Thursday 30 April 2009

And they say...

...a week in politics is a long time.

Today has seen the fall into administration of another club, Stockport County have had ten points deducted, placing them within three points of the drop zone. Two players have been released by Norwich (by mutual consent)...Notts County let five go...Swindon reduce squad...Oldham have a new manager...Matt Holland would like to stay...and the list goes on.

Italian football is following the English game's lead, with Serie A breaking away from Serie B, and going it alone. Disagreement over finances is cited as the cause... It will be known as 'Lega Calcio Serie A'. Several Serie B clubs have already faced financial difficulties recently.

It seems a day in football is too! What the summer brings...it'll all go so fast!

Now just you wait until I start on the cricket season!

Wow! That was...

...fast!!

The man from Parcelforce just arrived and delivered my sewing machine! That's less than 48 hours! Love him, he thought we'd already moved...

Now all I have to do is open the box and give it a test drive...or sew...I'm all excited! But, I must work first...but, then there are the ideas spinning...concentrate...concentrate!

I've also had a request about my "orphans" and oddments...beads that is, I don't have an assortment of children laying around, so they're all sorted, photographed, emailed, and chosen.

A day for cheerfulness...

Wednesday 29 April 2009

After gaining...

...promotion last year to the Conference North, the Linnets...Kings Lynn FC are being demoted this season, a hearing has declared. Why? Because they haven't made £250,000 worth of improvements to bring it to the standard required. A quarter of a million to a non-league club, who don't own the ground (the council do), who are just finding their feet in the division. I can see the Council Tax payers going for it too, can't you?! ...has the world of football gone crazy or just it's administrators?

And please don't tell me "rules is rules"...I'm sure every Linnets supporter would have a quick response to that.

Because of this, and their appeal against it, they have put on hold finding a new manager until they know which league they'll be playing in. Their wants? ...a person who knows the non-league world, who will take them forward. Know anyone?

Sunday...

...brings Norwich to the Valley, looking for a miracle.

Gunn looking for miracle

Norwich boss Bryan Gunn admitted his side need a miracle to survive as they prepare for a final day trip to already-relegated Charlton.

The Canaries are staring at a season in the third tier for the first time in 49 years following Monday night's 2-0 defeat to Reading and go into the final day three points behind Barnsley in the final relegation place - albeit with a superior goal difference.

Gunn said: "My captain Gary Doherty said after the game that funny things happen in football and we have to believe that a miracle can happen."

He added: "We hope Plymouth help us out by putting on a performance against Barnsley in front of their own fans and we need lady luck to smile on us.

"But we have to do our own job first and focus on that for four or five days.

"We have to face up to it but there is still a chance. I will lift the players and get them fresh, fit and focused for what will be a difficult day."

Don't you just love the quip and the cliches!

Watching the local Look East news last night, with the Canaries loss to Reading the fans were a despondent bunch, and that was before the game. After?...not many could see how they'd miss relegation. A positive spin was being put on the Sunday game though...with the thought that they would be bringing 3000 to the Valley.


Now all we need to do is keep them quiet.

Norwich Report

It's also being reported in the EDP that Southampton have eight days to save themselves, if they fail to find a buyer. They will fulfil this seasons fixtures, so their results would not be expunged from the records. They are at present in talks with two parties, and it's been confirmed they have appealed their ten point deduction for next season.

And the rumour...

...mill winds into action. I find this a strange time...part of me dislikes the summer months, and part of me is sucked into reading the rumours...

The rumours are always in action, but with the last games of the Championship season arriving this Sunday at 1:15, it's all fans have to entertain them. If this season can be called entertainment...which I'm sure some would dispute at the Valley this year.

It is noted in places that there is already interest in Jonjo Shelvey from Spurs and Fulham...and reports say that Charlton have put a price of £3m on him. The reports in January were for him to be off to Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland, Fulham...then on his seventeenth birthday he signed his professional papers for Charlton...where would he be best off? I can't see into the future, but I'd like him to remain where he can be guaranteed a first team place.

It's been reported that Bailey was making "leaving" noises, now he's making staying noises...again I'm sure he's one that's raised interest from other Championship clubs, but one season doesn't a player make...one season at Southend, and one season at Charlton...again I'd like him to remain...but that grass...

Rumours have linked both Hudson and Ambrose with Sheffield United...and why would they do that? If, Sheffield do gain promotion, would they be looking at two players, one of which was a constant sight in a relegated Championship defence (a replacement for the loanee Halford?). And the other, after being injured has had his confidence knocked out...I do like the "my mate's mate who works/knows said...", they're always fun to read... Stranger things happen though...

ZZ has said he doesn't know what's happening, but he's talking to his agent and Charlton, seeing where his future lies...his other comment is he needs a holiday...some think that being injured was a holiday, and he should stay just because. He did that when we dropped out the Premiership. He didn't disappear as fast as some...

Weaver's off, his future lies elsewhere. That's his official take on things.

And Parkinson....is he staying or going? Who knows, but I'm sure at present he's working towards next season...he has to, no one else is.

Looking outwards...rumours have linked us with Histon players, though it's been denied that any contact has been made, even if one has said he's knocked us back. Another with a Carlisle player... The official line is "we are watching some of interest". What we need is to be ready when the transfer window opens, and not have it left as late to bring new players in as recent seasons.

One good thing, and not a rumour but fact...is the retention of our Premier status Academy. That can only be good for the club...even if youngsters will be more inclined to go to higher ranked clubs, our academy is good, and no one can deny that.

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Beadies...

...are go!!







1 - Angel Wings
2 - Cocoa
3 - Denim
4 - High Peaks
5 - Beach Walk

I've also made myself some copper green for a necklace and earrings I hope to get finished for Saturday...the wedding we've been invited to. I have the design floating around in the head, but so far...not in reality.

The surveyor came this morning, and promises me there's nothing to worry about...but, listening to him making notes on his recorder...why are they always so dire with their opinions, but I have to believe...I mean I know our house isn't too bad, you listen to them and think it's going to fall over next week! One comment was...."it's a strange mix!" It's mid Victorian with two extensions...that's what the other surveys have said, but not this one...we have double thickness brick built internal walls, and he thinks they were at sometime all external...that makes the original house twelve foot square! He also thought we had a combi boiler "you don't have any tanks in the loft, do you?"..."ermmm...yes", I'd just told him we had it installed just before the rules changed and it's an ordinary one. We're still waiting for the fixtures and fittings list, and the searches from the local authority in Norfolk...everything else is dealt with, and the results of the two surveys done here...

I also gave myself a present...I bought my sewing machine. I just hope it arrives before the move date!!

Monday 27 April 2009

Good morning...

...another week after a beautiful weekend.

I must admit I'm still nervous, but am trying to clear plans for the move. Think positive...

A couple of jobs around the house were done on Saturday, like the piece of skirting that needed replacing...it was tucked behind a cupboard and forgotten...out of sight, out of... Cleaning out the woodburner of all remnants of ash and debris... The continuing of mowing the lawns, and tidying the garden...

Yesterday dawned another bright day, and we both felt a restlessness, a what to do sort of day...we've been living in limbo for too long now, and just want the move complete... We took ourselves to Elveden, it's a small village between Newmarket and Thetford, and the estate there have converted their barns and stables into a range of shops and cafe... The shops sell most kitchen wares, house gifts...books, gardening items and plants, plus a good array of home produce, fresh meat, local cheeses...plus the more exotic, and handmade chocolates. We came away with a small cold meat pie, a piece of Suffolk Gold cheese...locally made marmalade and High Dumpsie Dearie jam (plum, apple and pear). I also found a cushion for my new sitting room...cool linen with a small flowery heart on...all soft colours. I now know what I have to do, get myself a new sewing machine, mine died several years ago, and has never been replaced. I used to make so much, but not for too many years now, and I did pick up some beautiful remnants in January, also some of my tapestries need some tlc to renew their life, and some rummage pieces from a friends aunts bits bag will all go together...

Our survey came through last week too. You have to look through it with the thought that the main part of the house is four hundred years old, and as long as it isn't falling down, then you're onto a winner. It has some damp in the lower walls, this caused as the original rendering is below the garden level, and has been used as a conduit to seep up, but once that is treated and the new rendering finished above the garden level, it'll be no further problem....we also knew a pair of very old French doors would need replacing, as they have stained glass windows in them and to the sides...they will have to be made and treated with care, and although some of the roofing tiles look as though someone played with them, they don't leak at present...

We have discovered there were five periods of building...the original house built 1600's, was two rooms downstairs and a loft, this was then extended to give a third room downstairs, a bedroom upstairs and the loft was converted into living space too. A little after this a lean-to affair was put onto the back of the extension, and then about fifty or so years ago a larger single storey extension put onto the back of that incorporating it, finally about twenty five years ago another single storey was built, this is the second sitting room, with big windows and french doors looking up and through the garden...

We also discovered the village is within a tithe hundred to Chancel...but you can now take out an insurance, just in case they call on it.

Have we been put off or daunted by all...never! Just excited and nervous with the wait...I have so many ideas spinning around...

Thursday 23 April 2009

And there is...

...one very upset administrator.

It seems the Football League have decided the finances of Southampton FC and Southampton Leisure Holding plc are "inextricably linked", and though it's the holding company that's been put into administration, the debts are from the club and other companies...the holding company doesn't have any of its own finances. I wondered how they were going to explain a bank paying the players salaries. They are looking to challenge and will/could appeal.
And are in "due diligence" with two parties...

It means that Charlton at this moment are not bottom (in theory, as the deduction will be made at the end of the season) of the Championship, as a ten point deduction has been made against Southampton...but, if Southampton are relegated anyway, the deduction will be put against next season in League One...so will start ten points below all others. Their remaining games are against Burnley and Forest...ours, Derby and Norwich...that last day could prove fun!

Whatever happens, we've been relegated on cause...we didn't have the affect!

There I was...

...kiln on, torch aglow, glass wrapped...and the post lands on the mat! Okay, a quick pass of glass to kiln and find the post...
A letter from our solicitors with questions from our buyers ones...ones that have already been answered, but turning off the torch...making myself a strong cup of tea, I sat to write out detail by detail all the answers, and draw them a little plan of our plot. Deciding then I might as well stop, go shopping and take the completed letter to town...there went another day!
That was yesterday...today I've had one surveyor here, for the valuation...we wait to see what he decides...our survey report arrived too, and when read is nothing unexpected, you buy something four hundred years old and there's bound to be one or two things to do!
Tomorrow I have Mrs Buyer coming, she wants to measure up and check what's staying or going against the list we've already supplied. Our agent is hoping we might be all moved at the end of May...I think it'll probably be June, but the earlier the better for us.
I think the weekend is free...strangely. We've had some busy ones recently, and another busy one the bank holiday one...a wedding and the last game of the season...
Then, next Tuesday another surveyor visits, this one is the main one...I'm always nervous, I know my house isn't falling down or anything, but I still get nervous!
After that the lady whose house we're buying is off to the Ukraine for a holiday...maybe she'll sign something before she goes................
Sorry, I've just seen a funny...silly...sight...a neighbour who runs...a lot, just passed the front in his tee and shorts, lighting a cigarette...well, such is life...
Which reminds me, anyone running the London marathon this Sunday...good luck...you're a better person than me!

Friday 17 April 2009

A week...

...in time.

It's been a bit of a busy week, but yet again not quite as planned. We made a quick visit to Norfolk on Monday morning to check a wayleaves issue, but it's as we thought, and not important...then across country to Coventry. Yes, we did go...and did see some doing the conga...whilst a few Coventry fans tried to get us to raise to the bait of taunting...but, after making fun of ourselves...there's nothing left for them to do, now is there?! And it was all fairly good natured anyway... We were home inside two hours...

We've heard that things with the move are getting along, though why the solicitor had to ask a question when he'd already been advised of the answer...I guess that's what you're paying extra for! Everything for us personally is now in place...we just await for everyone else...

Yesterday I spent the day with my sister, and nephew...he's eighteen tomorrow...Happy Birthday to you! We had a lovely lunch...did some young man shopping, and then some for his Mum...I was sooo good...and didn't succumb, but have several items stored away in the memory banks for after the move. It was also my wedding anniversay...and I won't say who forgot! Just I hadn't...but...you love someone everyday, not just on that one, now don't you!?

So, tomorrow is Blackpool at home...nope, not the beach in the back garden, but the next match...we will probably be relegated, not because we WILL lose, but other results will make it final. I am not going to voice my opinions...I have them, and they differ to others...but, why inflict them on you!

And some...

...more new colours.







1 - Yellow Ribbons
2 - Sage Green
3 - Petrol Green
4 - Blue Violet
5 - Old Rose


Tuesday 14 April 2009

I've been sent...

...a photo of a beautifully designed and made necklace using my Shadow Grove beads. The designer and artisan is Julie Doolin from California. I love her use of the colours from the beads to complement and enhance her necklace. The colours of the crystals and teardrops running though...bringing it to life.

Thank you very much for sharing and letting me share with others. I do love to see what others design with my beads.

Sunday 12 April 2009

Our seventeen...

...year old nearly clinched it in the final moments. Jonjo Shelvey denied by the best goalkeeping seen in a long time, as Maik Taylor pulled off some feats of magic yesterday. Our other seventeen year old didn't appear on the bench, as we stuck with the usual band. Maybe we're keeping Tuna under wraps until next season.

A pulsating game, with fast and furious tactical football. The referee...and you don't know what you're doing! I promise...and he told us (could see in the North Stand) that he did, as he mouthed "I do know" at the home fans... (and I apologise to the guy sitting beside my husband), I'm not always mad...just most of the time! And yes...Jonjo's tackle was high, but booking Bailey was a farce! After that all respect was gone...with any for the linesman...who got the off-side decision for Ward's terrific goal, so wrong it was embarrassing...a dire team! I did wonder aloud if they had blue on under their shirts...

Bouazza got his welcome...and relished it, giving the North Stand a grin...but that's all he relished in, playing his normal football style...self-centred, until substituted. I wonder what Fulham will do with him next!?

If we lose Monday against Coventry we're down, but we've known that for weeks...and if we can keep an element of this team together, League One will hold no fears...or should hold no fears. But, how many of our team will want to play in the third tier of the English league...even if they are the players that put us there! And of course, those out of contract have the right to go...

And having to go to Norfolk tomorrow morning...I feel a trip across to Coventry coming on...

Thursday 9 April 2009

Our game...

...on Saturday could be interesting. It'll be spot the Charlton player! With ex-Addicks popping up everywhere these days, Birmingham have their quota with...Lee Bowyer, Marcus Bent, Hameur Bouazza...and I'm sure a friendly and warm welcome will be given to each...

Lee Carsley, who was sent off against Wolves for a high and dangerous tackle on another old boy...Chris Iwelumo..(we do get around...or give around), is serving the first of a three match ban, but is that enough to help us? Or could we too have our own seventeen year old wonder kids? Following the exploits of Manchester's Italian youngster...we have at least one on the bench too, with Tamar Tuna being picked....oh, for the same...and Jonjo getting into the team...

And with that...I wish you all a happy holiday...

Just a few...

...new spacers...at last!






1 - Honeycomb
2 - Bloody Mary
3 - Zingy Orange
4 - Shadow Grove


Wednesday 8 April 2009

Shenanigins...

...or not.

Following on the Southampton FC parent company going into administration, there's been a fair amount of blog and print speculation and interest. While checking the details of their draw with Watford yesterday, I looked through the links to the reports...and found this one on the EDP site(Eastern Daily Press)...they're Norfolk based, and Norwich orientated...so have a deep interest on what goes on on the south coast. It's a concise piece, and of interest as City's chief executive was one of the eight board members to make the decision for the enquiry.

Also a good analysis of season ticket prices...League One by CA... April 6

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Does this...

...sound like a positive thing to you?

Our agent phoned late yesterday...our buyer wanted a measurement. She's seen a chest of drawers she wants to buy for the main bedroom!

The measurement was duly given...with alacrity!

Friday 3 April 2009

A parcel...

...was sitting on my doorstep, when we arrived home yesterday. I had treated myself to two books...(I have a long list of wants still). I'm not usually into buying "house" books, but...this one is my first for beautiful reasons...


Photobucket


I'm going to snuggle with that this evening...and read with relish this beautiful book on Sunday...


Tarn

An away...

...day, yesterday. A trip to Norfolk and a visit to the house, being allowed to wander and poke...it hasn't changed. We went to visit the agent there...who I'd been talking to on a near daily basis, just to say "hi....this is us". Also a call from our agent, who'd had a visit from the buyers...were we leaving the Aga and dishwasher? Unless they specifically don't want the cooker...it's staying...though I'm going to hug it when I leave it behind! I know I'll burn everything for weeks with the electric... A replacement will have to be sought at sometime...I'm sorry, but once an Aga addict, always an addict...

And the other version of my Addicktion...the season ticket prices were announced yesterday. I know we're moving further away, that's our choice...but watching League One football for the same price as I paid for Championship football is a little rich. Because we sit in the Lower North stand, our tickets are the ones that haven't been reduced in price...every other seat for the home supporters have...so what did we do for this honour? Are they trying to move us out? Some supporters have wished for it to become a standing area.... If we wanted to sit there on a match by match basis...we'd be paying through the nose (relatively speaking) for the privilege... Decisions, decisions!!

Thursday 2 April 2009

Want to...

...fill in the paperwork? All things have been set in motion, and now we're onto the solicitors forms. If we have to fill the same information on one, we have to on half a dozen...I'm getting writer's cramp.

I've also read the plight of our opposition on Saturday...their holding company (SLH) suspended trading on their shares yesterday, as it prepares to go into administration. So far, this is not the club as they look for a buyer...but, how long that will take...maybe too long. I wish all Saints fans well...there but for the grace... And as we've all said...players come and go, but you the fan, can't change your club...your heart is buried deep in the pitch.

The majority of their debt (approx £23.1m) is owed to Norwich Union in a debt incurred with the move to St Mary's, and with a reluctantly paying Barclays Bank (£4.4m)...they've been paying the players salaries. After all the things said about our directors and financial issues...we owe our directors the majority of our debt...the only outside one being on a long term arrangement...our situation might be the worst we've seen for a long time, but we're not that close to the edge, thanks to them...yet!

The game on Saturday, if hadn't already had enough incentive, has an added one...survival...a Championship side is more likely to encourage investors than a League One one...and I'm sure all associated with Southampton have that firmly at the forefront of their minds.