Review of 2009 British Transplant Games

Sunday 30th August

I have been catching up on the results from the (now finished) World Transplant Games down under on the Gold Coast and learn that my favourite Welshman, Ian Hillier, having scored a gross 75 won the gold medal in the  40 - 49 age category.   Yes, I know it's daft but that's what they do in the WTG.   Jeremy took the bronze medal with a 78 and in the ladies Rachel Reynolds is unbeatable.  Congratulations to all three of my mates.   I cannot find the 50 - 59 scores so have no way of knowing what score or who won in my age category.   Does anyone know how Ray Warwick, the Aussie transplant cricketer played?    Glancing through the other results I spotted the name of Colin Mitchell, captain (retired) of the Great Britain Transplant Cricket Club, and see that he was one half of the gold medal winning tennis doubles pair.   Well done skip.

The athletics results have not all been posted yet and I await to see how the 'Flying Dutchman' AKA André Lassooij got on in the 100m.  I do know he won the 200m in a time of 26.7 seconds which if you think about it is fantastic for a man in his fifties who has had a double lung transplant.  The world record time of 13.04 must be under threat and it will be a close call.   I look forward to running behind him in next year's European Games in Sweden.  

Saturday 29th August

Golf in a gale force wind can sometimes be fun.   Let's hope so.

Friday 28th August

Don't ask how, but I came across some free passes for JJB Sports and have spent all morning in the gym followed by a swim in what can only be described as luxurious surroundings compared to my normal cramped venue.   I had such a good workout that I needed to take some food on board and being somewhat of a health freak called into my local bakery and bought a Cornish pasty and a chocolate éclair.   Neither lasted very long and were washed down nicely with a pot of tea.   Now that's what I call a fitness regime.

If I am not mistaken it is probably against some law or other for a North Shields bakery to describe a pasty as being Cornish unless it was manufactured and assembled in that beautiful county.   Just as I cannot distil some brew in my garden shed and describe it as Champagne.   Come to think of it I haven't got a garden shed so it's definitely a non starter anyway.

Thursday 27th August

I am delighted to announce that my golf handicap is back down to 11 following a medal winning round of 78 (net 66) yesterday.   It was easily the best round I have played for ages and here's hoping my  mates down under can do the same today in the World Transplant Games golf championships.

Still on the subject of golf, I have been reading some of the comments in the member's forum on Tynemouth Golf Club's website and have to say it is all very entertaining.   I particularly like the comment about the telescope and mirrors on the pro shop roof to prevent players attempting to play whilst being improperly dressed.   The mind boggles.

I am currently looking at alternative gym memberships and was amazed to find that the local Village Hotel are asking £37 per month for off peak membership.   The facilities it must be said are excellent and it is on my doorstep, but £37 seems a little over the top.   It makes the £27 per month being asked by JJB Sports seem very reasonable because they too have very a good gym, pool and café.  Meanwhile I am currently paying under a fiver per visit when I use the Contours Leisure gym & swim facility run by North Tyneside Council but am not sure how much a yearly membership costs.   That is my mission for today.   I shall report back.

Latest:   Following Larry the Plec's sage advice I bought a box of tea bags instead.

Wednesday 26th August

Supposed to be playing in the final midweek medal of the golf season (what already?) but it is raining heavily and apparently all the fault of Hurricane Billy.   May try later in the day. 

This is all a bit different to the weather down under on the Gold Coast where the World Transplant Games are taking place.   I have just checked the Games website to catch up on some early results and it is 30°C.   The singles golf begins on Thursday but there has already been some competitive practice golf which is a new and welcome addition to the schedule and my favourite Welshman, Jeremy and a couple of foreigners have won the 4 man team event.   Congratulations both and good luck later today, your time.

Back to the baseball.   Can someone give me an update on my 'nephew's' progress over the pond.   Was he been signed by the Toronto Blue Jays but sublet to the Dunedin Blue Jays?   Not sure how it all works.  I looked at his stats but couldn't make head nor tail of them and will be consulting with a certain Caledonian chap of my acquaintance who is the font of all knowledge when it comes to MLB and no doubt MiLB too.   

Tuesday 25th August

No more Test matches until the winter from South Africa and already I have withdrawal symptoms.   Time now to brush up on the minutiae of  MLB.

ERA.   Now there's a conundrum and my thanks to the 'Cultured Caledonian' for attempting to clarify exactly what it is all about.   In my searches for more information I came across a site called freemathhelp.com and all was revealed.

The formula for working out a pitcher's ERA is:-

(earned runs / innings pitched) x 9

Eg:   A pitcher (Curt Schilling actually) gave up 19 runs in his first 89 innings.    Therefore his ERA is 1.92, which is good.   The lower the number the better the pitcher's stats.

19 / 89 = 0.2135

0.2135 x 9 = 1.92

I have just discovered that my keyboard does not have a division key.   Any offers?   It is also strange that the Americans say math but we say maths.   Also, we say innings and they say inning.  

Monday 24th August

Nothing much to say about the Ashes, except perhaps - WHOOPEE.

The fag end of the summer will now be taken up with completely pointless one day 50 over matches and biff bang wallop Twenty20 affairs between players whom most people, except their immediate families, have never heard of.   The drama of the Test matches cannot possibly be matched by these meaningless matches and I for one will not watch any of them.   Nor it seems will the Australian captain Ricky Ponting who accepted defeat very graciously and demonstrated to everyone that he is a class act.

The finale of the cricketing season will come next week when Durham retain the County championship with Collingwood, Onions and Harmison playing.   I just might go and see them do it.

Saturday 22nd August

Test match cricket is a gruelling, compelling and time consuming sporting experience and so it was that I had to be surgically removed from the Boggy chaise longue at around 7.30pm yesterday.  

Today being a Saturday requires me to be at the golf club playing in a competition rather than resume my front row seat in front of the telly whilst listening to Test Match Special on R4.   The way the Test  is unfolding it is just possible that it will be all over before I get home.   I hope it isn't.  

The Ashes are England's to lose and only one great effort from the men in their baggy greens can save Australia now.   If I were a betting man.....my money would stay in my back pocket.   It's never over until it's over.

Thursday 20th August

The chief cricket correspondent of the Times has written an excellent article today under the banner headline, "Flintoff comes up short in the great debate."

He is a popular cricketer but his stats simply confirm what most of us knew anyway. Good cricketer?    Yes.   Great cricketer?    No.     For an all-rounder's bowling average to be higher than his batting average doesn't place him in the elite category.

Having said all of that I hope he has a blinder these next five days and helps England win back the Ashes.   If I was a betting man, sadly, my money would be on the Aussies.

Incidentally, the chief cricket correspondent for the Times is Mike Atherton.

G'day No 23 - say hello to Anita for us.   JPS will be tuning in from the USA but I suspect he will not find much TV coverage over there.

Talking of sports USA, I have paid for and printed off my tickets for the San Francisco Giants game against Arizona Diamondbacks, the last game of the season at AT&T Stadium next month.    Baseball, in case you were wondering.

Wednesday 19th August

I managed to complete my round of golf this morning without having to resort to the blood capsule stashed away in my sock.   An unbelievable tale from the cloistered gentleman's world of rugby union is evolving and gets murkier each day.   If you haven't been following this story I suggest you look it up on the web and familiarise yourself with the facts, at least those that are so far known.

Harlequins against Leinster should do it.   A ban of three years hardly seems enough.  Why can't they be kicked out forever?  The latest revelation that the team doctor used a scalpel to make a cut inside Tom Williams' mouth to authenticate the 'blood injury' is simply beyond belief.   

Let's get back to some real sport tomorrow from the Oval in the final Test against the Aussies.   I would definitely pick Steve Harmison for this Test and only if he fires as we know he can will England win.   If not, the urn is going back down under, figuratively speaking at least.

Am I the only one that thinks Freddie Flintoff is milking his final Tests for all they are worth and that his ridiculous, Christ like,  pose at Lord's was unnatural and probably conceived in his agent's office and that somewhere down the line a range of clothing will be brought out with this pose as the logo?   Perhaps I am too much of a cynic.

As for yet another South African being brought into our batting line up...the one we've got is enough surely, at least when he is fit.   There must be an English batsman out there who we could stick with and Rob Key must be wondering what he has done wrong.

Tuesday 18th August

Since posting yesterday's blog I have received an email from the 'Flying Dutchman' asking as to my welfare when he realised I was not going to Australia for the 17th World Transplant Games this weekend.   André also gave me some inside information about his and the Dutch 4 x 100m relay team's training progress and it was all good.   If I were a betting man and providing the conditions are good, my 20 guilders would be on a new world record being set in the veterans 100m final.    Go get 'em André.

Good news too from North Tyneside Council.    I have just learnt that Tyne Youth & Community Centre (did I ever tell you I was chairman?) is to be given a double sided road sign on Mariners Lane so that the good people of Tynemouth know where we are.   Having been on that site since 1964 that's what I call progress.  I was also told that as a result of an engineer looking into them, the potholes will be repaired soon too.   Thanks Bev.

Monday 17th August

That I am the British 100m (veteran) transplant champion and that the world record for the event was marmalised last night in Berlin by Usain Bolt got me searching for my calculator.   I have calculated that if I were to run against him in the event (I nearly typed raced but that would have been silly) I would, based on my winning time in Coventry, trail in 26.96 metres behind him.   That is incredible but sadly for me, true.   If there are any mathematicians reading this you should be able to work out my most recent time for the event.

This leads me on nicely to the World Transplant Games which are about to start on the Gold Coast this weekend.   Firstly I wish all of my team mates a safe journey down under and good luck in their respective events.   Secondly my arch rival, the 'Flying Dutchman' André Lassooij, is going all out to break the 100m world record when he competes next week in the veterans (50 - 59 years old) category.   I Wish him well in his quest and genuinely hope he achieves his goal.  

It is thanks to André that I ran my best ever 100m when finishing second to him in the European Heart & Lung Transplant Games (something which I have done for the last four Games).   My time that day in Dublin 2004 was 13.6 seconds.   Sadly I cannot beat the 14 second barrier anymore.

The current world record for the 50 - 59 category is 13.04 seconds.

Sunday 16th August

Played golf yesterday and posted a respectable 37 points (81 -12 = 69) and sneaked back under the 12 mark to 11.9.   My apologies to those of you who are totally bemused by those numbers.

Les Paul and the Gibson guitar, where do I start?   It can be argued that Les Paul, who died last week aged 94, did for guitars what Stradivarius did for the violin and Mr Moog did for the keyboard.   He was the first to do many things, multi track etc and with his wife, Mary Ford, had 11 number one hits, most of which were recorded in their bathroom.

I know all of this because there was an excellent documentary about him a couple of years back on TV which will no doubt be repeated soon and I read his OB in The Times last week.

The other major guitar company which bears the name of it's founder is of course the one in Scottsdale Arizona started by Clarence Fender.   The instrument that I am currently failing to master belongs in this category and my black and white Squier Strat will come off it's stand a bit later today.   

With the demise of Setanta, the Irish based sports channel, I now receive ESPN and am able to watch the baseball live from the USA and have to say it is gripping stuff and not too distant from cricket.   When Mrs Boggy and I are in San Francisco next month we will be taking in a game at the AT&T stadium when the Giants play the Arizona 'somethings'.  

My golfing numbers with which I started this blog are nothing compared to the mind numbing amount of statistics which pour out of the screen when the baseball is on.   I still can't get my head around what ERA is all about.

The climax of the USPGA is tonight and I hope that the slow Irishman beats the even slower Eldrick.   It is because of players like these two that I have to suffer rounds in excess of 4 hours at Tynemouth.    Is he miserable or am I just imagining it and am I the only person who thinks he looks like Angeline Jolie?

Friday 14th August

If you are anywhere near the Bell & Bucket in North Shields tonight you should call in and support our local rock star, Larry the Plec.   On Parole are playing an acoustic set in the pub where I used to work for free during late November and all of December in the good old days when, because we were sold out of gold in the lead up to Christmas, I was taken off the road.    Unbelievable in these austere times, but true.

Thursday 13th August

Well, did you see it last night?   The fantastic light show that was the meteor shower appeared outside our landing window at approx 4am BST.   I watched it come and go for about 10 minutes before waking Mrs Boggy to come and have a look too.   We both saw the light appear in the sky briefly only to disappear and return at regular intervals.  

I thought it strange that this random event should keep happening in the same part of the night sky until it dawned on me (excuse the pun) that what we were watching was the reflection of our carbon monoxide warning light in the window.

No meteor show in the Geordie night sky for us then, at least not when we were watching.   Got up this morning feeling shattered and can't understand why.

Wednesday 12th August

Not being able to see them last night I am going to make it my business to view the Perseid Meteor shower in the small hours tonight (or is it tomorrow?).   Debris from the Swift Tuttle Comet is responsible for this annual light show in our skies and not being one of the world's greatest sleepers it is my intention to be stargazing around the witching hour.   All I have to do is look for the 'big W' in the sky, which we all know is Cassiopeia, and with a bit of luck and not too bright a moonshine all will be revealed.   The meteors appear to come from the constellation Perseus, hence their name.

My mate Richard and his wife Dee will no doubt have a full house up there in Wark, deepest Northumberland, at their magnificent hostelry the Battlesteads, just a few miles from Kielder Water which is regarded as the best star gazing place in the UK.   He serves a good pint of Magus and  'Workey Ticket' too.

Tuesday 11th August

With the start of the World Transplant Games on the Gold Coast in Australia about to start in 10 days time I would normally be working in the gym harder than is comfortable but because I have chosen to give it a miss this time around I instead shall be taking a leisurely stroll to my local bookstore.    Researching where to go, what to do and where to stay in the Grand Canyon is a much more pleasurable way to spend my leisure time.   Having said that I will probably go for a swim later this afternoon and am definitely playing golf in the morning.

Isn't sport wonderful?

To my team-mates who will soon be leaving for down under I wish them bon voyage and success at the Games and can assure them that the Aussie hospitality is positively Geordie like.   They will love it in Oz and for those that stay on for a holiday they will surely want to return again.   Having said that, I hope England thrash them at the Oval next week.   Possible, but unlikely.

Monday 10th August

A young Australian thespian of my acquaintance is appearing in This Mortal Coil at the Edinburgh Fringe with her fellow performers from the Sydney Theatre School.   The show is being performed in Auld Reekie's Quaker Meeting House starting tonight at 6.30pm and runs until Saturday.   Check out the link it is most impressive.

Break a leg, Michelle.

Meanwhile her parents are sightseeing in Washington DC and I am reliably informed that the US capital is everything they imagined.   Alas no invitation to the Oval Office was forthcoming and if JPS cannot get in, Mrs Boggy and I have no chance in a few weeks time.

JPS informs me that he saw his second Magna Carta at the National Archive museum over there in downtown Washington DC.   I do know that there are four in England (Lincoln, Salisbury and two at the British Library) and they have been listed on the 'Memory of the World' register by UNESCO.    I wonder if one of these is currently on loan to our American cousins.  

You just don't know what you're going to read about next on here do you?   Any information?

Sunday 9th August

The Test is still in progress but it's only a matter of time before the Aussies wrap it up and level the series and so move to the last Test at the Oval all square.   Most Englishmen would have settled for that scenario before a ball was bowled.   It looks like the Ashes will be going back down under, metaphorically at least, because a draw is definitely the most likely result in London.   Unless of course the selectors keep the faith for one last time with Steve Harmison and he lets rip a week on Thursday.   Unlikely, but not impossible.

Went to a 60th party last night where my favourite local band made an appearance.   After Midnight as always were excellent and my record collection performed live again for the first time in ages.   No Ting Tings though.

Friday 7th August

If ever there was a good toss to lose today was it at Headingley for the fourth Test match against Australia.   England won the toss, chose to bat and at lunch are 72 - 6.   Ricky Ponting would have done the same if he had called correctly and no doubt the Aussies would have been in a similar hapless position.  

Steve Harmison, picked to bowl, will need to score 50+ if he is not charging in later this afternoon.    Sleep well down under.

Thursday 6th August

Who says Yorkshire folk are stingy?   DP became the first person to enter a team in my charity golf day at Tynemouth on 14th May 2010 without knowing or asking how much.   Good on you No 1 and I look forward to seeing you and your mates.  

Without knowing any costs at this stage I would expect the entry fee to be somewhere between £150  - £200 per 4 man team to include a meal of some description after the golf.   It is also my intention to have a bit of a 'do' in the evening at the golf club which would be an add on cost because not all of the golfers would necessarily want to be there and others would like to attend simply to support the FHLTA.  

At this early stage nothing is definite and until I meet with my 'brains trust' everything is in flux and I am also open to good ideas.

Wednesday 5th August

Thought you might be interested to learn that next year it will be 25 years since the first heart transplant was performed at Newcastle's Freeman hospital and to mark such a special occasion I thought a golf day would be a good idea.     

Having just spoken to the secretary of Tynemouth Golf Club it is now officially booked and in the diary of events for Friday 14th May 2010.   The exact  format is yet to be finalised but with a little help from Willy the Tog and next year's captain, Steve Laws, I am certain we can come up with a format to suit all.   Shotgun start, 20 x teams of four, etc etc... You heard it here first.   Any of my transplant golf mates who are reading this should let me know asap and I will hold a place for them.   How about Hillier, Barnes, Gambrill & Reynolds as a fourball?   The bookies would install them as 3/1 favourites immediately.   

In case you were wondering where you had heard the lyrics below - they are from Brain Salad Surgery by Emerson Lake & Palmer.

Tuesday 4th August

As someone nearly said....

...Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends
I'm so glad you could attend
Come inside! Come inside!

That's it for another year of competitive transplant sport and my spikes are stored away again until Sweden, July 2010.

My results at the British Transplant Games in Coventry were as follows:

Golf - 5th place

(Not very) Long Jump - Silver medal

100m - Gold medal

200m - Gold medal

Pretty good and but for a couple of poor shots could have been so much better.   My favourite Welshman and playing partner, Ian Hillier, beat the field by 8 and me by 9 shots.  

I have a couple of messages:   

To Ian, Ceri and Megan, "Diolch, oddiwrth eich frindiau Saesneg".

Colin, are you OK?

Much more later but I have loads of other stuff to do first.
 

Sunday 2nd August:  

British Transplant Games - Coventry

Closing ceremony & Gala Dinner

Track & Field

My events = 100m / 200m / Long(ish) Jump / 4 x 100m relay

Saturday 1st August:

Go watch other events and support my team mates in the swimming, badminton, bowls, mini marathon and anything else that's happening.

Have a good gig Larry.

Friday 31st August:

Golf championships at Brandon Wood Golf Club

TSUK AGM

Question - Is Wales in Scotland?

Thursday 30th August:

Registration
Freeman Team meeting
Opening ceremony and parade followed by a civic reception

Wednesday 29th August:

Travel to Coventry and (weather permitting) play a practice round of golf

Tuesday 28th July

In the build up to Thursday's third Test match for the Ashes, at Edgbaston, The Times newspaper had an article entitled 'Brotherhood of the Baggy Green' in yesterdays special supplement.   It is required reading for those of you interested in such matters.

Just in case you missed it I thought you may be interested in this snippet from the article:-

The Victoria Cross for military valour has been awarded 1,353 times but only 410 people have been entitled to wear a baggy green.     The first was to Charles Bannerman in 1877 and the latest to Bryce McGain this year.

Exclusively manufactured by the Albion Hat & Cap Company the baggy green is also awarded to players of the Australian Transplant Cricket Club (I would guess no more than 40).   On special occasions a baggy green has been awarded by the ATCC to the opposition and I am proud to say I am one of them.    By my calculations that makes me one of only about 500 people to own a baggy green.

Isn't sport wonderful?

Monday 27th July

Meeting of the the Freeman Heart & Lung Transplant Association - FHLTA - today at Tyne Youth & Community Centre - TYCC - which is a bit of a distraction for me really because I have lots to do before leaving for the British Transplant Games - BTG - in Coventry on Wednesday morning.   I would like to have a swish and a swoosh on the golf course, a grunt and groan in the gym, a splish sploosh in the pool and a plinky plonky on my guitar before leaving, but it seems unlikely.  

Isn't paperwork wonderful?  

Sunday 26th July

Blink and you missed it.   I did.

Saturday 25th July

A golf free Saturday is a consequence of never looking at my TGC diary or checking the notice boards in the golf club.    Today is visitors day and  the tee times are all booked.   Not many more opportunities to tune up before next Friday's British Transplant  Games golf championships in Coventry.   The penultimate and arguably the best stage of Le Tour is on TV though.

I have now received two messages from The White House about policy statements and announcements concerning health insurance reform by the 44th president and one from the First Lady but still not heard whether Mrs Boggy and I can tour the West Wing in September.   I wonder if JPS has had better luck.

Friday 24th July

Thanks for the kind words.   I forgot to say yesterday that it has been a pleasure to have met so many people from all corners of the world in the transplant sports community and am looking forward to renewing acquaintances next week at the British Transplant Games in Coventry, both socially and competitively.   Who me? Competitive?   I don't think so.  

Not many more opportunities to hone my golf game, so after depositing  Mrs Boggy at work at 5.55am (it is necessary once a fortnight or so for the keyholders to arrive early for the delivery and they take turns) I teed off at 6.20am and was the first and only person on the golf course for at least half an hour.    Wonderful.    I played two balls and experimented on the course which is a little different from the practice range.   Finishing at 8.45am and walking back to my car a couple of people asked if I wanted to make up a fourball.   I declined.

The lateness of my blog, you may not be surprised to hear, is as a result of nodding off in mid morning and then watching Le Tour.

Thursday 23rd July

Exactly 10 years ago today I received my life saving, life changing heart transplant at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.   

Since 1985 when the first heart transplant was performed at the Freeman hospital some 1,517 heart and or lung transplants have been carried out.   I am number 799 and eternally grateful to the dedication and skill of everyone involved.  

Most importantly, my thoughts are very much with the family of the young man who died in order that I might live.    His parents, in their time of grief, gave permission for his organs to be donated.    That truly is the 'Gift of Life'.

Have you discussed organ donation with your family?    Carrying a donor card is good but not enough.   You must tell your nearest and dearest your wishes.

To say that, "I am just happy to be here!" would be an understatement.  

Wednesday 22nd July

Just as Larry the Plec has acquired a new putter I too have purchased new equipment in my search for sporting excellence, as yet unfound.   Following my work outs in the gym I head for the swimming pool and thrash up and down as if being chased by a great white.   A mate of mine who is also an excellent swimmer told me to wear goggles which would enable me to dip my head below the water line and not only make my swimming smoother but also quicker.  

Yesterday, following a strenuous workout which had my heart rate at 158 bpm (the cyclists on Le Tour had rates of 180 bpm as they climbed the mountains yesterday) I took to the water with my new 'go faster' specs'.   Halfway down the length (OK I lied), 10 yards down the length I came up gasping for air spluttering like a politician defending his expenses claim, I reverted to my unique style of eyes above the water line with my goggles perched firmly on top of my head.

I only mention any of this because young Tom Daley won the 10m diving world championships yesterday and on his last dive there was less water splashed than when Mrs Boggy drops a sugar lump in her cocoa.

Where's my putter?  I'm off to the golf club.

Tuesday 21st July

Didn't think they could score that many, but you just never know eh?    Great spell of fast bowling by 'Freddie' Flintoff but possibly the best piece of bowling came from the 'offy' Graeme Swann.  His dismissal of the very talented and good to watch Michael Clarke was worth waiting for.    If KP is injured for the next Test we may see the return of Shane Warne's mate, the 'Sherminator', AKA Ian Bell.   I am predicting a return for the big Geordie fast bowler from the current runaway leaders and reigning champions, Durham.

It has to be said that Ricky Ponting was gracious in defeat because there was plenty he could have moaned about, but didn't.   This particular Pommie thinks he is class.

Third Test begins next Thursday and I will be down in Coventry for the British Transplant Games so will be restricted to a few highlights.   Just don't know how I will cope.   Le Tour is still on this week and finishes in Paris come Sunday.  

Isn't sport wonderful?

Q -    Who is the lead singer of Dr Comfort and the Lurid Revelations?

Monday 20th July

What a fantastic weekend of sport and with a bit of luck and some good bowling England will go one up in the Ashes later this afternoon.

The Open from Turnberry was sport of the highest order and Tom Watson will not be remembered as the man who came second and lost but as the man who nearly made a fairy tale come true.   OK he came second in the play-off but he showed how the game should be played and was nothing but courteous, gentlemanly and sporting throughout.   His poor shots, and there weren't many, were not greeted with a curse and his clubs were not thrown all over the shop and he definitely did not spit nor behave like a spoilt brat.   He has raised the bar for golfers of all ages and ability and kept me rooted to the Boggy chaise longue for the best part of two days.

Got to get back now to see (if) England polish off the Aussies.   They can't score that many, can they?

Late Friday 17th July / early Saturday 18th July

Trying to sleep in a hospital ward, unless you are ill, is a near impossibility for me and on my return home this afternoon from the Freeman hospital after battling through floods on the coast road I fell asleep through Test Match Special on R4 and The Open golf on TV.   I awoke to find that Tiger Woods has probably missed the cut in The Open and Australia are trying their best to let England go one up in the Ashes.   I even missed Le Tour highlights in the early evening.

My 'MOT ' went well and I will post the gory details on my Red Book page over the weekend for those of you who are interested in the medical stuff.   Yes you sis.   I hope you made it back home to Fort Langley, BC, Canada OK with John Mayall's autograph safely tucked inside your suitcase.   Say hello to all of my rellies over there and of course Hannah and Alan too.

I must tell you this even though you will probably not believe me.   This morning in the Freeman on my return from an early morning pot of tea in the new Sir Bobby Robson wing, which by the way is magnificent, I was reading a notice board when someone tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Hello Graham".   Well they would wouldn't they?

Anyway, it just happened to be my local MP from Tynemouth, Mr Alan Campbell and he asked me if I was in for my MOT.   Which I was, but puzzled how he knew.   "I read your  blog to see what the opposition are up to" he told me.  

I of course was flattered but thought it best to offer my apologies for fraternising with 'the enemy' a few weeks back in my role as chairman of Tyne Youth & Community Centre.   Alan, said he fully understood and realised it was not political but good use of the facility that is Chirnside House in Tynemouth.   It was he who had officially opened the centre back in October 2000 and a plaque is displayed prominently to say so for eternity in the coffee bar.

My constituency representative from the Houses of Parliament thanked me for the kind words I had written about him at the time of David Cameron's visit to Tynemouth and I breathed a sigh of relief.   If you can't remember what I said......................

.......................At the next General Election Wendy Morton is hoping to oust the current Labour MP for Tynemouth, Alan Campbell, and take his seat in Westminster for the Conservatives.   I have to place on record that Alan Campbell is a good constituency MP and has helped me on many occasions so Wendy will have a difficult job on her hands to defeat him.  

I am happy with the above and will add that despite the hapless performance of the present labour leadership I hope Alan Campbell is re-elected as the MP for Tynemouth.   If as the bookies will have us believe he is defeated at the ballot box next May (oh yes it is) his successor will have a hard act to follow. 

May I also take this opportunity of wishing Mr Campbell's wife a speedy recovery following her stay in the Freeman hospital.   Oh, and thanks for reading Alan.

Thursday 16th July

Annual 'MOT' at the Freeman

Bon voyage Sis.

Wednesday 15th July

I now have something in common with Gary Sobers and Ravi Shastri because I scored six sixes today.   Unfortunately mine were on the back nine of Tynemouth Golf Course and not on a cricket pitch.   Oh well.    However I did manage an unlikely two courtesy of a thirty five foot uphill curly wurly putt.

I have an early start tomorrow for my annual 'MOT' at the Freeman hospital and am looking forward to watching The Open golf and the second Test match from a nice comfortable hospital bed.   If I were a betting man, which I am not, my money would be on the Aussies (arrgh) to win at Lord's and as always Tiger Woods will be the favourite for the golf but 'The Goose' and Padraig are always worth a florin or two.   Best Brit?   Lee Westwood or Paul Casey.   I would have said Poulter but he is as likeable as Pieterson.   A couple of show ponies from the same stable perhaps.

Tuesday 14th July

The tom toms tell me that a possible cricket tour to India is being discussed and as  honorary members of the 14Degrees XI from Sydney, NSW Nigel and I would be eligible to tour too.   Of all the places in the world that I don't want to visit, India would be near the top of the list.   No offence intended to the largest democracy on the planet, as well as the most nutty about cricket, but purely on health grounds I would have to decline.   Thanks for thinking of me though, JPS.   

Monday 13th July

You will notice that I didn't make it to my PC yesterday.   Why would I when there was a Test match to watch as well as the highlights package of Le Tour?   The golf from Loch Lomond didn't get a look in and Formula 1 can wait until much later in the season when and if Jensen Button is near to to his coronation.

The tension and drama of a Test match will always matter more than the biff bang bang slog and wallop of the 20Twenty variety.   The lad from Durham showed the show pony from South Africa (and others) just what was required to save the game.  'Sir' Geoffrey and Mike Atherton thrived in similar situations and every successful team needs a man like Collingwood, Atherton or Boycott.

The last hour / 15 overs should mean exactly that and England's dodgy tactic of sending the twelfth man and a fat physio onto the pitch in an effort to waste time does them no credit.   A simple solution is available and just as in other sports the clock should stop and the time wasted made up and this scenario would be rendered meaningless.

What a fantastic advert for Test match cricket and roll on Thursday when I shall be watching from my hospital bed.

Saturday 11th July

Time for a game of golf on this beautiful Saturday which means I will miss the Australians hammering home the advantage in the Test.  

Later:   Played golf OK and only the rain can save England.   Time for Pieterson to prove he is not simply a show pony, get his nut down and play proper cricket.

Friday 10th July

Somewhat late in posting my blog today because I was otherwise engaged in a knock of 150.   I wish.    Ricky Ponting is pure class and makes KP's antics at the crease appear what they are - amateurish in comparison.   We want to like KP but he makes it hard for English supporters who love the game.   69, swish and out, doesn't win Test matches.

The Australian captain's innings has definitely put them in control of the first Test.

in an attempt to get my golf game back into some sort of order I have been out on the course practising, as opposed to playing, and there were definitely some green shoots in sight.   I will need more than that if I am to compete with our esteemed GBTCC captain who is a recent convert to the game as well as assorted Englishmen, Scotsman and my favourite Welshman (or is he Scottish too?).

Thursday 9th July

If I were a betting man I would definitely risk ten bob each way on a horse running in the 3.10pm at Newmarket this afternoon.   His Name?   Doctor Fremantle.

Update:   I don't like to say I told you so, but I did.

Doctor Fremantle won at odds of 8/1

I have dusted and vacuumed chez Boggy in preparation for the homecoming of Mrs B later this evening after her sojourn to Spain.

Wednesday 8th July

I can recommend a sightseeing trip down and up the Tyne.   Very interesting and the live commentary from the guide was really informative.   Cruising past the spot where I served my time was rather odd because all of the cranes and sheds had gone and were now landscaped.   Even stranger was seeing the non existent docks where my dad was in charge and I was a baggage boy in my summer holidays.  

Possibly the worst 'crime' was the sight of a Russian ship unloading its cargo of coal.   Yes, you read that correctly....UNLOADING coal.   Talk about 'Taking coals to Newcastle'.  

Tuesday 7th July

It may not be as dramatic as a trip from Kamloops to downtown Vancouver but a sightseeing voyage from Newcastle quayside to the piers at Tynemouth is on the agenda today for the triumvirate known as 'Three Boggy's in a boat'.   The weather forecast is not the best I have ever seen but we will be undercover and tea and scones are available during our cruise.

The more I read about the Test Match which begins tomorrow in Wales the more bizarre the decision to stage it there becomes apparent.   Before the start of play umpteen songs / anthems will be sung by the great and good (sic) from the Principality.   It's just not cricket.  

Once the first ball is about to be bowled (and only then) will the Ashes, or, as Colin Mitchell's mum would say, Y Lludw, be underway.

The series promises to be close and both teams would appear to be evenly matched.   I have heard this so many times before only for the Aussies to jump out of the traps and take control as well as The Urn (figuratively at least) down under.  

If I were a betting man my ten bob would be on the Aussies but I am supporting England and think they may just be good enough to scrape an honourable draw.   If Steve Harmison is recalled in late summer and the series is level my money would definitely be on England.   On form (which he is), he is just too fast for them.

Monday 6th July

OK.    I agree it was a fantastic game of tennis and both players deserve all of the praise coming their way.    Roger Federer is the epitome of a good sportsman in  contrast to Tiger Woods who was seen spitting on the tee box following a wayward drive as he won his own tournament last night.

Now that the tennis is out of the way we can concentrate on some other fabulous sport over the next couple of months.   The Tour de France is compelling viewing, a perfect way to view the French countryside and brings the possibility of a Brit winning the green jersey.   Our only non medal winning cyclist at last year's Olympic Games, Mark Cavendish, is definitely the fastest man on a bicycle in France.  

Next week it is The Open (not the British Open) from Turnberry and Eldrick will start as overwhelming favourite.   No spitting please.   Dummies or phlegm.

I nearly forgot.....a cricket series starts on Wednesday in Wales.   The reason the Ashes get underwayy in Cardiff is apparently because Colin Mitchell's mother is Welsh.

Sunday 5th July

I would guess the Sage to be no more than half full for last night's performance by the legendary John Mayall and his band (no not the Bluesbreakers).   Those that were there were royally entertained with his hypnotic blues music for just under two hours and the musicians he had playing with him were simply lush.   The lead guitar player, Rocky Athas is fantastic.   Those of you who like this sort of stuff would do well to have a look at his CV on the official website below.   'Cocky Rocky' by Thin Lizzie is dedicated to the axeman.

Mayall clearly loves his music and not in it just for the money.     Otherwise why did he not have any merchandise on sale?   None of the ubiquitous CD's, mugs, tee shirts anywhere in sight although a programme would have been helpful.

He did tell us that the official John Mayall website would fill in all of the the gaps

At the end of the concert he was signing autographs in the foyer and it has to be recorded that my big sis was the first one in the line having her ticket signed.

Friday 3rd July

The Boggy family have scattered far and wide across Europe for a few days and left me to cope at home alone.   Only one thing for it ....kippers, fresh from North Shields fish quay, for tea.   Chez Boggy will have a distinctly fishy smell this weekend.

The Australian transplant Cricket Club - ATCC - also known as the Wombats have a new player, I have just been informed.

Asanka Gurusinha the former Sri Lankan Test match batsman who received a kidney transplant and now lives in Melbourne is likely to make an appearance for the Aussies.   Wow.   How about that.

Having looked up Gurusinha's Test match record I can reveal that he played 41 Tests from 1985 - 1996 and batted left handed scoring 2,452 runs including 7 centuries and his batting average is 38.92.   He also claimed 20 wickets with his right arm medium 'pies' at an average of 34.05.   One of his wickets was that of Mike Atherton so it can be assumed that his 'pies' were a lot more dangerous than mine.

He also played in 147 ODI's and scored 3,902 runs and took 28 wickets.

The Aussies are about to take transplant cricket up another notch.   Fantastic.

Thursday 2nd July

I would like to say that my 'no return' in the midweek medal yesterday was because of the thunder storms and flashes of lightning, as did 'Larry the Plec', which not only made the conditions unplayable but dangerous.   Unfortunately I can't.   Already playing badly and racking up a big score I was plugged in a greenside bunker under the lip and failed miserably to get out.   Having played four shots in the sand and no cigars to hand, I gave up.   QED

Wednesday 1st July

Back in Black by Aussie (plus a Geordie) rockers is indeed the second biggest selling album of all time.   Well done ID.   The reason others did not give the answer is probably because I asked the same question some time ago and was deluged with correct answers.

England ladies cricket team continue to dominate the Aussies but it was nice to see wor Lisa score some runs and take a wicket.   She probably fielded brilliantly too.

Muz:   I have two photographs with stumps removed from the ground.  One is of you bowled by me at Bowral, NSW and the other is of me being bowled by Archie (chairman of PMCC).   My off stump is cartwheeling through the air and was captured on film by the sports photographer from out regional newspaper.  

I am taking my big sis to see a gig at the Sage on Saturday night.   Whether she has ever heard of John Mayall is debatable but it will impress her blues guitar playing son -in-law, Ryan Loewen.   Those of you not familiar with the Sage on the banks of the Tyne should do a search on Google and feast your eyes.

Tuesday 30th June

What were you watching on the telly at 10.30pm last night?   I have to admit to being enthralled with the last of five sets, by some dour Scottish bloke against a man who looked as if he had jammed his nose in a door, playing 'indoor' tennis at Wimbledon.   With the roof closed and the lights on, the hallowed grass in SW19 provided a magnificent backdrop for sport.    Even for someone like me who doesn't like tennis.   

I do have two questions:

1. When did Evian water replace Robinson's barley water as the preferred drink of the players?

2. How come Murray was supping the French liquid when he is wearing a Highland Spring  logo on his sleeve?
    

As Mrs Boggy was finishing her afternoon shift yesterday I arrived to transport her home and  was reversing into a large car parking space behind the emporium where she earns a crust and had the misfortune to bump into the perfectly stationary completely still not moving at all and unoccupied vehicle sitting innocently in the next bay.   To my horror it was an 08 registered Jaguar.   Ouch.   The thought of driving off and never to return did cross my mind for a couple of seconds -  but I didn't.  

It was definitely a case of, "I was just not happy to be there!"

Monday 29th June

The Pontcysyllte aqueduct in Llangollen, Wales, became the 28th Unesco heritage site in Britain and only the third in Wales.   If you ever get the chance to visit this magnificent structure, you must go.   It is engineering of the highest (literally) order and my Uncle Don and Aunty Madge will be pleased down there in Helsby.

A heat wave is forecast this week in Britain but somehow the Geordie Riviera is missing out as we suffer under a blanket of cloud billowing in from the North Sea.

Sunday 28th June

The rellies in BC will be making last minute preparations for Big Sis to visit the Geordie Nation as she makes her way to Vancouver airport en route to the slightly smaller airport that is Newcastle International.   Bon voyage sis.   I'll be there to greet you.

We got back home just in time to watch Bruce Springsteen strut his stuff at Glastonbury.

Saturday 27th June

It doesn't take too long for new jokes to circulate and most of the ones I have heard about Michael Jackson are not suitable for this website, but thanks to Larry the Plec for this one:-

Q.   What is the difference between Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Jackson?

A.   Sir Alex will be playing Giggs in September.

Friday 26th June

It being a Friday I enjoyed a session at the gym followed by a swim and feel much better for it.   The Healthy Hearts session is still operated by North Tyneside Council but the rules have changed slightly and I don't begin to understand them and am not certain if I am even still a member, but I turn up and so far have not been hoyed out...yet.

Although not a Michael Jackson fan it is very sad to hear that he has died of cardiac arrest.   His Thriller album is the biggest selling album of all time, 65,000,000, and you probably have a copy in your record collection, don't you.  

According to which list you look at, and there are many, the second best selling album ever is by a band that you would never guess in a thousand years unless you are a 'hairy' or a bit of an anorak or an Australian.   Or all three.

Thursday 25th June

Sometime today in Seviile, Spain, Unesco will decide if the magnificent structure that is the Pontcysyllte aqueduct is to be awarded World Heritage status.  

This beautiful piece of engineering designed and built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop over 200 years ago is sited near Llangollen in North Wales.   It was my privilege to visit this masterpiece a few years back with my favourite aunt and uncle, who live not too far away, and I was awestruck.  

Both my ageing (OK I added an 'e') relatives walked out along the path that runs alongside the waterway and peered over the railings to the River Dee some 126 feet below, as did Mrs Boggy.   Meanwhile I was left a quivering wreck hanging on to the handrail with barely a toe on the aqueduct.  

I retreated back to terra firma to gaze at its magnificence.    The same affliction affected me a couple of years back in Kanchanaburi when I was unable to accompany Mrs Boggy across the Bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand.

On both occasions I was simply, "Just happy to be there!"

My namesake, Graham Marsh, the Australian professional golfer who also shares my birthday of 14th January (different year though) is playing in Geordieland these next few days at the PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall.   I daresay if he goes on the internet and Google's himself he may come across me ahead of him in the rankings (Google not golf).

If he does......... Have you any old golf bags with our name on that you may want to get rid of Swampy?   Boggy would be most grateful.   Good luck in the comp.

Wednesday 24th June

I don't want to upset any of my Aussie mates by using the term Aborigine but they may be interested to learn that there is currently a team of Aborigines touring England to commemorate the first ever tour by a bunch of indigenous Australians way back in 1868.   The trip over by boat took six months and they played a total of 30 odd games winning, drawing and losing an equal amount.

The reason I thought of the Aussies was that in my post today I received a VIP invitation from Whitley Bay Holiday Park (posh name for the caravan site near the lighthouse) to view the new and pre-owned (posh name for second hand) caravans.   Back in 2006 the park was home to most of the touring Australian Transplant Cricket Club players and wives and because I had made the booking in my name so my details are on the database.   

If any of the Aussies would like me to purchase a weekend retreat on the Geordie Riviera for them they need to let me know before the weekend.   

Just a couple of weeks to go before the Ashes gets underway down there in Wales.

Tuesday 23rd June

I forgot to mention yesterday that at the weekend a tour bus in Belfast was stoned by a gang who presumably took offence at tourists gawping at them.   I have to confess my guilt at doing exactly this a few weeks ago when in town and  wondered out loud as to what the locals made of the buses (3rd June blog), with commentary, passing by their front door.    Now we know.

Monday 22nd June

Congratulations to England ladies cricket team on becoming world champions at the biff bash bosh version of the game that I still won't watch despite articles praising this format in my daily newspaper.   CMJ was much more circumspect this morning and the Cultured Caledonian will appreciate where I am coming from.  

With only 16 days before the Ashes begin and the England squad announced this lunchtime a couple of fast bowlers from the county champions and current championship leaders are in top form and may have done enough for a call up.

The banana eating and barley water drinking fest begins in SW19 today and this is another sport I shall make a point of not watching if I can help it.   Millions of 'tennis fans' will be glued to their TV sets enthralled by a game which probably most of them have never played and I guess 95% never seen a grass court, especially one with a sliding roof.   Enjoy mom.

A new speaker will be elected today in Parliament and the favourite is Margaret Becket.   This is the former minister and politician who was booed and hissed when she appeared on the excellent BBC Question Time not so long ago when attempting to defend her position about expenses which included nearly £11,000 for her garden.   In 2005 she had a claim for hanging baskets  thrown out.   A case of the lunatics taking over the asylum if she were to win.   If that is what happens her constituents may decide differently next May.  

Me?   "I was just happy to be there!"

I nearly forgot..........I received a call from a man in the "Highways department of North Tyneside Council" who is, this morning, going to TYCC to look into the potholes.   I hope he doesn't fall in.

Friday 19th June

Tory blue or labour red?    That is the question.

The answer is somewhat different because on Sunday I shall resemble a banana in my all yellow outfit for our 'TOGS on tour' final round.   Elbow patches and sandals will not be worn.

The bookies are offering the following odds on the 'TOGS on Tour' championships:

Cap'n Bob 3/1
Mr Flog & Mr Crumble 4/1
Larry the Plec   5/1
Ed the duck   6/1
Le Frenchman   7/1

10/1 BAR

The unredacted results, including expenses, will be published on Monday.

      Thursday 18th June

Just in case you missed my late blog of yesterday I have posted my campaign photograph just above.   All donations to my campaign will be spent wisely,  probably on a golf course and somewhere sunny.

The TOGS go on tour tomorrow and as my game is not in the best of health I may just have a little bat this afternoon and play wor Kev for his pocket money.

The US Open begins today and, as always, Tiger Woods is the overwhelming favourite.   My pick would be fellow leftie Phil Mickleson and Retief Goosen is always a good each way punt.   If there is to be a British / European winner Paul Casey is hotly tipped but more likely is the genial Irishman, Padraig.

Second post:    I have to admit defeat because my secret gizmo thingummy has let me down re the identity of the unknown 'Linda'.  On three separate occasions did 'she' read my blog today and my guess is, because I know the times, that it is a computer at their place of work and that 'she' also visited my Tyne Youth & Community Centre website.   I also know that their preferred browser is Firefox and that they have Windows XP and the resolution of the PC is 1024 x 768, is that a laptop?    Clues would be fun 'Linda'.

Wednesday 17th June

I have to admit to being bamboozled by the post in my guest book from 'Linda'.   Can't be the real mayor because she would have known how to spell usual.  

Tuesday 16th June

The search is underway for the missing David Hookes memorial shield which rightly (ouch) belongs in Australia because of the 'no show' by the GBTCC to defend same.   It would be nice to think that one day we will play the ATCC again and win back the shield on the field of play.   If ever it does happen I have a feeling that my role will be purely administrative.   Unless of course there is a spot for a leftie who throws pies.

This afternoon I have a meeting with a representative of North Tyneside Council to see how our magnificent facility at Tyne Youth & Community Centre may be used and in what way.   This is not connected with the newly elected Conservative mayor for North Tyneside but was scheduled to happen anyway.   I am waiting patiently to hear from the elected mayor and have no doubt that she will keep her promise made to me with the approval of David Cameron aka DC to his mates.

Monday 15th June

This time exactly 10 years ago I had just been readmitted to Rake Lane hospital because of recurring chest pains and was being kept in until a a slot was available at the Freeman hospital so that I could undergo heart bypass surgery.    Also, It is just about 10 years since I was involved in an official capacity as secretary with Percy Main Amateurs FC because of my incapacity.  

So at the AGM of PMAFC last night I was honoured, flattered and humbled to be officially appointed as the Honorary President of the 90 year old distinguished amateur football club.   My dad would be proud of me because the family doctor, Dr Bewley, when my parents were first married and lived in what was then truly a village - Percy Main - on his retirement became President of Percy Main Cricket Club and served for many years before his death well into his ninety's.

The links between the football club and the cricket club go back the full 90 years and I have been known to enjoy a game of golf with the current and recently returned chairman, Dave Archbold.  

Going back to the 2005 tour by the Great Britain Transplant Cricket Club we played a select XI from PMCC and as I was opening the batting with DP and my turn came to face the menace of opening bowler Archbold the photographer from the Newcastle Evening Chronicle caught on camera the sight of my off stump cart wheeling through the air and my bat wafting at nothing in particular.    I shall dig out the photo and publish it here for your entertainment sometime today.   Update:   Can't find it, sorry.

I still have not watched any of the Twenty20 cricket currently being played on England's green and pleasant land but do not dispute that it is a form of the game that will introduce many new players and spectators to the beautiful game.   Having said that there is only one form of the game that really matters and that is 5 day Test match cricket.    There are only 23 days before the Ashes series begins for some ridiculous reason in Wales.   The ridiculous reason?    Money.

Saturday 13th June

I thought you may be interested to learn that the best gross score by a visiting professional at Thursday's Pro-am Water Aid golf day at Tynemouth Golf Club was a 66.   Yes this is a very good score (-4) but puts into perspective just how tricky our little verdant pasture in the middle of suburbia really is.   Our resident professional could only card a 75.

It makes my 95 in today's 'Captain's medal' look exactly what it was.   Pathetic.   My new trolley travelled a lot straighter than some of my shots.

Friday 12th June

What are Real Madrid thinking?    If they had rang St James' Park and were prepared to haggle a little bit they could have bought Newcastle United lock, stock and barrel instead of splurging all of that dosh, £80,000,000, on Man Utd's Ronaldo.

What fantastic value for money it would have been.   Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Shola Ameobi, Michael Owen, Damian Duff, Kevin Nolan, some bloke with curly hair who plays centre half and loads of other unforgettable internationals who currently wear the black and white shirt with such pride.   If I could remember their names I would list them all.  

When you look at the list above it is difficult to understand how it is that Newcastle United were relegated.

Once the Ashes series has finished I am seriously considering ditching my Sky sports subscription because it is punters like me, and you, who feed the mammon that is the Premier League.

Thursday 11th June

I called in at Tynemouth Golf Club today to pick up my new electric trolley (yes it has finally come to that I'm afraid) and the place was choc-a-bloc.   The reason cars were parked halfway up Preston Avenue being the Water Aid pro-am golf day which TGC is now the permanent host, courtesy of our chairman.   

I heard one of the professionals telling his team that this is one of the largest pro-ams on the northern circuit.   A PGA leader board showing all of the scores and a large Rolex watch at the first tee box, decked out with advertising and potted plants, made me feel quite proud of my golf club 'dressed up to the nines'.   Watching the distances that these journeyman professionals hit the ball also made me realise just why I need that electric trolley too.

As the legendary Bobby Jones remarked of the young Jack Nicklaus's victory in the 1965 Masters, "He plays a game with which I am not familiar".

Wednesday 10th June

Never have danced a jig whilst swinging my twig I decided to read through all of the verses from the Blaydon Races.   They make for interesting reading.   What with Coffee Jonny in his white hat watching the old wife stealing a cuddy, lasses in their crinolines and Doctor Gibbs fixing the broken noses there wasn't a lot of running going on was there?

Armstrong's factory is still there building tanks but I'm not sure when the last pint was pulled in Balmbra's, The Robin Adair or the Mechanics Hall in Blaydon.  

Tuesday 9th June

DP didn't get where he is today without knowing that yesterday was in fact the 8th June.   Well spotted Dave, AKA No 1, and a happy birthday from No 2.

I know what the date is today because the Geordie's national anthem composed by Geordie Ridley is all about today and a road race that is taking place up the Toon as I write:-  

Aw went to Blaydon Races, 'twas on the ninth of Joon,
Eiteen hundred an' sixty-two, on a summer's efternoon;
Aw tyuk the 'bus frae Balmbra's, an' she wis heavy laden,
Away we went alang Collingwood Street, that's on the road to Blaydon.

Howay the lads, ye shud only seen us gannin',
Passin the foaks alang the road just as they wor stannin';
Thor wes lots o' lads an' lasses there, all wi' smiling faces,
Gannin alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.

There are loads more verses.

Happy memories for exiled Geordies the world over.

Monday 7th June (or is it the 8th?)

Having attended a committee meeting of the FHLTA - Freeman Heart & Lung Transplant Association - my fellow trustees and I enjoyed a hearty lunch at Tynemouth Golf Club where we met with captain elect Stephen Laws.    The i's were dotted and the t's crossed, the balls were juggled, wheels were turned and the train has left the station.

I am wondering how many metaphors I can get into one sentence but have decided against.

In 2010 it will be 25 years since the first heart transplant was performed at the Freeman  Hospital and by way of celebration various events are being planned.   My contribution to the cause is, in conjunction with next year's captain and (I hope) with a little help from a man from Bude, we will stage a golf day at Tynemouth.

In the evening we will have a second function so that the non golfing fraternity can enjoy and share in the celebrations at the golf club.   With a bit of luck and some hard work we should be able to create maximum publicity, raise awareness, make a little money and have a jolly good time.

The date is Friday 14th May 2010.   Any good ideas will be listened to especially if they involve securing sponsorship and attracting teams of four.

It's good to be talking about sport again.

Are you still here Gordon?

Sunday 7th June

My street cred is intact as Linda Arkley (Conservative) swept to power in North Tyneside's mayoral election.    Once the second preference votes were allocated she had a majority of 4,449 over the vanquished ex Labour Mayor, John Harrison.   He has since announced his retirement from politics.   I wish him well because he was and still is a good man but has suffered because of the antics of those who sit in Westminster.

I await the newly elected Mayor contacting me in my role as chairman of Tyne Youth & Community Centre 'to get the kids off the streets'.   I will keep you posted.

The results of the European elections start coming in at about 9pm and they will be a disaster for the Labour Party in general and the Prime Minister in particular.    If Gordon Brown gets through the week ahead unscathed he will lead the party at the next general election. 

If I were a betting man, which I'm not, my money would stay in my back pocket.   It is too close to call.

Friday 5th June

It's official.   He has gone.

The situation could not be allowed to go on as it had been and the events of the last few days were the tipping point.   To be successful any team has to accept and adhere to collective responsibility.    Enough is enough.   Who will replace him?    That is the question that is filling pages and pages of news print.

Andrew Symonds the Australian all rounder has been kicked out and sent back down under in disgrace.

Who did you think I was talking about?

When I am on the golf course the votes of the Mayoral election in North Tyneside will be counted and the result announced.   My street cred will be shot to pieces if Lynda Arkley does not win following my appearance in one of her election leaflets.   It is extremely nerve racking.

Thursday 4th June

On the day that Geordie boy Steve Bruce takes over at the Mackems place down the road, the North East's only Premier League club,  figures have been released on how much the PL clubs pay out in wages as at the end of season 2008.

The established 'big four' of Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool & Arsenal top the list to no one's surprise.   That Newcastle United are way out on their own in fifth place is a joke.   Neither wonder they got relegated.  Too much money paid out to below average players who simply don't care.    If NUFC are not careful they could be bankrupt now that they are relegated.   Which other clubs will be daft enough to match the wages of the players they want to offload?   Answers on the back of a stamp please.

Wednesday 3rd June

I only popped out for a game of golf and it seems like the old 'New Labour' government is in danger of imploding.   The latest minister to stand down to spend more time with their family, ho ho ho, is the midget and devout Blairite, Hazel Blears.   Do these people take us for fools?  

Tomorrow's local and European elections will be a bad day for the PM and his party and I cannot see how the Labour government can go on much longer with the man frae Fife at the helm.   If he over promotes Ed Balls this weekend I will offer odds on a stalking horse coming out of the stable.

Enough of the politics.   How about some religion?  

The open topped 'hop on / hop off' tour bus around Belfast on Sunday was different from the normal city sightseeing trip.   Not many people hopped on or off as we drove along the Shankill Road past murals of the Queen and Queen Mother and pubs decked out in Glasgow Rangers colours.   Nor did they as we travelled along the Falls Road past the Sinn Fein HQ and murals depicting Bobby Sands and other hunger strikers from the eighties and the bars decked out in Glasgow Celtic colours.

What a nightmare.   None of us realised how close to each other these two communities existed and that there is a twenty foot high fence topped with barbed wire dividing them with gates firmly closed (at weekends) came as something of a culture shock to this Geordie boy.

Travel certainly broadens the mind and seeing this for myself was something of an education.  Incidentally the fence is known as the 'Peace Fence' and the gates  'Peace Gates'.   Somehow they are working and that we could sit on a bus gawping at the locals (what must they think?) as they went about their daily lives is a mark of the progress since the Good Friday agreement of 1998.

Not my normal type of blog I agree but a 90 minute journey I shall never forget.

Tuesday 2nd June

Credit where it is due, the Irish certainly know how to look after people.   The (misnamed*) Five Nations Golf Tournament was a brilliant success played out on a championship golf course in beautiful weather.    There were over 60 golfers and the competition was fierce.

The Republic of Ireland won the trophy and England were runners up.   By finishing in third place on day one and fourth (of the Englishmen and women) on day two I missed out on the beautiful crystal presented to the winners.  

But as I said before leaving home, "I was just happy to be there!"

*   Misnamed?

That the Five Nations Golf tournament only had four nations is quite ridiculous and a breach of the trade descriptions act.   My favourite Welshman is his country's only representative which is a shame but not the fault of anyone except Welsh transplanted golfers.  

Scotland, the 'home of golf', to their shame can only field three golfers which again is not my fault and how they can claim my favourite Welshman as one of their own is tantamount to cheating.   That he is also the most consistent of all British transplant golfers and the current Golden Glove and  British champion as well as last year's runner up in this competition and (senior category) gold medal winner at the last World Transplant Games in Thailand makes the Scots decision understandable but nonetheless flawed.

Next year the event returns to Scotland and presumably the Scots will be expecting the rest of us to turn up despite their apathy to travel to other countries and I assume they will have more than the three ubiquitous golfers who, to their credit, do travel to compete.   It will be an insult to any self respecting Scotsman who has a score worthy of a trophy to be denied by a foreigner.  

This is not the end of the matter and my thoughts will be conveyed to the TSUK committee and trustees for a ruling.   As past UK golf golf captain, who still would be if I was going to the World Games in Australia later this year, team manager of the largest contingent at any British Games except for the hosts and paid up TSUK member and joint organiser of last year's event this would not have happened on my watch.  

Watch this space.  

Incidentally, I was remarkably chilled at the tournament and 'rose above' any distractions which came my way.

I will tell you about our open top bus ride down the Falls and Shankill Roads later.

My condolences to the family of Peter Griffin who passed away this weekend.   Peter was the GB Team manager at my first three World Transplant Games in Japan, France and Canada respectively and was always very helpful to me.   Peter did a lot of the groundwork for the GB Team as we know it today and will be remembered by all of us who knew him.

March - May '09