Spurs 1 West Ham 0

A very grim and wet visit to the Lane it was today - something that has never happened to us before (believe it or not!). Sadly, due to the weather, our friends Debs and Mick were already inside the stadium two hours before kick off so there was
no chance of a meet-up this time. After John stopped at the chip
shop, we also headed into the stadium to get out of the rain.

Expectations were high as the Spurs came away with a good 2-0 away result in Istanbul on Thursday, and Aaron Lennon was back from injury. The atmosphere was fantastic today and I love it when we're sitting around other lively fans.

Although we dominated most of the first half, our players were looking a bit lazy and were not closing down the opponents quickly enough. Just before the break, there was a bit of 'handbags 'between Defoe and Javier Mascherano where both were booked. This in truth, probably added a spark that the game needed. Then in the first half stoppage time, Edgar Davids made a rare run down the left and squeezed the ball through to Mido inside the area. The big Egyptian, positioned over to the left and at a fairly acute angle, spun and smashed the ball across their goalie and off the inside of the far post. Thankfully the ball did not return into play and nestled happily over the line to mark Mido's first goal of the season.

In the second half, you could tell Martin Jol had given strict instructions to hassle the opponents more and this they did and the game had more pace about it. Several more goal attempts came our way but sadly no more goals. Referee Steve Bennett seemed to be wearing a claret and blue shirt at times but Spurs hung on for the three points. Things seem to be looking up at last.

My week off

Other than my trip to the capital last Monday, the week has been pretty uneventful with John getting on with the decorating and me chipping in where I could. It's in the final stages although the carpet hasn't been ordered yet so that'll come later. However, it's looking much cleaner and brighter.

On Tuesday I received a surprise email from my cousin Matt in Australia. Since he came to visit 3 years ago, he' not kept in touch (that's men for you!) but I got a message out of the blue. He reckons his hotmail address got shut down through lack of use and so he lost our address. However, he must've remembered the blueyonder bit coz he guessed the rest and found us! It was great to hear from him - he's such a lovely guy and we get on so well.

Thursday was my Nan's 83rd birthday. Bless her. She looked quite well, better than when I saw her last and she was getting around not too badly. She's still on the oxygen though. Very slow progress is happening with her move into Millview sheltered accommodation and hopefully it won't be long now.

Oh I've just got to say the highlight of this week's TV was tonight on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway - Ant vs Dec: the boy bands. Hehe! It was so entertaining and made me chuckle; their band members were great sports and included Cheggars, Brian Conley, Michael le Vell, Sid Owen, Chris Parker, Suggs, and Lee from Steps. The guest judges were Jonathan Ross, Ricky Gervais and Simon Cowell. I have to say I thought both routines and performances were great but I personally gave Dec's band the edge.

"Wicked" was wicked!

What a beautiful autumn day - clear blue skies and warm sunshine. Having decided to make a day of it, we left for London mid morning and arrived at the Natural History Museum around noon. Not exactly making the most of the nice weather but neither of us had been to this museum since we were kids. We both remarked how the diplodocus in the main hall looked a lot smaller than we'd remembered, and I'm really not that much taller than I was back then! We spent just over 3 hours there and then had to quickly think how to use the rest of our time before the show that evening. So we hopped on the tube a couple of stops to St James Park, to have a pleasant walk. The squirrels were everywhere munching on acorns - awww so cute. They've become so tame and come right up to people. Just give me some little animals and I'm away! We walked right around the park in front of Buckingham Palace and then through Horseguard's Parade and ended up at Trafalgar Square. Just to kill a bit more time, we went into the National Gallery to look at a few of the most famous paintings including Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Renoir's Umbrellas (two of my faves). Then it was time to get back on the tube to Victoria, where we grabbed a pub meal and then made our way to the theatre which was just round the corner.

Our seats were good - row R of the stalls, and fortunately no-one was sitting directly in front of us so we had a direct view of the stage. I knew Adam Garcia was one of the stars: the Australian actor who starred in Coyote Ugly and has been in the West End version of Saturday Night Fever amongst others; a bit of alright if you know what I mean! I was also pleased to see that there were three other actors I also knew: Miriam Margolyes, Nigel Planer and Martin Ball. Although not a huge stage, the set was great.

"Wicked" is the untold story of the legendary witches from L Frank Baum's classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Set within a fantasy world of wizardry and witchcraft, this magical adventure brings to life the captivating, surprising tale of how a misunderstood, green girl named Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West. Starting from when she was born, through her school years when she becomes friends with Glinda (the good witch) and beyond. I won't give away the plot in case you wanna see it.

They all had great voices but the actress playing Elphaba (wicked witch) was exceptional. As with most musicals, you have scenes and songs which are more pleasing to the eyes and ears than others but all in all it was very entertaining and somewhat different from any other I'd seen.

Bits n pieces of the last fortnight

Yes I've been lazy again, just haven't felt the urge to do any blogging these past two weeks. Not a great deal has happened so it'll probably be brief!

3rd October was my birthday (urgh!) another year older and now only two years away from the big 4 0. I don't bother celebrating birthdays much, the last party I had was for my 21st but I am planning to have one for my 40th - and it'll definitely be fancy dress! My work colleagues spoilt me with gifts including 4 dvds, 2 autobiographies, chocs, Body Shop moisturiser, diary/pen, a giftbox to sponsor a giant panda, and a monkey keyring. I also received footie tickets (for the game 1/10) and clothes from Johnny, a casual shirt from my parents, money from my Nan, mud pack/moisturiser from my friend Suk and some Body Shop stuff from my brother.

12th October during my lunch break, I visited my friend Ellie who has just had a baby boy. She only lives about 8 minute's walk away from work so it's very handy. She had the baby on 1st October and to be induced three times before he would come out (yuck). He weighed a very healthy 8lb 10oz and is as yet nameless. Ellie and her partner Simon have narrowed it down to either Coby or Drew, the latter being favourite but I can't say I like either. Still it's their choice. He is very cute I must say and I managed to get a cuddle after Mummy fed him. Her 2 & 1/2 year old Dylan was running around like a looney-he was making me feel exhausted just watching him. However, Ellie said he is very protective of the baby and there's no jealously at all which is good.

On Friday 13th, I invited the girlies (Mad Al, Groomie and Samuelo) around for a "trip down memory lane" themed evening. Everyone brought old family photos and we reminisced about awful fashions, toys, hairdos and large spectacles, amongst other things. I think I was voted unanamously as having the worst outfit (purple suit) & the worst enormous glasses, although I think Groomie deserved the latter award!! We also talked about how work has changed over the years, three of us having been with the firm for over 20 years. It was a fun evening.

This is the start of my week's leave from work (hoorah!) and John is off too. We are decorating the hall, stairs and landing (at last) and hope that the new fresh neutral colours will brighten it up a bit. Barring tomorrow when we have a day in London with a show in the evening, all week will be dedicated solely to DIY. I'll post some pics once it's finished.

Well that's it for now - told you it'd be brief! Oh what an interesting life I lead! :-)

Spurs 2 Pompey 1

This was my first visit to the Lane this season and it was good to be back. Spurs ended last season in 5th place and was their most successful in years. All the fans believed they would carry on as they left off but it's been a disastrous start with 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses so far, with only 2 goals scored and in 17th place. Better news is that we've got through the first round of the UEFA Cup ok beating Slavia Prague 1-0 home and away.

So today, kick off was at 4pm. We left home at 1pm, in plenty of time you would think but unfortunately we hit traffic on the M25 due to an accident. We arrived at 3pm, parked up and then walked about a mile to meet up with Debs and Mick at the Bell & Hare.

The atmosphere was fantastic at the start of the game, the fans getting right behind the team. After just 42 seconds, Defoe crossed for Berbatov whose downward header was saved by James on his line. However, the ball squirmed out and Berbatov touched it for Murphy to flick home from two yards. YAY! What a great start! Spurs were on top for most of the first half and on 34 mins, were awarded a penalty. Zokora burst forward, played a one-two with Defoe and into the box, looked to turn inside Mendes, and was tripped. Defoe stepped up, David James dived the right way but the strike had enough power to nestle into corner. 2-0! The tide suddenly changed after that and we let Portmouth pass the ball around more comfortably. Not too surprisingly, following a cross, Kanu was left free and headed in a goal on 39 minutes.



Into the second half, Spurs seemed to have a lack of enthusiasm and looked lazy. Berbatov in particular, was dire. Not one of his headers or passes went to a team mate. Pompey were allowed more and more chances but fortunately, their shooting was off. They didn't look like a team who were unbeaten so far this season. Robinson was the hero in injury time with a great reaction save, following a deep cross from Mwaruwari which was met by Lua Lua's head at the far post. Phew! We managed to hold on for a win and 3 very valuable points. Hopefully this will be the kickstart we need so badly. Although the football was not too pretty, the points are what matter at the end of the day.

10:30pm. Having just watched Match of the Day 2, I am quite appalled that in fact Zokora dived in the penalty area; Mendes didn't actually touch him, yet was awarded a penalty. The penalty may have been in my team's favour (and Lord knows we needed it) but I hate to see players do this to gain advantage. It is cheating and I think any player found guilty after the game should be punished. This has never been Spurs way in the past; they have always been a fair play team so I sincerely hope I don't witness it again.