Summer is here at last

So Summer 2011 is here - characterized by the start of the Test Cricket series and of course the weather.

Nothing but sun, wind and rain, and oh yes more wind this morning in Surrey making more work for the fencing repair industry.

We're going to have to bite the bullet and get most of our fencing replaced, it's long overdue but almost seems futile given the fact that we seem to get strong winds several times a year and the subsequent slow destruction of the fence.  You'd have thought that in this day and age you could have fencing that can stand up far more to the elements.  The design seems to have remained identical for more than half a century, certainly is no different to when I was knee high to a knee.

And of course if the wind and rain abate for long enough, we may get some play in the cricket.  No problem though if it doesn't go, we can always watch 'Countdown' or highlights of previous matches... errrr..... no, satellite dishes don't like wind and rain and you get the 'No Satellite Signal is being received' message, till the rain stops.f

So what to do now, maybe update my blog..

Nah, what would I have to say?

Bank Holidays - Here we go again for another one

Did you know that we have 8 bank holidays in England, including Christmas and Easter, and that New Year's day only became a Bank Holiday in England in 1974 - the Scots having had this day off for many years previously?

Actually, I remember pre-1973 New Years Days very well. I was of course still at school, and remember how my dad could never stay up late to see in the New Year and it was always me and mum who stayed up past midnight watching the 'Andy Stewart Show' on BBC and whatever fare ITV had on offer. And of course it was always a special night for TV because they stayed on the air till 1 or even 2am! In glorious black and white of course. (We never got colour till the end of the 70s - my parents citing that the licence fee was too expensive and we had better things to spend our money on).

This weekend of course is the last bank holiday before Christmas and we are promised quite decent weather for most of it and a glorious day on Monday - when as I mentioned in another post I may be playing cricket for the first and last time this season. My whites and stuff were ready for action a few weeks ago when we (The Radio Jackie 1st XI) played the Met Police in East Molesey. My services weren't needed so I spent the afternoon in a white coat umpiring - and this was actually great fun. Our team lost decisively, but as always we were made to feel very welcome at the Met's sports club. Many beers were drunk after and a delicious barbecue consumed. Our opponents this week are Long Ditton Cricket Club, with a 2pm start on Monday.

Just enjoying a cuppa before going out to Guildford, doing a touch of shopping and maybe enjoying an extravagant coffee with the other half who is also enjoying a long weekend.

Of course, working as a radio presenter, the fact that this is a bank holiday has little meaning as I'm quite often working more at those times than in the weekday, and indeed I am working Sunday and Monday on Breakfast. But I have had three days off including today which is leaving me feeling very refreshed.

Post Match Thursday

Oh well, I suppose I shouldn' t have expected too much from tonight's Carling Cup match. My team (Palace) lost against the £162million valued side Man City. But the match was entertaining, it wasn't by any means a humiliation and 2-0 probably reflects the match. We could (and should) have had a penalty in the second half, but there you go. We haven't had the best of the rub as far as refs go this season so far.

So what am I doing now? Well having enjoyed a few beers with my son (it's ok, he's well over 18!), have just munched some ham in toast and am drinking a lovely cup of tea while watching nonsense on TV. That nonsense is WWE Raw... I actually gave up watching this stuff years ago when my lad grew out of it, but after a few cans it can be quite entertaining in a primeval sort of way.

No work (i.e. radio shows) till Sunday breakfast, so am at home aloneish tomorrow till the other half gets back from her week away at work in Essex. I've been getting ready to upgrade my Mac to OSX 10.5 (aka Leopard) and spent today backing up ready for when the postman hopefully delivers it tomorrow - along with a whacking great 1TB external disk that I'll be using for the 'Time Machine' facility. Storage is so cheap these days (even on my wages :-) ) that there's no real excuse not to back up stuff anymore.

Plans for the bank holiday (more tomorrow): eating , drinking, radio, shopping, celebrating an extended family member's 18th birthday on Sunday and possibly playing cricket on Monday if not too hungover.