatched roof. Nice food, nice staff, and the Young's ale went down a treat with the steak and mushroom pie. Mushroom was right, there was only one and they couldn’t be accused of false advertising. Some laughs were had and stories exchanged and the time flew and it was way too soon when Adrian had to go back to work. The old village of Milton Keynes is gorgeous, how they could build an abortion of a city next to a nice village is a little bewildering. The architect probably got knighted, I think he should have been beheaded.
Mid afternoon trains are better than peak hour so the journey back to Wolverhampton was a lot easier than the one there. Got to my room, changed, and headed off to Monmore Green stadium for the second time in two days to watch the National League Dudley Heathens do battle with the Stoke Potters in the second leg of a KO cup match. Stoke were carrying a 30 point league lead from the 1st leg and it was going to be a long way back for Dudley. It proved even longer when Stoke performed well in the first few heats and Dudley found themselves 6 behind on the night and 36 behind on aggregate. Eventually Dudley found some form to run out winners on the night 47-43 but I got the impression Stoke had taken their foot off the pedal a bit. Kyle Newman was impressive for the home side with Simon Lambert looking good for the visitors. It was only to be expected as they both double up and ride in higher leagues as well. James Sarjeant at reserve for the visitors really impressed early on but faded a little as the night wore on. His third to first ride in heat 2 was a gem.
There were a few of grizzles from me about the night. One was the amount of unnecessary delays. With the bottom league there will always be falls but every time there was a fall no matter how minor all the riders went back to the pits, out came the tractor and we had a five minute delay. In my view if there are no injuries then get the fallen rider off, keep the other riders on the track and get on with it. It’s meant to be entertainment !! I thought a 9:45 finish was too late given there were no major falls or other incidents. It was a cold night and some people around me started leaving around the end of heat 10. Secondly the centre green presenter really got on my wick by the end of the night. Admittedly he is a character and paid to gee up the crowd but after two nights of him I was fed up with him and his antics. I didn’t notice him much on the first night but with all the gaps and delays to fill in tonight he had more time on the mike and was more irritating. Thirdly I also got annoyed with all the stuffing around at the tapes prior to each heat starting. These guys aren’t world beaters and I didn’t like to see them wasting time. Again, maybe I just noticed it more because of all the delays but I muttered under my breath “just get on with it” more than once
Anyway, over all it was an enjoyable night with a bit of everything. Quite a few mistakes but that made for some interesting races with some gaps being narrowed with riders out front having a few hairy moments. Then again the reverse was true, in some races it was strung out because the riders at the back made errors. That’s the joy of the national league !!
Yay, not moving today !! I was meeting a work colleague for lunch in Milton Keynes so I wandered down the station to catch a train to Milton Keynes. The Wolverhampton to Birmingham train line must be one of the busiest around, every time I’ve been on it the train has been totally crowded. From Birmingham onwards I was on one of the Virgin super duper trains and very nice they are too. Got to Milton Keynes mid morning. What a strange place !! It was one of the new cities created in about the late 1960’s and its like something out of Brave New World. It is a strange design city, its based on a long narrow rectangular grid. The railway station is at the one end of the rectangle, then as you head up towards what you think will be the city centre there are lots the high rise office blocks, then at the top end of the rectangle is a big shopping centre. There actually is no defined city centre which is weird. The city design is all bland and horrible and square and predictable with practically zero character or atmosphere. It’s like something you would expect in Japan or Hong Kong. I’d hate to work or live there. The really funny part was at the very top end of the rectangle was an outside market which reminded me of the little markets in the alleyways Hong Kong or China so the Hong Kong remark wasn’t too far off.
Adrian Snook (a work colleague from Rockwell I had met in Milwaukee in 2010) picked me up and we went to the village of old Milton Keynes to the Swan Hotel. Lovely little old place with a thatched roof. Nice food, nice staff, and the Young's ale went down a treat with the steak and mushroom pie. Mushroom was right, there was only one and they couldn’t be accused of false advertising. Some laughs were had and stories exchanged and the time flew and it was way too soon when Adrian had to go back to work. The old village of Milton Keynes is gorgeous, how they could build an abortion of a city next to a nice village is a little bewildering. The architect probably got knighted, I think he should have been beheaded.
Mid afternoon trains are better than peak hour so the journey back to Wolverhampton was a lot easier than the one there. Got to my room, changed, and headed off to Monmore Green stadium for the second time in two days to watch the National League Dudley Heathens do battle with the Stoke Potters in the second leg of a KO cup match. Stoke were carrying a 30 point league lead from the 1st leg and it was going to be a long way back for Dudley. It proved even longer when Stoke performed well in the first few heats and Dudley found themselves 6 behind on the night and 36 behind on aggregate. Eventually Dudley found some form to run out winners on the night 47-43 but I got the impression Stoke had taken their foot off the pedal a bit. Kyle Newman was impressive for the home side with Simon Lambert looking good for the visitors. It was only to be expected as they both double up and ride in higher leagues as well. James Sarjeant at reserve for the visitors really impressed early on but faded a little as the night wore on. His third to first ride in heat 2 was a gem.
There were a few of grizzles from me about the night. One was the amount of unnecessary delays. With the bottom league there will always be falls but every time there was a fall no matter how minor all the riders went back to the pits, out came the tractor and we had a five minute delay. In my view if there are no injuries then get the fallen rider off, keep the other riders on the track and get on with it. It’s meant to be entertainment !! I thought a 9:45 finish was too late given there were no major falls or other incidents. It was a cold night and some people around me started leaving around the end of heat 10. Secondly the centre green presenter really got on my wick by the end of the night. Admittedly he is a character and paid to gee up the crowd but after two nights of him I was fed up with him and his antics. I didn’t notice him much on the first night but with all the gaps and delays to fill in tonight he had more time on the mike and was more irritating. Thirdly I also got annoyed with all the stuffing around at the tapes prior to each heat starting. These guys aren’t world beaters and I didn’t like to see them wasting time. Again, maybe I just noticed it more because of all the delays but I muttered under my breath “just get on with it” more than once
Anyway, over all it was an enjoyable night with a bit of everything. Quite a few mistakes but that made for some interesting races with some gaps being narrowed with riders out front having a few hairy moments. Then again the reverse was true, in some races it was strung out because the riders at the back made errors. That’s the joy of the national league !!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sad to leave the valleys, Fawlty Travelodge
Monday 27th June
Again I slept really well. I think finally all the rushing about caught up with me and with no need for an early start for the last two days subconsciously I’m sure my brain has taken over and let me sleep longer. Ruth cooked me a big breakfast and Ian drove me to Ystrad Mynach station. I wished them both well with their daughter in law as I know it has been tough for the both extended families. It’s a really nice relaxed atmosphere in the valleys, I could easily live there. It was lovely to catch up with the Welsh side of the family again. I noticed again driving down to the station that the land shapes are similar to Australia but the colours are all different. They don’t do brown colours in the valleys, it’s all differing shades of green. Some really pretty views as you drive down the valleys (or drive across to the next valley) and it’s very easy on the eye.
On the train I went to Cardiff to find the cross country train I wanted was cancelled. No problem I thought, I’ll catch the London Paddington service and change at Bristol Parkway. The first part was easy but then the train that came along for Manchester (calling at Wolverhampton which was what I wanted) was absolutely packed. Many people had to stand in the corridors and all the backpacks and cases were lining the corridors and areas round the doors too. It was a stuffy sweaty journey cross country but never mind, we got there unscathed.
Got to Wolverhampton and the atmosphere in the city was totally different from the valleys. It’s hard to describe, it’s a harder, edgier, faster paced, rougher atmosphere somehow. Quite a few likely looking young lads about who you felt would know how to handle themselves if things got out of hand. It’s a far more cosmopolitan city as well, there are many differing cultures & skin colours in evidence, So far in this trip if there was anywhere you thought a head or two could be kicked in if there was any argument then Wolverhampton would be the leading candidate. Having said that the city centre was nice as I strolled through it on the way to find the Travelodge.
A weird place is the Wolverhampton Travelodge. I arrived at the reception desk about 2:40 to be told my room was available but company policy was that check in available was not till 3:00 and if I wanted to be checked in any earlier then it would be 10 quid thanks very much. WTF ? Another attempt at price gouging I suppose. They had already taken time to speak to me and this would mean a second conversation was needed in twenty minutes. I couldn’t see the point but never mind, if they wanted to “double handle” me then that was fine. I then adjourned to the bar and had a pint (Boddingtons - 7 out of 10). The strange thing was I ordered the pint and the girl behind the bar got a glass out did something behind the bar, put the glass straight down again and then walked away without saying so much as a word. It turns out the cask was playing up but I was a bit amazed she didn’t say anything or let me know what was happening. Got to a table and picked up a menu and thought a snack would be a good idea while I was waiting. Went to the bar to order to be told “I’m sorry sir, food doesn’t start till 5:00, we only put menus on the tables so people can look at them”. I was now totally confused. Why else would people look at menus if not to order food ? The staff weren’t directly rude but it came across as being a poor set up and not what the customer service text books would tell you. No information literature in the rooms either so unless you specifically ask you wouldn’t know about any laundry, local taxi services, check out times, etc. Like I said, it’s a strange place.
Walked to Monmore Green stadium. It’s a super set up, the grandstand is as good as it gets and the track is generally very good. We were lucky enough to see a really entertaining and enjoyable meeting. For the record the home side defeated Coventry 48-42. It was a funny meeting, Wolves started well, Coventry fought back to level the score half way through, then Wolves pulled their finger out and got going again. Freddie Lindgren (14) was top notch for the Wolves and Pawlicki (11) best for the Bees. Two real surprise packets at reserve, the much maligned Wells (11+1) for Wolves was very good and similarly the relatively unknown Kildemand (9+1) for Coventry. Wells will be happy he will have temporarily got the detractors off his back till at least the next meeting. Russian wizz kid Emil Sayfutdinov (5+1) who I’m sure got a few extra through the gate didn’t seem to handle the smaller Wolves track all that well and was disappointing. My mate Ty Proctor (Wolves) had a shocker, at home his 1 point was poor and he would have been disappointed to be replaced for his last ride by Wells. Hopefully Ty gets it back together soon else he may be looking over his shoulder if that sort of form continues. He looks to be down on confidence. As the final race started it started to drizzle which later got worse and turned into heavy rain and yet again an English day didn’t pass without some moisture from above.
I quickly called in to the bar and I was lucky enough to meet Sandie from the BSF again plus the British Speedway Forum resident statistician and rule book nutter SCB. Sean (SCB) and I had a nice chat but I’m sure he had his Coventry eye patch and Coventry hat on when he claimed Wells rode into the side of Pawlicki but I thought Pawlicki had taken Wells’ front wheel away. Time was on the wing, my chatting companions were Coventry bound so out came the fold up umbrella and home I went. I’m not moving tomorrow, I’m here again to watch the third division side (Dudley Heathens) go through their paces. Apparently they are good value in the National League (the lowest division), the big boys in the top league don’t make that many mistakes but lower down there are some learning curves being experienced and that makes for some interesting viewing.
Again I slept really well. I think finally all the rushing about caught up with me and with no need for an early start for the last two days subconsciously I’m sure my brain has taken over and let me sleep longer. Ruth cooked me a big breakfast and Ian drove me to Ystrad Mynach station. I wished them both well with their daughter in law as I know it has been tough for the both extended families. It’s a really nice relaxed atmosphere in the valleys, I could easily live there. It was lovely to catch up with the Welsh side of the family again. I noticed again driving down to the station that the land shapes are similar to Australia but the colours are all different. They don’t do brown colours in the valleys, it’s all differing shades of green. Some really pretty views as you drive down the valleys (or drive across to the next valley) and it’s very easy on the eye.
On the train I went to Cardiff to find the cross country train I wanted was cancelled. No problem I thought, I’ll catch the London Paddington service and change at Bristol Parkway. The first part was easy but then the train that came along for Manchester (calling at Wolverhampton which was what I wanted) was absolutely packed. Many people had to stand in the corridors and all the backpacks and cases were lining the corridors and areas round the doors too. It was a stuffy sweaty journey cross country but never mind, we got there unscathed.
Got to Wolverhampton and the atmosphere in the city was totally different from the valleys. It’s hard to describe, it’s a harder, edgier, faster paced, rougher atmosphere somehow. Quite a few likely looking young lads about who you felt would know how to handle themselves if things got out of hand. It’s a far more cosmopolitan city as well, there are many differing cultures & skin colours in evidence, So far in this trip if there was anywhere you thought a head or two could be kicked in if there was any argument then Wolverhampton would be the leading candidate. Having said that the city centre was nice as I strolled through it on the way to find the Travelodge.
A weird place is the Wolverhampton Travelodge. I arrived at the reception desk about 2:40 to be told my room was available but company policy was that check in available was not till 3:00 and if I wanted to be checked in any earlier then it would be 10 quid thanks very much. WTF ? Another attempt at price gouging I suppose. They had already taken time to speak to me and this would mean a second conversation was needed in twenty minutes. I couldn’t see the point but never mind, if they wanted to “double handle” me then that was fine. I then adjourned to the bar and had a pint (Boddingtons - 7 out of 10). The strange thing was I ordered the pint and the girl behind the bar got a glass out did something behind the bar, put the glass straight down again and then walked away without saying so much as a word. It turns out the cask was playing up but I was a bit amazed she didn’t say anything or let me know what was happening. Got to a table and picked up a menu and thought a snack would be a good idea while I was waiting. Went to the bar to order to be told “I’m sorry sir, food doesn’t start till 5:00, we only put menus on the tables so people can look at them”. I was now totally confused. Why else would people look at menus if not to order food ? The staff weren’t directly rude but it came across as being a poor set up and not what the customer service text books would tell you. No information literature in the rooms either so unless you specifically ask you wouldn’t know about any laundry, local taxi services, check out times, etc. Like I said, it’s a strange place.
Walked to Monmore Green stadium. It’s a super set up, the grandstand is as good as it gets and the track is generally very good. We were lucky enough to see a really entertaining and enjoyable meeting. For the record the home side defeated Coventry 48-42. It was a funny meeting, Wolves started well, Coventry fought back to level the score half way through, then Wolves pulled their finger out and got going again. Freddie Lindgren (14) was top notch for the Wolves and Pawlicki (11) best for the Bees. Two real surprise packets at reserve, the much maligned Wells (11+1) for Wolves was very good and similarly the relatively unknown Kildemand (9+1) for Coventry. Wells will be happy he will have temporarily got the detractors off his back till at least the next meeting. Russian wizz kid Emil Sayfutdinov (5+1) who I’m sure got a few extra through the gate didn’t seem to handle the smaller Wolves track all that well and was disappointing. My mate Ty Proctor (Wolves) had a shocker, at home his 1 point was poor and he would have been disappointed to be replaced for his last ride by Wells. Hopefully Ty gets it back together soon else he may be looking over his shoulder if that sort of form continues. He looks to be down on confidence. As the final race started it started to drizzle which later got worse and turned into heavy rain and yet again an English day didn’t pass without some moisture from above.
I quickly called in to the bar and I was lucky enough to meet Sandie from the BSF again plus the British Speedway Forum resident statistician and rule book nutter SCB. Sean (SCB) and I had a nice chat but I’m sure he had his Coventry eye patch and Coventry hat on when he claimed Wells rode into the side of Pawlicki but I thought Pawlicki had taken Wells’ front wheel away. Time was on the wing, my chatting companions were Coventry bound so out came the fold up umbrella and home I went. I’m not moving tomorrow, I’m here again to watch the third division side (Dudley Heathens) go through their paces. Apparently they are good value in the National League (the lowest division), the big boys in the top league don’t make that many mistakes but lower down there are some learning curves being experienced and that makes for some interesting viewing.
Sunshine !!
Sunday 26th June
Slept really, really well. The early morning was a beautiful sight, all blue sky and the promise of a nice day. For once the early promise was a good indication and it was a superb day. Had some cereal and toast for breakfast and then a bacon and tomato butty for early lunch. Neil has an excellent allotment by the sounds of things and grows all sorts of vegetables and if the tomatoes were anything to go by he’s not half bad at it. Met son Richard and grandson Owen, they were off up Neil’s allotment for a walk and Neil joined them.
Lynda and Neil kindly gave me a lift down to Newport speedway for the Welsh Open, they were then off to visit Tredegar House and catch up on some culture and were going to pick me up again on the way home. I think culture is something that passed me by somewhere along the way but the speedway is a good substitute. I walked into the stadium and what a lovely little set up it is. There is a grandstand down the home straight and turns 2 and 3 plus the back straight are totally ringed with lovely trees that gave excellent shade. Met up with Dave and he was well on the way to being totally refreshed. He had time to kill and I suspect had been led astray by some locals who plied him with free alcohol. Dave is a weak individual when it comes to free drinks and knowing he would not want to disappoint his hosts he probably drank everything they bought him and said thank you as well. What a man.
Also met up with a few BSF’ers, I can remember Dietbowers (nice chap he was too) and his wife (an even lovelier chapess) but after that it gets a bit hazy. One gent I met had a speedway forum name with “lager” in it, I remember that much. I can remember the faces but the names were all starting to sound the same. Dave was in full flight and had made about 50 new best friends in 15 minutes. Gavin Elmes from Queensland was there again and I had a nice chat with him (then again it’s always a nice chat with Gavin). Later on I went for a wander and met Todd & Brady Kurtz father and also a family that came from Anstey. What a small world, my auntie is from Anstey and I am staying there next weekend. We are going to look out for each other at Leicester speedway when we are there.
As far as the meeting went the track looked superb at the start but the hot day didn’t do the track any favours. I wondered why they didn’t keep the water up to it, in Oz they would be watering the track frequently to stop it going off. Perhaps hot weather is a new thing in Wales. No David Howe or Ben Barker either who were both late withdrawals which robbed the meeting of two of the better riders which was a huge shame for the organizers. There was a blue groove evident later in the meeting which meant only one racing line and that removed a bit of value I thought. Craig Cook had a nasty off after Ben Wilson fell into front of him and he had nowhere to go and Cook was catapulted into the air fence which caused a long delay while the fence was fixed which didn’t help matters either. I hope Cook is ok. Kevin Doolan was immaculate all day until it really mattered and totally stuffed the start in the final to lower his colours to Ryan Fisher. Fisher was a cocky sod in the final as he punched the air with delight once he hit the lead on the back straight on lap one. It was that kind of track, once in front unless there was a major stuff up the result was pretty well a foregone conclusion. The other Aussies were a bit hot & cold, Sweetman, Sedgmen and Morris all had some good rides but all threw in one or two bad ones as well. Sam Masters was unlucky with a puncture in one heat and a fall in the final. Not a bad meeting but it could have been better I thought.
I got picked up by Lynda and Neil and back to Hengoed we went. Neil came to the stadium and managed to meet Dave and I don’t know what he thought, by now Dave was well and truly “over refreshed”. Back at Hengoed we sat out in the back garden, had a cup of tea, chatted, I played with the dog and we watched the clouds go by. It was a lovely way to spend half an hour. Then it was off to my other cousin (Ruth) and husband Ian to spend the night there. Again we had a nice drink and a chat in the back garden. Ian was telling me about the problems his daughter in law has been having with having her second child and I was left thinking it’s not fair how one person can have so much bad luck. The weather was really looking after us and it was glorious to sit and relax and chat. We even ate tea outside and didn’t venture inside until getting on for 10pm. Alas the comfortable chairs Ruth and Ian have in their lounge room are way too good and I was soon suffering heavy eyelids and excused myself and called it a night.
Slept really, really well. The early morning was a beautiful sight, all blue sky and the promise of a nice day. For once the early promise was a good indication and it was a superb day. Had some cereal and toast for breakfast and then a bacon and tomato butty for early lunch. Neil has an excellent allotment by the sounds of things and grows all sorts of vegetables and if the tomatoes were anything to go by he’s not half bad at it. Met son Richard and grandson Owen, they were off up Neil’s allotment for a walk and Neil joined them.
Lynda and Neil kindly gave me a lift down to Newport speedway for the Welsh Open, they were then off to visit Tredegar House and catch up on some culture and were going to pick me up again on the way home. I think culture is something that passed me by somewhere along the way but the speedway is a good substitute. I walked into the stadium and what a lovely little set up it is. There is a grandstand down the home straight and turns 2 and 3 plus the back straight are totally ringed with lovely trees that gave excellent shade. Met up with Dave and he was well on the way to being totally refreshed. He had time to kill and I suspect had been led astray by some locals who plied him with free alcohol. Dave is a weak individual when it comes to free drinks and knowing he would not want to disappoint his hosts he probably drank everything they bought him and said thank you as well. What a man.
Also met up with a few BSF’ers, I can remember Dietbowers (nice chap he was too) and his wife (an even lovelier chapess) but after that it gets a bit hazy. One gent I met had a speedway forum name with “lager” in it, I remember that much. I can remember the faces but the names were all starting to sound the same. Dave was in full flight and had made about 50 new best friends in 15 minutes. Gavin Elmes from Queensland was there again and I had a nice chat with him (then again it’s always a nice chat with Gavin). Later on I went for a wander and met Todd & Brady Kurtz father and also a family that came from Anstey. What a small world, my auntie is from Anstey and I am staying there next weekend. We are going to look out for each other at Leicester speedway when we are there.
As far as the meeting went the track looked superb at the start but the hot day didn’t do the track any favours. I wondered why they didn’t keep the water up to it, in Oz they would be watering the track frequently to stop it going off. Perhaps hot weather is a new thing in Wales. No David Howe or Ben Barker either who were both late withdrawals which robbed the meeting of two of the better riders which was a huge shame for the organizers. There was a blue groove evident later in the meeting which meant only one racing line and that removed a bit of value I thought. Craig Cook had a nasty off after Ben Wilson fell into front of him and he had nowhere to go and Cook was catapulted into the air fence which caused a long delay while the fence was fixed which didn’t help matters either. I hope Cook is ok. Kevin Doolan was immaculate all day until it really mattered and totally stuffed the start in the final to lower his colours to Ryan Fisher. Fisher was a cocky sod in the final as he punched the air with delight once he hit the lead on the back straight on lap one. It was that kind of track, once in front unless there was a major stuff up the result was pretty well a foregone conclusion. The other Aussies were a bit hot & cold, Sweetman, Sedgmen and Morris all had some good rides but all threw in one or two bad ones as well. Sam Masters was unlucky with a puncture in one heat and a fall in the final. Not a bad meeting but it could have been better I thought.
I got picked up by Lynda and Neil and back to Hengoed we went. Neil came to the stadium and managed to meet Dave and I don’t know what he thought, by now Dave was well and truly “over refreshed”. Back at Hengoed we sat out in the back garden, had a cup of tea, chatted, I played with the dog and we watched the clouds go by. It was a lovely way to spend half an hour. Then it was off to my other cousin (Ruth) and husband Ian to spend the night there. Again we had a nice drink and a chat in the back garden. Ian was telling me about the problems his daughter in law has been having with having her second child and I was left thinking it’s not fair how one person can have so much bad luck. The weather was really looking after us and it was glorious to sit and relax and chat. We even ate tea outside and didn’t venture inside until getting on for 10pm. Alas the comfortable chairs Ruth and Ian have in their lounge room are way too good and I was soon suffering heavy eyelids and excused myself and called it a night.
GP day
Saturday 25th June part 2
Saturday breakfast with the landlady from hell went better than expected. I kept quiet and let the other guest do all the talking over breakfast. Turns out he had been on the receiving end too, he was asked the same question as I was regarding what time did he want breakfast and when he said 8:15 the reply was “I don’t do quarter hours, only half hours, make it 8 o’clock”. I can’t see him lasting three days.
I walked to the local station to catch the “school bus special” train to Cardiff. It stopped at every little hamlet where there was a station so it took a while. Only two carriages and they were packed so I stood all the way. It wasn’t made any easier when there were two love struck teenagers next to me who were busy sucking face most of the way to Bristol. She had a very nice face for him to work with and both seemed to be getting quite a considerable amount of enjoyment from his work.
Got to Cardiff and called in to Dave’s hotel to dump my bags while the GP was on. Not much point going all the way up the valley just to drop a bag off. Dave had an emergency and could not get internet access so I helped him get set up. While I was doing that Dave was tidying up. That meant he couldn’t find anything and he soon discovered some essential requirements for later on in the day were missing. Heaven and earth were moved and Dave eventually found the lost item exactly where he had put it. The room temperature went back to normal and Dave was smiling again so off we went to discover Cardiff. I had to pick up my GP ticket from Rebecca in the Prince Of Wales Hotel so called in there and left Dave to take his chances at the Walkabout Bar. Found Rebecca and her dad with BSF’ers Sandie, 21st Century Heathen and Pammie. Had a nice chat for a while and then money changed hands and one GP ticket was mine!! I moved on to the Walkabout Bar to find Dave which I did as soon as I walked in. I also found Bryn (my house guest when he visits Australia) and had a chat to him. Scott Smith, Richard Sweetman and a few other Aussies were on the next table enjoying the ambience and surroundings. Getting a drink at the bar was an adventure in itself and the speed they were serving people it would take a long time to get drunk.
Eventually decided to go find the Millennium Stadium and what a super stadium it is. Unbelievably noisy with all the air horns but everyone was jealous when I had the perfect solution, to take out my hearing aids!! Super view from every seat and in the middle tier between turns one and two where I was situated turned out to be a perfect vantage point. I sat next to the BSF’s Suzie Q from Poole and had a chat to her, nice lady she was too. As for the racing I thought it was a bit flat. Gate one was a graveyard and that effectively meant only three riders had a chance in each heat. Very few exciting races and generally most races were processions. A very tough first bend in the final with Hancock, Holder and Pedersen all within inches of each other and I’m sure slight contact was made between all three. It was amazing no one came off. Hancock proved a very popular winner and Nicki Pedersen was in no doubt how the crowd felt about him. Pedersen is a super rider but every now again he has total brain failure and looks too dangerous for my liking. Some of his racing lines are exactly where he wants to go but he doesn’t seem to worry if anyone else is already on that line. “Here I come ready or not” seems to be his motto. He would have been deadly at hide and seek when he was kid. If only he would ride with his brains I think he would be held in the same high regard as other multiple world champions’ line Tony Rickardsson and Hans Nielsen. All in all it was a good night, the stadium, atmosphere and noise was awesome and even if the racing was a bit flat you walked out feeling that you had experienced a special event. I even got a text message saying I had been spotted in the crowd on TV. They must have been looking at Sue and Rebecca next to me and I was in there by accident.
I walked back to Dave’s hotel, picked up my bags, walked back to the station to catch the last train up the Rhymney Valley to Hengoed I left Cardiff Central station at 10:25 and arrived at Hengoed at 11’ish. Cardiff Central station after 10pm in a life changing experience!! A huge range snapshot of all walks of life and miniskirts seem to be back in fashion. Not sure that every young lady has the legs that suit miniskirts but that didn’t seem to worry any of them. I also discovered that cleavage is the latest “must have” fashion accessory. I can imagine the girls getting ready to go out …. Hair done …. tick. Lipstick on …. tick. ear rings … tick, make up perfect … tick, cleavage …. OMG !!!! I’ve forgotten about my cleavage, I must go and change. Anyway, after I got to Hengoed I had a cuppa and a chat with cousin Lynda and husband Neil then fell into bed
Saturday breakfast with the landlady from hell went better than expected. I kept quiet and let the other guest do all the talking over breakfast. Turns out he had been on the receiving end too, he was asked the same question as I was regarding what time did he want breakfast and when he said 8:15 the reply was “I don’t do quarter hours, only half hours, make it 8 o’clock”. I can’t see him lasting three days.
I walked to the local station to catch the “school bus special” train to Cardiff. It stopped at every little hamlet where there was a station so it took a while. Only two carriages and they were packed so I stood all the way. It wasn’t made any easier when there were two love struck teenagers next to me who were busy sucking face most of the way to Bristol. She had a very nice face for him to work with and both seemed to be getting quite a considerable amount of enjoyment from his work.
Got to Cardiff and called in to Dave’s hotel to dump my bags while the GP was on. Not much point going all the way up the valley just to drop a bag off. Dave had an emergency and could not get internet access so I helped him get set up. While I was doing that Dave was tidying up. That meant he couldn’t find anything and he soon discovered some essential requirements for later on in the day were missing. Heaven and earth were moved and Dave eventually found the lost item exactly where he had put it. The room temperature went back to normal and Dave was smiling again so off we went to discover Cardiff. I had to pick up my GP ticket from Rebecca in the Prince Of Wales Hotel so called in there and left Dave to take his chances at the Walkabout Bar. Found Rebecca and her dad with BSF’ers Sandie, 21st Century Heathen and Pammie. Had a nice chat for a while and then money changed hands and one GP ticket was mine!! I moved on to the Walkabout Bar to find Dave which I did as soon as I walked in. I also found Bryn (my house guest when he visits Australia) and had a chat to him. Scott Smith, Richard Sweetman and a few other Aussies were on the next table enjoying the ambience and surroundings. Getting a drink at the bar was an adventure in itself and the speed they were serving people it would take a long time to get drunk.
Eventually decided to go find the Millennium Stadium and what a super stadium it is. Unbelievably noisy with all the air horns but everyone was jealous when I had the perfect solution, to take out my hearing aids!! Super view from every seat and in the middle tier between turns one and two where I was situated turned out to be a perfect vantage point. I sat next to the BSF’s Suzie Q from Poole and had a chat to her, nice lady she was too. As for the racing I thought it was a bit flat. Gate one was a graveyard and that effectively meant only three riders had a chance in each heat. Very few exciting races and generally most races were processions. A very tough first bend in the final with Hancock, Holder and Pedersen all within inches of each other and I’m sure slight contact was made between all three. It was amazing no one came off. Hancock proved a very popular winner and Nicki Pedersen was in no doubt how the crowd felt about him. Pedersen is a super rider but every now again he has total brain failure and looks too dangerous for my liking. Some of his racing lines are exactly where he wants to go but he doesn’t seem to worry if anyone else is already on that line. “Here I come ready or not” seems to be his motto. He would have been deadly at hide and seek when he was kid. If only he would ride with his brains I think he would be held in the same high regard as other multiple world champions’ line Tony Rickardsson and Hans Nielsen. All in all it was a good night, the stadium, atmosphere and noise was awesome and even if the racing was a bit flat you walked out feeling that you had experienced a special event. I even got a text message saying I had been spotted in the crowd on TV. They must have been looking at Sue and Rebecca next to me and I was in there by accident.
I walked back to Dave’s hotel, picked up my bags, walked back to the station to catch the last train up the Rhymney Valley to Hengoed I left Cardiff Central station at 10:25 and arrived at Hengoed at 11’ish. Cardiff Central station after 10pm in a life changing experience!! A huge range snapshot of all walks of life and miniskirts seem to be back in fashion. Not sure that every young lady has the legs that suit miniskirts but that didn’t seem to worry any of them. I also discovered that cleavage is the latest “must have” fashion accessory. I can imagine the girls getting ready to go out …. Hair done …. tick. Lipstick on …. tick. ear rings … tick, make up perfect … tick, cleavage …. OMG !!!! I’ve forgotten about my cleavage, I must go and change. Anyway, after I got to Hengoed I had a cuppa and a chat with cousin Lynda and husband Neil then fell into bed
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Gwen Fawlty
Friday 24th June
Friday afternoon was clouding over as I walked to the guest house I was staying at. There was a certain subtle aroma in the air that can only be found in agricultural areas like this one in Somerset. Eventually arrived at the guest house I was staying at. Wow, where do I start. Great looking 200 year old Georgian building with a big garden and hens roaming in the yard. So far so good. Then the fun started. I used the door knocker before looking left and on the door support I then saw a bell with a message “please use the bell”, so I did. A nice guy answered and he was a very decent vintage indeed. Judging on later conversations he would definitely be at least in his mid seventies. Not what you expect to see. I then started signing in and then the lady of the house materialized. No hello or anything, the opening line was “why did you use the door knocker when the sign says ring the bell?” to which I replied because I didn't see the sign until after I used the knocker”. I was then handed the menu for breakfast the next day.
Her – “What do you want, start from the top”
Me – “orange juice” (It was on the line at the top of the menu after all)
Her – “don’t worry about that we can fix that in the morning as I don’t need to prepare that, next?”
Me – “ok, cornflakes”
Her – “Can’t you be more adventurous than that ? Everyone has cornflakes and they are boring and I’m sick of people who have cornflakes, you can have them at the chain hotel you are staying at next time if you really want them.”
Me – “ok, what do you recommend?
Her – “the porridge, I make it myself and it’s absolutely lovely, I’m well known for my porridge”
Me – “ok, I’ll have the porridge ”
We eventually struggled our way to the end of the interrogation. The final question was a beauty.
Her “I want a direct answer to my next question, do not answer my question with another question, a one word answer would be perfect …… “what time do you want breakfast?”
Me – “Eight O’clock”
I have to admit she nearly cracked it for a quarter smile. By that time her husband took pity on me and came back to subtly hint that I should be shown my room. I think his court martial for insolence and allowing a prisoner to escape before she was finished with him is due sometime later today The instructions didn’t stop there. On the way up the stairs I got “DO NOT touch the left stair rail, the house is over 200 years old and so is the stair rail and we are trying to look after it”.
While I was checking in another guy also arrived and was being checked in. He was staying three nights and she said “oh good, I do so hate one nighters, they aren’t worth the bother” while I was stood five feet away. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that their website says “all welcome” on it. I just smiled and tried not to laugh and the new arrival and myself exchanged raised eyebrows when she wasn’t looking. The new arrival was probably thinking he had got off lightly but I sense she has three days to impart slow torture on him and that mine was a rush job. She was gorgeous in a bossy kind of way. She was very much like a female Basil Fawlty. Breakfast went a lot better because I was prepared for what was coming and tried to steer around all the potential problem areas by not talking. I will certainly remember West Huntspil in Somerset in a big way.
Anyway the rest of the day went something like
1 Looked out the window, grey sky on the horizon
2. Started walking to the stadium anyway
3. Orchard Hotel – hmmm. Plenty of time to kill why not.
4. Two pints of Doombar ale while watching two 14 – 15 year old kids play pool and darts. Great system they had, have two games going at once, while one is potting balls the other is throwing darts, then they swap. Smart kids.
5. Sky looked worse so started walking
6. Coopers Arms hotel …hmmm, its still so early, can’t say no can I ?
7. Quick pint of a local drop called something like batcarp
8. One of the local young lads was off his face and was trying to kiss everyone and he was heading in my direction. Rapidly drank beer and headed out the door.
9. Sky looking very grey now
10. Bristol Bridge Inn .. hmmm, that last one didn’t go well, it’s like falling off a horse, you have to get straight back on again. Went inside.
11. Unimaginitive selection to choose from. Had a Worthingtons.
12. Started walking. Looked up and realized there was an outside chance of rain.
13. Arrived at track.`
Super looking track in what looks like the middle of a field. Only a new’ish track so the bar / club rooms were great. Found Brian and wife from Kings Lynn and then bumped into my travelling companion from Darwin. Gave Dave his “Grumpy Old Man” team T shirt we everyone else seemed to think was funny except Dave. Dave introduced me to Paul from Glasgow, what a super bloke he turned out to be. In some ways a bit like a Glasgow version of Dave Rowlands but in other ways not because Paul is easy to understand. Also met Lee Morris and Gavin Elmes from Queensland. Anyway, on to the racing.
The track in the first few heats was really dusty. Being short and not in a good viewing position low down on the grassy mound I found it hard to see much other than the top half of all the riders. At about heat 4 it started to rain (did I mention it had looked like rain). Light drizzle at first but it kept on coming and wouldn’t stop. Absolutely no cover at the track other than the clubroom and surrounds so it was going to be testing our patience. Programs were getting soggy, umbrellas going up and trying to look through drops of water on my glasses meant it was getting all a bit too burdensome to watch so even though I am ashamed to say it I stopped watching. The company was good though. Glasgow ran out winners and a well done to them. Gavin Elmes gave me a lift back to where I was staying and I fell into bed wondering what my host had in store for me in the morning.
Friday afternoon was clouding over as I walked to the guest house I was staying at. There was a certain subtle aroma in the air that can only be found in agricultural areas like this one in Somerset. Eventually arrived at the guest house I was staying at. Wow, where do I start. Great looking 200 year old Georgian building with a big garden and hens roaming in the yard. So far so good. Then the fun started. I used the door knocker before looking left and on the door support I then saw a bell with a message “please use the bell”, so I did. A nice guy answered and he was a very decent vintage indeed. Judging on later conversations he would definitely be at least in his mid seventies. Not what you expect to see. I then started signing in and then the lady of the house materialized. No hello or anything, the opening line was “why did you use the door knocker when the sign says ring the bell?” to which I replied because I didn't see the sign until after I used the knocker”. I was then handed the menu for breakfast the next day.
Her – “What do you want, start from the top”
Me – “orange juice” (It was on the line at the top of the menu after all)
Her – “don’t worry about that we can fix that in the morning as I don’t need to prepare that, next?”
Me – “ok, cornflakes”
Her – “Can’t you be more adventurous than that ? Everyone has cornflakes and they are boring and I’m sick of people who have cornflakes, you can have them at the chain hotel you are staying at next time if you really want them.”
Me – “ok, what do you recommend?
Her – “the porridge, I make it myself and it’s absolutely lovely, I’m well known for my porridge”
Me – “ok, I’ll have the porridge ”
We eventually struggled our way to the end of the interrogation. The final question was a beauty.
Her “I want a direct answer to my next question, do not answer my question with another question, a one word answer would be perfect …… “what time do you want breakfast?”
Me – “Eight O’clock”
I have to admit she nearly cracked it for a quarter smile. By that time her husband took pity on me and came back to subtly hint that I should be shown my room. I think his court martial for insolence and allowing a prisoner to escape before she was finished with him is due sometime later today The instructions didn’t stop there. On the way up the stairs I got “DO NOT touch the left stair rail, the house is over 200 years old and so is the stair rail and we are trying to look after it”.
While I was checking in another guy also arrived and was being checked in. He was staying three nights and she said “oh good, I do so hate one nighters, they aren’t worth the bother” while I was stood five feet away. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that their website says “all welcome” on it. I just smiled and tried not to laugh and the new arrival and myself exchanged raised eyebrows when she wasn’t looking. The new arrival was probably thinking he had got off lightly but I sense she has three days to impart slow torture on him and that mine was a rush job. She was gorgeous in a bossy kind of way. She was very much like a female Basil Fawlty. Breakfast went a lot better because I was prepared for what was coming and tried to steer around all the potential problem areas by not talking. I will certainly remember West Huntspil in Somerset in a big way.
Anyway the rest of the day went something like
1 Looked out the window, grey sky on the horizon
2. Started walking to the stadium anyway
3. Orchard Hotel – hmmm. Plenty of time to kill why not.
4. Two pints of Doombar ale while watching two 14 – 15 year old kids play pool and darts. Great system they had, have two games going at once, while one is potting balls the other is throwing darts, then they swap. Smart kids.
5. Sky looked worse so started walking
6. Coopers Arms hotel …hmmm, its still so early, can’t say no can I ?
7. Quick pint of a local drop called something like batcarp
8. One of the local young lads was off his face and was trying to kiss everyone and he was heading in my direction. Rapidly drank beer and headed out the door.
9. Sky looking very grey now
10. Bristol Bridge Inn .. hmmm, that last one didn’t go well, it’s like falling off a horse, you have to get straight back on again. Went inside.
11. Unimaginitive selection to choose from. Had a Worthingtons.
12. Started walking. Looked up and realized there was an outside chance of rain.
13. Arrived at track.`
Super looking track in what looks like the middle of a field. Only a new’ish track so the bar / club rooms were great. Found Brian and wife from Kings Lynn and then bumped into my travelling companion from Darwin. Gave Dave his “Grumpy Old Man” team T shirt we everyone else seemed to think was funny except Dave. Dave introduced me to Paul from Glasgow, what a super bloke he turned out to be. In some ways a bit like a Glasgow version of Dave Rowlands but in other ways not because Paul is easy to understand. Also met Lee Morris and Gavin Elmes from Queensland. Anyway, on to the racing.
The track in the first few heats was really dusty. Being short and not in a good viewing position low down on the grassy mound I found it hard to see much other than the top half of all the riders. At about heat 4 it started to rain (did I mention it had looked like rain). Light drizzle at first but it kept on coming and wouldn’t stop. Absolutely no cover at the track other than the clubroom and surrounds so it was going to be testing our patience. Programs were getting soggy, umbrellas going up and trying to look through drops of water on my glasses meant it was getting all a bit too burdensome to watch so even though I am ashamed to say it I stopped watching. The company was good though. Glasgow ran out winners and a well done to them. Gavin Elmes gave me a lift back to where I was staying and I fell into bed wondering what my host had in store for me in the morning.
Friday, June 24, 2011
I had a visitor in the middle of the night
Friday 24th June
Before you get too shocked about the title calm down, it was a member of the eight legged arachnid community rather than one of the more delightful two legged female member of the homo sapiens species. I awoke for the usual pit stop some time after 3 (sorry I can’t be more accurate, it was a bit of a blur). With the need for me to be awake soon over I climbed back into bed. The bed had a black coverlet on it and the sheets were white. I pulled up the sheets and as I was about to turn to switch the bedside light off something caught my eye. It was marching purposefully across the white sheet in my direction. The cunning devil had camouflaged its approach over the black bed cover. I didn’t know if it was a biter but I decided not to wait to find out and assumed it was. Off flew the sheet and being considerate to the people in nearby rooms I mimed a massive four letter swear word and jumped out of bed. I saw the little blighter on the carpet but it scurried under the bed before I could administer the last rites before inflicting rapid death by shoe. Try as a might I could not get back to sleep after that so I think about four hours was my lot of shut eye. Today is an excellent day to wear my “Grumpy Old Man” T shirt because I could easily be that way inclined before bedtime tonight.
Now that exciting episode has been documented I can pass comment on the Guest House I stayed at, it was brilliant!! A really ordinary looking place from the outside that perfectly matched all the other really ordinary looking places in the street. However, inside it was superb. It was very tastefully decorated and had a nice little breakfast set up in the room. A lot of thought had gone into making the room as comfortable and convenient as possible and was real value and a bargain compared to some of the other places on the trip. I’d gladly stay there again. I hope they don’t mind the now dead spider who I found after breakfast and humanely exterminated J I left the spider on the questionnaire about my stay on the room table. I was actually very complimentary about the stay!!
Ipswich vs. Newcastle last night was a funny old meeting. I had been spoiled the night before with a real belter and chances are that 99% of any meetings the following night would have been flat. This meeting was most certainly in that 99%. If I was doing a report card in horse race tipsters jargon it would be full of “on my first look expected better given what I’ve read” ….. “would be disappointed with that effort” …. “would look better in slightly weaker company” …. “found the journey a bit too long for his liking” …. “Last season’s form has not made a reappearance this time around” etc. You get my drift I’m sure. It was ok as a meeting without ever rising to any great heights. Thank goodness for old hands like Stuart Robson who showed how it should be done. Kozza Smith was a superb guest for Ipswich filling in for one of their walking wounded. At the less experienced end of the spectrum I was a little disappointed. I won’t mention any names but I got the impression a few riders didn’t always know where their bike was going and the intended direction of travel was not always matched by the eventual outcome. There were too many riders ending up on the floor for my liking. I wouldn’t have wanted to be on a bike trying to go round the outside of one or two of them at times. Whether it was over riding, inexperience, set up issues or track issues I don’t know. For the record Ipswich won 47 – 41 after Newcastle had earlier on in the meeting been as much as 10 points behind. Overall I’d give the meeting a narrow pass.. maybe 5.5 out of 10.
The upside is I met some really nice people (again). Finally caught up with Crazy Sue from the live updates speedway forum and have a chat face to face after doing live updates from Oz for about the last four years. Sue was doing the live updates and other than before the meeting I left Sue to do her thing. Then caught up with Newcastle’s Dave Rowlands, Poole’s Bob Cole and Nick, and Ipswich regulars Lesley and Badge (never did catch Badge’s first name, sorry Badge). It was nice chatting to them all and I had a really nice long chat with Dave. He’s Newcastle through and through and I’m sure if he ever needs a blood transfusion they will have trouble finding a donor with the matching blood type to Dave’s of black and white stripes. He’s a typical northerner, doesn’t mind letting his opinion be known but not nasty with it. He also generously dispenses free advice to the ref. He claims he’s not bitter over an incident a few weeks ago when an opposition rider came off and stayed down to get a rerun which turned a likely Newcastle heat win into a shared heat and Newcastle ended up losing the meeting by the odd point. Are you sure you aren’t bitter Dave!!!!!!!! I think Bob Cole knows Dave; all Bob did was keep smiling and laughing. Right answer Bob!! Bob is an unashamed Kyle Newman fan and we had a chat about all the garbage Kyle had to put up with in Australia this last speedway season just gone. Kyle is a top kid and he didn’t do anything to deserve the treatment he got but still kept smiling. Kyle had a nasty off and hit the air fence hard in one of the later heats, he was limping afterwards and I hope he’s ok.
I'm on route to Somerset now and it’s the PL pairs tonight with more Aussies in attendance. My traveling partner Big Fat Dave is in the country as I type and he will be there as well as Gavin Elmes from Brisbane. Some folk I met on the first two nights will also be in Somerset and now Dave is here plus a few people now know my face it’s going to be increasingly hard to keep a low profile. A shrinking violet Dave is not and I kind of get swept up in the hype and euphoria and get dragged along for the ride. Hope it’s not too bumpy!!
To be continued
Before you get too shocked about the title calm down, it was a member of the eight legged arachnid community rather than one of the more delightful two legged female member of the homo sapiens species. I awoke for the usual pit stop some time after 3 (sorry I can’t be more accurate, it was a bit of a blur). With the need for me to be awake soon over I climbed back into bed. The bed had a black coverlet on it and the sheets were white. I pulled up the sheets and as I was about to turn to switch the bedside light off something caught my eye. It was marching purposefully across the white sheet in my direction. The cunning devil had camouflaged its approach over the black bed cover. I didn’t know if it was a biter but I decided not to wait to find out and assumed it was. Off flew the sheet and being considerate to the people in nearby rooms I mimed a massive four letter swear word and jumped out of bed. I saw the little blighter on the carpet but it scurried under the bed before I could administer the last rites before inflicting rapid death by shoe. Try as a might I could not get back to sleep after that so I think about four hours was my lot of shut eye. Today is an excellent day to wear my “Grumpy Old Man” T shirt because I could easily be that way inclined before bedtime tonight.
Now that exciting episode has been documented I can pass comment on the Guest House I stayed at, it was brilliant!! A really ordinary looking place from the outside that perfectly matched all the other really ordinary looking places in the street. However, inside it was superb. It was very tastefully decorated and had a nice little breakfast set up in the room. A lot of thought had gone into making the room as comfortable and convenient as possible and was real value and a bargain compared to some of the other places on the trip. I’d gladly stay there again. I hope they don’t mind the now dead spider who I found after breakfast and humanely exterminated J I left the spider on the questionnaire about my stay on the room table. I was actually very complimentary about the stay!!
Ipswich vs. Newcastle last night was a funny old meeting. I had been spoiled the night before with a real belter and chances are that 99% of any meetings the following night would have been flat. This meeting was most certainly in that 99%. If I was doing a report card in horse race tipsters jargon it would be full of “on my first look expected better given what I’ve read” ….. “would be disappointed with that effort” …. “would look better in slightly weaker company” …. “found the journey a bit too long for his liking” …. “Last season’s form has not made a reappearance this time around” etc. You get my drift I’m sure. It was ok as a meeting without ever rising to any great heights. Thank goodness for old hands like Stuart Robson who showed how it should be done. Kozza Smith was a superb guest for Ipswich filling in for one of their walking wounded. At the less experienced end of the spectrum I was a little disappointed. I won’t mention any names but I got the impression a few riders didn’t always know where their bike was going and the intended direction of travel was not always matched by the eventual outcome. There were too many riders ending up on the floor for my liking. I wouldn’t have wanted to be on a bike trying to go round the outside of one or two of them at times. Whether it was over riding, inexperience, set up issues or track issues I don’t know. For the record Ipswich won 47 – 41 after Newcastle had earlier on in the meeting been as much as 10 points behind. Overall I’d give the meeting a narrow pass.. maybe 5.5 out of 10.
The upside is I met some really nice people (again). Finally caught up with Crazy Sue from the live updates speedway forum and have a chat face to face after doing live updates from Oz for about the last four years. Sue was doing the live updates and other than before the meeting I left Sue to do her thing. Then caught up with Newcastle’s Dave Rowlands, Poole’s Bob Cole and Nick, and Ipswich regulars Lesley and Badge (never did catch Badge’s first name, sorry Badge). It was nice chatting to them all and I had a really nice long chat with Dave. He’s Newcastle through and through and I’m sure if he ever needs a blood transfusion they will have trouble finding a donor with the matching blood type to Dave’s of black and white stripes. He’s a typical northerner, doesn’t mind letting his opinion be known but not nasty with it. He also generously dispenses free advice to the ref. He claims he’s not bitter over an incident a few weeks ago when an opposition rider came off and stayed down to get a rerun which turned a likely Newcastle heat win into a shared heat and Newcastle ended up losing the meeting by the odd point. Are you sure you aren’t bitter Dave!!!!!!!! I think Bob Cole knows Dave; all Bob did was keep smiling and laughing. Right answer Bob!! Bob is an unashamed Kyle Newman fan and we had a chat about all the garbage Kyle had to put up with in Australia this last speedway season just gone. Kyle is a top kid and he didn’t do anything to deserve the treatment he got but still kept smiling. Kyle had a nasty off and hit the air fence hard in one of the later heats, he was limping afterwards and I hope he’s ok.
I'm on route to Somerset now and it’s the PL pairs tonight with more Aussies in attendance. My traveling partner Big Fat Dave is in the country as I type and he will be there as well as Gavin Elmes from Brisbane. Some folk I met on the first two nights will also be in Somerset and now Dave is here plus a few people now know my face it’s going to be increasingly hard to keep a low profile. A shrinking violet Dave is not and I kind of get swept up in the hype and euphoria and get dragged along for the ride. Hope it’s not too bumpy!!
To be continued
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)