Monday October 1st 2012 I awoke around 8.30 still enthused by the spectacular win by the European Team in the Ryder Cup in Chicago before a vociferous and unsporting American crowd, who booed and uttered other taunt at the visitor this win was even that more stupendous. The visitors had been inspired throughout by their Spanish Captain Jose (Ollie) Maria Olazabal who had been a great friend of his Spanish team made Seve Ballesteros who died from cancer and Ollie in turn inspired the rest of the team so that against all odds I reckon the Americans caved because for once they knew that God was not on their side. Between them the two Spanish players have won 12 Ryder cup points out of 15 matches played but only lost two as the other two games were halved. The next European pairing to do well was Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnan with 6 points.
There was sympathy for the USA team who must have believed that after taking at 10 4 lead as the second progressed and that even with the final match win to the Europeans on Saturday the 10 6 lead was more than sufficient to take the tie by 14 and half point. The visitors needed 14 point to draw the match and retain the cup as the holders of the trophy. While the game was played in the USA on a ground which was prepared to suit the American team with razor sharp greens all but three of the European Team play on the USA circuit so have some familiarity with the conditions including crowd behaviour.
The USA had been in the ascendancy from the start and a mentioned were leading 10 4 when in foursomes on the Saturday before Europe gained the next through Garcia and Donald before Ian Poulter with Rory McIlroy gained the last, as Poulter birdied the last five holes to reverse the lead of their opponents. While in 1999 also in thee USA the home side had reversed a European score of 10 6 to gain the Cup this was an exceptionally well balanced USA team desperate to win after losing the previous competitions, My understanding is that the order of play was agreed between the players rather than laid down by the captain with the call to go out fighting and try and claw back the lead in the early games. Luke Donald beat Bubba Watson 2 and 1 to take the match 10 to 7 Ian Poulter the hero of bat Webb Simpson by 2 to take the tie 10 8 Saturday evening beat Rory McIlory beat Keegan Bradley 2 and 1 to move 10 10.9 while Justin Rose beat Phil Mickleson on the last hole having come from behind 10 10 and then magically the older Phil Lawrie of Scotland 5 and 3 so that Europe went ahead 11.10 Zach Johnson of the USA then levelled 11 11 when he beat Nicholas Colesearts while his brother Zach Johnson also won beating Graham McDowell 2 and 11 12 11 to the USA. Sergio Garcia of Spain then beat Jim Furyk at the last hole 12 12 with four matches to go. Jason Dufner beat Europe’s Peter Hanson by 2 holes 13.12 but Lee Westwood was strong taking his game 3 and 2 against Matt Kutchar 13.13. It was the German Martin Kaymer who beat Steve Stricker who had holed a magnificent long putt on the 18th to require Martin to hole another medium size putt to ensure the trophy stayed this side of the Atlantic. With ecstasy and disbelief rebounding around the greens and club house it was left to Tiger Woods to take the final tie hole or share the hole as he was 1 up. He failed to make a very short putt so his game was a half and Europe won the event 14 and half to 13 and half points. Wondrous, amazing the words failed as emotion gripped everyone who had played or managed the team, was present there, in the studio or at home watching as the midnight hour approached Europe has retained the cup since losing in 1999 with the 2001 competition cancelled because of 9/11 and Europe then won in 2002, 04, 06, 08, 10 and now in 2012. I watched the BBC highlights between 8 and 9 pm and they were just as good as those of Sky.
1515 I went out at lunch by car to Morrison’s returning at 13.15 having purchased a cheese and pickle baguette for the midday meal and then walked in search of the Halifax building society as I and received a statement for an ISA at zero but had not applied and the name was no one that had been at this house for at least four decades. I missed the office thinking I was looking for Nationwide so went in search waking the whole length of Fowler Street to the Town Hall and the Kind Street without success. I mention the walk because I observed the full effect of the recession on Fowler Street with some eighteen premises vacant or advertised for sale or rent. There are also four charity shops to match the same number in King Street. The number of vacant or available store is also higher than usual in King Street. It is noteworthy that there number of mobile shops remains high and the three Gregg Bakeries/tea rooms remain busy. There are still over 100 places to eat drink or for take away within a mile or so of where I live. There are two Pound stores and three others which cell goods at considerably lower than usual.
I purchased some liquorice, the Freezer bags and some grapes. The £1 cartons of full and firm red grapes have ends and I chose packet of green for £1.19 not as good bit OK. I also purchased another box of the instant porridge packets and two packs of 4 tomatoes at 52 pence each, but no mushrooms as they were of he closed variety. On return I enjoyed a tomato soups with a couple of crackers. I had forgotten to purchase crackers from Morrison’s as hey have a very cheap line.
I had continuing problems with the printer which refused to print because I think l the software refused to recognise inexpensive cartridge so around 4 pm I went in search of a new inexpensive printer having first checked those available from IJT direct but the prices were around £100 with the included cartridges ranging from three to five sets. Still expensive. I first headed for Asda as they had offered printers in the past but none were available and I noted they now appear to provide only main brand range of cartridges as near main brand prices. I have been experimenting with poached and scrambled eggs. The most common way is to crack an egg into boiling water but if they are old the white disintegrates and discolours the water making it difficult to judge the cooking of the yoke. At Asda I invested in a poaching eggs pan for four eggs although I will do two at a time for me. I was unsure how to create scrambled eggs without it becoming an omelette and forgot to check my copy of Good Housekeeping with provides the basics of cooking. I like the idea of adding extra like shrimps to the mix on toast. I bought some liquorice packets and half a dozen more eggs to experiment with. I then went to Wilkinson on the off chance they had printers and there was one in stock a Cannot for £38 which also scans and copies. There are no inexpensive cartridges on IJT and their September sale did not cover main brand how one black and one colour combination comes to £29 so the cost of the printer is only £9. I will check if the local store does cheap version or the price of printer where they do in house cheap cartridges. The printer works fine and I caught up with what I had hoped to do earlier.
18.00 I enjoyed a chicken curry and did the washing up before looking at the second Ryder highlights competition.
23.20 I had intended to also write my notes for the first episodes of Atlantic City and the latest Downton Abbey together with the first two episodes of Andrew Marr’s World History of mankind, tonight’s topical episode of New Tricks. Tomorrow House clean and tidy and work registration takes priority but I will visit the local dealer to view their printers if I have time as well as go in search for mushrooms but I do need a stir fry otherwise it will be another curry.
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