Anyone who has followed the English Football Premiership this would have seen a fairly dismall season for Watford after the euphoria of last year's promotion to the top flight. It was a season of bad luck (top goal scorer getting injured and out for most of the season), missed opportunities (too many drawn games and near losses) and just being plain over-whelmed by the big clubs, ultimately outclassed by the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. We did have a splendid run in the FA Cup, getting to the semi-finals before falling to Man Utd again :(.
The Watford fans again did the club proud and despite the demise after 12 years of the BSaD fanzine site (read it's obituary here), the editorial team of Grant and Rowson kept us up to date with the shenanigans. Grant finished the season with this article 'Is it over yet?' including such prose as comparing the strike force as "the scything penetration of a month-old aubergine". The summary, apart from some forthright views of the commercialisation of the Premiership, can be neatly summarized by "That’s the story of the season: you could conjure up different endings in your imagination on so many occasions, feel that great rush of celebration almost as if it were real. But it never happened. It never came true."
So we are battered and bruised from a gruelling season but looking forward to next season already. Keep in mind then our opponents in Cardiff just a year ago. Leeds United, one of the historically great teams in the English game (remember the heyday of Revie, Grey, Bremner and Clough). They remained in the second tier league after Cardiff and had an equally dreadful season. They also had serious financial trouble and were taken into receivership before the end of the season ( see Relegated Leeds in administration). Fortunately it seems that they will have the cash injection that they need immediately but need to find some success if they are to maintain anything of their former glory. Pickings are kind of slim in 'League One' (League Division 3 to us old timers).


Even further down the food-chain of football, we come to Hendon. My dad and I used to regularly go to Hendon games when I was a kid and it was just the GREATEST thing. Long story and maybe the subject of another nostalgic post later. These small teams are seriously struggling and, with the club owner sadly passing away last year, the clubs future looks in doubt. It seems inevitable that the clubs ground at Claremont Road will be sold and they will have to share a ground with another local team. At one point this season the record was worse than both Watford AND Leeds! The team however pulled out all the stops and finished mid-table and safe. They will remain in the Ryman's League for next season. The following summary shows the contrast to the 'big leagues' "It was a gorgeous afternoon and the crowd of 417, swelled by a large contingent of visiting fans, was entertained although there were no goals. Hendon displayed the greater purpose, but Margate offered a more direct threat. That said, efforts on target were at a premium." See the club's website here.

Hendon at Claremont Road

So now it's the close season and the tension subsides until August. Ahhh kick back, relax, and watch Cricket and Baseball all summer....

Hiowa from Iowa!

Hello all! I apologize for my lack of response to the blog! It's a busy job trying to be a big kid....and you notice I say "trying"...as in working...and not getting paid! But no worries, I have plenty of money saved up for the end of July....do the words dirt track racing and beer tent bring a smile to your face :)
I just wanted to say hi and let you know I miss my favorite fake auntie and uncle!! Now here is a picture that will make you feel just all warm and fuzzy inside!
Much Love from Iowa!
Sunshine :)

A shrinking world

This weeks post starts with some of the wondrous / ingenious / gratuitous use of technology (delete as applicable per your own view). As most of you know we are great fans of both travel and birding. One aspect of travel is appreciating the local bird life (to the current author at least). Also given our appreciation of gadgets and teckie stuff we had fun with this site

In summary, you can control the camera, pan and zoom and finally take pictures. We've been trying to do a bit of photography lately with Chrystal's camera sometimes with the telescope (aka digiscoping) but we've never taken a picture at a distance of 2,800 miles before. Here's a shot of a Black-headed Grosbeak (can I 'tick' it now? ;-) ).



Talking of the shrinking world, this week saw the 55 year anniversary of the first commercial jet air service. Watch the video on this article
about the BOAC Comet service to South Africa, when Britain really was leading the world in aircraft manufacturing...







Last weekend, we finally made it to a Washington Nationals game with the benefits of some great tickets. Despite some somewhat inept pitching from the Nationals opener, the game went to extra innings at 2-2. Unfortunately that's where it all fell apart and the result was a 6-2 loss to the Mets. As you might be able to tell from the picture, it wasn't too warm either!!

Lastly, please give your thoughts and prayers for Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist abducted in Gaza in early March read the timeline of events here