What a disapointing Barbarians selection
Barbarians: James O'Connor (Aus), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Drew Mitchell (Aus), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Aus), Ma'a Nonu (NZ), Matt Giteau (Aus, capt), Will Genia (Aus), Salvatore Perugini (It), Stephen Moore (Aus), Neemia Tialata (NZ), Anton van Zyl (Stormers), Chris Jack (NZ), Rodney So'oialo (NZ), Martyn Williams (Wales), Colin Bourke (Chiefs). Replacements: Keven Mealamu (NZ), John Yapp (Wales), Quintin Geldenhuys (It), Daniel Braid (NZ), Andy Ellis (NZ), Stephen Donald (NZ), Seru Rabeni (Fij).
I'd have liked to have either seen more home Nations players - surely John Barclay was worthy of a shout - or to have seen the efforts of the travelling Samoans better rewarded with some Barbarian acknowledgment.
Why Mealamu should be rewarded with a Barbarian cap after his thuggish antics at Twickenham is beyond me.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
A Gentleman's family
I'm not quite sure why it's called that, but late last Wed night, a beautiful, healthy, baby girl arrived to complete our home arrangements. The 3 year old boy is delighted to have a new baby in the house - even more so with the presents that she seems to have brought with her, although I suspect he's a little bit disappointed in her propensity to sleep all day and is quite unaware of how much energy mummy is expending in the night, trying to feed her.
Still, it's wonderful to have a new baby about the place.
Still, it's wonderful to have a new baby about the place.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Plus ca change...
I've been mulling over multiple topics for blogs lately and there's more than a few subjects that I'm interested in these days.
The joke trial of Tommy Sheridan & Gail on Perjury for example (Hope Tommy wins again, not because I don't think he's been a shagger, more for the fact that I believe the original jury understood exactly what they were doing and were well within their rights to come down on Tommy's side - What has followed is a shambles!)
Rooney... good grief! If ever there was a time to knuckle down and just play football it's now. Who advises this loon? I simply can't see him settling overseas.
Trams - was over in the beautiful city of Bordeaux recently. It's not so long ago that they transformed their city with the introduction of a tram system and a few terrific other developments. The surrounding roads are still gridlocked morning & night as people try to get to the places trams don't go...
French food... Simple food, well cooked, superb! but on talking to my host, he was most surprised to hear how terribly we treat the wonderful fresh ingredients we have on our doorstep... I'm not sure he even believed me when I explained about Youngs seafoods shipping langoustine to Thailand to be peeled, deep-fried and frozen for a return to our domestic market. I am happy to report though that Scottish Smoked Salmon is still revered in France as the king of fish.
In the end though, I find myself overwhelemed with how many great blogs there are out there and astonished at the arrogance of yon Andrew Marr gadgie, with his plookey, weans, living at home analagy for people who make a far better fist of his job (media commentator) for free... is it jealousy do you think?
In response to the Marr chappie, I recommend you visit the web site of Jonathon Mitchel which I fell upon when reading the recent offerings from the similarly excellent Lallands Peat Worrier and his link to the QC's musings on Compassionate Release.
The joke trial of Tommy Sheridan & Gail on Perjury for example (Hope Tommy wins again, not because I don't think he's been a shagger, more for the fact that I believe the original jury understood exactly what they were doing and were well within their rights to come down on Tommy's side - What has followed is a shambles!)
Rooney... good grief! If ever there was a time to knuckle down and just play football it's now. Who advises this loon? I simply can't see him settling overseas.
Trams - was over in the beautiful city of Bordeaux recently. It's not so long ago that they transformed their city with the introduction of a tram system and a few terrific other developments. The surrounding roads are still gridlocked morning & night as people try to get to the places trams don't go...
French food... Simple food, well cooked, superb! but on talking to my host, he was most surprised to hear how terribly we treat the wonderful fresh ingredients we have on our doorstep... I'm not sure he even believed me when I explained about Youngs seafoods shipping langoustine to Thailand to be peeled, deep-fried and frozen for a return to our domestic market. I am happy to report though that Scottish Smoked Salmon is still revered in France as the king of fish.
In the end though, I find myself overwhelemed with how many great blogs there are out there and astonished at the arrogance of yon Andrew Marr gadgie, with his plookey, weans, living at home analagy for people who make a far better fist of his job (media commentator) for free... is it jealousy do you think?
In response to the Marr chappie, I recommend you visit the web site of Jonathon Mitchel which I fell upon when reading the recent offerings from the similarly excellent Lallands Peat Worrier and his link to the QC's musings on Compassionate Release.
Friday, 1 October 2010
The end of an era... and the start of something new...
It is with mixed emotions I hear that my good friend Finlay has decided to sell up his Guest house in Fife. The beautiful east Neuk village of Crail has become a real favourite of mine over the years and the hospitality at Caiplie House second to none.
He's a recently married man and it's time for a lifestyle change for him, so that's pretty exciting news and I look forward to seeing where he goes next.
If you're looking for a lifestyle change of your own, you could do worse than take a look here... http://www.bandbforsale.biz.
He's a recently married man and it's time for a lifestyle change for him, so that's pretty exciting news and I look forward to seeing where he goes next.
If you're looking for a lifestyle change of your own, you could do worse than take a look here... http://www.bandbforsale.biz.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
The Sons of William march on...
Cracking result for the cream buns last night. They've certainly never been my cup of tea, as an institution or for their fan base, but you have to admire the manner in which Walter Smith has pulled them back from the Abyss, cajoled them into winning 2 Championships despite the crippling finances in the background and now a runner in the Champions league! An Away point at Old Trafford and a home Victory! Super stuff!
Hats of to Wattie!
Hats of to Wattie!
Friday, 10 September 2010
Cheese!
I don't suppose there will be that many weary travellers who come by this way without having already visited or having the intention of reading the praiseworthy efforts of former (vile) blogger Montague Burton, but if you haven't already experienced the Universality of Cheese or are vaguely interested in the notions of truth and hypocrisy bustin', then go see Mark... here .
Monday, 6 September 2010
Footballers, hookers and the press
My world cup prediction for England was that their own press corp would find some way to publish a lurid story about one of the star players and cause tension in the camp. The internet is already rife with unsavoury rumours about the captain, but the team's performance was such that there was nothing the press could have done to make it any worse anyway. Anyone who is genuinely interested in how these overpaid loons spent their vast fortunes really needs to find something better to do with their time, but I really don't understand the mentality of people who continue to buy newspapers that so regularly set about undermining their National sporting ambitions.
Latterly it was thon lanky beanpole of a striker Peter Crouch who was in trouble for sleeping with a 'hooker', but now the main man Rooney is back in the news for also alledgedly using a prostitute. Many people often ask why these rich young superstars need to pay for sex, but the truth is they're not actually paying for the sex so much as paying for the girl to leave the next morning and for them to keep schtum... which is where my moral compass goes seriously awry! Part of me thinks it's a fairly grim business, but the other part of me thinks fair play to the girls who get to make a serious bit of moolah on the back of just doing what comes naturally. If the likes of the notorious belle de jour can carry it off and live with themselves, then who am I to tell them how to live their life.
Still, I can't help but think that 21 year old Jennifer Thompson who apparently charges £1200 per night hasn't gone and shot herself in the foot. Who's going to be paying for an escort who doesn't understand discretion? How's she going to return to a 'normal' life when she's exposed her 'secret' life so overtly? I hope the News of the World have compensated her well enough.
Who are the winners here?
News of the World gets a brief increase in circulation.
Rooney gets himself in big trouble at home and probably in his workplace too, unlikely to favour future interviews with the News of the World. His continued selection for England causes tension and distraction in the camp.
Jennifer Thompson gets reputation as a prostitute who doesn't understand the value of discretion.
The great English public, get to support that Australian/American press tycoon once more undermining their National football team in the name of tittle tattle.
My heart goes out to Coleen for having her life trashed in such a humiliating and public manner. I wonder which levels of hell will be reserved for the Journalists, the gobby hooker and the thicko footballer. Is it possible to put them in order of most offensive and if I did would it be too deep an insight into my character?
Latterly it was thon lanky beanpole of a striker Peter Crouch who was in trouble for sleeping with a 'hooker', but now the main man Rooney is back in the news for also alledgedly using a prostitute. Many people often ask why these rich young superstars need to pay for sex, but the truth is they're not actually paying for the sex so much as paying for the girl to leave the next morning and for them to keep schtum... which is where my moral compass goes seriously awry! Part of me thinks it's a fairly grim business, but the other part of me thinks fair play to the girls who get to make a serious bit of moolah on the back of just doing what comes naturally. If the likes of the notorious belle de jour can carry it off and live with themselves, then who am I to tell them how to live their life.
Still, I can't help but think that 21 year old Jennifer Thompson who apparently charges £1200 per night hasn't gone and shot herself in the foot. Who's going to be paying for an escort who doesn't understand discretion? How's she going to return to a 'normal' life when she's exposed her 'secret' life so overtly? I hope the News of the World have compensated her well enough.
Who are the winners here?
News of the World gets a brief increase in circulation.
Rooney gets himself in big trouble at home and probably in his workplace too, unlikely to favour future interviews with the News of the World. His continued selection for England causes tension and distraction in the camp.
Jennifer Thompson gets reputation as a prostitute who doesn't understand the value of discretion.
The great English public, get to support that Australian/American press tycoon once more undermining their National football team in the name of tittle tattle.
My heart goes out to Coleen for having her life trashed in such a humiliating and public manner. I wonder which levels of hell will be reserved for the Journalists, the gobby hooker and the thicko footballer. Is it possible to put them in order of most offensive and if I did would it be too deep an insight into my character?
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