Well the big news has to be the Athletics. Best ever medal effort by Britain at the European championships in Barcelona. The target was 15 and we got 19 medals in total. 6 Gold, 7 Silvers and 6 Bronze. Worthy of note is Derval O' Rourke who got Ireland's only medal with a silver. Is she any relation to our own Steve O'R. Steve is very fit with his cycling to work so is there a family connection? On a serious note special mention has to go to Merlene Ottey (used to run for Jamaica) who at 50 is running in the 4 x 100m for Slovenia (not sure why Slovenia!). She has a total of 27 medals in various competitions and it's a phenomenal effort she is still going at 50!
Debate still rages on about England's failure in the Football World Cup. I personally think there are too many foreign players playing in the premier league. Without wanting to get too deep about it all, it is very disturbing that the pro players can get as much in a week as I used to earn as a teacher in a year. You should play because you love the game but do some play for prestige, wags, money, cars etc etc? Who knows. Who cares?
Tri Nations is well underway and New Zealand are dominating. They seem the best team by far and look unbeatable. The other 2 teams are always capable of an upset though. It currently stands New Zealand top on 15 points, Australia second on 4 points and South Africa last on 0 points. More importantly Chris Paterson has returned to Scottish training! Be nice to see him further his 100 cap haul! Go Chris!
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Sporting Life
Well the World Cup is at an end. I'm a rugby man but when a sport is on regularly you miss the daily routine of it. Same with Wimbledon. Luckily for us the Tri Nations is on. There always seems to be something which keeps me happy and my girlfriend slightly annoyed. Its all about compromise though and Sky +!
So Tri Nations then. You would fancy New Zealand but they always choke at some point. They are looking strong though. You can never rule South Africa out or Australia for that matter, even though they seem to be in a dip of form recently. I enjoy seeing teams beat New Zealand although you have to give them credit when they are on fire they are on fire!!!!!
Personally I'm off up to the homeland in November to watch Scotland beat New Zealand. Then have tickets for the Wales and Italy games at Murrayfield in the 6 Nations! I don't expect miracles from Scotland but their form seems on the up and its nice to see them win some games now. Andy Robinson has definitely made a difference and has the players believing now! With a few injured players to come back as well hopefully the tide is beginning to turn!
This all mixed with our daily, office olympics means there is still a lot to 2010 for Sports fans!
So Tri Nations then. You would fancy New Zealand but they always choke at some point. They are looking strong though. You can never rule South Africa out or Australia for that matter, even though they seem to be in a dip of form recently. I enjoy seeing teams beat New Zealand although you have to give them credit when they are on fire they are on fire!!!!!
Personally I'm off up to the homeland in November to watch Scotland beat New Zealand. Then have tickets for the Wales and Italy games at Murrayfield in the 6 Nations! I don't expect miracles from Scotland but their form seems on the up and its nice to see them win some games now. Andy Robinson has definitely made a difference and has the players believing now! With a few injured players to come back as well hopefully the tide is beginning to turn!
This all mixed with our daily, office olympics means there is still a lot to 2010 for Sports fans!
Monday, 12 July 2010
SPAIN
Well done Spain and well done Mike. Spain are World champions! I wanted Holland to win but have to say Spain were the better team and had loads of chances! I felt Holland let themselves down at the end with moaning with the ref! So Spain worthy CHAMPIONS! The office sweepstake ended so................
WINNER -Spain/ Mike with the jackpot of £18
2nd -Holland/ Adrienn with £9 (Cush make sure you pass the money over I gave you to your wife ha ha!)
3rd -Germany/ Rob £5
4th -Uruguay/ Cush £3
Bring on the Rugby World Cup and go Scotland!!!!!!
WINNER -Spain/ Mike with the jackpot of £18
2nd -Holland/ Adrienn with £9 (Cush make sure you pass the money over I gave you to your wife ha ha!)
3rd -Germany/ Rob £5
4th -Uruguay/ Cush £3
Bring on the Rugby World Cup and go Scotland!!!!!!
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Go Scotland!!!!!!!
Well the final is Spain vs. Holland. Didn't see the game but thought the German manager was very gracious in defeat. I don't need that luxury jackpot anyway!!!!!! Well I have to say GO HOLLAND! I met lots of Dutch when I was travelling and they were a great bunch, good fun. We also took holidays in Holland every year when I was younger so i'd like to see them win! So.......
3rd Place play off - Saturday 10th July
Uruguay v. Germany
Cush v. Jock
World Cup Final 2010- Sunday 11th July
Spain v. Holland
Mike v. Adrienn
Come on Scotland!
3rd Place play off - Saturday 10th July
Uruguay v. Germany
Cush v. Jock
World Cup Final 2010- Sunday 11th July
Spain v. Holland
Mike v. Adrienn
Come on Scotland!
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Then there were 3
Well the winner of the World Cup is either going to be Holland, Germany or Spain! A European winner! Uruguay are out (sorry Boss!) and Holland are already in the final (well done Mrs Cush!). Germany (Jock) v. Spain (Mike) today! Who will take on Adrienn in the final? All very very exciting!
Monday, 5 July 2010
World Cup Semi Finals!
The last 4 now, all are guaranteed a massive £3 and maybe the luxury jackpot of £18!!!!!!
Tuesday July 6th
Uruguay v. Netherlands
Cush v. Adrienn
Wednesday July 7th
Germany v. Spain
Jock v. Mike
Remember Football is the winner!!!!!
Tuesday July 6th
Uruguay v. Netherlands
Cush v. Adrienn
Wednesday July 7th
Germany v. Spain
Jock v. Mike
Remember Football is the winner!!!!!
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Snowdon Experience- 6.3.10
Well we had a camping trip this weekend with the aim of climbing Snowdon in Wales. There is a large ability range within the group ranging from those with little experience (but lots of enthusiasm) to those with a lot of experience and technical ability.
4 of us did Snowdon on the Saturday, a couple couldn't attempt it due to car trouble and recovering from major surgery. I have climbed Snowdon 15- 20 times so off we set on our Merry way for a nice trip up the pig trail (tourist route). Well I can tell you all now that it was one of the hardest experiences I've ever had on Snowdon. This was due to a lot of snow and my lack of walking poles for grip. We passed many people coming down wearing crampons, with ice axes, walking poles etc etc. I must admit I had a little snigger at the crampons on a tourist route- seemed a little extreme! I was eating my words at the top and our group all promised to buy pairs of crampons upon return.
Normally wide paths were narrow ledges and the drops seemed more extreme. The volume of people made passing very difficult and the whole picture seemed more suitable for the Himalayas than a Welsh mountain! We made it to the top with a bit of sweat and were greeted by fantastic views in glorious sunshine. We settled for returning an easier way and followed the submerged train tracks back.
The real fun was just about to begin. The next morning we were having breakfast in 'Pete's eats' in llanberis. One of the boys came in the queue, excited, saying Kate Silverton was in the next room. Who? I'd never heard of her but was soon informed she was a celebrity BBC reporter. She passed us in the queue and collected her large Teas. One of the boys got chatting to her and mentioned we were on Snowdon yesterday. Turns out she is doing the 3 peaks challenge for Sports relief. She said to us you should come on the radio and we can ask you about conditions yesterday on the mountain. I asked whether it was for TV or Radio- if it was for TV then I was by far the best looking of the group ha ha! It was for Radio and right enough someone else from the group went on the radio.
Back at the breakfast table someone commented that Sir Clive Woodward had just passed in the car. Soon he entered the Cafe followed by Sir Steve Redgrave. They were all doing the 3 peaks challenge with Phil Packer (who suffered severe spinal injuries in 2008). I sat next to Steve Redgrave and watched our mate being interviewed on the radio. I briefly told him about what it was like yesterday in the snow. I think he was expecting an easy jaunt in the sun and was beginning to worry that there may be a little more effort involved. He was a nice guy and very easy to talk to. When being interviewed he said 'I was just chatting to a chap who has climbed Snowdon quite a few times and he said yesterday was the hardest he'd ever experienced'. That chap was me so I'd had my moment of fame ha ha.
Our group made a donation to the event and we left the Cafe for home with a happy buzz at the memories that had been made. A good weekend and a great breakfast!
Well we had a camping trip this weekend with the aim of climbing Snowdon in Wales. There is a large ability range within the group ranging from those with little experience (but lots of enthusiasm) to those with a lot of experience and technical ability.
4 of us did Snowdon on the Saturday, a couple couldn't attempt it due to car trouble and recovering from major surgery. I have climbed Snowdon 15- 20 times so off we set on our Merry way for a nice trip up the pig trail (tourist route). Well I can tell you all now that it was one of the hardest experiences I've ever had on Snowdon. This was due to a lot of snow and my lack of walking poles for grip. We passed many people coming down wearing crampons, with ice axes, walking poles etc etc. I must admit I had a little snigger at the crampons on a tourist route- seemed a little extreme! I was eating my words at the top and our group all promised to buy pairs of crampons upon return.
Normally wide paths were narrow ledges and the drops seemed more extreme. The volume of people made passing very difficult and the whole picture seemed more suitable for the Himalayas than a Welsh mountain! We made it to the top with a bit of sweat and were greeted by fantastic views in glorious sunshine. We settled for returning an easier way and followed the submerged train tracks back.
The real fun was just about to begin. The next morning we were having breakfast in 'Pete's eats' in llanberis. One of the boys came in the queue, excited, saying Kate Silverton was in the next room. Who? I'd never heard of her but was soon informed she was a celebrity BBC reporter. She passed us in the queue and collected her large Teas. One of the boys got chatting to her and mentioned we were on Snowdon yesterday. Turns out she is doing the 3 peaks challenge for Sports relief. She said to us you should come on the radio and we can ask you about conditions yesterday on the mountain. I asked whether it was for TV or Radio- if it was for TV then I was by far the best looking of the group ha ha! It was for Radio and right enough someone else from the group went on the radio.
Back at the breakfast table someone commented that Sir Clive Woodward had just passed in the car. Soon he entered the Cafe followed by Sir Steve Redgrave. They were all doing the 3 peaks challenge with Phil Packer (who suffered severe spinal injuries in 2008). I sat next to Steve Redgrave and watched our mate being interviewed on the radio. I briefly told him about what it was like yesterday in the snow. I think he was expecting an easy jaunt in the sun and was beginning to worry that there may be a little more effort involved. He was a nice guy and very easy to talk to. When being interviewed he said 'I was just chatting to a chap who has climbed Snowdon quite a few times and he said yesterday was the hardest he'd ever experienced'. That chap was me so I'd had my moment of fame ha ha.
Our group made a donation to the event and we left the Cafe for home with a happy buzz at the memories that had been made. A good weekend and a great breakfast!
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