2490 Magic dust settles over the Durham Team at Derbyshire Cricket ground September 2013

The outcome of a game of cricket is always unpredictable, especially when the weather can play such a major part. The decision to commence the cricket season early in April when once it commenced in May and then to extend the season until towards the end of September when the latest would be the return of children school at the commencement of September is causing havoc for the County Championship. The decision to extend the playing season is not just the issue of squeezing in more one day games which bring in the revenue to the participating clubs but the hope that even if the weather is not good early on it will be better later and vice versa. There is also the argument that all matches are likely to be affected by the weather so that individual clubs will not gain advantage or be disadvantaged by climate conditions.

After the washout after lunch on Wednesday I took a peek outside the window at the Days Inn around 7 am on Thursday 12^th September to see work going on at the Derby Cricket ground across the way. The square was uncovered and the mopping water machine was at work on the outfield. The atmosphere was brighter but still cloudy.

I have thought more about the interview between the Chairman of the Derby Club and the Derby radio commentator yesterday and appreciate much more how difficult it must be to develop a ground or for the ECB to invest funds where the land is not owned by the club. Given the practical problems about the location of the site in terms of attracting larger audiences particularly while work on the Deddesden Road is ongoing leading to major traffic hold-ups especially at peak hours the idea of a new ground similar to what has happened in relation to Durham and Hampshire appeals. What was of interest yesterday is that the prospect of a move was clearly major news to the long term members and I concluded that rather than using the radio interview as a ploy to push the city council into being more cooperative, it was a way of letting members of the club know what was in the wind, and perhaps something even more concrete. Yesterday evening all the local news was about progress being made to the £27 million velodrome and 5000 or so concert centre being built as part of the Olympic games legacy. Clearly the City had the ability to invest so did they have a question mark about the future of the club located as it on the former Racecourse ground and with a park to the immediate west that was also once part of the race course.

Having only been able to purchase milk, margarine and a loaf of bread at the corner shop yesterday lunch time I used the car to go to Lidl’s at Deddesden at lunch time noting the significant traffic including buses going in the opposite direction into central Nottingham. While the amount suggested that the A52 overpass route might be blocked for some reason and fearing the length of the delay joining in I continued through Deddesden until reaching the join A52 roundabout and yes the route was closed off by a fast police car and a motorcyclist but with no indication why this was being done. Later on the local news I noted there had been a major operation throughout the day arresting drug traffickers in the city.

I therefore joined the queue which fortunately proved more fast moving than original appreciated and although late back for the afternoon session the venture was an overall success purchasing some tomatoes and cheese for fresh sandwiches today and tomorrow and some hard boiled traditional lemon and fruit drops in tins (2 200 gram tins for £2). I resisted cakes, chocolates and such like but forgot some fresh fruit!

The milk purchased the previous day was still Ok for breakfast and using the greater part of the single pint over the two days means little waste and I shall go for a second pint shortly as well as posting the questionnaire response at the post box on the other side of the road by a temporary bus stop. For lunch I used the pate with olives leaving part of a sandwich for tea and the evening meal comprised a tin of baked bean and a tin of rice. Today there will be bread and cheese with tomatoes although I may well go for a meal at the ground.

I watched a programme about a London station catering for an event at Henley and what happens when at the weekend the station closes on Saturday to enable line working. At least individuals are allowed to sleep in at the station on the few benches on the cold floors. I then watched the eviction of two of the celebrities from Britain’s Got Talent, a bunch of characters with limited or no appeal although having watched their arrival it was interesting to see who had departed and who survived for the final show at the weekend.

Now for the cricket where given the promise of a full day’s play there were many more in the ground including a good contingent supporting Durham who were spread around the ground. There was even sun during the afternoon which proved warm to hot.

On the first day I claimed a seat used by regulars on the Members Balcony and enjoyed the chat with Derby supporters who were apprehensive about the outcome of the game. Yesterday I moved to the large temporary, semi permanent stand over the wicket and also enjoyed a similar level of chat from Derby supporters which I prefer which add to the experience and also reminds what a special breed the county championship regular remain, different for the Test and one day Brigades.

The weather forecast continues to change with if anything the weather forecast for Saturday now promising to be a clear day brought forward to tea time this afternoon. Sunday by all accounts will be horrendous and depending on progress today and forecasts I may well pack up and be ready to leave tomorrow after the game ends or the likely draw appears more definite. In fact apart from Taunton where Surrey and Somerset are playing the two most likely relegation candidates along with Derby, drawn games appear the most likely outcome in all games. At Taunton the game looked evens Stephens when at one point Surrey who had managed just under 200 runs after an early collapse had 8 Somerset wickets for almost the same number but then a rally has seen Somerset take a first innings 65 lead. Bad light prevented the Surrey innings going beyond 13 without loss. Notts also batted well to create a draw most likely scenario.

Here the decision to put Derby in on a deceptive looking green wicket with an overcast sky this continued to appear wrong choice until after lunch yesterday when Rushworth 5 for 46 proved the best of the Durham Bowlers with Onions taking 4 for 60 something. Arshad showed inconsistency but took the important wicket of Chanderpaul when he was 53 and total 202 for 2 and which opened the gateway after he and Borrington 75, a young man brought into the team, had an impressive stand of over 100. Derby’s Innings closed at 298, two short of what would have been an invaluable third bonus point with bowler Palladino holding up Durham with 22 in a stand of 50. 50 was also the number of extras with 10 no balls providing 20 and then 10 each from wides, byes and leg byes as Durham struggled find the edge of the bats.

For Durham Stonman started well but as is his want was out after appearing to establish himself scoring on one run more than his County average. Jennings also went leaving Borthwick who looks in fine form scoring 21 with Smith, no (longer Scratcher Smith) 3 so the team had reached 82 for 2 at the close. My view is that unless Durham experiences a collapse they will continue to try and score between four and five and over, first to get the maximum batting points and if this achieved to then open a margin of at least 200 and have a chance of bowling Derby out on Saturday after lunch. The weather as I anticipated from the outset will play the major factor but 11 points the maximum from a draw will see Durham, hold their lead over Yorkshire at the top as long as Yorkshire do not manage to snatch a victory themselves

It is now approaching half past seven on Friday evening and the decision has been taken to return home tomorrow morning after breakfast. It has proved an all round disappointing day. I did not sleep well of but was sufficiently alert to go out for a second pint milk and to post a questionnaire sent by the local Tory Member of the European Parliament. However having reached the post box by the bus stop passing the private Lace Club I found the box was closed because of the ongoing road works. On the way back I found a second corner shop and bought the milk 65p nearly twice that of the local supermarket enjoyed the cereal breakfast made ready for the game going over around 10.50 but with chatting to a door steward the first over was about to commence so waited until this was over to climb the steps to the top of the 1800 seat Falcons stand where I found that one of the regulars from Durham was located. In fact I saw and spoke with two other regulars as well as the organiser of the Durham tours. There were Durham supporters located all around the ground.

From 82 for 2 over night 159 runs were added before Borthwick at 89 hit a full toss from part time bowler Chanderpaul after lunch as it commenced to look that Durham were on their way to getting close to 400 runs within the allotted 110 overs. When Smith was then brilliantly caught short of his 100 the situation was a replica of that the previous afternoon. Perhaps appreciating the similarity Richardson with Collingwood were cautious and the runs came slowly when the predicted rain commenced just before 4 o clock after the tea interval although it was bad light that caused the umpires to lead the players off the field. The rain has continued solidly since. It is my understanding that with Yorkshire scoring more than Sussex at Hove and the home side two wickets down there is the prospect more of Yorkshire win unless Sussex put on a good performance throughout most of tomorrow.

I have been back and forth all day to my room and the car, first making cheese and tomato sandwiches for lunch, then return at tea time but getting going back to the ground just before the game was called off, returning to the room but then deciding that I wanted some soup, bread and cheese for the evening meal with the second tin of rice. I am not sure that all this bread and the cheese has helped my weight although the expense has been limited. There was a party of a dozen well dressed people who arrived at the Cardamom club at lunchtime and afterwards I wondered if this was a group from the City Council meeting the Chairman and officers of the cricket club to discuss the future of the ground as part of the future of club. In theory my weigh should be Ok given the kind of options that have been available. I will see tomorrow or on Sunday although I am prepared for the worst.

On Saturday the atmosphere outside my room was still damp and looked it would remain an unpleasant day for watching cricket, The first options was to pack has planned and go to the game investing in the price of ticket at the fate and reviewing the position at lunchtime as by then the likely draw would be confirmed. I had already ruled the option of staying and taking the opportunity to visit the town centre or go and see some attraction in the county returning to stay for the booked night and then going back on Sunday morning when the weather forecast suggested winds at over 50 MPH along the coast, rain and cold. Back home I could watch England at Cardiff in the 4^th one day Cricket International and there was also Warrington at home in the Challenge Cup play offs. I had ruled out going to Sunderland for the game against Arsenal where it was a cert they would lose, or travelling south to watch Newcastle at the Villa, but I could listen to one on both games depending on how things went.

I was also anxious to watch the next Young Montalbano episode although it was on record. There was also the first appearance of Gareth Bale for Real Madrid. I could watch the X factor Judges auditions at eight and given the weather I would watch the Great North Run on BBC TV rather than walk to the finish standing the rain, wind and the cold.

There was also the possibility of a miracle win given the performance of Durham against, Surrey, Yorkshire and Sussex but this kind of miracle is rare so i decided that even if I missed experiencing it live, I did not mind and it would be embarrassing to witness the humiliation of Derby, with a loyal band of supporters where the season had promised much and then seen their hopes dashed.

So taking all these considerations into account, I enjoyed a cereal breakfast having moved the milk, cereal, tomatoes and cheese inside, packed everything and loaded the car in one visit, sighed and set off, travelling through Deddesden. Having resisted the temptation to stop at Toby Inn by the Travel Lodge for their £3.99 want as much you want breakfast. The M1 was busy most of the way and although I had set off around 9 it was 1 before I needed to stop at the service area before Durham and then made myself a single cheese and tomato sandwich. The service area was packed with Sunderland and Arsenal supporters, including three coach loads. The traffic was very slow from their until the South Shields turn off with both lanes towards Newcastle via the Angel of the North At a crawl. There had been one similar experience which given the two ambulances at the road side plus a motorcycle and car being taken away suggested there had been fatalities.

I called in a Tesco for more milk also purchasing some grapes and some half price porridge oat packs and on arrival checked he post noting the replacement Tesco card and a bank statement, took the car into the lane for find the phone and watered the plants at the same time and then unpacked. I located the charger for the touch screen mobile phone but not the wireless mouse charged the phones and the radio and for the evening meal enjoyed a barely warm ham and pineapple pizza. I will record my experience of the second Young Montalbano separately and enjoyed some of the acts on the X factor. Charlotte the Geordie self proclaimed slag for Geordie shore won celebrity Big Brother before an hysterical crowd of the moronic the previous night. Andy Murray has won a single and the doubles in the Davis Cup round against Croatia for us to take a 2.1 for today’s two singles after Dan Evans had lost his tie.

Sunderland managed to equalise against Arsenal despite being overwhelmed for most of the game and the 2,1 loss leaves then at the bottom of the table. Newcastle despite their inability to score goals early on go from strength to strength and technically are equal second with seven points but in 8^th position with Man City leading the group followed Man United, Chelsea and Stoke. At the moment Arsenal and Spurs from North London head the table on 9 points but Liverpool presently third also have 9 from their three games and will take a good lead if they win their game away to Swansea on Monday evening. Warrington also took a good stride in the Challenge Cup with a 40 to 20 win at home against Leeds to reach he Semi Final.

I listened to cricket along the journey home as England after putting Australia in to bat in Cardiff had Finch out at I and Watson 11 and then March and Clark followed when the total was only 51 and 57. England had keep pressure on the openers through Finn and Rankin and after Durham’s Ben Stokes was hit for two fours and a total of 10 runs in his first over he had Watson caught by Butler and then bowled several overs for a few runs. However Australia were not beaten into a low score as Bailey after taking care commenced to score freely targeted Treadwell and Bopara hitting 3 sixes and 5 fours in his 87. However when there was talk of the total getting as high as 250 and more Wade, Faulkner, Johnson, and then Bailey ere dismissed with Treadwell getting revenge with three wickets ending 3 for 53. The innings ended at 227 and a very gettable target despite balls rising unexpectedly.

There would have been a shock in the good crowd at Sophia Park when Petersen was out followed by Trott and Root in successive balls and England were 9 for 3 Oh No. It was Carberry, nervous at first who kept steady with captain Morgan and the two reach their 50 but then Morgan went 53 and Carberry for 63. Josh Butler has promised some big hitting before but this time played the brilliant innings of contest hitting 65 not out and closing the game with a massive six. From onoy 48 balls. He was joined by Ben Stokes ho also looked as if was to close the game not out having made 25 from 29 when he was bowled showing a lack of concentration or perhaps the excitement of the occasion after taking his first International wicket at the top level. The England win levelled the series 1 all with two games with the result all now hanging on the final game on Monday at Hampshire.

So what was happening in the County championship. Surrey who I had hoped would rally against Somerset always looked second best especially after only making 197nin their second innings setting Somerset just over 130 runs to win which they achieved for the loss of three wickets. This leaves Surrey rooted at the bottom of the table although they still have two games to play against the remaining games of Derby and Somerset. Middlesex were able to draw against Notts thus removing the pressure on Notts who play Durham at the Emirates Riverside next week before going down to London on the Friday for the 40 over Final against Glamorgan at Lords on the Saturday.

There was a questionable attempted end tot eh game at Hove where Yorkshire enabled Sussex to reach a massive 333 for under 50 overs with Nash not out 167 and Hamilton Brown 126 leaving Yorkshire to get 300 in something like 57 overs, Presumably they knew the weather forecast was bad and wanted to entertainment for those who had at the gate.

There was at least one stop for rain before bad light and then rain ended play with Yorks only 81 for the loss of two wickets and with the total points for batting, bowling and the draw, the total points and with Durham all out bowled out for 326 in their second Innings Derbyshire progressing to something like 20 for 1 at the luncheon break as I was pulling into the service area outside of Durham City on the AIM a similar draw would see the position of the two teams at the top of table remain as they had been before the matches started.

Then the magic dust was spread over the Durham supporters present at the ground as Onions reminded the selectors what he had to offer adding another five wickets for 23 runs to the four of his first innings as Derby collapsed losing nine wickets before the scheduled tea interval to be all out for meagre 63 so that Durham had only 27 runs to gain for a remarkable victory and almost seal the County Championship for the third time in their short 21 year history, thus destroying Boycott’s hopes of another win in their 150 year and his chairmanship of the cricket Committee or it may even be the club himself.

Now for the facts and figures. It will be remembered that Durham commenced the day seeking to gain as many bonus points a possible within the 110 overs permitted. They were all out to the excellent bowling of Palladino who took 6 for 90. Onions match total was therefore 9 for 85 with Rushworth also have a great match with a total of 8 for 78. Arshad who was punished for his one wicket with 63 runs finished off Derbyshire with 2 for 2 in 2.1 overs and is at the top ten of the averages with 13 wickets fro around 10 runs.

Now to the Championship table where Durham top with 225.5 and nine wins todate the highest number of wins in any of their previous seasons including when they won the Championship. Surely Paul Collingwood will be noted at one the five top cricketers in the Whitakers Annual? Obviously if the Championship is secured possibly later this week at home against Notts or away at Hove against Sussex. It can be expected that Yorkshire with 194 points, more than one win points below Durham can be expected to win their home game against Middlesex at Headingley.

A win by Yorkshire with say 8 bonus points would see them on 216 so even if Durham lost they with say only 6 bonus points they would have 227.5 so that even if they also lost the last game and Yorkshire could onoy draw at Surrey Durham would still remain at the top and Champions. This is the measure of the position they now have. Just as crucial for the top as well as the bottom of the table visit of Surrey to Edgbaston next week.

At present Surrey are bottom with 193 points 17 points adrift of Derbyshire who have 120 but who have only one more game to play as do Somerset on 136 with Notts with two games on 132. I was banking on Surrey winning at Somerset so that they and Derbyshire went down retaining Notts and Surrey for visits next season. I had always believed that Surrey will win against Yorkshire at the Oval in their last game of the season weather permitting. If they win both games they could reach 150 points which would see them only in safety if Somerset lose away to Notts in their last game and even with a draw they could pip Somerset depending on bonus points. Notts themselves if they lose badly at Durham could find themselves below 140 points and depending a good draw to avoid the relegation fate, something which it is worth reminding every cricket commentator suggested could be Durham’s fate when they predicted at the beginning fo the season. This the relegation could prove more interesting as the season ends that the Championship. I hope so

2489 Films Prometheus, Cuba, Total Recall, Jack Reacher and sport up date

It is three weeks since I commenced to write that I had experienced more films and TV since last reporting than first appreciated hence deciding to add a separate writing to the 2483 although I had spent the day preparing for the already reported trip to Scarborough for the top of the table clash between Durham and Yorkshire at two overnights and working out car parking issues as well as out locations.

I have also been to Derby and back to watch Durham whereas when I commenced this writing I was still on my way to Scarborough reflecting on the weeks ahead.

I mentioned that I proposed to pack and set off as soon as I could with the registration time is 3pm, returning after the third day in order to attend the 20 20 games between England’s ladies in the morning and the men in afternoon against Australia and then with only the Sunday to prepare I am off Brighton, a mistake, while Durham play Sussex at home although I will return a day early in order to try and catch the last day of the game. Then It is Derby for the championship game there although following the results of the final day of 40 40 games I may go early staying at Nottingham on the Monday evening if their semi final against Somerset is to be played on the Monday evening. The alternative date us Saturday which I may also consider depending on the availability of accommodation at a good price. As reported I came back from Scarborough at tea on the third day anticipating a draw onoy for the team to have a glorious win which was followed with a second glorious three day win against Sussex, immediately followed by a day of hard rain throughout yesterday

I decided against going to the Riverside for the last game in the competition being played by Durham against Surrey and where I was advised there would be opportunity to experience both levels of the main pavilion extension for the first time, mainly because members who have paid for the five year subscription could bring up to six non members for free. Durham had an ordinary start but then amazingly Smith and Muchall scored an extraordinary epic last quarter doubling the total with Smith 120 not out from 79 balls and Muchall 52 from 54 with 275 for 5 from their 40 over and then dismissing Surrey who gave some of their youngsters the chance for 142 from only 30 overs. The match counted for nothing but was a good workout before Yorkshire. As I anticipated Durham would have had to have won all their last three games to have been able to progress to the quarterfinals when in fact they would have had a home tie edging Notts who would have also gained the fourth team spot. I will watch the two games on TV commencing with Glamorgan who I hope will win against Hampshire who are at home.

Danny Evans a struggling British tennis player rated around 175 among professionals has beaten in straight sets the 12 seeded player in the US open earlier today 26^th August 2013 and Laura Robson also won her first round math in two straight sets while still recovering from her recent injury. Both also won their next games but lost in the third round. Andy Murray was thrashed in the quarterfinals leaving the prospects of a Nadal - Djorkovic final

The British Football season is well underway with the first three games played and an extraordinary transfer frenzy in which Gareth Baele became the most expensive player ever with a fee of 100 million euros and personal payments said to be £300000 a week or over £15 million a year. Sunderland under De Canio has bought new players in quantity something they seem to have done for the past decade hoping for a mix that will work. They lost to Fulham at home on the first day, managed a draw and then lost so with only one point in they are second bottom with West Brom while promotion victors Cardiff have fared better with an historic win at home against Manchester City and so with also a draw they are mid table along with Newcastle who failed to score in the greater part of their three games but managed to win against Fulham with two late goals after being thrashed by Man City in their first game. Liverpool have had a great start and head the table with three out of three wins with Chelsea 7 points and Man City, Arsenal, Stoke and Tottenham with six followed by Manchester United without Alex Ferguson on 4 heading the group which includes Newcastle. I am away in Sussex when Sunderland and Newcastle have home ties in the third round of the League Cup with Newcastle entertaining Leeds. England a good win in the latest World Cup Qualifier at Wembley but the next game is crucial when they play Ukraine away, one point behind and played 7 out of the ten in this part of the competition. Win this and they should win the group outright with home games to follow against the weaker clubs of Poland and Montenegro. A draw would also be OK.

As the Rugby League regular season draws to a close Huddersfield look like gaining the title from Warrington who now face a season without a trophy unless they will the top of the league challenge Cup something they have failed to do despite all their other recent success. Newcastle Falcons retuned to the premier League of Rugby without much confidence having lost their best player and losing at home to Bath a home without scoring last night. The final round of the Diamond League top flight in Athletics came to an end without British success and without the appearance of Mo Farrah who is to run in the Great North Run next Sunday. Weather permitting I shall be there. So after the sporting catch up I am ready to remember the first batch of films

I have discovered that I am yet to write my reactions to the film Prometheus, which was rightly regarded as a major blockbuster release in 2012 as a prequel to the Alien film series.

The film is set in the future in 2089 when archaeologists discover an ancient map in Scotland which matches others found in other locations of ancient culture where there is no evident link. This leads to the conclusion that the maps indicate the origin of other world visitors providing information to be followed when earth technology became sufficiently advanced. The suggestion is that the visitors created humanity and a mission to investigate is privately financed and led by the Chief Executive of the organisation who with the rest of the crew go into the condition of statis during the four years of the voyage controlled by an android who at the appropriate time brings them back.

Unbeknown to the archaeologists and other crew members the elderly and dying sponsor has also come on the trip giving instructions to the CEO who is his daughter and controlling the android in the hope fo finding a way of regeneration.

The first discovery is that an “originator” being still exists in a condition of statis in a space ship and who is resurrected by the new arrivals.

The second is that this is not the home planet but a forward military base of the creature .

The third is that purpose of the resurrected creature is to return to earth and destroy the progeny of their creation, although why is not known.

The fourth is this advance bases was itself attack and the creatures almost all eliminated by another creature, the aliens of the Alien films, creatures that enter and take over the human body and that the Android has deliberately infected one of the archaeologist couple who dies horrible but before he has sex with his partner who believed to be sterile suddenly finds herself pregnant and realising what is happening performs a surgical abortion to rid herself of one of these embryonic horrible creatures.

With everyone else dead one way or the other, she manages to survive and we see her setting off not for earth but to the home planet of the originators to try and find out why they created humanity and then wanted to end it.

I viewed this Ridley Scott film in 3D on Sky TV and regretted not experiencing in theatre, Naomi Repace plays the heroine with Charlize Theron the CEO daughter and Michael Fassbinder as the Archaeologist partner. The film is well constructed and presented with the characters and situations credible. I will look out for the next edition.

I remember little to nothing of the first of two Tom Cruise films with the first, Treasure Guards made for TV 2011 and also featuring an archaeologist, played by Anna Friel who uncovers an ancient parchment in a Jordan excavation buried in an ancient Temple and which is thought to reveal the location of the Seal of Soloman which according to legend was given to King Soloman by God. The film is of the Indian Jones genre and is not surprising that when news of the discovery emerges various interests, including her father and other more dark interests get into pursuit which leads to many dangers before the mystery is unravelled. I remember it was engaging if somewhat predicable fun with supernatural twists. I will leave the second Cruise, a much darker and more serious film, Jack Reacher until later.

Next another science fiction film which like Prometheus is set in the future, five years earlier 100 years after 1984, a date chosen by design. Total Recall with Colin Farrell Kate Beckinsale and Bill Nighy is remake of the 1990 film with starred Arni, and Sharon Stone in which Schwarzenegger commutes between Earth and Mars,

In the latest version the earth world has been devastated by global war leaving only two habitable areas Britain which appears to be a thriving contemporary society of the wealthy and centre of government and the Colony based on Australia and the two are connected not by flight through air and space but a rocket type of cylinder travel through the core of the earth, One of the commuting factory workers between “worlds” learns of an enterprise capable of give you memory implants which give you a different and sought after identity, and in this this instance that of secret agent.

The programme only works if the character provides an honest account of themselves and background but in this instance the programme is stopped because it identifies that the subject was in fact a former spy who had been given a government version of the programme to provide his present identity as a factory worker.

The government alerted by the programme’s operation send forces to eliminate all those connected to the programme provider in addition tot he subject and when the worker escapes and returns to his wife, she immediately tried to kill him.

He learns that she is not wife but a government agent living with him since his memory change only six weeks before. Who is he and why must he now be killed? Especially as the woman he believed to be his wife now leads to manhunt to capture and kill him.

He discovers he had a telephone link embedded in his hand which leads him to discover a recorded message about himself and the apartment he owned. He removes the telephone to avoid being traced. He is helped to get to his apart where he finds he can play the piano and this leads to another recorded message about his true identity ? He was a lading agent working for the deputy leader of the state control who defects the resistance group seeking independence for the Australian colony. His capture led to the memory transfer but not his death, moreover he remembers a plot to invade the colony with robotic police troops to clear areas of people to provide more living space for the free people of Britain state. There is a way to stop the invasion but he needs the help of the resistance leader played by Bill Nighy. However the astute watchers will know that given the basic premise of the film it is impossible to establish what is true and what has been implanted.

There is then a convoluted series of incidents about who is good who is bad who is friend and who is foe and what is implanted memory and what has been real and remains real. There is confusion between dream, memory, fantasy and for one remain confused about the conclusion to the story except that he and his woman friend appear to survive, the invasion if it was ever taking place appears to be stopped and some of those who appear baddies are killed. The film is played straight with intended political, social and philosophical questioning above my pay grade, as they say.

I am impressed with the film Cuba seen on TV, despite the usual avuncular performance of Connery as a soldier of fortune hired by the Batista government to advise on combating the march of Castro. The film captured he atmosphere of a country where almost all the people apart from those wedded to the corrupt and criminal regime supported the revolution and where those participating in this haven for the mafia were progressing their exit plans. The complication for Connery which the film more that a historical reconstruction is that he finds the love of his life had married the son of the leading cigar and rum manufacturer who was something of playboy tending to bed whoever appeared willing in the enterprises he controlled separately from his father who had quickly come to appreciate that it was his daughter in law with commercial good sense. There are good laughs bordering on farce which retain credibility. Denholm Elliot plays another “aviator” of fortune who tries to leave the Island with a plane crammed with Havana cigars.

Connery finds that he ahs not role to play other than to watch Castro take over and his employers free and it is the former love that decides it is time to junk her husband and reattached herself to Connery but only as an encore deciding her place is to stay in her homeland and work for the people through the revolution. Connery leaves a wiser man.

Against expectation I also enjoyed the first translation of the Jack Reacher books to the cinema screen. The film stars Tom Cruise as Reacher and he also was one of the film producers. The film is based on Lee Miller first book one

Cruse plays Reacher a former US intelligence officer who has freed himself from the life but quickly appears in touch and connected to what happens when a former colleague is arrested for what appears the random killing of several people. Reacher is then hired/used by the person appointed to defend the accused who does not remember what happened but feels responsible given the evidence presented again him.

The film opened with a man driving a van into the top of a multi story car park and paces a coin in the parking machine then goes to the roof area across a river towards a park where he takes aim with a sniper riffle with a number of people in the park, a man who a bench, a jogger and then commences to shoot those he viewed through the sights.

The plot is open to lost of questions, particularly that the police so quickly able to identify the location of the car park and that the particular coin used with the print of the former US army sharp shooter as well as the van was in his possession. The man remains silent but then writes down Get Jack Reacher. The young woman assigned to defend the former army man is the daughter the District Attorney to finds reasons why he should not be executed in what appears to everyone an open and shut case. The alleged perpetrator is brutally attacked into a coma when in custody by other prisoners and with no subsequent memory he accepts the evidence against him,

Reacher is not convinced first that the location used by the alleged assassin was the actual one, preferring another, implying that the man has been framed, especially via the coin the use of which does not make rational sense. He investigates the lives of the victims and ‘reaches’ the conclusion that one of those shot was intended and the others use to give the impression of someone going berserk. He also traces the accused to a gun club shooting range owner by a former marine who after Reacher proves his own skill is prepared to help and confirms the suspicion that the behaviour of the alleged accused does not fit what is known of him and he agrees to help.

The villain is identified as a Russian heading a front business whose experience in a Gulag has hardened and who employs ruthless henchman who proves a match for Reacher but who breaks him in the end after the lawyer is kidnapped with a senior police officer double dealing in the pay of the villain. She is rescued and the film reveals that Reacher owes the alleged perpetrator a debt in relation to something unexplained which happened when they served together. The way the film ended I concluded there would be one more sequels unaware that the film was based on a series of adventure novels, The film was in the category of OK. There are so many more films and TV programmes and shows to cover I will have to continue separately. This was finished writing only on September 12 and uploaded

2484 Visiting Derby to watch Durham part 1

It is my intention to complete at one of the two pieces of writing commenced before setting out on my latest trip to the midlands to watch cricket, Durham at Derby is the third last match of the 2013 season and crucial to both teams with Durham presently heading the championship table by a good margin of points and Derby one the teams likely to be relegated to the second division. Before setting off I was aware that the weather forecast for the region and indeed for the cricket playing countries involved in the battle for the championship, for relegation and promotion from Division II was not good with the most likely outcome being draws all round. This placed greater emphasis on gaining bonus point and also meant that I needed to plan for what to during rained off time.

I had one advantage on this occasion having booked accommodation at the Days Inn, within the cartilage of the Derby Cricket Ground although the Motel and the adjacent huge Virgin Active centre are on land either sold by the council or let by the Council, and the club are tenants of the local authority and as I was to learn on the first day of the cricket, the future location of the club was in question with a potentially crucial meeting to be held on Friday afternoon. Having room so close to the ground, especially with a view over the ground although the greater part of the wicket and grounds closest to me was obscured by the only covered public stand .

I commenced write the original work at 17.45 on Tuesday 10^th September 2013 while enjoying some small rolls baked before setting off with Leerdammer light cheese and drinking lemonade from the flask before watching England’s vital game in the World Cup qualifying competition although intending to switch over at half time to watch New Tricks if not fully engaged by the football.

Earlier at the regular stop Midland’s I was in no mood for chicken and bacon salad and tempted by sticky barbecue chicken I tried a new dish of a chicken breast with a mushroom and Madeira sauce and stuffed with bacon and something else plus new potatoes in skins and peas which was delicious.

I prepared well on Monday, or at least I though I had done so fitting in to the Freeman hospital for a replacement Sleep Apnoea Treatment machine face mask. However I did not check the petrol and only spotted the empty light as I was in the Tyne Road Tunnel with no petrol garage on the way except when travelling in the opposite direction of the dual carriageway and uncertain if there was a petrol station at the Sainsbury situation near the Hospital.

　

　

　

Heading for the second public car park I was confused by another visitor who pointed to the large notices warning that only staff with permits could use the park. As another visitor clarified this meant that staff could not use the visitor‘s park unless they had a permit to do so and not that the car park was restricted only to staff with permits if you what I mean.

It took less than a minute for a technician to exchange the posted mask for the correct one and before departing the building I made my way along internal corridors through the crowded standing only out patient areas to the main reception entrance for a cup of coffee £1.20 at the refreshment counter run by the WRVS.

Still anxious about the lack of petrol I was relieved to see a notice just before then entrance to Sainsbury that petrol was available and at under 140 pence a litre. I filled up £46 and having increased the credit on the Tyne Tunnel pass fixed to the inside of the windscreen within the past couple of months I sailed through noting the standard charge is now £1.40 with using the pass a reduction of at least 20 pence. I had hoped to m using the Tunnel again in the evening to watch a relay of the Carmen Opera from the Sydney Harbour Bridge but the Odeon Silverlink was not listed or any other Odeon within each reach. I did for get to purchase a pint of milk and this would provide a challenge later.

Over the past two days I have organised a visit for the boiler service although I thought this was undertaken on the repair visit for the water system and ordered a replacement Tesco card and the transfer of the available points. I have also restocked on tins and some frozen foods and including some fried onions which I forgot to try on Sunday saving the second helping for Monday. Had a barbecue ribs dish with jacket potatoes and some veg from Saturday which proved too much so I left and binned rather than over do which I thought good although I hate wasting food.

The main activity has been registering completed sets commencing events which took some time after I made mistakes with the numbering. I then needed to reorganise the content of creative sets before registering and then list the titles of Blogs and printing out the list as well printing out the list of sets in sequential order of completion. I still have to update from the data loss the Record Record and confidential sets as well as completing to more Development sets which I hope to register on my return although with the Notts game and then the visit to Sussex getting back up to date may have to await my return although then the priority becomes the great work about which confidence grows.

Another activity completed yesterday was to create a diary of arranged and possible activities for the rest of September through to December where apart from my trip to Croydon and Sussex towards the end of the month I have no further away trips until Christmas when I back in the midlands. There are plenty of good football matches coming up on Sky and for those on BT and those not on Sky which interest and held during the day I may go out to Newcastle and Sunderland if I cannot find somewhere in Shields. There are several live relay cinema showings of interest with the Habit of Art and Tosca the most look forward too.

There is an excellent programme of public lectures and concert at Newcastle University but so far no repeat has been announced of the Sunderland series which I missed for various reason last year. I did see news of the BBC 3 Thinking weekend series of programmes at the Sage with tickets becoming available with the final programme later this month. There is also great progress in the riverside park site in South Shields but no announcement about the opening of the new sea front leisure centre. But as I say my priority for October onward is writing and the associated research.

Having visited the cricket ground last month the only aspect which concern was the way into Days Inn site and this proved no problem as it next to the Virgin Activity centre. There were plenty of parking spaces and I was able to use one close to the Reception entrance. I did note that a square of spaces had been closed off with cones and these are presumably for the Cardamom Club which is on the car park side of the hotel but an integral part of the building. The club boast fine and gourmet food and appears to have 100 tiered seats for when there is entertainment and a champagne and Cocktail bar suggesting £100 a person standard nights out.

My room is compact but excellently furnished with a quality finish from matching bedspread and curtains, two contemporary wall print blocks, telephone, armchair as well as desk chair, good changing, clothing and baggage storage and the a bathroom with style with an interesting bath shower unit. There is a large fan and a hair dryer, The location of the hotel on a busy main road means there is traffic noise even overlooking the cricket ground when the window is open.

In the evening I part watched the England game away to Ukraine which ended a 0.0 draw and a good result which means we should head the table by winning the last two games. Instead of watching the second half I turned to New Tricks which proved another excellent episode covering the political victory of New Labour in 1997 and the death of a researcher who was running away to a new life with the young wife, a Bosnian horror refugee, who businessman husband was genuinely supportive of the girl he had met at a gentleman’s club with membership £10000 annually providing young partners from Eastern countries whose organiser ensured the young women continued to pay for their rescue. The killer proved to be the politicians senior aide and now Labour party big wig, manslaughter covered up and the girl produced an adolescent boy to the mother of the murdered man, her grandson.

The weather forecast suggests outbreaks of rain but in the afternoon with the temperature better depending on the level of cold wind. I shall rise at least by eight and investigate if I can secure a seat in the member’s pavilion from 9 and also the meal plan for the day .

It is just before 7 on the 12^th anniversary of 9/11 and my Sleep Apnoea use was just 8 hours and I am back to 8.1 hours for the month after reaching a low of 8.0 yesterday. It is 9/11 and I reflect on two recent documentaries seen on Channel 4. One involved 14 individuals including a black woman where two firemen remained in the building knowing they needed to get out and back to their families but who stayed to help her down as she became slower and where she pleaded them to leaver when she needed to rest but they stayed and lived to tell the tale when others who continued to exit were crushed. In another instanced mentioned in the documentary a senior officer went back into the building when he realised one of his men had not exited with all others who were still there and he ordered them to remain and get away while he went back inside but they refused and followed and all also survived when the building collapsed as floors came down with the increasing domino effect but somehow they survive in the central stairwell and moreover when hours later the dust commenced to clear they could see a shaft of sun light which presumable also them to get out a mayday signal. The story was also told through the eyes of two women one a girl friend who had been warned to get away from the area and who went to his fire station for news, anticipating the work and then learning of his survival. Of course there were after effects, briefly referred to. The interviews were shot in the comparatively small flat of one of the survivors who persuaded all the others to return and tell their story, a story they had been unwilling to share until now.

The second story was a correction to the Hollywood film World Trade Centre which I saw in theatre and which tells the story of the mystery man who with subsequent help was responsible for finding two other firemen alive who were buried in the rubble after the collapse of the second tower The films follows the lives of the two firemen as they commenced their day and left their families.

Ten years later a man who had moved away from the area with his family saw the film and realised it was his story. He had not spoken to anyone about his role that day and the reason for coming forward after seeing the film is that unlike the film he was black and also a US marine who gone to help out if could after learning that the US had been attacked. The documentary shows him meeting up with the two men and their families after the revelation and mentions the apology from the film director for not disclosing information which they had known to be accurate.

It is 3pm in September 11th and I am back in my hotel room with no play since just after the luncheon interval and little prospect of play over the next hour at least and possibly longer. Durham won the toss on what looked a greenish wicket in overcast condition and captain Collingwood no doubt hoped for early success. Apart from one opener bowled by Rushworth the Derbyshire batsmen appeared little troubled by Durham who in general were not bowling at their best after discovering they were getting little help from the wicket. The home side were 99 for1 when the rain came.

After breakfast in the car comprising cereal with milk purchased last night I contemplated going into Chaddesden for rolls and margarine just after 8 am but the traffic around the roundabout especially back from Chaddesden was such that I returned to my place in the Days Inn car park. I reconsidered a trip ay lunch time but by then Durham supporters who had driven up early for the cricket had filled the car park so again I decided against moving the car and took the short work to the local store where I purchased the margarine and a loaf of bread for just under £3. And will make up salami sandwiches with olives for this evening and pate bread spreads to morrow. I will review what I do for Friday. I had a late lunch to day if sausage, chips and beans for £4.25 around 2pm after the main lunchtime rush had cleared in the ground tea rooms as they are called.

Over lunch I listened to part of the interview between Radio Derby and the Derbyshire Cricket club chairman who discussed the ground development proposals and the possibility of moving the club to elsewhere in the County unless the City Council became more supportive over development proposals with a meeting with city officials this coming Friday. He dismissed talk of a proposal for the early season championship game to be played in France because of better weather conditions and presumably to also encourage the development of the game across the channel. The issue has not been discussed with the Chairman of clubs.

I had positioned myself on the member’s balcony just by one of the entrances and had conversations with Derby members on both sides who after their performance at the Emirates feared the worst, especially as they had been put in. As I commented at the lunch break they could enjoy the period having survived the morning and likely the first day, the weather given what it was likely to be. On return to the room I had further problems with the key card until I worked out the green light only came on and the door released when by inserting and immediately removing. Silly me, Just as well as I needed to leave the room to go tot eh car for the bread and margarine to make salami sandwiches and to return the margarine and boxes to the vehicle as well as later go for an iced Pepsi the salty salami having created a great thirst after droning the rest of the lemonade last night and this morning and not venturing far because of the continuous and unpleasant rain. I am thirsty still and tempted to venture

down stairs again for some plain iced water<

At present I am unaware of what has happened the other important county championship games as there was no reference on 5 live and 5 live extra stopped broadcasting after the third England and Australia gamed needed after the England innings of 15 overs at 55 or so for 3 with the rain and the game was abandoned. I did manage it to briefly get the internet on line to check the email but then cut out.

The highlight of the evening was Do you think you know who you are South Shields Sarah Milligan who forged a nationally recognised career for herself after her marriage broke up and wanted to know if her family had always lived in the north east and she discovered two to great great ancestors. The first born Whitstable on the South East Coast is shown to have been a diver and this leader her finding that he was one the first divers anywhere in world which commenced at Whitstable and led him to join an expedition to Holly Island where there had been a major sinking and loss of life off Holy Island involving a passenger steamer from Hull. Sarah was initially concerned that her ancestors had profited from raising belonging of those who died at the going rate of 40% but a notice in the Shields Gazette reveals that he brought up belongings free so they could be sold to provide for children orphaned in the tragedy.

The man had stayed in The North gaining secure and respected employment on River Tyne locating wrecks and other underwater threats to shipping. He had married and had five children but there was no money as thought at one time within the family.

The second relative was born in the Orkney islands and had then accepted a five year contract as a labourer with the Hudson Bay Fur company in Canada but because if competition had been sent across country in winter 350 miles to an outpost at Albany but because local fishing failed to provided enough food the ancestor and been sent back only for the man to found almost dead and with severe frostbite by an indigenous local. However it was necessary to sever both feet to save his life. He had eventually returned to Britain where he married and had children. Both men had triumphed over great adversity and both men were shown to have had good hearts, married and raised children, with good messages for Sarah to be proud of.

I have noticed a new direction in the most recent editions of this excellent series where the basic information about a family tree is found out in advance by a professional genealogist rather than showing or encouraging individuals to undertake this aspect themselves and thus reducing business for this growing profession as a consequence of the programme although as from my experience the professional genealogist can make mistakes, especially if they are acting for someone at a distance.

The programme is now concentrating on individuals within family trees who offer the prospect of recorded occupational or other information such as travel information of interest which is of interest to the subject and will make good programme viewing. In the instance of an Asian Indian whose family had been an Kenyan Asian the subject about whom I missed the introduction and therefore knew nothing of his celebrity nature. The programme went first to Kenya to learn why his grandparent had come to England and also to India to learn something why the move was originally made to Kenya. The majority of those of Indian nationality came to Kenya when recruited by the British to build a railway and where the work was such that an very high percentage were killed or severely injured and only a small proportion elected to stay when their contract ended. His grandparent had become an early general shop keeper in on the new towns that had sprung up along the railway line. When the country gained independence the Indian population were given the opportunity to stay and become full citizens of the new state, giving up their British passport or losing their ability to own property and occupational status, Many chose to come to the UK and many if not the majority opened the local all hours corner store as well as the Indian food restaurant and Indian food supply provisions that play such an important role in our community today, although many of their generation have progressed into all aspects of the employment society. Back in India he went to the village of his roots bringing him a better sense of identity and understanding of the courage and effort of his ancestors. In the instance of his mother/grandmother he learned that her mother had been a child bride at the age of six to a boy of ten and that although she borne many children only 2 survived, unusual even for India likely because of the very young age when she was likely to have commenced giving birth.

It is now Thursday September 12 and we shall see if it is to be a cricket day let alone a good cricket day from the Durham viewpoint.