Is Something or Someone Getting At Me?
I’m certain, I’ve read it somewhere, but when you have a stroke you do get a slightly bit paranoid.
I have had a couple of good days, but things seem to keep going wrong despite the most thorough planning beforehand.
It started on Monday, where the house I was wanting to buy in London failed its survey. Let’s face it, I’m crocked enough without having to worry about a house that’s about to fall down on top of me as well.
Yesterday, the plan was simple. I would take the train into Cambridge, play an hour of real tennis and then take a bus back to Newmarket, so that my secretary could pick me up, when she went into town to do the banking. The tennis was great and really does help my movement and left arm, but then Stagecoach intervened. I got to the Drummer Street Bus Station at about 13:45 and that should have given me plenty of time to catch the bus a few minutes after two. When you can’t drive, you get used to the waiting. At 14:40 or so I gave up, as despite the text system telling me three times buses were due, nothing arrived. Obviously Stagecoach have it in for me.
I walked to the train station to catch the next train to Dullingham, which meant a wait at the station until 15:43. But at least the train was on time, even if the single coach was very crowded.
Friday improved after that, as I watched the cricket, where Trott and Broad entertained everybody with some purposeful batting. Also, a friend came round with a goodbottle of wine for pasta in the evening and we put the horse racing industry to rights. He even brought my basset hound a friend to play with!
Today was very much a curate’s egg. It started well, as a friend took me to the station to get the train to London and the train was on-time all the way. I had been intending to see several houses in London with my son, but five viewings had been reduced to two overnight and both had problems. I just feel that something is telling me that I have to stay here for the winter as a punishment. Where I live may be beautiful and in the middle of the country, but when on some days, you see no-one except the postman and the paper lady it is not good. At least my basset hound hasn’t decided to go and live elsewhere!
At least, I was able to get to Ipswich to see Town beat Bristol City, with the help of Calamity James. Sorry David, but you were at fault for both goals. This blog was also publicised in the program.
My problems today started, when I tried to get home. The train to Bury St. Edmunds was on time, but I couldn’t find a taxi in the town. One number said that I could have a taxi at 21:30.
Eventually, I walked to the town centre and found one, that drove me home. But because he was on the rank, he was fifty percent more expensive.
So am I right to feel paranoid? If I’m honest, I suppose I should forgo the simple pleasures in life, like watching Ipswich Town and just watch what Sky deigns to make available.
But that would mean giving into those dark forces that are trying to make me miserable!
I am however made of sterner stuff and won’t let the bastard or bastards get me down!
The other problem is that the bastard getting at me, has made Monday a Bank Holiday. So that means family viewing on the box and no decent sport either.
Iranian Football Rules
Ali Karimi has been called the Maradona of Asian football. However, he has now upset the regime for various reasons according to this article.
It would appear that he broke the rules on fasting during Ramadan by drinking in a training session, but the BBC reckons the real reason is politics not religion as he showed open support for those that felt they had been cheated of victory in the elections.
A Good Trip to Crewe and Chester
It was a good trip, not only because Ipswich won and I was able to renew old memories in Chester, but also because of the little things that happened and that I discovered.
- Virgin’s First Class lounges made travel in my condition a bit easier.
- The Crewe Arms offered a comfortable bed and good coffee in the morning close to the station and the football.
- I had a very good curry in Passage to India in Crewe.
- The staff and stewards at Crewe Alexandra were pleasant and welcoming.
- Real pubs still exist in the most unlikely places.
- I got a nice complimentary gluten-free salad on the way back. So Virgin can do gluten-free, despite what I said earlier.
I shall definitely go to Crewe again, if Ipswich play there!
Crewe Heritage Centre
One of the few places that are worth seeing in Crewe is the Crewe Heritage Centre, which is a railway museum.
Unfortunately it was closed, despite it being the school holidays. But as it is within walking distance of the station and the football ground, it would be an ideal place to waste a few hours before an away match with Crewe Alexandra.
An Extra Well-Respected Supporter
In front of me was an unusual supporter. Trigger is a flat-coated retreiver and a guide dog.
Trigger at Crewe
Needless to say Trigger behaved himself , but he did show more interest in the pies at half-time, than the football.
I did have a chat with his owner and he said that the Emirates was the best stadium for guide-dogs. They even provide bowls and toilet area.
Surely we can’t let Arsenal get all the plaudits!
Ipswich Win at Crewe
I really enjoyed the game at Crewe last night.
I know Ipswich won, but the football was good and it could easily have gone to penalties.
I should also say, that Crewe’s stewards knew how to make visiting fans appear welcome. Something that some clubs could learn how to do!
I also had a problem in that I needed to take my medicine. That was no problem, as I asked one of the helpful staff in the refreshment hut, if I could have a glass of water. I got it without question.
That was typical of the attitude on the club.
Alexandra Stadium, Crewe
D & G Buses in Crewe
I noticed that some of the buservices in Crewe are run by a company call D & G Bus.
Obviously as Crewe is in Cheshire, these buses must be the first choice of the many footballers wives who live in the area.
Off to Crewe Today
I’m off to Crewe today to see Ipswich play, tonight. Tomorrow, I shall visit Chester, which is just a short train ride away.
There would appear to be little to do in Crewe, as the Crewe Heritage Centre, a railway museum, is closed on weekdays. But I shall check, as this hasn’t stopped me in the past.
A Day at Crystal Palace
Yesterday, I went to see Ipswich play at Crystal Palace. I’m not a fan of South London and until the opening of the East London Line getting to Selhurst Park was never that easy. Here‘s what I said when Town lost last year. You will see that I wasn’t too impressed.
So about midday I arrived at Highbury and Islington and took the North London Line to Dalston Kingsland before a short walk to the impressive new station on the East London Line at Dalston Junction.
Dalston Junction Station
From May next year, this short walk will be avoided as a new stretch of track will connect the North and East London Lines. It will be a good thing, as the pavements are rather crowded and it involves a double-crossing of a busy main road.
I took a Crystal Palace train at Dalston Junction, as I was going to visit the famous park at Chrystal Palace before the match. But fans should normally take a West Croydon train to Norwood Junction for Selhurst Park, as it is closer to the stadium.
Travel on the East London Line and you’ll see what an asset to London, it will become. As we sped southwards, you get superb views pf the East of London and pass places such as the Geffrye Museum that for the serious tourist, who properly explores a city, are a must. As this museum is right on the station at Hoxton and it has a restaurant, it might actually become a popular pit stop on the line. After all with an Oystercard it’s just touch-out and touch-in, whenever you want.
The train started to get filled up at Shoreditch High Street, where there is a ten-minute walking interchange to the main London station at Liverpool Street. Several Ipswich fans joined the train here and I’d got my posse for the expedition to the South.
The other fans had made the mistake of taking a train to Crystal Palace, rather than Norwood Junction. Interestingly, I checked Ipswich’s program for the last home game against Burnley and that gave clear instructions not to go to Crystal Palace. But I had other motives.
Crystal Palace station is one of London’s hidden architectural gems.
East London Line Platforms at Crystal Palace
This the view that greets you as you arrive. Many would say that most football fans are morons, but my travelling companions certainly appreciated what the saw.
The station is equally impressive outside.
Crystal Palace Station
You can’t see it in this view, but there is a glass roof that pays tribute to Joseph Paxton‘s design for the building that gave the area its name.
The Crystal Palace is no longer here now as it burned down in 1936. It must have been some fire, as my mother told me, that they could see the flames from where they lived in North London.
A large park of the park now is taken up by the National Sports Centre, with its swimming pool, running track and training facilities.
Crystal Palace Athletics Track
Nowadays this is the only form of racing that takes place at Crystal Palace, but I can remember as a child watching motor racing from there on the television.
As to the Palace itself, all that is left is some ruined terraces and a few statues.
The Remains of the Crystal Palace
It is all very sad really ands very much echoes the feeling at that other Victorian Pleasure Palace; Alexandra Palace. But before I left, I did have a quick walk round the museum, so perhaps there is hope that this once great park, can regain its place as an important attraction with its views on a clear day all over the city. Especially, now that it is so well connected to the rest of London by the new trains of the East London Line.
I evntually got to Selhurst Park by catching a 157 bus from outside the Park. Due to the traffic chaos outside the ground, it was a comfortable, but slow journey delivering me with just a ten minute walk at the end.
I enjoyed the match especially as Ipswich won, but also because the away fans have now been moved to an area of the ground that gives a better view.
I returned by train from Norwood Junction to Shoreditch High Street, with the journey taking about a third of the time it took last year without the East London Line.
I must say that I enjoyed everything a lot better than last year.
A Suffolk Punch at the Football
I’m not sure whether it’s ever been done before, but Easton Farm Park paraded a Suffolk Punch before the match at Ipswich against Burnley on Saturday.
A Suffolk Punch at Portman Road
He was extremely well-behaved. If Ipswich had beaten Burnley rather than drawn, he’d have had to be there every week.
The Anonymous Widower 