Sex, Lies and Conservative Politics

One of my local councillors published an article in our local paper "The Stockport Times" which was a poor attempt at the art of obfuscation. Yes he condemned corruption by all parties but does this go far enough of course not. Giles Chichester resigned from his post when it emerged that he had transferred more than £400,000 of staff expenses into a family company. This is not a small amount unless you are a professional footballer like Rio Ferdinand. This is equal to 42 years worth of allowances that Councillor O' Neill would get from Stockport Council. Mr Chichester wasn't any old Tory hack, he was the head of the Conservative Party in the European Parliament. The chief whip of the Conservatives in Europe, Den Dover, was repalced after paying his wife and daughter £758,000 over nine years through a company for secretarial services. The second part of the Councillor's article deals with expenses incurred by Speaker Michael Martin and Tony Blair, John Prescott and Gordon Brown, the aim is to drown you in trivia so you ignore or forget to ask about Caroline Spelman who is responsible for the probity of the Conservatives in the House of Commons. Obviously she is n't very good at this as not only is she being investigated bu t so are Ann & Nicholas Winterton the MP's for Congleton and Macclesfield, for claiming £130,000 in rent allowances for a flat they already own. The question is who watches the watchers.

Next time we'll catch up with sports and media.

Hywl


Jez

So subsequently what happened was Ospreys smashed Saracens in the Edf in Cardiff and then lost to the same opponents in Watford in the Heineken. Cardiff Blues naively gave Toulouse 10 points start and lost 41-17. Then admist claims of Lyn Jones being sacked the O's roused themselves to beat a rather toothless Leicester Tigers team in the EDF Final at Twickenham. As the papers have said you wait 20 years to win in London and then two come along like that.

Elsewhere Damages came to an interesting end of its first series "Because I know Patty" also Gavin & Stacey came to the end of its second series and has put welsh slang like "tidy" and "what's occurring" at the front of British consciousness. Doctor Who is back for its 4 series under Russell T Davies and any rumours that David Tennant being shot by a xxxxx in episode 13 are fatal were rebutted by hints of filming in a Newport cemetry with the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Give the closeness of said cemetry to Duffryn School you would n't fancy the xxxxxxxxx's chances .

You knows it ..................

As for the Pol, Hillary keeps winning despite being out spent by 3:1, I just can't help but think that all McCain has to do is turn up, but he is a senior senior and there is plenty to exploit over the age angle. Unlike Reagan I'm sure he won't be able to laugh it off.

Grand Slam 2008

So it has come to pass that three years later a team has arisen from the bitter ashes of Nantes to conquer Europe once more. Gatland, Edwards and Howley have won a Grand Slam by breaking three of the long running ducks.

1. First win at Twickenham since 1988.

2. First win in Dublin since 2000.

3. First Championship win vs France in Cardiff since 1996.

Though interestingly enough the current series at Stade De France is 3-3.

Here are the pictures. This is only the first step on a long road.

Time flies and next sunday it will be my birthday........

The football season moves on and this week sees the return of the European games. This week saw the 50th Anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster which claimed the lives of Manchester Utd players, journalists, officials and one unfortunate fan plus the air staff. Utd played City in retro kit and there was a retro result City won 2-1 their first win at Old Trafford since 1974. Wales beat Scotland 30-15 on Saturday following up their escape from London the previous week Both France and England had narrow squeaks and perhaps the Italians might feel hard done to.

On the Politicial front from the GOP view point there are now just two McCain and Logan, Sorry Huckerbee.... As for the Democrats Obama seems to have the momentum and Hillary has today sacked her campaign manager ..... its not just Obama its Oprah !!!

I'll post soon with a note of tv and film but right now you can't say better than Damages and Ashes to Ashes... The Pictures reflect on Welsh Rugby's new found form due in no small part to Messrs Gatland, Edwards and Howley

Hywl

Happy New Year / Yn Fleddyn Newydd Dda !!!


Much has taken place since I last wrote. Pete, Sara's boy friend whisked her away at the end of term and now they are engaged.

We celebrated New Year in South Wales with Family and saw the Ospreys beat a very poor Blues team 22-3.

The primary season has started in the US and Obama and Huckerbee won in Iowa.

So here is to 2008 and all it brings


Cheers

November has arrived ..............................

With it we have the sad news of the passing of Ray Gravell. A man, a Welsh speaking man from West Wales who played 25 times for his country starting with the 25-10 win in Paris and ending with the 18-34 defeat to Scotland, the first defeat to a team other than New Zealand for 14 years. Grav also played in all 4 tests vs the Bokke in 1980 and would have made the team in 1977 had he not been injured. After retiring from Rugby he had a acting career, a wondeful film about thai brides and a small role in Damage. He was a leading broadcaster for S4C and BBC Wales as well as Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. He was the president of Llanelli and acheived many great things with them. He was a devoted husband and father. Lastly like myself he was diabetic and it was this nasty illness which killed him. Forget that the death certificate says heart attack it was this illness which took him away. Let us all renew our struggle and it encourages me and gives me heart.

This being November we remember all those who died in World War One so that Belgium might be free but at what cost ..................

So following from last time England roused themselves after a 0-36 beating by the Bokke and beat/were assisted by the officials/cheated/skillfully defeated Samoa, Tonga, Australia and France to find themselves up against the Bokke who beat them 6-15 the second time around. Which means the Sais will not be going on and on and on about the Rugby World Cup for another 4 years. France had their own mini final in beating New Zealand in Cardiff.

So my choice of team of the Coupe Du Monde.

15 Percy Montgomery - South Africa

14 Delasau - Fiji

13 Jacques Fourie - South Africa

12 Yannick Jauzion - France

11 Bryan Habana - South Africa

10 Juan Martin Hernandez - Argentina

9 Fourie Du Preez - South Africa

8 Isotalo Mika - Tonga

7 Thierry Dusatoir - France

6 Schalke Burger - South Africa

5. Victor Matfield - South Africa

4. Simon Shaw - England

3. CJ Van der Linde - South Africa

2 John Smit - South Africa

1 Pablo Roncero - Argentina

Meanwhile in the US the final did make the NYT but the World Series is underway and Boston lead 1-0 we shall see

Time has moved on and we went back to Llandysul for Uncle Walter's memorial at St Tysul's church which included a fundraiser for the organ. We saw and heard from the organist at the Royal Chelsea and Prince Charles Harpist and the local waffle manufacturer Kuys Huysman who is fluent in Welsh, English and Dutch.

Here are some photo's otherwise life moves on apace. We visited Aberaeron on the way home.

Now there is a place for when I win the lotto or not as the case may be.

The Rugby World Cup and Wales and less suprisingly Ireland were eliminated but more on this next time.

sEx Lies & nORTHEN rOCK

David Cameron has done himself few favours with his attacks on the P.M over Northern Rock especially when you consider what his friends in the Press were saying:

January 2007 - The Times "a new era of bigger returns for shareholders"

April 2007 - The Telegraph " discovered the most virtous of cycles"

June 2007 despite a profits warning, The Times gave the launch of its "silver savings online account" for the over 50's "an unequivocal thumbs up"

The slide in share prices according to the Telegraph offered "a buying opportunity" and "a risk investors should take"

August 2007 "are customers safe ?" " yes" said the Telegraph.

This comes to you care of Peter Wilby of Media Guardian.

The Rugby World Cup started with a bang as Argentina won 17-12 at Stade De France.

We have been lucky enough to see 2 games Wales 20 - 32 Australia and Fiji 29- 16 Canada.

Attached are photo's from those games. So far New Zealand and South Africa are clever favourites with Australia coming up on the rails. So far France, Ireland and England have failed to shine whilst Italy have been poor. Scotland continue to defy their 6 Nations form and could be the Northern Hemisphere team to go the furthest .Though the odds on a Southern final 4 can not be discounted.

Of course there is the latest addition to the family in Elin Cerys who is 1 inNovember.

Tomorrow my wife and elder step daughter go back to work as teachers. Summer has truely ended. It is raining in Stockport what more can I add.

I missed on the end of Tony Blair's reign, well it came to an end and he was gone quicker than you could say Idaho senator in a Minnapolois toilet.

As the B-52's song goes "You're living in your own private Idaho"

The All Blacks won the Tri Nations and must be favourites for the 6th World Cup which starts Friday. More of which over the next months as we go to games in Cardiff and Marseille.

Here is a list of the games I have been to across the last 20 years of Rugby World Cups.

1987 - 0 games

1991- 2 games Italy vs Usa and Wales vs Argentina.

1995 - 0 games

1999 - 2 games Samoa vs Japan & New Zealand vs Italy plus watched the q/f in a Cardiff pub.

2003 - 0 games

2007 - 3 games more to follow.

Rome came to a glorious if expected end, for what happens next see I Clavidivs.

We signed up to Lovefilm and are enjoying it hugely. The picture shown above is from Bonbon El Perro a wonderful Argentine Film.

More later this month.

Lets not talk about the weather .....


June after such a hot start turned out to be the wettest June for 50 years. I think that I may have developed gills. Work has moved offices as the transport system in Greater Manchester goes to Hell.

1. The Tram replacement buses. Anyone travelling on these buses into Manchester on an evening can see the best arguement one can ever have for a congestion charge. The bus gets caught up with lots of single user little boxes.

2. Demolition and restructure of Belmont Bridge

This needed to be demolished and rebuilt so that the bridge could take heavier EU lorries. Naturally the EU sceptics had a field day with this. But they are too stupid and shortsighted to ignore the fact that the lorries will come and if you ban them then our companies will lose the business.
The knock on effect has seen more traffic than ususal and we do get a fair bit using our little road as a cut through. We intend to bring this to the notice of the Council and see how far we get.

Probably not that far but who knows.

Moving on to a lighter note the Tri Nations approaches its conclusion with Australia facing up to New Zealand in two weeks in what should be the decisive game. However Australia's win over New Zealand and their failure to beat a weak Bokke team by only 8 points will give good heart to the teams of France, Argentina, Ireland, England and Wales assuming the latter two do not fall foul of Samoa and Fiji.

As for TV Dr who finished with Mr Saxon (Master No 6), where that leaves the actor who preceded Eric Roberts, being defeated and dying to obtain his final victory of the Doctor. Where the laugh from the funeral pyre and the woman with red nails picking up the ring will lead us who knows.

For two more weeks we have Heroes and then the run of series 1 starts on BBC2.

We also have series 2 of Rome being shown fairly quickly 2 episodes a week will get through 10 epsiodes very quickly. The show desrves better.

The year chugs on and we are into what the weathermen call "flamming June" it was hot when we went to the Festival on Friday.

As for other things the Northern Teams tours to the South have gone as badly as expected. England, Wales and Ireland will return from their trips with 2-0 series defeats and we have a pic of Digby Ioane the first Wallaby Samoan. Yesterday's defeat 31-0 to Australia was pretty awful until you remember the strengh of the two teams. Still we know if we don't beat the Aussies next time out it is Sth Africa in Marseille. Speaking of which our tickets have arrived and tomorrow we buy the train tickets.

Yesterday saw Ryan Giggs' last game for Wales, I once played Rugby with his Grand dad Frank Wilson you know, under an assumed name of course given Rugby Union's treatment of former league players in the 1980's.

Wales played well to draw 0-0 with Czech Republic but given the defeats to Slovakia and Ireland we won't be going anywhere next summer. There was a wonderful banner in the crowd which forms the label for this post.

Lastly Leila's play starts at the Clerkenwell Theatre on8th June we all have high hopes.

Till the next time.

May has come rushing in and is the month when issues both sporting and political are resolved.

That said last weekend saw the end of the 2007 Cricket World Cup with Australia beating Sri Lanka in the final as befits the two best teams. Both India and Pakistan failed to reach the protracted Super 8' s but all credit to Bangladesh and Ireland as no one has a divine right to win. Victories must be earnt. So instead of a picture of the Aussies, we salute the gallant team from Bermuda.

Sport has seen the lower leagues in England and Wales resolved and Stockport contrived to miss out on the play off places on goal difference. That one of the teams is the perfidious Bristol Rovers leaves a bad taste in the mouth. County were the masters of their own misfortune but Bristol's antics to avoid playing the league game between two meetings with Bristol City in the Johnstone Paints leave a bad aftertaste. Moving on Milano prevented an all English Champions League final in Athens for which the residents of Athens must be grateful, Mancs vs Scallys in Athens not a pleasant thought. Utd seem on course to win the premiership for the first time in 4 years which will be the first championship since Beckham left. What has he won in this time?

The NBA playoffs were suprising not for the sweeping of the Heat. You can not be lacklustre for 70% of the season and sweep up the rankings and hope it sticks. All credit to the Bulls, but the major shock was the GSW beating of the Mavericks. The latter being a team that was so far and away the top team in the NBA regular season. Perhaps the Americans have an expression perhaps they don't "you win nothing in April"

Policitics has seen the Conservatives triumph in the South and Midlands of England. They did not make a great impact in Wales or Scotland and continue to fail in the North West. Today France goes to the Polls and despite her improved showing in the debate it will take something for Segolene Royal to win. Consider how long it took Labour to turn round from its year zero in 1983 - 14 years in short. As for Films we have seen Sunshine and Curse of the YellowFlower and will let you know about Spiderman 3.

24, BSG, Lost and Stargate are still absent from our screens. Life on Mars finished on a poignant note, but Gene Hunt will return !!. Dr Who and Hereos continue to keep me entertained though the comment "Jarvis Cocker in space" still rings true.

April has arrived and the sun is out and soon it will be Easter.

i'm up and around and saw this test on Liberation and took it and applied it to the candidates. The interesting thing was not that Sego won but that Arlette came second ahead of Sarkozy. I guess he doesn't do anything for me.

MonVoteÀMoi


American policitcs is in full swing and the Obama campaign came up with this ad which Apple ought to sue for breach of copyright. Take a look and see what you think.

Yesterday saw the return of Dr Who with probably the best season opener for a very long time !!

March update


Next week sees my wife and elder step daughter break up for Easter.......

So now is a good time to update the blog since February. The girls God Parents came to visit and we took them to Imperial War Museum North in the Salford Quays and to Conwy in North Wales. Both Sara and myself have celebrated birthdays and pictures are enclosed. Unfortunately Liz's Uncle Walter passed away and we had a long road trip to Llandysul in Ceredigion for the funeral. As one discovers the Welsh only meet for weddings and funerals and the 17th was a poignant day. It was two years since my step father Bill Stuart had passed away and the day also saw CB marry Thommo in Ilkley in Yorkshire and also saw Megan Downey marry Bill in Radnor, PA.

The 6 Nations has concluded with another French triumph marred by the demands of TV which saw the French get the trophy in an empty stadium. The problem being that the TV company decided after the 2003 World Cup won by England that England should play the final match of the 6 Nations. In 2004 England played France in Paris and this worked but in 2005/06/07 the Championship was effectively over by the time England played. Wales eventually overcame injuries, suspension, awful refs and downright poor performances to beat England. "As long as we beat the English" by Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics echoed round the Borth pub in Llandysul on the evening of the 17th March, but we do and we should aspire to more than that but it is a start.

The French election continues to gather pace 3 weeks or so to go, can the Gentleman farmer or Bove or Le Pen upset the apple cart. Perhaps not this time and Chirac gave his endorsement to Sarkozy although with endorsements like that who needs friends.

On the way home from the Funeral we managed to swing past Borth and we did get to see one of the tree stumps in the surf. Pictures are enclosed, we then had a long drive home with a stop off for a wonderful Mothers day lunch in Newtown, Powys. This Sunday the clocks go forward is this the end of winter .. we shall see.

As for tv Life on Mars continues to be brilliant, I am taken by Heroes, but in a fall out between tycoons Lost, 24, Battlestar Galactica, Stargates etc have been pulled from our screens as Sky and Virgin media fall out. A plague on both their houses...........

Lest we forget the terrible circumstances in which Bob Woolmer lost his life, there have been claims over corruption surfacing again in the sub continent. There was an article in the New York Times which said this brought Cricket to the attention of the World. Okay not much Cricket in the US or South America, China or Russia but everywhere else, Kenya, South Africa, Canada, Holland, UK & Ireland, Austrlasia and of course, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and the West Indies. Which is a true world sport unlike some of the things which go on in the US.

As for County well they seem to believe in their own publicity, the unbeaten run has come to an end and yesterday they lost 2-7 (seven!!!!!!!) at home, not some one good like Hartlepool or Swindon but to Rochdale !!! words fail me...................

Suddenly its February ............................

Where does the time go, candidates for the various American parties are declaring to run for President next year. Superbowl 41 was won by the Colts after an awful start. The Heat are starting to climb the NBA rankings for the Eastern Conference. But it remains to be seen if any of 2006 title holders defend their crown successfully. Pittsburgh already failed. The French Rugby Union team travel to Croke Park Dublin today and they have the best opportunity.

TV has finally improved..

Tuesday now sees Stargate SG1, Battlestar Galactica, Life On Mars, The Wire.

Sunday now sees 24 followed by Lost on Sky One.

This series of Life on Mars is unfortunately the last one. Some of the promos they have run have been superb. Enclosed with this posting is a picture of Sam Tyler a la Camberwick Green.

Enjoy.

New Year

It has been a while, longer than I had intended and many things have come to pass.

We had a wonderful time in Ireland and I can recommend the country to anyone. We have been to two Rugby matches, Sale Sharks vs Stade Francais and Neath Swansea Ospreys vs Newport Gwent Dragons. We spent New Year with the family in Wales and were totally relaxed. Here we are at the 21st January and what is to know.

For 2006

Favourite Film Brockback Mountain
Favourite TV Battlestar Galactica
Favourite Song Snow by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

In the US, the New Congress has taken over and we now have to think of Speaker Pelosi. The candidates have been declared for the French election and this blog supports Sego. Candidates are declaring for the US Presidential elections for 2008 with Senator Clinton declaring yesterday.

On a sporting front, The Seahawks dreams of glory floundered at Soldier Field in Chicargo though the game at 24-21 in overtime was closer than one would have thought. Llanelli Scarlets are the only welsh representation in the last 8 of the Heineken Cup still credit must be given to Leicester Tigers for being the first team to beat Munster in Limerick in the Competition.
And whisper it not but Stockport County are now in the playoff places of Division 2.

All in all 2007 promises to be a very busy year.

New Year New blog New Pictures.

Fall out

Last Tuesday not only saw the end of the 12 year domination by the GOP of the Congress but hopefully the end of the politicial career of par of the worst double acts to grace the World Stage. Namely Donald Rumsfeld of Dick n Don in Da Pentagon fame.

One hopes that the Democrats prove to be a force for good but I wait to see if they too get caught up by vested interests. I don't beleive that those jobs are coming back from India any time soon. They must also avoid falling into the traps that Clinton set for Gingrich . We shall see.

Sport too has moved on and the NFL is now heading throughNovember . Whilst my beloved Seahawks have suffered injuries, the Superbowl champions, Pittsburgh have just suffered.

Rugby has seen Wales draw with Australia whilst England continue to lose and lose again. Last night saw New Zealand beat France in Lyon. Yesterday was Armistice Day and the All Blacks wore poppies sown into their shirts. In the First World War the French used a phrase at Verdun, "Ils ne passeront pas" they shall not pass and last night no Frenchman crossed the try line.

I also enclose photo's of the united rules series between the Irish Gaelic Footballers and the Australian AFL which was basically a fight from start to end.

Next time more about the trip to Ireland.

As today is Rememberance Sunday, we do not forget all those who died in both World Wars, British, French, American, Commonwealth and Soviet.

The Hooded Man

With the newest version of Robin Hood taking a cuffing from Simon Cowell and "X-Factor" here is a gallery of previous Robin's ...