2454 A Tyne River cruise in the sunshine

There was fog at the mouth of the river Tyne yesterday morning June 4^th 201 which lingered for most of the day and which was dense reducing visibility to the extent that in a boat in mid channel it was impossible to see either of the piers.

The fog was there when I went downstairs having planned to take a cruise on the Tyne but commencing in Newcastle. Fortunately it brightened sufficiently quickly for me to commence a packed lunch of four small home baked rolls filled with a pate, a small bag if cherries and two cans of Pepsi in a small cold bag with ice container.

The sun was warm as I went to the Metro station but I wondered if I should have brought a warmer coat, wearing my summer flannel as there is a cold wind off the river as the mouth is approached. I was not surprised how busy the train was as everyone seemed to be seizing the continuing good weather to be out and about. I then made a decision which worked out wonderfully well in terms of what could have happened. I stayed on the train on reaching Newcastle central station which was the stop for the shortest walk down to the quay side passing Monument and on to the Haymarket stop for the bus station when I just missed the every ten minute service to the quayside from the first stand.

It was while waiting that I suddenly remembered that I had not removed my cash from the thicker trousers worn the previous day when switching to the lighter pair I was wearing. I had no money to pay the £11 fare for a senior, a pound reduction on the adult charge and as there was no guarantee that a credit card machine would be available, I quickly rounded the corner back to the Metro station where again fortunately, there is a bank branch, my own, across the forecourt. The bus was back on station and ready to go as soon as I arrived with the driver having closed the doors, but again good fortune was me and he opened them again. This time the multi pass worked but I had to be reminded to take the ticket.

I was early for the river cruise with boarding at 11 am for the noon departure and alighted at the first quayside stop rather than continuing to the Millennium Bridge or the stop at the official end of the quay. It was a very pleasant morning and I use my phone the to take yet more photos of the bridges, the Sage and the Baltic although I am yet to find out what they are like as with the brightness I could not see what was in the frames.

There were already a few people out enjoying a late breakfast or just coffee at the restaurant bar opposite the Baltic. This brand has London city prices, yet the place was packed when I returned just after three as in fairness was every one of the street tables that now occupy every available space around every eaterie and bar in the city. I can remember what the quayside was like forty years ago when the cargo sheds remained, a score of then, from the days when Newcastle was a busy port and with the rest of river all the way to the sea, some thirteen miles alive with ship building and repair yards, cargo loading and loading docks, tug boats and customs.

I was also unsure give this was just the starting month of the river cruise season and a weekend if there would be sufficient customers for the three hour down river or later two hour up river trip and or the one hour around the city. The three craft used by River Escapes are moored midway between the Millennium Bridge and the end of the quayside. Along this stretch I noted a car park which although costing £1 for an hour £2 for two, cost only £3 for the day and on the bus ride down to the quay I noted that the extension Eldon Square Car Park is now free after 5pm which would ideal for visits to the Playhouse Theatre which I have to visited since finding that the Sleep Apnoea was affect my ability to enjoy the evening performances. It did occur that I would have to study the last traffic directions map I order to fid a way to reach both car parks!

Seeing a few people board one fo three boats I decided to make my way, paid the £11 and was disappointed that my ticket was retained by a young woman at the gang plank entrance after taking the lower river level pathway to the second and largest of the vessels. I secured a place on the top deck and was surprised and several of the later arrivals preferred the lower deck at the end of the boat and as the journey progressed down river their wisdom was evident sheltered from cold wind, enjoying drinks and food in the sunshine.

On both decks there was a number of chairs and tables (for 30 said at notice at the top) although there was only a couple at the front, me to one side and three men to the other and a woman on her own towards the rear. Half these vacated to lower deck before the River moth was reached because of the cold wind.

The first difference from my previous journey is that the Spillers factory site has been cleared although there is a Spillers Toffee making factory elsewhere in Newcastle. On the Newcastle side of the river the various warehouse Loft conversions, new flats, town house and maisonettes around St Peter’s basin and Ouseburn have been completed and with modest prices compared to London and the South generally where two and three bed properties are on the market at between £180000 and £250000 and with those closer to the town centre or with river views, riverside balconies commanding the higher prices. I will take the bus one day and continue to the Ouseburn where there is an attractive looking pub by the small boat basin,

There are few penthouses visible on both sides of the river and a large now well established Jury’s Inn development £55 without breakfast, £65 with on the Gateshead bank by the Baltic, and the huge Holiday Inn £72 with breakfast, two of several new hotels that have been added to the city, along with a Travel Lodge and Premier Inn, attracting business, conferences tourists and families visiting some of the seventy thousand students that are now in the city.

On the Gateshead bank down stream there is the Elephant on the Tyne, a 28 bed Hotel, restaurant and entertainment centre once owned by the traditional Geordie humour comic Bobby Pattison who along with the Little Waster, Bobby Thompson who owned and ran a Comedy Club in the centre of Gateshead once led the Comedy revival in the north east. Opposite hotel with a commanding riverside view is a residential block of accommodation. The site is in the area of the Gateshead stadium which I will be visiting of the European team Championship

Further along on this bank isolated is the giant Marine Paint factory complex which I believe still employs several thousand people and provide the paint required for some 40% of the British Naval Fleet. There are tree wooded banks on both sides of the river replacing former boat yards until reaching Hebburn where I once watched large vessels being launched from one of the many great shipyards on this stretch of the Tyne on to South and North Shields. Swan Hunters, Palmers yards at Jarrow and Hebburn, Armstrongs, Parsons Marine, McNulty marine etc. Now among the little craft marinas there are still cranes, some ship repairs, North Sea Platforms and repair and maintenance and cabling. There is also the giant coal dock between Shields and Jarrow opened by the Queen mother but where now the coal comes in from Russia and Poland. The mountain of white goods destined for China appears to have gone.

Palmers of Jarrow went because its owner was wedded to building naval craft when the nation hoped the need had reduced with the end of the First Word War. An opportunity to retain a large port was missed when the idea of creating new docks at Jarrow by filling in the sandbanks at Jarrow Slake was rejected until more recent decades when the arrival of the Nissan car works, their most successful in the world, was created at Washington Sunderland and a car export port was required. Now thousands of vehicle were gleaning in the sunshine waiting to be shipped around the world.

The great Tyne Dock is no longer with the last created used for the second Tyne river road Tunnel completed two years ago. It said that up two hundred sail mastered ships once used the docks in its heydays. Middle docks South Shields is also now derelict and only partly cleared with the ambitious plans for the site appearing now to be on hold until the Town centre development has been completed.

As recently mentioned on the cross Tyne ferry visit, North Tyneside has cleared the former dockland area on its North Bank but again there as yet no signs of development. What has been created with some success is the North Tyneside Ferry Port. These are huge Channel crossing passenger and Lorry Transport vessels and adjacent to the ferry terminal is also the berth now used for visiting cruise liners, from time to time.

Our small craft, by comparison, continued in a growing wind into the dense fog between the two piers turning as the official entrance to the river was reached passing once more between the two buoys which marked the channel with rocks, the black maddens on one side and sand banks on the other. I have promised myself a visit to the Fish Quay and do the walk from the beach area to Tynemouth.

Yesterday discovering that my vehicle urgently needed its MOT I visited the Customs House area after the vehicle was taken to the garage to purchase my ticket for the Traditional Jazz and Blues evening at the end of October associated with the Whitely Bay Jazz weekend. I noted that the Coffee shop and bar premises which was once one of three public houses on the road down to the Customs House complex, the first a sports and karaoke bar and the third a real ale specialist was now closed.. It was on this walk that I realised that the new amphitheatre is being located at the Customs House end of the new Riverside park although my query whether it would be ready in three weeks time for the proposed large screen relay from Glastonbury remains. I then went over to Asda buying a chicken for the weekend, some, dried figs, individual quiche and a pack of smoked mackerel. I then enjoyed a pot of tea and a chocolate brownie(£1.80) in the cafe until notified that the vehicle had passed without requiring immediate additional work although the advisory suggests that I will need to start saving now to attend to various works which will be required sometime when the service is due in December and by next Spring time.

As soon as the cruise craft turned up river I went to the bar on the lower deck for a coffee and cake bar £2.80 and warmed up although once up river we lost the cold wind and I was able to relax and enjoy the speedy return to the city. The Millennium bridge had been opened for the start of venture and I had listened to the 60^th anniversary of the Coronation ceremony from Westminster Abbey which seemed a fitting event as I remembered my forty years on Tyne and Wearside.

Back at the quay I decided to walk up to Haymarket, fist along the Quay and then up the great Georgian Street, Grey Street to the Monument, passing Eldon Square full of people enjoying the sunshine and then to the Haymarket Station where a young man was having trouble finding his pass which he did. It was on the walk back that I appreciated the extent to which every available pavement space was being used by shoppers and visitors enjoying this first real taste of summer. I was back home just before five pleased I had interpreted the weather conditions correctly. It had been a good day.

2453 Planning June 2023 in South Shields and around the region

June 3013 marks a new era of self discipline although I had intended to commence to writing the piece earlier on Saturday the first day of the month, the dawn brought rain and sea fret and depressed after the beautiful sunshine of Friday.

On Friday morning I was filled with a great urge to get out in the bright sky fresh air although I had no plan. Having renewed the Metro pass for another year and with the pass now combined with the National bus pass and still giving for free travel on the ferry this was the first decision and in doing so provided an opportunity to view the work on the grass land adjacent the ferry landing. Such was the surprise and seeing a tall wall built along the area between the landing and almost at the Customs’ House entertainment complex that it was only on return and visiting the South Tyneside site that I learned what is planned for what is now called Harton Quays. There is to be a sheltered parkland between the BT building and the boardwalk and adjacent to the new pathway but it will be open space towards the Customs House and at the other end adjacent to the ferry landing there is to be a new Amphitheatre, and which will feature Glastonbury June 28^th June 30 from 12 noon each day, although I suspect they will be pushed to get the work completed in time.

On return home I collected the April August edition of What’s on and then printed out the full list of activities in South Tyneside which are free to locals and visitors alike. I will cover the June options before the this writing ends.

On Friday morning the ferry approached the North Tyneside landing as the cross channel lorry ferry was arriving and for a couple of minutes appeared to be heading directly for the landing until it swung into the mid channel to continue to the docking area on the north bank of the river. Watching the lorry ferry arrive I nearly missed the connecting buses at the now completed bus half circle and terminus. Still waiting was the 333 service which makes the comparatively short journey along to the north bank to the Fish Quay and then up into North Shields and through the town ending at the Tynemouth Hotel which is on the North Sea Coast Road, a short walk along the cliff road passed the activity park to the Gibraltar Pub adjacent to which the traditional jazz/swing band stage is set for the annual Mouth of the Tyne festival across the road from the ruins of the Tynemouth Priory and castle.

This year the North Tyneside Mouth of the Tyne Festival is on 13^th and 14^th July and ahs a more commercial look than previous years although the move towards booking pay up commenced last year, coinciding with the move of the Whitley bay Jazz festival until later in the year and the abandonment of Whitley Bay as the venue for the event. A comic is booked for the Playhouse o the Thursday with the Human League at the Priory on the Friday. James Morrison and the Lake Poets( band) are the Saturday night offering and on Sunday afternoon there is a more family orientated concerts at £12 adults and £6 children. Gone therefore is the free concert on Saturday afternoons with the only paying evening on the Sunday evening. There are to be street performances in the high street leading to the priory but as yet information is available including if the traditional jazz stage will continue. The Jazz weekend takes place 1st to 3^rd of November at a cost of £135 is exceptionally reasonable given the range fo talents and scope fo the music involved. There is usually a pre weekend concert at the Sage but this year a tribute to Artie Shaw, Billie Holiday and Bunny Berrigan is being held at the Customs House here in Shields and I will go an book my ticket during the coming week,

On Friday I decided to wait for 19 bus which take a shorter route to North Tyneside metro having decided to journey to Newcastle, a route I cannot remember previously taking. Work on the replacement North Tyneside Metro station has been completed after three years of work which disrupted services.

The number 19 bus continues on a long journey of ninety minutes to Ashington, the home of the Charlton brothers and also the gallery of the Pitmen painters by way of the Silver Link Trading Park ( a free way petrol and car saving way to get the Odeon Cinema) Seaton Delaval, Cramlington new town shopping centre and Bedlington. I later printed out the time table to work out a visit to the Gallery getting to the Ferry landing for the ferry after 9.30 hoping to make the 9.57 bus which arrives at the Ashington Bus Station 11.27, and the Gallery a 15 minute walk, return on the 15.30 or 16.30 buses. Knowing this I will attempt to fit on a suitable day in the coming weeks, possibly months.

North Tyneside station is ready for automated ticket barriers. The route into Newcastle is not attractive which backs and trees masking the housing mostly square semi detached boxes. At Monument I failed to take note of the way I exited. The sunshine and weekend seemed to have brought out more busking musicians in Northumberland Street than usual mainly local university students I suspected with two classical groups, a quartet and a pair one who looked the younger school age brother. There was a rock guitarist but the most noteworthy was a group of modern jazz players who position themselves at the entrance to the Eldon Square Shopping entrance, The group consisted of a drummer, trumpet, saxophone (female) trombone and one other instrument. I found a seat and listed to several numbers I return via Eldon Square noting the ongoing attempts to modernise and also that a few stores were closed with attractive hoardings and the same notice that a new exciting store would be opening shortly. Back at the Monument which has echoes of Piccadilly Circus there was a young female singer. The Monument Mall Shopping centre with the food court on the top floor is now fully closed looking a long way from completion but promising to become a new major shopping attraction.

I decided to return home the way I had come except that I could not work out where the line platform from St James to North Shields and Tynemouth looping in circular fashion to Whitley Bay and then inland back to Monument Platform 1 and onward to South Shields was located. I considered talking the quicker route half an hour to South Shields from Platform 1 until finding I would have wait 11 minutes. There had to be a way to North Shields. This was eventually discovered via stairs/lift at one end of platform 2. There was a good wait for the went bus back to the Ferry but which left soon after I arrived, this time the boat was packed with those wanting to come to South Shields beach for the day or to the down to earth South Shields Friday market rather than he more arty and up market version on Tynemouth Stations at weekends.

The problem for those coming into Shields who have not visited since the demolition of the buildings backing on to the riverside is that the direct walking across the road is closed and the nearest way into the town centre involves several stairs which is a problem for parents with wheelchairs and the elderly with sticks. I purchased a pound of small but dark cherries from the greengrocers under the metro station ( £2.70 £2.50 a pound with those on sale in Newcastle £3.60/£4) and a fresh vegetables pack from Morrisons for £1.19, after calling in at the Museum and Art Gallery for a copy of What’s on. It was well after 1 when I was home to fid a package from Northumberland Water contained a box marked Water Saving Kit and sub headed Bad habits cost the Earth. This comprises a Toilet Flush save estimated to reduce consumption by 12 litres a day, a timer for the shower, a basin tap water saver and a universal plug.

I exercised well in the afternoon completing my time as Artman 102 for the coming months and noting the end of month position. I have continued to remain professional standard in ten pin bowling retaining a rating of over 1100 to 1140 having reached 1154 at one points with the principal new achievements getting to profession at three hole golf just with 1002 points. I continued to enjoy tennis with some great work outs and strong close single games but getting beyond 700 has proves a major challenge and closed at a high of 753. I have become more proficient at baseball winning most games but yet to break a rating of 750 and 700 with boxing bouts where I had to wins on points and also two drawn matches at baseball..

I have been very successful with the Sports disc training programme which requires three events in succession and which gives an fitness age rating with the minimum possible set at 20. That I have attained a low of 27 and achieved under 30 for month days is a reflection of my general increased skill and alertness on the tree events that were provided, returning tennis balls wand which includes three sets fo five balls at the net and also ten pun bowling with completing spares and then ten successive hits at baseball. To achieve the under 30 rating is necessary to only miss between 1 and 5 tennis ball returns, to make 15 ten pin bowling completions and make 5 to 6 baseballs hits.

Interestingly when I changed characters from Colin 101 to Colin on Saturday the fitness games have changed which included a multiple bowling challenge where it is essential to hit a red skittle for the number of other skittles to increase every time to over 100. For tennis there returning balls to a moving screen at the back of the court.

These two latter games are including in the individual game training features where three events are listed for each of the five sports and where by the end of he month I had achieve Bronze medal status (1) in returning up to 30 tennis balls (19) and (2) hitting the screen (8), in (3) achieving 7 out of ten hits at baseball (1123 metres) in Golf (4) hitting 10 greens with a lowest score of 11 and where 30 meters is added if you miss the green into the rough plus (5) hitting a target across water (295). In Boxing (6) I moved the punch bag to make 14 hits and then 15 with 14 achieving the bronze medal level. In ten pin bowling (7) I went to straight to Silver clearing 12 lanes and also cleared 476 skittles to make bronze thus achieving bronze and one silver in eight fo the 15 events. My aim is to achieve medals in ten events as some I am hopeless and am not at present prepared to spend the time in learning and practice I suspect required. The delight in ten pin bowling is that my clearing 17 lanes I achieved my first gold as Colin this month as well as a second bronze o golf hitting the green with an under 100 score, Returning balls in tennis a bronze with a score of only 13. I am breaking off the writing to commence my Monday morning session.

This proved to my best ever with almost a perfect Sports Training test getting my age down to 22, unlikely to be repeated and then getting my age at only 29 with the Fitness programme, two amazing top scores and then with the Sports Training individual games I achieved the goal of 10 bronze or better medals out of the 15 games plus the Gold, 11 in total and only the 3^rd day of the month. I will have to concentrate on the competitive games to try and reach professional level in three of the five sports. After an egg salad lunch I went for a walk purchases some cherries and raspberries, the milk needed and some salted peanuts as a reward. I intended continuing to the Customs House to book for the Jazz show at the end of October but as I was in the High Street I realised I had not brought the credit cards.

There was an interesting story on the Huffington post AOL involving the Prime Minister the details of which I will not mention in case the injunction mentioned would be breached by repetition although no name of the individuals have been included just that the outcome was a top level meeting at number 10. A different kind of story is that over 30 Conservative Members of Parliament are alleged to have sent a letter to the Chairman of the 1922 Backbench Committee saying they had no confidence in Cameron as their party leader and when the required number to trigger a no confidence vote is said to be only 46,

The big fuss over the weekend has involved a series stings of politicians, one in the Commons and three in the Lords. The first a Tory who has resigned his Party whip, and then a northern Ireland Lord plus two Labour men from the North, Lord Cunningham from Cumbria and the other a former police chief from County Durham. The issue is did they break the rule in relation to appearing to accept offer of payments from the posing media man. Existing Lobbying firms were not directly involved but this has raised the issue again. All four deny they have broken the rules. The political hot potato is also in the Lords where today and tomorrow, with the vote in the afternoon on the second reading of the Same sex Marriage legislation. A lose vote in favour of the legislation is anticipated.

And so what of the rest of the month. There are up to seven days more of cricket, with Warwickshire the visitors 12-15^th which could prove another crucial match in the championship bid if a draw/win takes place at Taunton against struggling Somerset. I write this as Sussex are holding out against Nottingham at Hove which will be the best possible result for Durham. Sussex will still go back to had the table with their bonus and draw points but it will leave four teams at the top including Durham having each played six games and three wins. Notts who will still have a game in hand will trail Durham with the draw by only seven points because of having gained maximum bonus points this keeping alive their ambitions. The match does ends in a draw. Warwickshire with one win from 6 and Somerset 0 from 7 , Surrey and Derbyshire none from 6 all look out of the running with now that Surrey have the Australian Ponting and Derbyshire Chanderpaul I anticipate they will make a rally, leaving Warwickshire and Somerset look good for relegation at present. Yorks play Notts and Middlesex Sussex on Wednesday with Surrey hosting Warwickshire,

Durham won against Lancs on Sunday in the 40 over competition which makes the games against Scotland on Father’s day and against Hampshire in the 2^nd crucial must win home games.

Openers Mustard and Stoneman had a brilliant start scoring at over 8 runs an over for the first when only two fielders are allowed outside the circle, Stoneman went for 85 and Mustard 65 and with Muchall 48 and Stokes 40 the team made 297 for 9. Some members and visitors appeared to have come only in shirts although many had taken the precaution of bringing a woolly and in my instance also a coat which was needed as sun went in and it became cold. I sat in the far corner beneath the new extension given the pitch was located close to the Member’s Pavilion.

The clouding over immediately help Graham Onions who dismissed four of the five opening batsmen in a single spell of 8 overs for 45 runs and at one point the game looked over with Lancs 80 for 5 and needing twice the run rate achieved at that point. It was unpleasant even with my coat so I came home to listen on the BBC Internet relay only to learn that the last two Lancs batsmen had staged an amazing rally with Ally hitting 5 sixes and four in his 59 with Parry not out 10 putting on 51 quick runs after Ali had also had a stand with Clark (72) so that the last two wickets added just under 100 runs, perhaps because the weather brightened as it was clear blue sky again on the Hill when I got back.

The result left Durham in second position in the table to Hampshire who have 1.25 more points and a game in hand, a lead they will still have even if Durham win their home game against Hampshire on the 22^nd June the last match before the break. Essex are at home to Surrey this afternoon in a floodlit game where a win will move the successfully team above Durham. I am going for Surrey as they will have played six games as Durham and with coming to Durham later in the year there is possibility of cancelling out the lead. Essex on the other hand would not only take a 1.25 point lead but still have a game in hand. Essex have made a massive 313 so Surrey have almost an impossible task, alas. However Surrey do now have Ponting.

The seventh day of cricket is on 28^th with the first 20 20 game of season against Lancs and I am tempted to go Scarborough for the 20 20 game on the Sunday the 30th. I have sent an email to the organiser of travel club for a place on the coach if available at £20 plus purchase of the ticket at gate.

As mentioned earlier I have obtained a copy of the Summer festival brochure from the Museum and Art gallery reception and which also contains the summer programme at the Customs House. It was from this brochure that I learned the plan to relay Glastonbury at the new Amphitheatre on the 28 to 30^th. I will miss the 30^th if I got to Scarborough.

I missed the first of the Saturday evening concerts at the sea front amphitheatre and the weather changed as the evening progressed. The concerts are held every Thursday and Saturday evenings in June. I also missed the first brass band concert on Sunday afternoon going to the cricket. These concerts are also held at the amphitheatre on Sundays 9. 16, 23^rd and also the 30^th. One year a Trad band played at the expensive to build bandstand in the park, although no similar event appears listed until August. The brass band continues on Sunday in July when the free concerts with professional groups are held.

If the weather is as good tomorrow as to-day I shall take the metro to Newcastle and go on one of River escapes trips ideally down river to the mouth of the Tyne, and then later up river, a journey I have not taken before. Depending on how I feel I may pop into the Baltic on the way back. I have also checked out what’s on at the Sage this summer and there is nothing that appeals although there is some jazz meal evenings, where a companion is appropriate. There are some lunch time free music session to be considered. I will leave July until later in the month.

2452 England and Durham toil in wintry coditions for cricket in May 2013

Now to cricket. Apart from one day it continues to be football weather First the two Test matches between England and New Zealand. I watched the first day of the game on Thursday on Sky TV when England struggled to score runs on a flat wicket taking spin and where despite good starts batsmen failed to progress with Compton going at 43 for 16, Cook for 23 at 67, Trot for 39 at 122 and bell for 31 at 165. There was hope when young but brilliant Root came to the wicket with fellow Yorkshire played Johnny Bairstow.

Root this season has started amazingly although is first match in the 40 over competition he scored 0 and bowled 2 overs for 18 runs. Against Durham in the Championship he made 49 in the first innings and a match winning 182 in the second taking his championship average to over 100.In a weak Derbyshire aside he then made 236 giving him an average of 156 runs although his team mate Hasid is even better with 200 being not out in three of his scoring innings. Bairstow also made 186 in the Derbyshire game.

Root went on to make 40 and Bairstow 41 in the Test on the second day but the wicket fell quickly after Roots departure at 192, Prior without scoring, Broad 3, Swann 9 Anderson also 9 but it was Finn who with Bairstow added 20 who helped with some respectability to take the England total to 232 at a rate of just over 2 runs an over for this public paid substantial ticket prices. Southee for New Zealand took 4 for 58 off 28.2overs.

New Zealand also found run getting difficult although Williamson for 60 and Taylor 66 appeared to provide the base for a good total. It was Anderson 5 for 47 and Finn 4 for 63 who changed the situation resulting in the side only making 207 giving England a modest lead of 25 runs.

England then had another disastrous start with Cook and Compton going when the total was only 36. It was Trott with Bairstow who raised hopes by an excellent partnership of 123 before Root went for 71 Bairstow 5, Prior for another duck and then Trott so Finn came in as the night watchman with England in trouble once again. It was Broad with the bat who hit a lively 26 Sunday morning as England were all out for 213 setting new Zealand a gettable target of 239 over a day and two thirds. At that point New Zealand would have felt satisfied with their performance and a good chance to win. Southee added to is 4 first innings wickets with another 6 and a match bowling of 10 wickets for 108 runs. A matching winning performance in most circumstances.

What happened next demonstrates that cricket can prove unpredictable in that it was Chris Broad, sometimes awful, sometimes brilliant, never know what he is going to do who put in an amazing man of the match winning performance taking the first wicket at 1, the second and third at 10 and the fourth at 21. Sometimes these great bowling starts become thwarted by dogged performances from the arriving bats, as was happened with Durham 40 odd for 4 in the one day against Hampshire they rallied with some virtuoso performances to reach an impressive 241 in 36 overs, match reduced because of the late start through rain.

In the instance of England the bowling continued to excel with the first New Zealand wicket taken at 5, then at 25 and 6^th at 29. The question became how low would be the final score. A little rally before the seventh at 41, then 54, 67 and all out 68 meaning that England won by 170 runs, leaving New Zealand, routed, crushed, humiliated and deflated. Only two bowlers were needed with Broad 7 for 44 from his eleven overs and Anderson 2 for 23 from his 11.3 over. The last wicket ended in a farcical way with ball skied but the substitute could not hold and tried to palm the ball to someone else who was able to throw to the wicket keeper who ran a batsman out.

New Zealand with their former great players who could make a difference to any match retired have become a better competitive side through organisation, team work and good captaincy. They are vulnerable to collapsing and was demonstrated yesterday. England on the other hand have still more good work to do before they can be confident giving Australia good competition.

The weather forecast was not good and the first day of the second Test played at Headingley was a wash out. The second day, last Saturday and the fourth day of Durham’s game at the Emirates Chester le Street was one of brilliant sunshine and hot warm from dawn to dusk. At Headingley England was put into bat and Compton failed again scoring 1 run from 11 balls received. Cook 24, Bell 30 and Trott 28 all made good starts , albeit carefully but at 67 for 3 it looked as if it was the same as recent. It was Root, playing at home who rooted the innings first with Bell and then with his Yorkshire team made Bairstow. Root went onto make 104 becoming one of the few and potential greats scoring his first century in a test match at his home ground, along with Yorkshire legend Geoff Boycott who could not disguise his delight on the TV edition fo his radio broadcast which I saw on Channel Four when I got back from Durham. Bairstow went soon after for 64 but by then total had reached 279 and with Broad going for 0 at 286 it was left for Swann and Prior to see the innings continue to the Sunday. I did consider taking the offer a ticket from another member to drive Headingley if Root and or Bairstow had continued to bat, but I did not have a good previously and the thought of driving there and back in a day did not appeal. It proved a good decision.

I watched the game on TV on Sunday with England continuing to 354 with Swann not out for 26. New Zealand seemed to have a good start with the first wicket going at 55 but then another of their famed collapses with the second at 62, and then 72, 79,81, 82 119, 122 ad 122 for 9. With the follow on target reduced from 200 to 150 because of the loss of a full day, it looked as if the last wicket pair would manage this but Wagnar was bowled by Anderson for 22 at 174 with Swann 4 for 42 and Finn 3 for 36 dong the main damage.

The great talking point was the decision not to enforce the follow on. My theory is that because the crowds had been poor with the ground less than half full despite comparatively low prices it was decided to continue the game for as long as possible. New Zealand could not win and therefore the series was not in doubt and win or draw would not affect the World rating.

This perhaps explains that England to bat cautiously in their second innings. Extraordinarily Compton had only scored 7 from 86 deliveries when he failed again and his place is in question unless the bats well for his home county in the meantime before the Ashes Tests. He did not start in the game against Yorkshire which commenced on Tuesday though. Cook made a good 130 and Trott 76 taking the total to over 200 before the second and third wickets fell. Root and Bairstow made some quick runs 28 from 36 and 26 from 20. They went on until the total was 287 setting the visitors a world record fourth innings win of just under 450.

When they lost their first wicket at 21, second at 40 and third 65 only the weather could prevent defeat. This looked a strong possibility as rain and cloud prevented an immediate start on the final day and England just about managed to bowl the New Zealanders out before the weather would have prevented a win. They were all out for 220, a victory by 247 runs.

Swann took 6 for 90 and ten wickets in the game. A feature of the first game was that Anderson became only the fourth English bowler to get more than 300 wickets in Test Matches. Ian Botham has 383, Bob Willis 325 and Fred Truman 307. His second wicket in this match brought him equal to Fred Truman’s 307 and if injury free the Ashes series could see him exceed the total of Bob Willis.

Durham with three wins from their five First Class games came into the home game with Middlesex confident and with banishing thoughts of relegation and the prospects of a third championship season win. The weather forecast was not good however I made by way full of expectation to the ground for the start of play. The wind was from the North East so I found myself a position at the back of the Park end stand next to the white sheeting covering the of the green coloured seats.

Work had already commenced with the foundations for the permanent addition seating, a development which should have taken place last year. I do not know the extent of the proposed development although a note on the site of the Test and County cricket Board and on the Durham News Board talks of a mixture of permanent and temporary seating. According to one colleague we have purchased over 5000 seats used at the Olympic Hockey stadium. If so this will significant increase the ground capacity. My understanding is that he hotel project has been cancelled and if as also understood some of the sears will replace the horrible green for ever temporary seating behind the bowler’s arm then it is also goodbye to the proposed new entrance and conference centre development .

While the work in hand is being fenced off and involves lifting by hand the brick pathway brick by brick onto pallets presumable to replace or for the bricks to be reused. This suggests the new seating will occupy a space greater than previously planned. In addition to the fenced off area there are foundation markings continuing and then at the end of the Park end seating. It is all interesting and puzzling.

|Middlesex won the toss and decided to field. Durham were pains taking in their innings which end at 259 with two bonus points Borthwick 52 and Mustard 62 were the two batting performances of note. Borthwick as a Middlesex man commented ( staying at the Castle) does not look a number 3 player but he is settling to the position with several competent and key knocks of over 50. Stoneman 5 and Collingwood 1 were the failures.

I decided not to go for the second day given the weather forecast and the prospect of Middlesex batting. In the event Middlesex were all out for 196 with Graham Onions taking 5 wickets for 39 runs. Middlesex were 35 for 5 at one point so did well to reach nearly 200.

There was more heavy rain on Friday morning preventing any play before lunch. Because Durham had hired out Members facilities for a Prom Dance for a local school some 200 young people, a live band, stretch limos and a transformed location we were moved after lunch to the new wing and provided free coffee or tea. I decided irrespective of the weather and prospects of play to view the facilities and the experience of using the balcony which is superior to that provided by the two row Members balcony. There was play at 4.15 but then a further interruption fo nasty spotting rain in the wind and then one more spell with less than half the overs. 36 overs had been intended but in the event there was less than half. The view is better than the Members balcony but it was cold so for the second session I was able to get a seat at a window after a mother, her son and two other boys primary school level departed having watched the first quarter of an hour of what proved a three quarter hour session ending at six for the day.

Incidentally the son of this well spoken family spent at least fifteen minutes with his feet on the back of the chair balancing himself on the table in front. He was in danger of toppling the chair and himself quite part from putting his feet on the back rest. His mother said nothing and appeared to ignore the behaviour..

The final day, Saturday was glorious and I forgot to put in suntan but fortunately did not get burnt with the help of a large sun hat. I felt, and was not alone in this that Durham did not score quick enough and went on too long before the declaration. The declared at 240 for 6 just after lunch setting Middlesex an impossible 300 runs to win, which despite 50 overs was not possible on the wicket. Borthwick made 82 after Stoneman 50 and Jennings had put on 68 for the first wicket.

Although Middlesex opener Robson was out with the total 12, Denly never looked challenged and completed the day 73 not out with the other opener Wood making 50. There was some home when the third and fourth wickets went quickly 147 and 154 and again at 194 and 200 but there was insufficient time and Middlesex looked safe for a draw leaving Durham only gained a 2 point catch up on their rivals from this game. Middlesex and Durham do not play this week and Sussex only commenced their game at Notts to day, unfortunately missing the bad weather which has affected other games. They are at home to Notts who are having a hard tine scoring 120 for 6 by tea time and this does not augur well where a draw would be the best result. However I did not appreciate that Patel was not just holding one end but scoring runs and at the close he was 143 not out and were 279 for 7 so it is game on. As predicted Somerset also managed to hold out against Yorks at Taunton but with maximum bonus points and the draw they now head the table played 6 games and 87 points. Sussex are second with their 5 games and 86 points. Middlesex third with 6 games and 85 points and Durham 78.5 both also having played 6 games. Notts if they win against Sussex will come to the 70’s with a game in hand so a draw will help the Durham cause.

I have now booked up to attend the Durham game at Lords in early August and then in September I am going to the Derby Ground for the first time having secured accommodation at the Day’s Inn which is at the ground in a great deal at £30 a night around half price. However I have an amusing tale regarding the last match of the season at Sussex where I discovered that I had booked for period when Sussex is at Durham, 5 nights for £20 in a great deal. I will still go and managed to get a seal with travel Lodge at Worthing and a double room. I shall travel my train and there is a good service from Worthing to Hove for just under £5 a say return although for a few pence more the return can go on to Brighton. So I now have five trips planned before October with a trip to Mansfield in July.

While Durham are doing well in 4 day game their position is bad in the 40 over game with 2 losses and no result to go with two wins, the second of which took place on Monday bank holiday although I gave it a miss. Durham made a good score of 273 for score with Collingwood 79, Stokes 40 and Muchall 57 but then bad weather intervened but fortunately Derbyshire were able to bat for 16 overs making 73 for 3 giving Durham the game under Duckworth Lewis calculations. Chanderpaul played and was out for 11. We may have a harder job in September. I may go to the next home game on Sunday even thought we have no hope of qualifying as the fourth team highest runner up in the three groups even if we win every game left.

I have booked to attend the European team championships being held towards the end of June over two days at the Gateshead stadium costing only £19.50 and under cover albeit on the opposite side to finishing straight. I forgot to check when tickets went on sale for the anniversary games at the Olympic Stadium and of course they are all sold out. Have watched one Warrington Wolves Rugby league where they are third in the table at present. Newcastle Falcons have got back to the Rugby Union Premiership at their first attempt, winning the league and then the playoff final. Not had time or inclination to watch more Indian premier Cricket 20 20 competition, the recent Motor Racing Grand Prix’s the French Tennis Open but did catch a little of the Italian Road race to see how our boys were doing with Sky.

2451 2012-2013 Football Season ends

The football season has ended and for the local teams they survived relegation but only just but at least they both had a hand in settling that it is Arsenal and not Spurs who gained the fourth Championship League position.

There has been one result of great joy as Crystal Palace beat Watford in the play off for the premiership on Monday and return to the top flight after nearly a decade, and also after going into Administration three years ago. I investigated getting a ticket for the home semi final play off game against Brighton which took place on the Friday of my Croydon visit but the released tickets were only available to members and season ticket holders. I listened to the game on the radio which was a draw with Brighton the inform team as Palace had gone through a bad patch losing games and dropping out of a certain promotion position.

As I continually remind I went to watch Palace at Brighton in my youth with a win required to prevent Palace going to the new Fourth Division rather than the Third after the decision to abolish the separate Third Divisions North and South. The loss fuelled rivalry although nothing like the problems with Millwall. On return home I watched Palace win at Brighton through Zaha who after ten years they have sold to Manchester United. He has earned his place in the sun and big money but he gave everything in both games to enable Palace to reach the Play off final which I was able to watch in 3D.

As with most of these finals both teams played cautiously knowing that one goal can settle these encounters and where the stakes because of start up funds and parachute payments if they immediately return, are said to be worth £120 million. As the 90 minutes came to an end, Zaha was brought down in the penalty area and the kick was given Kevin Phillips who had started with the opponents Watford from a league side and then moved to Sunderland where he became a goal scoring favourite and call up to the England squad. Although approaching 40 he was taken by Ian Holloway to strengthen the Blackpool squad during their time in the top flights and attempt to return. Holloway was brought to Palace to replace the manager because of the slide down the table. Holloway had then brought Phillips to Palace and put him on the field with half an hour to play. Phillips smashed the ball into the top of the net with minutes left on the game.

I watched the early part of the FA Cup Final in the President’s Tea Room at the Oval but decided to make my way back to Croydon when rain ended play. I was delighted that Wigan won although they have since been relegated and lost their fine manager. Likely to prove a good candidate for the Everton post vacant after their manager took over at Manchester United after Alex Ferguson retired in glory..

I also watched Chelsea win the lesser of the two European competitions and all four semi finalists and come into the competition have been knocked out of the Champions league. I should have placed my long shot bet on them this year as I did successfully last but went with the heart for Newcastle.

It now seems a long time since going to Newcastle to watch them play at West Ham in a large screen in a pub. The match was not being shown at the pubs/Clubs in my immediate vicinity and having left going out late I decided to take the Metro to Newcastle and find a pub there. It was pleasantly warm and which a coat I was overdressed. Ticket barriers are being installed and on return from the trip to London I visited the local transport shop in Shields for an instant renewal and found that the separate card is being replaced by adding the Metro to the plastic Bus pass which means they will introducing an Oyster type swiping system as they have on some buses.

Previously I have watched a Newcastle game in the bar at the far end of the Gate complex next to entrance to the Casino. This time I followed Newcastle shirts to the two story bar at the entrance where I noticed 18 year old plus only sign at entrance but did not grasp the significance until half time in the game. I had noticed a young woman sitting on a stool to one side on her own behind an area roped off. At the Interval she commenced gyrations to music on a pole and after a few minutes removed her top to reveal she was not wearing bra. All was revealed as they say.

I did not see if there was a similar act in the other corner of the first floor where there was a large HD screen with small screens placed in various parts of the two bars. There were seats, comfortable sofa chairs but these were understandably all occupied as I arrived just as the match was beginning and clutching a dizzy drink purchased on my way in I spent the rest fo the game hugging a wall or holding the back of an sofa’s reluctant to go back to the bar in fear of losing the prized location. The match ended in a 0.0 draw an overall fait result although the ball just about crossed the goal line in a disallowed goal for Newcastle but which goal line technology might have also given the referee the benefit of the doubt.

Newcastle then played already relegated QPR on the Saturday of my London visit, I had attempted to go to a match at the Club the previous year but only members were able to get tickets I addition to season ticket holders so I had joined and received emails but again have only been able to go via the Newcastle away supporters tickets system. However I not realised this game was taking place so listened to the last half on a London radio station. Newcastle won the game by 2 goals to 1 with goals from Ben Arfa and Gouffron. A win which because of other results took then out of the relegation zone and they would relax for the final game of he season, at home against Arsenal. If Newcastle won this game and Sunderland lost at Spurs, then Spurs not Arsenal would take the fourth Champions league spot next season. Because of the interest in both games they were shown split screen by Sky, although I watched both games full screen time to times when it looked that both might take the lead.

Sunderland had achieved safety with two home draws recently. On May 4^th a 1.1 draw against Southampton at home, in match marking the 40^th anniversary since Sunderland won the FA Cup with 11 of the 12 players involved in the game paraded before the game commenced. Unfortunately Sunderland had a woeful first half giving a goal in 9^th minute and then going down to 10 men. However they rallied in the second to get a goal and the draw. On May 12^th there was a home draw against Southampton which placed Sunderland in peril until Wigan lost at Arsenal in the subsequent mid week and also removed the pressure Newcastle at the same time.

As previously reported the main controversy at Sunderland has been over the appointment of Paolo Di Canio because his previous apparent support for Italian Fascism although his clear denial of present day support following the resignations of David Miliband as a Vice president and threatened withdrawal of the Durham Miners, banner (the ground was created above the former Sunderland Coal mine, hence its name as the Stadium of Light and large Miner’s helmet light at the entrance) has had the effect of calming things down.

Spurs should have had a penalty against Sunderland early on as Gareth Bale was pulled down but to compound the injustice he was booked for allegedly diving. Sunderland were further lucky as goal bound shots clipped the posts and rebounded out. However justice came but too late for Spurs with a brilliant goal from Bale, perhaps his last for the club as this talented winger is open to offers from one of the great clubs offering Champions league football next season.

It was too late because Arsenal had already scored at Newcastle to secure their place. Newcastle performed better than the previous two humiliating home games losing 3.0 to Sunderland and then the highest home lost for decades. The problem has been the arrival of those eight Frenchman ad difficulty of creating an effective spirit and play with the threat of relegation. Alan Pardue their manager with his eight year contract appears to have survived talks with the owner, but not so Roberto Mancini at Man City. It is interspersing that he has not survived after winning the League title last year and at Chelsea the Interim manager remained interim despite winning the other European competition whereas Arsenal’s manager has won nothing for five years and survives.

I had no interest in the meaningless friendly between England at Wembley and Eire. This match has not been held for close on two decades as The English Defence league types went over to Eire close on two decades ago and wrecked the stadium, There was no trouble last night in what appears to have been a boring match. England lacks creative players in midfield. I also ought to record that David Beckham is the most well known of a number of seasoned players who retired, The season is best forgotten.

The American ESPN British edition which provided coverage of 18 Premiership games, the Europe Cup competition hence all the Newcastle Games home and away, and the FA Cup has been taken over by BT who have taken over the Media centre at Queen Elizabeth Park, the Olympic Stadium site and are making available its two channels free to those who take the Internet and telephone line package. I will investigate if changing will be worth while.

I decided to do this immediately, At present my Sky Broadband costs £7.50 a month plus £15.85 for line and call package and the ESPN £11 a total of £406.20 a year and £812.40 for 24 months. Although new BT contract 18 month contract for unlimited broadband( not fibre optic infinity) is available the best deal involves paying for the TV line and call package annually at £129 2 years £258. Broad is available at £16 a month with six months free that is £288 for two years a total of £546, a saving of between £150 and £250.Just had a chat with Annabel at BT ( I wonder if she works at the South Shields centre!) and she confirms that the HD version of BT Sports will be available free for one year but still not clear if the standard version will continue to be free. Watch this space.

2450 End of May 2013 notes

I made a mistake and thought this would be my 2500 piece of writing since I commenced to publish aspects of my experience as Artmanjosephgrech first on AOL in their community series, and then on My Space and then Google. I was concerned that I it would not have an epic quality until I remembered it was only 2450 and I have another 50 to go before the 2500 edition. Silly me.

It is the 30^th May and the rain has fallen this morning as it did yesterday and it remains drab and cold although an hour and a half at Wii Fit and Sports has warned me up and got me in the mood to write, a little,

I am not in the mood to take a prolonged stock of the progress in the Artman 101 project or in its ambitious components. What I must record is that in achieving a more balanced life which takes account of the use of the Sleep Apnoea Treatment machine, the Wii Sports and Fit programmes, my continuation of membership of Durham Cricket Club in the so called summer months as well as maintaining a good level of family and other trips and participation in other sport and cultural events, the hours of my 101 project working day have significant reduced with some days almost no activity other than reflection and planning.

A 2500 work does provide the opportunity to consider aspects of my life over a longer timescale than usual. At present I remain content to give priority to new experience and if I ever get back to writing about my life in the form of a book the title Experience Junkie come to mind although my preference is a work writing to Laurence Otter on the more serious and more subjects of my life. The priority is of course to commence the updating of records since several months records was lost when I blew up the desktop following the sudden loss of electrical power in the Street. I hate repeating work completed and this is the numb of the problem.

So after a reminder of what I have been doing since the return from London I will concentrate on Sport.

I am managing to keep an average of 8.3 hours use of the Sleep Apnoea machine having reached 8,4 earlier in the month and over 250 hours for the thirty days and if I keep this up for another couple of days this will show an average in crease of .2 hours over the average for last month. However the quality of sleep is not as good with many wakings some nights and I have felt tired after meals with the drive to work lost muck quicker than recent experience. I have used he machine every night for at least 6 hours since September of last year.

I have also done less exercise at home over the month of May with almost no Wii Fit balance board activity, weighing in with the associated activities and then switching to the Sport programme where I enjoy the challenge. At present I am concentrating on being Artman 102 and attempting to become professional at three hole close having reached over 950 for the first time of any character. As with two other characters I have become professional at Bowling and at present have reached a rating of 1175 with the aim to achieve 1200 or more.

I have only reached the 600s in Boxing suffering two knock outs to date and having to fight hard three round contests including one on points win for the first time. In Tennis similarly the barrier appears to be 750 while in baseball the 500 to 600’s appear to be my limit. I have gained seven bronze medals in the training section and reduce my age to a fitness level of 27, keeping it under 30 for over one week. I will record the high achieved at the end of he months and then change characters and propose to do so on a monthly basis but without increasing the number of characters already registered. I also aim to restart the Balance Board activities in order to register 100 hours of use having 81 and half hours todate.

The daily leafleting had a great impact on weight and I touched 16 stone briefly one morning with hope of getting the weight down to 15 and half by the November Consultant’s visit at the Freeman. However I eased off on the London trip with ice creams, cakes, bread, the buffet lunch and two other good meals the Sunday half Roast chicken and bangers and mash and the two cartons of chips. On return I been inclined to continue with one seven bar pack of Snickers, some Twix cricket match orientated and several packets of peanuts. I have now said stop although not having anything sweet while working at home is proving a great challenge.

I enjoyed roast chicken on Sunday followed by the Curry and then the Stir Fry, alternating with a rack of ribs in barbecue sauce £3 frozen, with lamb and pork, fish remaining the mainstay. I have used up all the sprats which deep friend in batter and bread crumbs add to the fat increase as does the use of Pâté on toast or in rolls with pimento stuffed olives for a tea regular however I restarted to use lettuce and make up prawn on shell and egg salads, but not every day with beans and spaghetti options plus three home baked mini rolls, usually fro the cricket with cheese and pickle, Italian salami and the pate as fillings.

The weather continues be poor to awful with one great warm day at the cricket and a similar day over the Bank holiday although the sun faded around 4 whereas at the cricket it had been blue sky from after dawn until sunset. I managed to get out to back and did a good clean up removing the bulbs that have finished and which flowered moderately. The hyacinths were great and some daffodils but the tulips disappointed. Asda had some plants suitable for my baskets, pots and trays at three packs of four to six plants for £5 and I have purchased 9 packs in total. The disappointment was the broad beans carried over from last year where only one has grown to a plant and the tomatoes from seed. Given the weather and that I am away three times in September with single visits in July and August I am taking a lot key approach to the back this year.

I continue to put off basic household chores but on Friday week an engineer called to maintain the heating systems having reported beforehand that I was having problems with getting hot water and quickly departed saying that I needed a plumber which he arranged to come this morning Monday May 20^th. However it was an experienced engineer who came and spent at an hour in diagnosing the problem and providing a solution so that I now have hot water on demand in a way better than at any time than in the past. It was necessary to dismantle the boiler and the door does not fit properly since which is irritating but I can live with. Today the Water company sent an agent to assess the property for the installation of a water meter which is to be located outside the rear wall close to the mains key. Now to sport but in a separate piece.