I paid a visit to a local retail park at the weekend and was extremely frustrated to find that so many other people had decided to do the same thing that the car park was grid locked. Getting a space was a major triumph, getting out again was a serious drama. I was only there because my partner needed to pick up a car part at Halfords and I had thought I might take a wander around TK Maxx whilst he made his purchase. Never again! Continue reading
Back in the 1970’s I was a teenager at Grammar School and a major sports fan. When the school organised a trip to watch the tennis as Wimbledon I was the first student to put my name down for a place. I don’t think that I was aware of just what a special era for the sport it was at the time but I do know that it has never been the same since, at least not for me, and that is mainly because of one player. Continue reading
I’ve never been the biggest fan of horses. There are multiple reasons for this, but namely it comes down to trust issues. Horses are big, smart animals and just looking in their eyes you can see that they’re sussing you out! Regardless of this fact there have been a few points in my life where I felt as though I’d give them another chance and, sure enough, just as things start to go well it quickly falls apart leaving me with a lower regard than I had previously. Continue reading
I discovered the joys of watching football in Italy almost by accident. Back in 2001 my team, Liverpool, drew Roma in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup. I had always wanted to see the Stadio Olimpico as it had been the venue for two of Liverpool’s European Cup finals. I had missed both glorious victories and was keen to get a taste of what it would have been like to be in the stadium. The draw presented me with my opportunity. Continue reading
It has to be said that neither I nor my golfing friends are players of any great skill. We are perfectly capable of some great shots from time to time and have even delivered some impressive rounds but things don’t always go entirely to plan. Whilst we have had some wonderful days golfing we have also had a few mishaps. None of these involved a fatality or anything truly drastic but we have had to explain a damaged club house, injured wildlife and some very strange behaviour! Continue reading
A few years ago some friends of mine suggested that we take a golfing holiday in southern Spain. I pointed out that I had never had any desire to travel to the Costa del Sol and that I was not a great fan of overtly touristy destinations but eventually I agreed to the trip. Sadly it wasn’t long before I started to regret my decision. Continue reading
A few years ago I was feeling rather jaded with the whole Christmas thing. It was the inevitability of it all that got me down. No pretty snow outside, the same old sorry decorations, a pitiful offering on the television and guests falling asleep in their chairs after dinner. I couldn’t see the attraction of the festive season and wondered why everyone else seemed so excited. Perhaps they were just thrilled to be having time off work because from what I could see everyone else was just doing the same old things every year too. Continue reading
As a youngster I always thought that as the years went by I would inevitably slow down and sport would become a thing of the past. In the event the opposite has happened and I am constantly tempted to try new things. Indeed my adventures seem to have become more and more ambitious as time goes by but as age takes its toll, learning new skills can be problematic. Continue reading
I have just taken up skiing and on my first trip I was astonished at how many people seemed to be more concerned with their personal appearance than improving their skiing. Admittedly most of the posers I saw could ski perfectly well and certainly better than I could, which wouldn’t be difficult, but they seemed more concerned with their fashion than their sporting ability. As they lounged around polishing their Ray-Bans I wondered if they were staring at me because I was wearing deeply uncool attire or because I had just dramatically face planted the snow for the umpteenth time! Continue reading
Many years ago I was working as a barmaid in a London pub. It wasn’t exactly party central as the average age of the clientelle was probably about 70 and my manager used to call the place the last bastion of the coffin dodgers. At least the place didn’t get too rowdy even at the weekends and my biggest issue was the constant agony of having to listen to a load of old blokes moaning about their aches and pains whilst drinking a lot of alcohol and doubtless making them much worse. My favourite customers were a pair of gentlemen who sat at the bar night after night baiting each other, usually about football. Continue reading