I do like a bit of Take That, I wouldn't say I was their biggest fan but, they are, so I'm told, national treasures and of course their standing went up somewhat when they reformed with Robbie (but bizarrely not Jason), for a lock down performance on the Meerkat Music channel. As a family we decided we were all ready for a bit of popular culture, so we sat down to spend our evening singing along (well humming as I didn't know most of the words), glass in hand with the boys. After about 45 minutes, I was starting to get a bit agitated and I think everyone else was slightly puzzled , as we had only seen one song with Gary and Robbie, and the rest was just Take That through the years. I was muttering something along the lines of what a scam, when
Meg, my daughter asked me how I'd found the Meerkat Music channel, "well through You Tube of course, that's where you find all the music videos?", with a sigh of exasperation that only the youth can give their parents, you know the one that says oh god, why am I cursed with a Muppet for a father. " The clue is in the title" she replied, "it's the Meerkat Music channel, it doesn't mention anything about, bloody YouTube, we've just been watching Take That videos for the last 45 mins." So after a couple of clicks, we were back on track. Am I getting old or is everything just getting more complicated these days? Anyway once we started watching the right thing, I really enjoyed it, although I didn't understand why Mark was up a step ladder in his garage, but I thought it best not to ask!
Well at last things are starting to ease as we gradually emerge from lock down and into some sort of new temporary (I hope) normality. The timing of the decision to re open the pubs, fortuitously coincided with the planned celebrations for Meg's 21st birthday - Boris must have known! Although I was really excited about being back in my local, things had an odd feel about them without the usual hustle and bustle of pub life. Still it didn't spoil a lovely birthday drink and Meg certainly celebrated in style, it wasn't quite the 21st that you would want but we made the most of it.
When the pubs first opened, there were lots of different interpretations of the rules that needed to be followed, but as the weeks have passed and everyone gets more familiar with the new pub routines, I see most pubs being quite pragmatic in their approach and customers being sensible and respecting the guidelines in place. I am fortunate that my favourite local pubs all have some lovely outdoor space that we have been able to use, although I'm not quite sure how things are going to play out as the days get shorter and cooler. I do miss those evenings where you just pop in for one but you end up staying for the evening and the banter just gets better as the evening progresses. However for every down side there is usually a positive, and at least now, where you are allowed to, you can actually get to the bar without having to battle your way through the crowds (myself included) that usually congregate around the bar area. I will continue to do my bit for British brewing industry and local pubs, it's a heavy burden for me to carry on my own so I hope you are also supporting your local. .
Football is back, but football without the fans just isn't football, I really can't get excited about watching the game without the passion of the fans in the stadium and the fake crowd noise on TV doesn't help. Although I guess the fairest way to decide the outcome of the season was to play the remaining matches, the decision to continue was clearly motivated more by money than anything else. Still, I look forward with optimism to the start of a new season. As a Sheffield Wednesday supporter, I love this time of year, the excitement of the season ahead, new players, new formations and tactics and all the possibilities that the season will bring. That excitement usually fades once the season starts with a roller coaster of ups and downs both on and off the pitch - but I have until the 12th September to enjoy the warm glowing feeling that this coming season just could be the one! I hope that we will be back in the stadiums sooner rather than later.
I mentioned in my previous blog about my hair starting to have the Marg Simpson feel (that's growing upwards rather than turning blue). Unfortunately, I'd reached a point where, with the additional height on top of my head, it was starting to affect my centre of gravity and a gust of wind could well have taken me off balance. I just couldn't wait for the hairdresser to reopen so I decided I needed to invest in some hair clippers, At the time hair trimmers were as scarce as hen's teeth, but after scouring the internet I plumped for some unknown Chinese brand off Amazon. When the clippers arrived I wasn't sure if I needed to be worried when I noticed two spelling mistakes on the front if the box and the instructions were in Chinese. Never having done this before and not to be daunted, Mrs Riley was off - no You Tube instruction videos for us, straight in. When it was done it looked OK, a bit severe but it will grow back, it was nice to feel the wind on my ears again.
July has been a good month for farmers, with the rain and sunshine the crops in and around the fields where I live look full and healthy, so hopefully it will be a good harvest. The only problem for me at this time of year is when I take Oscar for a walk the crops are taller than he is, so once he disappears into the fields I don't see much of him, I hear the rustle of the crops as he dashes about looking to flush out rabbits or any other wildlife and every so often I see the odd ear flap up cresting above the tips of the barley as he bounds along. He is usually quite good at coming back when called, unless he has the scent of something or he is in mid chase. I was recently doing one of my favourite walks through the hamlets of Obthorpe and Wilsthorpe. He'd disappeared and been gone for longer than usual so as I reached the edge of the field I started calling him back. I'd been shouting him for a while, but there was no sign of him. I carried on walking until I reached a single lane minor road, a van stopped and the driver asked me if i was looking for a dog, "he's way down there pal" he said, as he pointed back down the road, "I tried to catch him, but he's on a mission, wild look in his eyes" great I thought! I thanked the driver and as he pulled away, in the distance I noticed some cars moving slowly towards me. After a while I realised Oscar was sauntering down the middle of the road oblivious to anything behind, weaving side to side (as he does), it looked like a scene from a funeral procession with the chief mourner walking slowly (if a little bit unsteadily) in front of the cars. I had a moment where I thought, should I just disappear back in the field and wait for him, but I thought no, I'm going to have to face into this embarrassment. He'd clearly exhausted himself chasing rabbits and he had that wild look he always gets when he's being doing that. Anyway after a few apologies to the drivers he was back on his lead and the cars were able to continue their journey. Although I got a few waves and smiles I could see the look of pity on their faces as they passed, not for me you understand, but for Oscar for having such an irresponsible owner.
Well it's not only hair clippers that are as rare as hens teeth, it turns out so are hens. I think lots of people must have had similar ideas to me about keeping chickens and there appears to be a bit of a shortage at the moment. So whilst waiting I've been chicken proofing the back garden, but why is it when you start one job you end up creating a whole lot more? By the time the chickens arrive I reckon the cost per egg produced is going to be in the 10's of pounds based on the investment made to accomodate them. I just hope they are good eggs! Still, it's made us get on and do some things that we have been avoiding for a few years, I just hope the chickens appreciate it.
The chicken coop arrived a few weeks ago, it was packaged in 5 boxes and after much head scratching and a few choice words, it is now built and ready for it's guests. I'm hoping this weekend is the weekend when we can collect them. I've managed to have an argument and fall out with one chicken supplier (it could only happen to me) so I'm just hoping that I'm not on the Lincolnshire Chicken Suppliers blacklist.
Well that's it for now, by the time I write my next blog my plan is that I'll be able to update you on the chicken arrivals and how Oscar the dog is getting along with his new little buddies.
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