Coralea Arrives

My family told me I was 38 yesterday, I didn’t believe them until I turned up my birth certificate. Middle age is but a moment away, yikes.

Thankfully Chris usurped my birthday celebrations by announcing that Taisha had given birth to Coralea in New York late the night before (28th). They were on their way for a tour of the maternity ward when a shunt from the car behind wrote the car off and had the hospital whipping out Coralea sharpish. Talk about arriving in style, she’s her father’s son alright.

Noisy Neighbours

Oh joy, noisy neighbours with attitude. 16 year old kid’s gangsta bass shakes the dust from our curtain rails while 14 year old sis prefers dance music that shudders the floorboards. Quiet word with father didn’t really come off, he cranked up the sound to his late night movie by way of reply.

Neighbours the other side of him inform Environmental Health, kind of them to put their head above the parapet. I’ll keep the ladder steady while they go over the top, I might not win a medal but have the consolation of keeping my head on my shoulders.

Villa v Fulham

I can't remember enjoying a match so much. It was only Fulham, and their paltry away following lent nothing to the atmosphere, but the sunshine, a good seat and all out attack from Villa second half combined well. Ashley Young? Tremendous, talk about direct, didn't square a ball all game, the way it should be. 2-1 Villa, get in.

Sat with Roy and his son (Mark) and grandson (Alex) in the North Stand. Stu couldn't make it, mate's wedding in Falmouth. Called him once the 89th minute winner hit the net, he didn't hear a word, bedlam drowned me out.

St Thomas FC pre-season

Started our pre-season training about a fortnight after last season finished. You can never get enough football. A lot of new faces bringing a fresh feel, let's hope they're around when it's not a balmy summer's evening but a freeze your nuts off December night.

Competition for places is high, what does the boss do? Appease everyone by rotating the squad or stick to his best eleven and risk losing fringe players? That's what he's paid all that money for I suppose (!). Pre-season friendlies result in three defeats and a draw. Hmm, could be a long season...