I saw am awesome sight last night, Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee bowled 10 overs during the Aussies defeat last night, nothing exceptional about that, except he had a stress fracture in his left foot, the foot he piles all his weight on when bowling! now I have tried to bowl with a sore toe and that was sheer agony, yet to bowl with that type of injury takes some doing, and he was not just strolling up he was putting everything into it, incredible...

I have stayed up the last few nights watching the Boxing Day Test, from Melbourne, where Australia are 1-0 down in a series against a very good South Africa side, last night SA were 199-7 at early doors a full 198 runs behinds the Aussies 1st innings, thanks to a few factors the situation has deteriorated for the Aussie, firstly Brett Lee did not take the field, secondly a South African, J P Duminy plying in only his 2nd Test decided with the help of his lower order batsmen to do something about it, the Aussies looked clueless to stop Duminy and his bowlers picking off the runs, and wearing down the target to reach parity, so clueless where the Aussies, that at close of play South Africa were 459 all out, a stunning counter attack that leaves them 65 runs ahead of the limp looking Aussies, the Aussies are in serious trouble in this game, they have too many players out of form, Hayden for so long the man at 1st slip laughing like a drain at the misfortune of opposition batsmen seems to be wearing a more troubled look, the laughter is not there, the reason? the runs are not forthcoming, and he is fighting for his place in the Test Team, is the bullying opener coming to the end of the road? in his mid 30's I think that may just be the case. Mike Hussey known as Mr Cricket in OZ and known for scoring loads of runs now looks like he could not hit a cows arse with a banjo, Brett Lee's bowling is below par, and Mitchell Johnson is not quite the top bowler just yet, despite taking a shed load of wickets in the first test.
The trouble is Australia have been spoilt for so damn long in terms of World Class players, and 4 of the big uns have retired in the past 18 months, Justin Langer an absolute run machine, one of the greatest openers, Glenn McGrath a machine like bowler who loved to probe the corridor of uncertainty and one of the most consistent wicket takers ever, Adam Gilchrist, one of the best wicket keepers ever and a highly destructive batter, and finally Shane Warne, the greatest spinner ever (we dont count Murali, he is a chucker)? Now you take 4 world class players out of any team in a short space of time and you will undoubtedly struggle, previously when Australia where in trouble, one of these 4, would chip in with a top notch performance, whether it be Langer or Gilchrist with a century, McGrath with his pace or Warne with his hard to read mixture of wrong ungs, flippers or balls of the century, and they would emerge victorious as ever. That has all changed, the Aussies are looking very ordinary, sure they have players in the side who can raise a performance on any given day, but then so do South Africa, so do India and so do England.
So taking all that into account I am looking forward to this summers Ashes battle, I really do not think it will be as exciting as 2005, the nerve jangling excitement and pure tension of that amazing series will never be repeated, but what I think is that England will eek out revenge for their winter thrashing down under last winter, this Aussie team stripped of 4 world class players, with Hayden and Brett Lee struggling with their age I really do not think they can beat us, We have Pietersen playing well, Cook and Strauss looking solid, Freddie back to his best with both bat and ball, Stuart Broad a top notch bowler who will just get better and better. I dont think it will be a 5-0 job but maybe 2-1 to England, I personally cannot wait.

Whilst we are on the subject of cricket the Star Inn resumes practice in a few weeks, last season was our best and in the last few games we looked very very good, our bowling looks dangerous and our batting starting to look useful and our fielding at the back end of the season was inspirational, new players joined last year, including a balding rotund looking fella who seems vaguely familiar, and our young quicks started to look really menacing, our outgoing skipper at our AGM asked if they could ease up a bit next season in games, that was howled down by the rest of the team who love to see them tear into the opposition, although facing the two buggers in the nets is a seriously scary thing let me tell you!
So get ready for the aches and pains for days on end after training, the bruises the box shattering balls, bring it on I cannot wait!

Well thats Christmas done and dusted, Young Finch loves his Wii, even if I think there is a fault with PGA Golf!
Lunch was Roast Beef with all the trimmings, the young un had way too many presents and was spoilt rotten as usual by everyone.
The day was rounded off with a game on the Wii, the Kiwi was far too good on the bowling and was getting a bit carried away with her score, until I slaughtered it by a country mile.
Its a wquiet day here in Finch towers, Young Finch is away with his mother for the weekend, so its perfect peace here, and leaves me more time to work out how to beat him on all his new games!

The 12 Days of Christmas Cutbacks....

Effective immediately, the following economizing measures are being implemented in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” subsidiary:

1. The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree, which never produced the cash crop forecasted, will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance;

2. Two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are, therefore, eliminated;

3. The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French;

4. The four calling birds will be replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked;

5. The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals, as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks, appear to be in order;

6. The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day was an example of the general decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that, from now on, every goose it gets will be a good one;

7. The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. The function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes, thereby enhancing their outplacement;

8. As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility. Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching;

9. Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps;

10. Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords, plus the expense of international air travel, prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant as we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year;

11. Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right to the bottom line;
Overall we can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and related expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorney’s association seeking expansion to include the legal profession (”thirteen lawyers-a-suing”), a decision is pending.

Deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to remain competitive. Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

I am still stunned at winning the poker night! despite being rather drunk, had a shocking head ache all day yesterday but managed to shake it off before my babysitting duties, which went very well young Chris who is 5 thoroughly enjoyed his bedtime story, I gave him Peace At Last, it used to be Young Finch's favourite, Chris enjoyed the story which included noises and a fair bit of action from the story teller, the other 3 popped up to bed at 9, so we had a peaceful evening in front of the TV.
Easy day today, been working out recipes for my fudge, truffles and coconut ice, that will keep me amused Xmas Eve afternoon!

Blimey, guess who won the Poker last night? I say last night it was more like 4am this morning when a rather tired and emotional radio reporter clinched the hand that scooped the cash and the bloody shirt! Sadly this morning it dawned on me that maybe a bottle of red and an entire bottle of Bombay Sapphire are not the best things to demolish if you want to go shopping, I work up with an absolute stonker of a headache, and was very unsteady on the old pins, luckily the Nurofen and the bacon butties seemed to perk me up, so its an evening of babysitting duties this evening for me with the 3 Ellis young uns and Young Finch. Sunday I promise to behave!

Right thats the second interview done, all seemed to go pretty well, have to wait and see, would like to get it as its a major Museum, I don't miss the cash at NMM but would like to get back into museums, they are such fascinating places, especially this one that has the best record collection in the world (that may be a clue as to where it is), the money on this one is fantastic, and would put me on more than certain friends he he!

Waiting for a few Xmas presents to be delivered, they are due today or tomorrow so fingers crossed.. although luckily Dan's gift is well sorted! and I am sure he will be a very happy lad when he gets it.

Stayed up quite late last night and had some very thoughtful moments, reflecting back on the past year, not my best is my assessment on the personal front, made a few mistakes and have some regrets, but now feeling much more positive for next year. On the career front it was a step out and a step up! getting my qualification is without doubt my greatest achievement, although there were times when I thought I would never get it.

On the Radio front I stood my ground and refused to lower my standards, I may not be on the radio at the moment but rather that than lower myself to Gateways misguided standards, had the big interview and thought I had achieved a big break through but lost out to someone else who was an internal candidate, to be honest I have not listened to them so cannot make an assessment of if they are better than me, but I think I could have done it, and at least Denise Van Outen gave me a kiss and thought I was good (at radio that is, she never offered an opinion on the kissing front)! Had a great laugh filming Qi Test in November, and met up with Rufus Hound after his gig the other night, he is a very funny man, and slaughtered me again during his show, but we had a good chat after and it appears there will be more QI Test for me! Apparently the Production Team reckon get me well oiled and I am away!

For once I am actually looking forward to Xmas this year, the last few have been hard going as I was a bit of a mess (although last xmas eve I managed to have a rather drunken time with my nephew in Greenwich)! but this year should be good, and it will be nice to have Young Finch around, its the first time I have had him with me on Xmas Day in a while, I have a feeling he will be playing with something new most of Xmas day!

Its Poxy Shirt Poker Night this evening, absolutely no Whiskey will be consumed by me this evening, but I do have a bottle of Bombay Sapphire that will be given a damn good seeing to, so tomorrow should be rather quiet at home.

Second interview for the job today, so its a relaxed start to the day then off up to town. I am working right up to Xmas eve this year which is a pain, would much rather have the week off, but I h ave way too much work on at the moment.

Found a great shop the other day, selling bacon, sausages, its called the Giggling Pig, man alive what a name!

It has been bloody hard work being a Charlton for the past few years, and last nights result was desperately hard to take, leading 2-1 in the last seconds of injury time and yet Derby somehow score with virtually the last kick of the game.... poor young Finch was a wreck after the game, I have to admit I was celebrating what looked like a vital 3 points then wallop, the sucker punch left me cursing and swearing, and for a nano second I looked at the celebrating Derby fans and had some very dark thoughts about what I wanted to do to them! unless things pick up its going to be League One next season, still if that happens we may win something!

Definitely think I have Xmas cracked now which is a relief, although I don't seem to be able to muster up the excitement about it all now, now the young un is at that age, some of the magic has gone, still its an excuse to eat and drink way too much which I will not let pass by.

Once Xmas is over I have two things looming, first I am back in the Woolwich Gang Show for some reason, so thats every Sunday afternoon booked up til Easter, andof course in the new year Cricket nets start, its been good to give the knee a rest, but I am going to do some dieting after xmas and lose a bit of weight and I may take advantage of the local gym...

***STOP PRESS***

Looks like I will be coming to a radio near you real soon! details will follow.

It's been my first weekend in a while at home, and very relaxing it has been to! despite agreeing to babysit the godson's next Saturday whilst Mum and Dad go out on the razzle.
Did some serious shopping Friday, picked up the young Finch's Christmas present, man alive the wallet too a hit, and got some other pressies as well, so an expensive but fun afternoon was had running around Hammersmith. Young Finch himself has been an argumentative sod lately so been dealing with that one, which has included a grounding that went down well, many cries of "your so unfair", that fact that he is not yet a teenager has not stopped him going into full Kevin the teenager mode.

My brother and his wife have never forgiven me for buying my nephew many years ago a fully interactive helicopter that made noises, fired stuff and generally annoyed everyone, so each year their presents to Young Finch have been acts of revenge, we have had a mini orchestra, kazoo, mouth organ amongst other items, apparently they have something very good lined up this year, or so he told me Saturday! god help, the only saving grace is that I seem to manage to ensure these presents end up at his mothers, apparently Young Finch has decided whatever it is will stay here with us :(

Next Friday I will be attempting to win back my shirt which is now the winners shirt for poker, we reckon this Friday will be a late one as its Xmas, could be a very long night!

Amazed at Amazon #2

Amazed at Amazon

Pictures from Wales

Well the weekend was great fun the boys were in fine form and the alcohol flowed as usual, we had a very relaxed day Saturday with a nice walk, followed by a full xmas dinner with all the trimmings! Sunday we headed off to Symonds Yat for a drink and to look at the views which were awesome, then back home in time for young Finch to arrive home.
Monday was spent preparing to put the xmas decorations up, not that I am feeling at all in the Christmas spirit, cannot put my finger on why though, young Finch was in a strange mood, and after one or two words the decorations were put away by grumpy old Ebeneezer Finch to teach him a lesson!

Got a second interview next week, last one was competency based, which I sailed through apparently!

Found I have double booked myself this weekend, so canceled both, I am sure the Masonic Lodge can do without me, I have a friend who is keen for me to join them, I am quite happy for them to pay me to do the odd disco, but the thought of joining them fills me with revulsion, I have had personal dealings with their membership before, as a youngster I lost a job because of my step fathers masonic influence, so despite the fact it would have him turning there is not a chance in hell of me becoming a member, as I strongly disagree with the way they go about their business.

Forgot to say I have an interview first thing tomorrow then a mad dash home to be at the Star for opening time a quick beer and bugger off to Wales!

Well its here, the New Romney Mountain Rescue Team head off to the Brecon Beacons for our annual weekend of general mayhem, no girlfriends or wives to nag and and have a moan about how loud we are, no kids to distract us, just a group of men intent on having a giggle. This years activites are weather dependent, firstly if the cloudbase is high we are going gliding, which should be awesome, if the cloud is low we can bugger off and watch the Rally of Great Britain in the forests, or if its wet its the indoor climbing centre.
All in all it promises to be a great weekend with a few hangovers, for me its my third weekend on the trot in South Wales, and I have loved every trip so far!

At home it appears to be very very quiet, as young Finch has a throat infection and cannot talk, I have enquired as to how long this can be extended, sadly the Dr wants it to get better.

I am warming to the French more and more since my visit in the summer, they have a marvelous attitude to protesting, I have mentioned before the owner of the Cafe in Conde Folie insisting I smoked in his Cafe, as he detested the laws laid down by those gits in Paris (they were not going to let the fact its an EU rule stop them), they think nothing of blocking the roads if the price of sheep goes to high! and now the good people of Cretell, West of Paris have had enough of high food prices, these genius's decided to protest in a most original way, they went en masse (yer actual French) into a Carrefore hypermarket and set up a picnic, but outside but they set tables up inbetween the frozen food and flowers, and then helped themselves to the food in and around the shop, much to the chagrin (more of your actual French) of the stores security manager, who lost the plot a tad. The rest of the nation are now viewing these protesters as modern day Robin Hood's.
Can you imagine us Brits doing something like that? No I did not think so we are far too polite....

Well what a weekend, we drove up to my brothers Friday afternoon, dashed across to the outlet to purchase some base layers, and they were an essential purchase. We decided to tackle Lord Hereford's Knob, a mountain in the Black Mountains, so Saturday morning found us driving, and alarmingly the temp outside the car dropped to -2, very cold, on the cold index it was classed as chuffing cold! The climb was good through some gorgeous scenery, we set out at around 9am and arrived at the top around 12.30, the views were stunning, below us as you can see was the cloud base, up on top we found a little dip and set up our cookers for Meatballs in sauce with egg fried rice and pitta bread, and of course hot coffee from our flasks, it was bitterly cold on top and standing still quickly led to a drop in body temperature, so luckily where we cooked gave us some protection from the cold icy wind. We got back to the car at around 3ish and headed to Llanthony Priory, the ruins of a 12th century abbey, which has a tiny litle bar, where we had a hot cup of tea and mince pie.
Sunday saw us in the Waterfalls area, followed a drive over two massive peaks, we paused at the top of one to watch 3 lunatics throw themselves off using hang gliders, what was off putting were the memorials to those who had died, right where they took off! I was heard to comment "bugger off if you think I will ever do that" just before they took off, which changed to "i want some of that" by the time the hang glider had swept past us at speed!
The weekend was ended with my brother cooking a superb lunch of boiled bacon, roast potatoes, creamed leeks, brussels, parsnips and another green vegetable, which was duly demolished, trouble is brussels do have an effect, and the journey for Ian and I home was a contest to see who could gas the other!