Posted in October 2007

Scrambled Egg Week 4 of 6 - Waitrose Dot Com

Source: Eddie2sox
Wednesday 31st October 2007, 9:13pm

A chance for a cooking website to claim their place at the top of the Scrambled LeagueÂ…..

I like Waitrose.com - more often than not a reliable source of culinary advice. I decided to give their Scrambled Eggs recipe a place in the Great Scrambled Egg-Fest.

You can find the link here : http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Scrambled_Eggs_with_Potted_Brown_Shrimps_on_Toast.aspx

My first problem came when “potted brown shrimps“ were mentioned. Potted shrimps? I think I’ve heard the term before but have no idea what it is. So…..I had a realisation of how the Waitrose website seems to work. In their recipes they list ingredients - fair enough - common practice! However, certain ingredients are direct links to products that you can find inside the store at Waitrose. For example, instead of say “500g new potatoes”, the Waitrose.com recipe might say “500g Waitrose Fresh South Lincolnshire New Potatoes”. Check out a few of their other recipes for confirmation.

This isn’t usually a problem at all, when they say “use Waitrose new potatoes”, new potatoes are such a common item that you can feel confident using 500g of ANY new potatoes you want to. I’ve always done this with Waitrose recipes, simply replace their own, recommended ingredient with your own version. But potted shrimp?

I have to say I did look around four supermarkets here in King’s Lynn, seeking out the Potted Shrimp - didn’t find it. So I was forced into trying to make my own, with a little help from my very good friend Rick Stein. I did my best. Got “most” of the right things to put in it. Cooked it very, very close to Rick’s method. Chilled it in the fridge. Hey presto, next day I have “Potted Shrimp A La Numptie”. So to the scrambled eggs.

For a start, Waitrose added salt and black pepper at the very start of the recipe, meaning the egg mixture was grey-ish, not yellow. A poor start. The potted shrimps were then melted in the pan, removed when warmed through, and saved. Next we are told to return the pan to the heat for 30 seconds, until the butter foams - for such a quick reaction the pan had to be fairly hot, so I used a number 4 setting, which produced the required result in about 45 seconds. The next instruction was to add the beaten egg but keep the heat really low. Note “really low”. As I stated on Sunday, “low” would be a 3 on the hob, so I went for a 2 for “really low”. It didn’t go as advertised in the recipe - which made me wonder if it had actually been tried before being published? Because the pan had to be hot to foam the butter, it was - of course - still hot even when reduced to Electric Mark 2. The recipe states “it should take about 5-6 minutes” - it took less than 2.

To serve, the eggs were piled on the toast, and the shrimps dropped on top, along with a few chives.

So how did this rate:

Taste - 2.5 - The eggs themselves were average, not amazing, not nasty, but……average. I think if I could have got hold of “57g Tub of Morecambe Bay Brown Potted Shrimps” instead of trying to cobble together my own version it would have been better! (Probably had a lot more preservatives and E numbers to make it taste better, but don‘t tell anyone I said that).

Texture - 2 - Again, the eggs were OK. Not spectacular. The early addition of the black pepper turns the egg mixture grey, which is much less pleasing to the eye than Mr Breakfast’s bright yellow. My potted shrimps? Hmmmmm…..I’d like to try this one again with REAL potted shrimps, as I love seafood.

Ease/Effort - 1.5 - VERY easy if you‘re using ready-made potted shrimps. Flipping hard if you have to fly by the baggy seats of your pants and make your own. The easiest part was sprinkling a few chives on top before serving.

Total score = 6 out of 15. A poor score. This is influenced by the whole potted shrimps issue. But then again, maybe I’ve just exposed a major supermarket as offering a supposedly helpful cooking database, yet sneakily promoting their own products? Sorry Waitrose, hope you do better in the next taste test extravaganza. Or send me some free samples to road test.

Results so far:

11 - Jamie Oliver

9.5 - Mr Breakfast

8.5 - Delia Smith

6 - Waitrose Dot Com

Tomorrow - Nigella Lawson

Friday - James Martin

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Scrambled Egg Week 3 of 6 - Jamie Oliver

Source: Eddie2sox
Tuesday 30th October 2007, 1:40pm

How will Saint Jamie match upÂ….

According to Mr Oliver “This recipe is fresh and fab!” Was he right?

The instructions WERE very simple, much like Jamie Oliver himself. However there were several distinct echoes of Delia’s Way, especially the phrase “to get right into the corners”. I guess there are only so many ways to describe how to cook eggs, but if you’re going to plagiarise shouldn’t you at least change the odd word here and there? The method included - like Delia - turning off the heat to allow the final cooking to be done by the already hot pan itself, which gives you time to butter your toast (I don’t think this is a euphemism). No mention of seasoning until the very end, when you “pour” your eggs over the toast. All is good, self-explanatory, does just what it says on the tin.

However, at this point there is a massive difference from Days 1 & 2. With Jamie Oliver’s recipe you drape smoked salmon over the whole dish and serve with lemon wedges. Deeeeee-flippin-licious! I suspect that the scores may reflect Jamie’s sneaky additional ingredient……

The website for this recipe is here: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fish/smoked_salmon_and_scrambled_eggs

The scores on the doors:

Taste - 4 - Smoked salmon puts the taste of this offering way ahead of the others, can anybody match this, or even improve on it?

Texture - 3.5 - Not too much strict instruction on how long to whisk etc, so I just did it until the egg mixture was a uniform colour and thickness. It worked well though and the cooked egg was lovely. The moistness of the salmon helped make Jamie Oliver’s version more varied and much better than earlier competitors.

Ease/Effort - 3.5 - A short recipe which was perfectly easy to follow. Thankfully, a complete lack of typical Jamie Oliver mockney claptrap that he constantly spouts on his telly shows.

Total score = 11 out of 15. An additional ingredient proved to be Oliver‘s secret weapon, and he comfortably tops the half-time table. Shame about the bits he “allegedly” borrowed from one of his rivals. I'm not a fan of Jamie's but this was the best so far by several shakes of a salmon's tail.

Results so far:

11 - Jamie Oliver

9.5 - Mr Breakfast

8.5 - Delia Smith

Tomorrow - Waitrose Dot Com Food & Drink

Thursday - Nigella Lawson

Friday - James Martin

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Scrambled Egg Week - 2 of 6 - Delia Smith

Source: Eddie2sox
Monday 29th October 2007, 5:49pm

CookingÂ’s modern day Mrs Beeton steps up to the plateÂ….

Using the same eggs, same bread etc, it was English gastronomy’s matriarch’s turn in the firing line. Delia says fresh eggs are best (no s*** Sherlock) but anything up to two weeks old is fine! The first difference was the egg-blending. Delia said “break the eggs into a bowl and use a fork to lightly blend the yolks into the whites, whisking gently”. You then add salt and black pepper. Delia’s very precise about how you swirl the melted butter around the pan before you add the eggs - 2.5 cm up the side of the pan.

When the melted butter starts to foam you add the eggs, and using a wooden fork you stir briskly, using “backwards and forwards” movements, all through the liquid egg. Delia’s very insistent that you keep the heat constant, and then when three-quarters of the mixture is solid you remove the pan from the heat. You then add more butter and keep stirring until all the egg is solid, then serve.

Check it out for yourself here: http://www.deliaonline.com/cookery-school/how-to/how-to-scramble-eggs,9,AR.html

Very easy. So to the scoring:

Taste - 3.5 - the pepper added a little extra something compared to yesterday‘s version.

Texture - 2.5 - this was more liquid than Mr Breakfast, which I generally would prefer. However, the advice to “lightly blend” and “whisk gently” meant that the solid egg was nowhere near as voluminous, which was a shame. I’d like slightly moister scrambled egg like this, but much fluffier - is that possible? This version also looked slightly less appetising too.

Ease/Effort - 2.5 - Fairly easy to follow the recipe, BUT the mixing instructions were very vague. Had there been more specific directions at this point then this recipe would have scored higher. A good effort by England’s Big Momma Cook.

Total score = 8.5 out of 15. Texture was better, but the amount of scrambled egg produced by the same number of eggs seemed less - shame. A solid attempt from the Gourmet Godmother.

Results so far:

9.5 - Mr Breakfast

8.5 - Delia Smith

Tomorrow - Jamie Oliver

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Scrambled Egg Week - 1 of 6

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 28th October 2007, 4:08pm

Yet another fearless consumer project, brought to you live and direct from 2-Sox Towers....

So, up early on a Sunday morning, and feeling hungry, what should I have for breakfast? Three eggs left in the fridge - scrambled egg! I’ve been making scrambled egg for donkey’s years, always the same way, so I decided to road test a few different versions, for your own use and information. I’m good like that. Every morning this week my breakfast will be scrambled egg, following - exactly - different recipes.

I’ll award points out of 5 for Taste, Texture, Ease/Effort. My breakfast will be the scrambled egg on two slices of toasted bread, unless specifically instructed otherwise by the recipe.

I intend to look for recipes by established celeb cooks/chefs, but for the first attempt I decided to type “perfect scrambled eggs” into Google, and go for the first method.

So stand up Mr Breakfast, and the weblink http://www.mrbreakfast.com/article.asp?articleid=17

I followed this recipe to the letter, and I have to say it will be a tough act to beat. I’ve decided to use 3 eggs each day, which will be the Tesco Value ones (we had some left after me and Sam made cakes last week) - just to make it fair all the eggs will be of the same quality. This recipe was for two people so I halved everything. The three eggs were joined by 1 teaspoon of milk per egg, plus one “dash” of salt for every two eggs (so, one and a half pinches). I whisked the mixture for exactly 2 minutes as per instructions, then poured it into the pan.

A word on heat settings. If a recipe says “high heat” I will use setting 5 on my hob, “medium heat” will be setting 4, “low heat” will be 3.

So, to the method. As instructed I pushed “set” egg mixture into the middle of the pan with a wooden spoon, allowing the still runny mixture to be swirled around the outside. When there was very little “runny” left I broke it up into large pieces, then flipped the whole lot and cooked for another 30 seconds. It turned out perfectly. So to the scores:

Taste - 3 - nice but slightly bland. Could be down to the quality of the eggs, we shall see as the week goes on.

Texture - 3.5 - delightfully fluffy, but my own personal taste is for slightly runnier scrambled eggs. If you like fluffy, use this recipe!

Ease/Effort - 3 - Very clear instructions, and easy to follow. Whisking the eggs by hand for a full 2 minutes was hard work but worthwhile.

Total score = 9.5 out of 15. Will we find a better way of making scrambled eggs? Who knows - check back tomorrow!

Tomorrow - the Delia Smith method.

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Pity The Smoker....

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 28th October 2007, 3:14pm

I feel sorry for smokers who have been driven out of our pubs....

.....as a non-smoker I still think that pubs should be places where grown-ups can go to do grown-up stuff, like drinking beer, swearing, and smoking. The ban on lighting up has crippled my local, which is a travesty. "They" said it was unfair on non-smoking staff - well, if you don't like smoke, don't work in a pub! If you're scared of flying would you train to be cabin crew? If you can't swim, would you become a lifeguard?

Anyway, things have now taken a turn for the worse. The government introduced the ban in the middle of summer, when smokers wouldn't mind too much going outside, because the weather is generally fairly clement. Now that winter is approaching it's a different kettle of fish.

Take a look at the photo. It's a machine that smokers can put 20p in to light up a heater outside the pub - for 5 minutes. So not only have they been ostracised, they're having to pay through the nose for the privilege of staying warm through the winter. I particularly like the "special offer" of 25 minutes for £1 - that's exactly that same rate. Shocking!

Norfolk Single Dad - fearlessly exposing rip-offs for more than 6 months!

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The Walks Development - 27 Oct 07

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 28th October 2007, 3:03pm

It's been a while since I reported what's happening in our local park, so here goes!

The cafe building is looking fairly complete now, and this week has acquired a coat of green paint (pic). The playground is coming along slowly, but the big swings are on the frames, and there's a yellow spinning bucket chair type thing which Sam can't wait to get dizzy on.

So, it seems to be taking a long time - let's hope it's worth it in the end.

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Owwwww!

Source: Eddie2sox
Friday 26th October 2007, 6:05pm

F***ing owwwwwwwwwwwww................

Friday is the day Sam sleeps over at Dad's flat. Not tonight. Today I burnt my arm.

The skin peeled away immediately, and it hurt A LOT.

It's still big pain. Arm is shaking, and achey, and I can't move my fingers much. I was due to pick up Sam today but I can't do much, plus my arm looks horrible - open burn which is giving out yellow stuff.

When I spoke to Sam's mum she sounded completely disbelieving, thanks mate.

Plus I was due to go on a great pub crawl with some very foxy girlies tomorrow, which I might swerve.

Advice : if you hurt yourself badly, keep quiet about it, because people will just slag you off.

LATER UPDATE: At half eight my mum phoned me to see how I was, somehow she found out about the burns. So on the day she had to register my Dad (her husband)'s death she still found time to call and ask how I was. I cried like a good 'un when I put the phone down.

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Incredible Sadness

Source: Eddie2sox
Wednesday 24th October 2007, 9:13pm

Back from our trip to Berkshire......

Since my Dad died I've blocked it out one way or another I think. Monday was work then alcohol. Way, way too much alcohol, unfortunately. Tuesday and today was me and Sam's trip to Legoland (I'm going to write a separate blog about that). So today on the way back, when we reached Cambridge, this huge, black blanket of sadness descended on me. Sad that I'll never speak to my Dad again, sad that Sam was sad because our trip was over, and sad myself that we were on the way home after such a special time together.

So, not sure what's going to happen inside my head at the moment, but it probably won't be happy. Still have to tell Sam his Grandad is dead, which is tough for a 4 year old to understand. Tomorrow and Friday I'll be delivering paprers, as I am way behind this week. Tough times. Still waiting for the boring life to kick in, and I can't wait.

Pic: "Leave me alone!"

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Bye Mate - Bill Ruddlesdin 1929 - 2007

Source: Eddie2sox
Monday 22nd October 2007, 11:47am

I don't know if you knew, but Sam's Grandad has had serious health problems for quite a while....

.....and last night he finally passed away. He was at home with my Mum, and apparently was looking at her when he went. They had had a really nice day including a family dinner, so I guess he went feeling as content as was possible.

He had known, as the rest of the family had, that he didn't have long left, the doctors told us last November that he wouldn't see this Christmas. They were right, which is a shame because Dad loved Christmas time and it would have been nice for him to see another one.

Dad knew what was coming but still kept a brave face on things. I'm pleased now that over the last year me and Sam have been up to Sleaford every two weeks, I hope Sam will have some memory of his Grandad. The last time we went Sam and his Grandad had a massive hug as we left, and the last photo I have of my Dad is of him and Sam in Dad's beloved garden. That's nice.

So now I have to work out how to tell Sam about it. I'm still taking him to Legoland tomorrow, I don't want to spoil something he's been looking forward to. I won't take him to the funeral, I think he's too young for that.

I'll miss my Dad.

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Herbie, Ploughs & Little Britain

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 21st October 2007, 7:11pm

It was a good 27 hours with my fantastic little boy, he is beginning to make me laugh my head off. He's 4 now, how funny will he be when he's older?

We ventured far a field this weekend, to Potter Heigham, which is half way between Norwich and Yarmouth. As usual we got lost when we got there, but also as usual we laughed it off. Found the right farm in the end (along with four Herbies), and headed out, Sam in wellies, Daddy in walking boots, just in case. We found a huuuuuuge field, laid to straw, which had 15 to 20 vintage tractors meticulously trawling up and down, trying to plough the perfect few furrows. It was absolutely lovely. There were very few people there, it was just a slice of life as it used to be, and for that reason alone it was time well spent. We wandered freely up and down the field, marvelled at some of the incredibly straight ploughing, enjoying the fantastic mid-October weather. It was GLORIOUS, sunny and warm, with no wind.

There were a few stalls, so we had a punt at the raffle (to win a bottle of plonk or a toy), bought some books (10p a go, marvellous), and most importantly grabbed two burgers, at two quid a throw. All the proceeds were going to the James Paget Hospital, so it is money well spent. Some of you will have already been bored with some photos! We had a great couple of hours at Potter Heigham. The whole event was so informal, the tractor drivers would wave at Sam as they turned at the end of the furrow. We found a frog hopping around too (hence the Spot The Frog Competition), and Sam decided on his favourite tractors. Walking around we also found another length of clap pipe, and also, bizarrely, a marble! We had a lovely, interesting chat about how both items might have ended up in the middle of a field.

On the drive home we had a bit of a sing-song (I just LOVE hearing Sam singing), and then he did an impersonation that left me gob smacked - but laughing too. I had been doing some stupid singing, with a bit as a high-pitched female voice - and Sam said “You’re a laydee!” EXACTLY in the same way that the Little Britain boys said “I’m a lady!”. I thought it was a lucky accident, so I asked Sam to say it again - and he did. How funny is he!

We had a superb afternoon of play/hugs/tea/bath. Tea was bangers and mash, which Sam scoffed at a great rate. I told Sam that I would be eating the leftover mash, fried until it went brown and crispy (which is when it tastes blooming gorgeous), with some cold meat - he sounded interested! So I promised I would save the mash until next time we were together and Sam could sample crispy fried mash for the first time himself. What a lucky boy, having this amazing taste sensation for the first time!

At home during the day we had built a “Bat-wing” (Batman’s flying machine) which Sam loved playing with. Lego is still great, you can still make new creations! When we got home from the ploughing Sam asked if I could make some Lego horses…….hmmmmmmmm. Had a think, then made some horse-ish things, which Sam loved - Lego horses! Dad wins again. This was all because a few bad guys had invaded the fire station and challenged the good guys to a jousting match (where DO I come up with these ideas?).

At one point Sam randomly told me “I love you Daddy”, which is THE most perfect sound I can ever hear.

All told another great time. I didn’t sleep as usual, but that’s a small price to pay.

Saturday night I went bowling with two nice girlies, thanks for a fun time Eleanor and Bonnie! I hope we can have some more fun together soon.

My weekend? Ace!

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Spot The Frog Competition

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 21st October 2007, 11:44am

Anyone remember "Spot The Ball" in the newspapers?

Well here's Spot The Frog! Prize for the winner is a Sam Ruddlesdin original piece of artwork. Simply put your cross as near as possible between the frog's eyes, and the closest person wins.

Good luck!

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Firework-tastic!

Source: Eddie2sox
Friday 19th October 2007, 2:11pm

Thinking about having a small fireworks party here on Friday November 2nd.....of course, you're invited!

So, the fireworks are under the bed, and I was just thinking that me and Sam might have a little show just for ourselves.

Then I thought back to the best Bonfire Nights of my own childhood, and they were the ones with lots of people there, all oooh-ing and aaah-ing in unison and enjoying food and drink together.

So. I think we'll be having a bit of a get together here on Friday November 2nd. Starting at 5.30, ending 7.30 (Sam's bedtime). Let me know if you/your kids/you AND your kids want to join in. This is a pretty tentative idea at the moment, but let me know if you're interested (regulars only!!!!).

Whatever happens, me and Sam will enjoy the fireworks - don't tell his mummy!

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Legoland Here We Come!

Source: Eddie2sox
Friday 19th October 2007, 8:24am

We're off on holiday next week, albeit just for an overnight stay....

We're booked, paid for (ouch), and on our way to Legoland. The cheapest option was a two day pass plus hotel, so I've asked Sam's mummy to extend our time on Tuesday in return for less time the following weekend. With luck we'll arrive at Legoland about noon next Tuesday and leave when the park closes at 6 p.m. on Wednesday - with a stay in a child-friendly hotel overnight. This hotel looks and sounds fab, they run a special kiddie-s check-in if you're going to Legoland, where the child gets fussed over, and receives a colouring book and pencils plus a Lego toy, how cool is that. Plus they've got a nice looking swimming pool, so we'll be able to have some fun there as well. Cost an arm and a leg but not too bad as I've been squirreling a few bob away for a while. Sam is already VERY excited.

Yesterday was a good day. I got back into the gym thing last night, and now only have three spaces left on my gym record sheet. Plus I finally lost some more weight. Thursday is weighing day, and yesterday I was down 1.4kg from last week, which was a big relief. My target right now is to be overweight. Right now I am such a bucket of lard that I am one of Britain's obese middle-aged lazy gits, and I really want to leave that particular category. First target is to move from "obese" to "overweight", and to do that I need to lose another 4.6kg. No particular rush, I just want to get there. After that it's a long trek to move from "overweight" to "normal" - as from now I am 17.2kg away from that, zoinks! That's 2 stone 10 pounds for you dinosaurs out there. Anyway, it was nice to finally see some progress after five weeks at the gym.

It was a good day all round yesterday. I picked up Sam from school at noon and we had a lovely, chilled out time all afternoon. On the way home Sam told me how they had been learning all about diwali, together with a ten-headed monster, monkey soldiers, and lots of candles called dipas, which they weren't allowed to light in case they burnt the assembly hall down, don't remember doing that at Sleaford County Primary School in 1974? Best bit of the afternoon for me was when we watched a video together - not Bob The Builder, not Fireman Sam, not even Return Of The Evil Dead Zombie Love Slaves From Hell IV (This Time It's Personal). We watched one of MY old videos - "Now That's What I Call Quite Good" by The Housemartins. Sam loved it and we laughed along at the band's crazy dancing and the catchy songs. What a great band they were. So, The Housemartins have a new fan. Sam scoffed a mahoosive tea, we had a very wet and messy bathtime, then back to his mum's. Great day.

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Pooped!

Source: Eddie2sox
Wednesday 17th October 2007, 8:16pm

Well, that was some day! Better get used to it though, that's how Wednesday's going to be for a while....

OK, to sum up yesterday, I DID go to the gym in the end, then Sam was here in the afternoon. After dropping Sam off I stupidly/bravely decided to get cracking on the delivery of the papers, despite the rain absolutely lashing down. I got soaked through to the nether regions again, but after 2 ¼ hours I’d delivered about 140 out of the 600. Arrived home sodden but just a little bit smug, had a cuppa and went to bed! On the way home I had a real battle of willpower to stop popping to the shop for some beers, which I won. Yay for me.

On to Wednesday. With 460-ish more free-ads to stuff into letterboxes I was up early and in and out of The Woolpack by 10 (next week aiming for 90 minutes earlier too). Home to put leaflets in the last few papers, then off we go again and I found myself nearly enjoying the work, despite the bags being pretty heavy for a start. Last week I was looking for a lot of the places to deliver to, this week I knew most already which made it much easier. The weather helped too, bright and sunny with not too much wind blowing. I guess I hit the road about 11 and finished JUST before picking Sam up, so that was about 3. A total of 6 hours delivering. The leaflets took longer this week as there were nine of them, but that means more money too. In theory, this week’s round should earn £63 or there abouts, not too bad. Also on the way round several people commented how they didn’t usually get the paper until Friday, some even said they’d never had one before. What on earth were the previous deliverers doing, or more to the point, which skip were they filling? So, the flat feels empty again with the mountains of paper gone, but I feel I had a decent amount of exercise to make up for not going to the gym today.

On arrival at home there was a delivery van outside, and the bloke had a parcel for me. From Seabrook’s Crisps no less. So now there’s a big cardboard box containing the following flavours:

Cheese And Onion X 6

Sea Salted X 6

Bacon And Brown Sauce

Beefy X 3

Hot & Spicy Two Chilli (Jalapeno & Habanero) X 2

Worcester Sauce X 3

Tomato Ketchup X 3

Prawn Cocktail X 3

Sea Salt & Vinegar X 3

Roasted Garlic

Chicken & Stuffing X 3

Hot & Spicy Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish) X 2

Pickled Onion

Hot & Spicy Hot English Mustard X 2

Cream Cheese & Chives

Cheesy

Hot & Spicy Oriental Peking Ribs X 2

Canadian Ham

Smoky Bacon

How’s about that then. All because of a daft competition I ran on this blog, top banana Mister Seabrook’s, thanks!

Sam is still a bit under the weather but seems to suffer from it more immediately after you ask him how he’s feeling, thus reminding him that he’s ill. Still, we had a quiet afternoon again, and he was eating for England. He started off with a big bowl of multi-grain cereal, then a bowl of grapes. Tea was chicken breasts marinated in honey/soy sauce/lemon juice and a packet of steam veg. And then he still found room for a banana for pudding, amazing. I know he’s on a bit of a growth spurt but come on. Bathtime was great fun as I accidentally filled the bath right up to the overflow, oooops-a-daisy bolognaisy. So a nice time with my little (getting bigger) star.

On the way back I again battled the urge to buy some beer and settled for tea instead. Since I got home I’ve been sorting out items to update The Scrapbook on Sunday, gathering receipts, maps, tickets etc. I also ordered a few more photos which should be here by the weekend so I can bring the book right up to date. Next is to start reading through Bwana’s business improvement model in case he gets offered a contract he‘s had a sniff of, and in turn employs me (fingers crossed).

And so tomorrow looks pretty good, picking Sam up from school at noon so we have a whole afternoon of bonus time together. Got to love that idea. Also planning to get back to the gym again, not sure whether to go before or after the time with Sam - thinking after would be a better idea, good hormones to cancel out feeling sad seems like a good plan. Also have to get in touch with Legoland tomorrow to start sorting out our trip there next week, exciting or what?

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David Harvey's Birthday Party

Source: Eddie2sox
Tuesday 16th October 2007, 8:07am

Yep, that's where I was in a dream last night!

For some reason I ended up at 70s Leeds United goalie David Harvey's birthday party. Even weirder, we were playing rugby and I scored a touchdown, then kicked it between the posts afterwards, hurrah!

Today is looking busy, but the best thing is that it starts a run of five consecutive days when I see Sam. That's thanks to Sam's mummy being on a course on Thursday, so I'll be picking him up from school at 12 on that day. Sam just phoned me on his way to school to tell me that he is in the Lynn News this week. He was also coughing a lot, and apparently he has a bit of a bug - but he always seems to at this time of year when the air becomes colder and damper. Poor little lad. Never mind, we'll have a nice quiet time this afternoon.

I can't decide whether to go to the gym or not this afternoon. I've been for three days on the trot, and I do feel a bit achey. But on the other hand I think that as I'm on a roll why not keep it going?

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Harlequin Ladybird Invasion!

Source: Eddie2sox
Monday 15th October 2007, 3:19pm

Last Friday I waxed lyrical about the lovely weather and the ladybirds crawling around on the window....

....well it now turns out that these ladybirds are actually Harlequin Ladybirds, who are invading Britain and taking over from our own species! Worse than that, they bite humans and exude "reflux blood" which stinks!

Find the full story here

I'm going to send in a sample to the survey people to get it confirmed. So much for me admiring the little fellows eh?

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Linnets Car

Source: Eddie2sox
Monday 15th October 2007, 8:33am

A good example of "being nice"....

If you live in King's Lynn you'll probably have seen this taxi, advertising King's Lynn Football Club and various local businesses too. Sam LOVES this car and goes potty when he sees it, yelling "The football car, the football car!"

So I got in touch with the man who owns the taxi and asked if me and Sam could sort out a time when Sam could have a sit in the car and I could take a photo of him. The man himself (Kev, who is now running the Blue & Gold Club at the football ground) got back to me and has done us proud. He's arranging the official club photographer to do the photo, and sorted it that Mark Warren, the football team's captain, will pose for a few pics with Sam. Fantastic!

I just wanted to mention it, as I believe in praise where praise is due.

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What A Weird Side Effect Of A Crap Job!

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 14th October 2007, 7:29pm

Is what I said to Sam's mummy earlier today....

You see, I've been bundling my leaflets together for this week's delivery. There are never the right amount of each leaflet. I mentioned this to Sam's mummy today and she asked if she could have them at school, as they're very useful there. Better than recycling them by KL Council anyway, their recycling policy is rubbish!

So, my weekend. Pretty good on the whole despite feeling pooh all the time. I've felt roughly like that all week but it got worse at the weekend (helpfully). Me and Sam had a good time anyway. Friday we enjoyed pie and potato wedges for tes, it was delicious! The wedges seem to interest Sam as much as chips do, but they are just new taties sliced up and roasted for 40 minutes, infinitely healthier. I added mushy peas to my menu......

Saturday we tried to stick to the current "quiet time" plan, with nothing outrageous planned. We just played all morning, with TMI as the highlight on the TV. Sam ate a massive brekkie, a BIG bowl of Coco Pops, followed by FOUR rounds of toast. He's growing fast though. This weekend was "measuring time" and he's grown 1.5cm in a month and put on 0.2kg. He's on a growth spurt, which accounts for the appetite.

We zoomed up to Tesco to buy picnic food then set out for Nana & Grandad's house, stopping on the way to scoff some pickernicker. We also had a good little playtime in the playground grassy area. Then on to Sleaford.

Because I hadn't phoned before, we found that only Grandad was home. Sam woke him up by knocking on the window, and we went in for a chat. I diverted Sam down the garden and found out that Grandad was having a really rough week, and Nana was out on a shopping trip in Horncastle with Auntie Lou. Grandad loves having Sam round though, and Sam loves his Grandad, so we had a nice time, and Grandad ventured down the garden to find us at one point. Sam loves the big garden, and me, Sam, and Didi run round chasing each other for ages, which is VERY good fun. I pretended I didn't know where Sam was, and he kept popping up yelling "Cooo-eee" (learned from our trip to Lincoln Castle), and I would spin round and pretend not to know where it came from.

We were just about to leave when Nana and Auntie Lou arrived home. Sam and Auntie Lou had a good talk about their arms race (water fight) with both admitting they had access to 500 water bombs plus catapults. Auntie Lou says she has a HUGE new water gun. but did seem slightly shocked when Sam announced his water hose with water tank/back pack. Sam was singing "bananas in pyjamas" at approx 110 decibels, much to everyone's "delight"! Too soon we had to head home, and Sam gave various hugs (he always hugs Grandad extra tight, he loves him so much), handshakes, high fives etc, then we went to the car. Nana came out with us, to say bye bye to Sam, then we drove off, back over the bridge (beep beep be beep beep), and homewards. Sam saw Nana waving as we drove over the bridge.

We got home in good time for a change and had a really good fun playtime, Sam's tea was home made fish sticks and potato wedges which he loved. We had a really nice snuggle on the settee while we watched You've Ben Framed (don't laugh, this snuggle time with my little boy is THE best part of my life by miles), and then headed off to mummy's. Another lovely time with my little boy.

Straight after I went to the gym. Not feeling great but I did it anyway. Then home to finish off our picnic food which reminded me of our time together and made me feel happy and sad at the same time.

Sunday has been a trip to the gym, and stuffing my leaflets for this week's delivery. Spoke to Sam. Bed soon.

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Kiss Me Hardy!

Source: Eddie2sox
Saturday 13th October 2007, 8:54am

I got sent this on email, and it tickled me pink, so to speak....

Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."

Nelson: "Hold on, that's not what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"

Hardy: "Sorry sir?"

Nelson (reading aloud): "' England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.' - What gobbledegook is this?"

Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil's own job getting ' England ' past the censors, lest it be considered racist."

Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."

Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the mainbrace to steel the men before battle."

Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."

Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it ........... full speed ahead."

Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water."

Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest please."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."

Nelson: "What?"

Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations. They won't let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected."

Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."

Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral."

Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."

Hardy: "Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled."

Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card."

Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."

Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."

Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"

Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."

Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."

Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"

Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There's a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."

Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"

Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."

Nelson: "We're not?"

Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."

Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."

Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity co-ordinator hear you saying that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."

Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King."

Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age.Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life"

Nelson: "Don't tell me - health and safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?"

Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on corporal punishment."

Nelson: "What about sodomy?"

Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."

Nelson: "In that case............................... kiss me, Hardy."

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A Lovely Day!

Source: Eddie2sox
Friday 12th October 2007, 1:03pm

Blimey, the weather is gorgeous and I am in a good mood!

Looking out of the window there are two butterflies flitting around - and on the window itself there are three ladybirds crawling around! How amazing for the middle of October.

Today's a good day. I've cleaned the pub. I've brought in the leaflets for next week's newspaper runs (see pic). I'll start putting them together tonight when Sam's in bed. Now I am just having a little bit of me time, before going to collect Sampants from nursery.

Tonight we're having a very indulgent tea - pie, potato wedges and beans/mushy peas. Yum. Pies are of course very bad for you, but I can't remember the last time we had one, so that's not bad is it? Everything in moderation (including moderation itself). Tomorrow I think we will have a relatively quiet day - me and Sam's mummy have agreed that he needs rest at weekends during his first few weeks at school. Might pop up to Sleaford to see how Nana and Grandad are doing. It's all fairly good.

And when you spend an hour being flirted at by a cute young lesbian you know that everything can't be all bad eh? Cheers Lemonpants!

The only downer? Sadly my friend who attempted suicide has now done some kind of runner, we can't locate him, his phone is off, and we're worried. I know he has read this blog once or twice in the past so, "Mister Wolf", if you do happen to read this, get in touch you muppet. We all love ya, and the beers will be on me OK? Plus you still owe me for the last piece of legal work I did on your behalf OK!

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Students Wrecking Stone Wall At College & Covering The Street With Rubbish

Source: Eddie2sox
Wednesday 10th October 2007, 9:54pm

While I'm in a Victor Meldrew mood, let me moan about King's Lynn students....

It's all because of the smoking ban. The path along the front of the College West Nglia (the "A" has been missing for over a year, very shoddy and shows a lack of pride) is currently constantly awash with thousands of cigarette ends, deposited by students and workers from the college.

How do I know it's the students? Well, up to the start of September the newly laid pathway was immaculately clean, then hey presto, students come back and there's disgusting littering all the time. Another fact that proves it's the students is that the path on the opposite side of the road is virtually untouched.

It's so disrespectful to those of us who live in the area, caused by those youngsters who get bussed in every day. Before this term I guess they could smoke in their canteens or common rooms or whatever they have there. Now they've been forced outdoors and have settled on the wall.

What's worse, while they're there, they constantly kick their heels against the stone (if they're sitting down), or tap the stone with their toes (if they're standing up and talking to a seated friend). This is rapidly reducing the wall to rubble (see pic).

I'm forwarding this to the Headmaster of the College of West Nglia tomorrow, and also the editor of the Lynn News.

Yours,

Disgusted of King's Lynn!

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Get Well Soon - Everyone!

Source: Eddie2sox
Wednesday 10th October 2007, 8:44pm

Everyone seems to getting sick at the moment - stick with it though, and take your medicine!

Personally it's been a rubbish few days health-wise, I've had achey arms, some pains and aches in the chest area, which of course fuels my belief that I am about to die from a heart attack. Rationally though I am 95% sure it's a nasty infection. That still doesn't help me sleep though, as the worry about dieing outweighs my common sense up to now. At least two people I know have had a nasty chest bug recently, one even ended up in hospital for a few days.

Talking of hospital, another mate was taken to hospital last night after attempting suicide by lacerating his arms, fortunately he was still "with it" enough to make his way to The Woolpack where people looked after him until the ambulance arrived. I cleaned up the rest of his blood this morning. I hope he's OK, he's been mentioned a few times in my Woolpack blogs, and he's a star. Get well soon mate, I promise I'll call more often from now.

Which is another thing. After my friend L killed herself a little while ago I vowed to contact a different friend every day, just to say hi, someone's thinking about you, and if you want a chat let me know. I hadn't spoken to this bloke for maybe three weeks. Who knows if anyone else had either? I'm not going off on a big guilt trip, but you never know the circumstances and how it affects what's going through someone's mind do you? We all need to look out for each other in this modern, impersonal world.

Yesterday was Sam's first harvest festival at school, it was amazing. I got so soaked on the way there that even my undercrackers were soaked through, so it wasn't the most comfortable show I've ever seen, but Sam made me feel so happy and proud, standing up with his classmates and singing and doing the actions like a seasoned performer. As he's in Reception, his class were furthest forward, so he was just a couple of feet from the audience, and Sam hates being the centre of attention. He did so well though, and I had another few (discreet) tears at various moments. Picked him up from nursery again today, feeling a bit better (and definitely much drier), and we had a lot of fun, including another "chained cars" race where he totally astounded me. The pairs of cars headed off from the line to lap the castle - Sam went round to help "brum" them along, and I was waiting expectantly to see which cars he decided would be winning......well he said "Who will be in the lead......?" then proceeded to push out a car and caravan that he had stashed behind the castle while I was out of the room cooking tea. Are 4-year-olds supposed to play jokes like that?

Today I have also started on the "new job" if you can call it that. It's delivering a free ads paper to about 600 properties, which will earn about £40 a week. All told it works out roughly minimum wage, but beggars can't be choosers. Quite hard work too, especially feeling as ropey as I was today. Finishing off this week's round tomorrow after cleaning the pub.

Been a busy, stressful, unhealthy, incredibly sad, few days. Love you Sam, see you soon, love ya too other bloke and I'll see you soon too, you muppet!

The pic's NOT me!

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Marching On Together!

Source: Eddie2sox
Monday 8th October 2007, 8:43pm

How sad that 99% of kids these days go for teams that win stuff, how many nippers do you see wearing King's Lynn shirts?

I'm a Leeds United fan, unfortunately. Passed down to me from my dad, and to him from his dad. It's so easy to jump on the bandwagon of the latest successful club.

Chelsea is a great example. Over the last five years there are Chelski shirts all over the place. Each and every one of them claiming to have been a loyal fan for over 150 years, honest guvnor. They say they were on The Shed in the seventies and eighties. Rubbish. I've been to Stamford Bridge more than 90% of so-called Chelski fans. Do the real, genuine Chelsea fans resent the new lot? I did, greatly, when Leeds got a little bit of success. I detested the johnny-come-lately people who suddenly appeared. I was at Elland Road in the mid eighties, when crowds were round about 13,000. At Chelsea crowds were the same, maybe even a bit lower.

Big debate in The Woolpack about Chelski recently. Abramovich is getting bored and will be heading off soon. Will the newly announced Chelsea fans still admit to supporting a team that isn't winning? Take away Roman's millions and Chelsea are destined for freefall, their current top 15 players will depart for pastures richer. The new managaer looks like he's been dug up. If I was a Chelski fan I would be very worried right now, and browsing manu.com or gunners.com for next year's shirt.

As for Leeds United. I don't go to many games any more. And for that reason I can't call myself a fan - fans go to games. But the club and fans are SO united right now, thanks to the Football League's attempt to screw them over. Lots of my old footie mates still go, and say the atmosphere at Elland Road is as intimidating now as it used to be in the good old days. As much as I detest Dennis Wise because he's a Chelsea tw*t, he's OUR Chelsea tw*t. The Bournemouth reunion is coming up soon, I am not sure whether to go or to use the money saved for Sam.

This isn't aimed at Letty or Joe Rudd by the way!

p.s. Joe, yesterday saw a clip of Tony Yeboah smashing home his second goal in the opening day fixture at Upton Park. Tells you something about Leeds' strikers at that time that we all ducked as he hit it!

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Women!

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 7th October 2007, 8:02pm

Idiots! Yes I am incredibly angry and yet SO sad....

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! Thank god all women aren't like Sam's idiot mum. We have an agreement - don't phone to speak to Sam after three beers. That's fair enough, I agree with that.

Tonight she went off on one about Thursday - I phoned Sam from The Woolpack when I was just starting my second pint. She also hinted that she might stop all access.

I am so angry. I want to make a huge list of reasons why she is a crap mum, but I won't. I'd like to fully describe the many reasons why I decided to divorce her, but I won't. I am disgusted that she is again accusing me of bad behaviour. She even put the phone down on me when I phoned Sam tonight.

I called back to try and sort things out, and was asked "Why did you put the phone down"? I thought I was the alcoholic with the memory problem.

My ex-wife is, frankly, taking things too far. She's ignoring her own many shortcomings and making up stuff about mine. Yes I am alcoholic, I know that, but I am trying to deal with that. You, Sarah, are manipulative and a habitual liar, but you seem to be happy with that. That's the way it is. And I'm very upset about it, it makes me feel very sad. Thanks Sarah.

I've never mentioned these private things before. Today though is the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Sarah, you don't read this do you (!!!), so you won't know otherwise.

I am SO angry, which doesn't help me move on. Thanks a f***ing lot.

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The Running Race

Source: Eddie2sox
Sunday 7th October 2007, 9:25am

This is a blow by blow account of the race that some of Sam's toys took part in yesterday. If you're not up to speed with Sam's motley crew, you'd be better off skipping this particular blog.

Picture the scene. The grid is full. There’s an air of tension and anticipation concerning what is going to happen in the next few minutes. You can hear the old BBC Grand Prix theme music……dummmmmmm, der der dum, der der der der der dummmmmmmm……..

The line-up on the grid is as follows:

Row 1 : Sir Whiteshield, Sir Axealot

2 : Skeleton Stanley, Arrr Two Choppers

3 : Snakeboy, Greenie

4 : Sir Trumpalot, Arrr One Chopper

5 : Red Power Ranger, Lookout

6 : Cap’n Blue, Whiteface

7 : Spud The Scarecrow, Metalpants

8 : Sir Sillyhelmet, Sir Chopalot

9 : Bob The Builder, Michelangelo

10 : Puss In Boots, Minotaur

11 : Sir Castlelot, Tom

12 : Bob The Builder (!), Doot De Doo

This is no car race, this is the first ever running race for the various characters who inhabit Samworld. And so…..Sam started singing his wayward version of the On The Buses theme tune (like they do at banger racing you know), he did a countdown, and they were OFF!

The race immediately took a turn for the worse, as Sir Chopalot jumped on a parked motorbike in the day’s first blatant cheating attempt. Sadly, being used to one horse power not 50, he was soon out of control and crashed, but not before running over poor old Cap’n Blue’s foot, ouch me hearties. Sir Trumpalot made a break for the front using his infamous jet-propelled fart power, while Red Power Ranger had got hold of a bucket and was attempting to nobble his opponents with a swift blow to the back of the skull. Only Arrr Two Choppers was caught, but he was definitely out of the race. The final incident saw Spud The Scarecrow jumping on Scrambler the quad bike and crashing head-on into a wall, at which point the judges stopped the race and told everyone to start again, and BEHAVE!

And so to the restart. If we hoped the skulduggery, gamesmanship, and downright bad form from the first race would be eliminated we were wrong, so very, very wrong. As soon as they set off again Chopalot AGAIN mounted the motorbike, and AGAIN crashed it, this time into the castle wall, causing no injuries but completely wrecking the bike AND dislodging one of Robin’s carefully grown hanging baskets from inside the dungeon (Robin, as in Batman’s sidekick, is the cleaner in the castle dungeons, how the mighty have fallen). Sir Axealot had the brilliant idea of jumping on the Minotaur’s shoulders for a piggyback, as the Minotaur is big and dumb enough not to notice - and soon they were heading out in the lead. The devious Metalpants discovered the Catapult under the castle walls and started bombarding the passing runners - wildly inaccurately. In fact the only competitor he managed to hit was the unlucky Cap’n Blue, who added a cannonball on the right foot to the motorbike on the left foot from the first race, and fell over at the side of the track singing “Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest”. Skeleton Stanley discovered that having no muscle attached to his bones was not conducive to a running race, tripped over Cap’n Blue, and was also out of the race. Bizarrely, Bob The Builder and his brother Tom were spotted dancing together at the back of the field. Seeing the fun below him from his vantage point high in the castle, Kung Fu Action Man decided to join the race, not running but flying! Farmer Pickles had also joined in, but soon gave up after only half a lap, and the throwaway comment “And Farmer Pickles is having a snooze” caused a temporary break while Sam and me rolled on the floor laughing.

What would Murray Walker make of THAT lot?

So back on track, and Metalpants, Sir Trumpalot, Sir Whiteshield and Greenie stole a building lorry to try to get in the lead. Red Power Ranger was still trying to “bucket” as many people as he could, but came unstuck - or rather got stuck - with on foot on each bank of the river, in a painful looking splits position. Puss In Boots was found cat-napping on the drawbridge. Orange Action Man had also joined in by now as the leaders entered the home straight. At the back, Bob The Builder, Sir Sillyhelmet, Lookout, Greenie, Arrr One Chopper and Michelangelo had given up and were playing football, until Spud the Scarecrow ate the ball. The race ended with most of the runners having given up, or been injured. And Farmer Pickles is still having a snooze.

The one, two, three, four was Orange Action Man, Kung Fu Action Man, Red Power Ranger, Sir Chopalot. The pic is really gloomy, sorry, I’m still getting used to the new phone. But it shows, if you want to go into detail, Sir Axealot piggybacking Minotaur (top), Metalpants using the catapult (top right), Cap’n Blue lying down (left), and Bob and Tom dancing. Plus lots of the others.

What a race!

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Where DOES The Time Go?

Source: Eddie2sox
Saturday 6th October 2007, 11:03pm

Well that's the end of another weekend with Sam, no sooner do I pick him up than it's time to take him back again! Not fair!

We had a fantastic time this weekend though, one of the best. I picked Sam up from his school at 12 on Friday, so were were together three hours more than usual. On Friday afternoon we went into town to get Sam's mop of hair sheared off, and now he actually looks like a little boy again. We also had our 5-weekly treat of MacDonalds for dinner, which Sam wolfed down with massive enthusiasm. He's sure got a good appetite has my little boy. We came home via The Walks, where Sam was delighted to see the new paly area coming along, but as confused as me as to what some of the equipment does!

Sam was really tired on Friday, with huge bags under his eyes, so it was no surprise that he was out like a light at bedtime. As usual I was awake every two hours through the night checking on him, so when Saturday arrived I was once again a sleepless zombie-dad. Still, we were up and about early, and we actually had one of the best, most fun mornings of playtime that we have ever had. It was mostly centred around races, with several varieites of car race taking place, but the highlight, and possibly the funniest race we've ever done, was a running race involving the knights, the pirates, the monsters, plus a whole supporting cast of various other characters. The next blog describes this race, as it deserves an entry of it's own, and people who don't follow the adventures of Sam's toys won't have to waste time reading it if they don't want to.

After TMI (oh Caroline....) we headed off to friend Janet's house to help her decorate her little boy's bedroom, and so Sam and Oscar could have a right good play together. I think everyone had a lovely time, the bedroom is now undercoated, we had a nice lunch including home-grown tomatoes (they tasted like......tomatoes, not water like ones from supermarkets), then we ended up with a 2-a-side rugby game in the garden. The boys decided that they would be in a team together, and proceeded to open a six pack of whup-ass on us oldies by winning by five tries to zero. This was followed by a water fight, then it was hometime - Sam did NOT want to leave and threw a bit of a tantrum, bless him.

Home again I told Sam that rugby players always had a bath after games, and he was in the tub in a flash. He had beans on toast for tea, and again wolfed it down, all that playing gave him a rumbling tum obviously. After tea we had a nice, but all too brief playtime, then it was back to his mum's. Sam played air guitar to Superstar Tradesman by The View all the way there, with Daddy joining in on air drums when driving permitted. Love ya Sam, see you soon.

I went straight from there to the gym, working on the theory that exercise makes you feel better. It "kind of" worked, although I still feel the usual Saturday night blues it's maybe a few percent better. The gym was deserted! Back down there tomorrow morning and I will have visited five out of seven days this week, go me!

Right. Bedtime for this knackered grumpy old man. Pic is Mister C snoozing after stinking us out - again - this morning!

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National Poetry Day

Source: Eddie2sox
Thursday 4th October 2007, 1:09pm

Today's National Poetry Day, here's one of my favourites, by Wendy Cope, called "After The Lunch":

On Waterloo Bridge, where we said our goodbyes,
The weather conditions bring tears to my eyes.
I wipe them away with a black woolly glove,
And try not to notice I've fallen in love.

On Waterloo Bridge, I am trying to think,
"This is nothing - you're high on the charm and the drink."
But the jukebox inside me is playing a song,
That says something different, and when was it wrong?

On Waterloo Bridge with the wind in my hair,
I am tempted to skip. "You're a fool." I don't care.
The head does it's best, but the heart is the boss,
I admit it before I am halfway across.

So, today I have cleaned the pub and been to the gym. At the gym, today was the day my "resistance training" (!!!) increased, so all the weights were boosted. It certainly made a difference. Might have a day off tomorrow.

I am just about to head into town, Christmas shopping! Got me first three presents last week, aiming for another three today, and I'll have made a good start. Got the cards too, and the paper, and me and Sam will make our own tags. There's due to be a shortage of toys this Christmas due to Chinese manufacturing issues such as lead in paint, dangerous toys etc, so I'm having a really good scout for Sam's toys today too, although where I could hide them I have no idea.

The new phone is working, so apologies if you've been neglected for a day or two.

As for the Ready Salted World Cup (RSWC07), we are going international, and will hopefully have two American contenders. Excellent, thanks NJDiva, and good luck with the pregnancy! Also, I need a logo, so if you want to design something then please have a go, the tackier and cheaper looking the better. Email to me at trix68@hotmail.co.uk Cheers!

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Crap Parking League XXV

Source: Eddie2sox
Thursday 4th October 2007, 8:09am

A splendidly awful attempt at parking by this hairdresser!

Not only was this bang on the line, but the front wheels were level with the front of the space. Atrocious! A well-deserved one and a half!

Table:

New Shape Mini.....4

Vauxhall Corsa.....4

Honda Civic.....2

VW Golf.....2

Ford Ka.....2

VW Bora.....1.5

Vauxhall Vectra.....1.5

Ford Escort.....1.5

Vauxhall Tigra.....1.5

Vauxhall Combo van.....1

Peugeot 206.....1

Mystery Rover.....1

Huge Green American Monstrosity.....1

Ford Focus.....1

Original Mini.....1

Jaguar XJS.....1

Citroen C2.....1

Send me any pics of bad parking you collect to trix68@hotmail.co.uk

And why not peruse the Net's best bad parking website at: http://www.crap-parking.co.uk/index.php?mode=home

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Crap Parking League XXIV

Source: Eddie2sox
Thursday 4th October 2007, 8:05am

Another contribution from roving reporter Letty!

What on earth could the excuse be for this. The car park featured is roughly the same size as the Gobi Desert, so finding a space away from other cars is never a problem......

Table:

New Shape Mini.....4

Vauxhall Corsa.....4

Honda Civic.....2

VW Golf.....2

Ford Ka.....2

VW Bora.....1.5

Vauxhall Vectra.....1.5

Ford Escort.....1.5

Vauxhall Combo van.....1

Peugeot 206.....1

Mystery Rover.....1

Huge Green American Monstrosity.....1

Ford Focus.....1

Original Mini.....1

Jaguar XJS.....1

Citroen C2.....1

Send me any pics of bad parking you collect to trix68@hotmail.co.uk

And why not peruse the Net's best bad parking website at: http://www.crap-parking.co.uk/index.php?mode=home

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We Are The Champions!

Source: Eddie2sox
Thursday 4th October 2007, 7:48am

The team won the last two games to win the league quite comfortably. Here's the final league table:

1 IMM Bloggers FC Played 30 Won 24 Drew 3 Lost 3 Goals For 208 Goals Against 96 Points 75

2 Spartan Warriors 30 22 1 7 169 83 67

3 Wilmington Crew 30 21 3 6 194 74 66

4 Manchester Pigs 30 18 1 11 137 111 55

5 Blue Star City 30 17 1 12 179 164 52

6 Foxbar Untied 30 15 3 12 142 111 48

7 Liverpool Boyz 30 15 3 12 176 170 48

8 Little Creek Town 30 14 5 11 156 132 47

9 jolly r us 30 14 5 11 161 150 47

10 The Flying Dragon Team 30 13 1 16 156 161 40

11 MayFlower Town 30 13 0 17 182 184 39

12 Green Giants 30 11 2 17 164 188 35

13 gerrys team 30 8 2 20 147 223 26

14 Forest FC 30 8 1 21 135 196 25

15 Damascus Eagles 30 5 2 23 124 311 17

16 Fox River CF 30 4 3 23 154 230 15

Top Scorers

Dental Nurse Roxy 69 goals (33 games)

Letty 59 (31)

Pasty Muncher 54 (32)

Joe Rudd 6 (24)

p.s. anyone remember the original "We Are The Champions" with Ron Pickering? See pic for a reminder.

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Fifteen Points, Who Gives A **** ?

Source: Eddie2sox
Wednesday 3rd October 2007, 10:19pm

We're Super Leeds And We're Going Up!

Oh to be young, loaded and have no commitments again.....Super Leeds are now only 4 points away from the play-off places, having shoved the FA's vincictive and groundless 15 point deduction back up Lord Mawhinney's backside. This clip will be just random nonsense unless you're a football fan, so I wouldn't bother clicking it!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zb1biqbOr9g

I used to be there once upon a time - NEVER saw Leeds win at Oldham in about 6 or 7 visits, always freezing cold on that open terrace (in them days). Good pies though.

"15 points who gives a ***, we're super Leeds and we're going up"!

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Strange Feeling!

Source: Eddie2sox
Wednesday 3rd October 2007, 8:40am

At the gym last night I felt very peculiar - only briefly - but thought I'd record it for posterity

So! Yesterday was a busy day. Finished off the quarterly statistics report for my voluntary group (just awaiting one or two specialist contributions from colleagues), so that's a good job done and dusted.

Cleaned the pub, had a cuppa with the landlady, scraped another bogey off the wall of the Ladies loos!

Visited a mate for coffee and gossip early afternoon, very civil.

Picked up Sam from nursery, and he was soooooooo tired bless him. I couldn't really do anything right for him, but it's not his fault, he's just getting used to his new grown-up routine I think. So tired in fact that he said he didn't want to go in the bath (well, he actually said "I think we should give bath time a miss tonight Daddy"). Bad luck son, in you go! He had fun once he was in. He had chicken curry and potato wedges for tea, super healthy as I made it all from scratch. Our three hours absolutely flew by yesterday, I'm hoping it's all a bit calmer today.

My mobile phone is knackered! So I have to sort that out somehow today. So if you've texted me and not had a reply, sorry, I'm not ignoring you, honest. Well, I am ignoring YOU, but not the rest of you!

Went to the gym after dropping Sam off - not been in the evening before and it was packed until about 8 o'clock. It was my 12th visit and my fitness advisor (check it out) Alix was very encouraging and said I was doing great. Doesn't feel like it. Mind you, after using the rower and x-trainer, I hopped on the treadmill and the weirdest thing happened. I had a feeling that things were all OK, I forgot my problems completely for a few seconds, and felt.....let me try to remember the word.....happy? Thankfully that feeling passed after a few seconds, so I can get back to being the depressed fat-knacker that everyone is used to!

So today is looking busy, I have several NHS jobs I need to complete job apps for, and I am going to attack the council website (job section). Picking Sam up later, and I need to fit the gym in somewhere too - might go in the evening again because it was quite good.

Pic is a nice one from our summer trip to Oxburgh Hall that you can now find on the Sky News website!

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Ready Salted World Cup - Sponsored By The Woolpack

Source: Eddie2sox
Monday 1st October 2007, 9:13pm

It's official, this competition will be based in The Woolpack, and judged by a highly dedicated team of potato/maize based snack experts....

It's been agreed that matches in the RSWC (Ready Salted World Cup.....keep up) will be contested in The Woolpack pub, King's Lynn.

The contestants will be placed before independant tasters this time, as opposed to "just me" for the last tournament. The list of entries is growing, with a possible couple of American visitors too. Feel free to send me your local heroes, RS-wise.

The pic was sent to me by a fan, desperate for the games to begin, cheers J, will you be able to make it down to judge one of the ties?

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IMM Bloggers FC Win The League!

Source: Eddie2sox
Monday 1st October 2007, 7:54am

Our team on the Sunday League website has clinched the league title with two games to spare!

Well done everyone, a 5-4- victory over Little Creek FC (including a hat-trick from Letty) gave IMM Bloggers FC the title and guarantees promotion plus a load of credits in the transfer kitty.

Nice work everyone!

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