More Dogging

We celebrated Nick and Amy's 30th birthdays yesterday with a trip to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium.

We started in Revolution in Lincoln at about 2pm. They had reserved a private area and, as well as Nick & Amy, there was Mark & Naomi, Catherine (Amy's sister) and her partner (husband?) Martin, and me. At about four we were joined by Martin H and Jon. At five o'clock we headed to Unity Square to meet the bus that Nick had booked - there we met Will and Dean.

The bus took us to Hykeham first where we were picked up K, Lottie, Helen & Gareth, Phil and Ted & Yvette. So this merry band headed to Nottingham. On the way, I did the draw for the Euro 2008 sweepstake (see separate post to see who got what).

When we got to Nottingham we were met by Mark H who had been at Trent Bridge watching England thump the Kiwis. There was about 50 minutes before the first race of the evening so there was time to stock up on pie and chips and suss out the racecard. We had some novice doggers so I shared what little knowledge I have so that the mass of data started to make sense.

For each race, the on track tipster, known as The Hound, gives his tip on who he thinks will finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I decided to follow his tips on every race in a scientific experiment that would determine if there was yet another dog who was smarter than Jon. The Hound started badly with no wins from the first two races but Jon won nothing either so it was all square. On the other hand, Mark H was off to a flyer - his tactic was to bet on the dog with the longest odds. He got it right for the first three races in a row and was about £30 up straight off.

My tactic began to pay off as The Hound's tips began to improve. Overall, he managed to pick just under half of the winners. I was betting on the dog to finish in the top 2 so I wasn't winning much but I was gradually getting ahead and by race 13 I was three quid up. I won't be giving up work just yet but it has proved under scientific conditions that a two-dimensional cartoon dog is smarter than Jon.

In the last race (race 14), I decided to stop the experiment and bet on a dog called Baggie Babe (Baggy being the name of our cat), it was one of the favourites and I put £15 to win with a bookie called MS Racing. I got 5/2 so would have collected about £50 if it had won. It finished fourth. Nuts.

Bus took us home and Martin led the bawdy singing on the bus. We enjoyed many lovely old hymns including "I want to be a Harrows cricketer", "We're the left side of the bus" and "Beastiality's Best". The bus driver kindly did several drops around town so we all got home easily. It was a top day and night out. Thanks Nick and Amy and Happy Birthday.

Bowling mania

I was ten pin bowling tonight with colleagues from work, first time I've been for about three years. I think the layoff must have done me good as I scored 155 in the first game, the practise then started to damage me as the second game was only a 115. I thought a combined score of 270 might be enough to win it but unfortunately I got beat by one point... by a girl. It didn't bother me... much.

Noo Hoose

It's taken two months but I've finally got round to putting some photos on t'internet. That's the good news. The bad news is that the photos are a bit pants! It's not really bright enough, the house is a mess, we haven't finished furnishing it and I'm using my phone camera. Apart from that they are great.

Anyway, click here to have a look.

Predictions League Final Scores

Sorry it's taken so long but I've finally got round to updating the league with the final standings.
Congratulations to Nick who clinches the title just one point ahead of Will and two ahead of Ted.

Down at the bottom it's Pete, Keren and Lou.

JJ, Mark H, me, Des and Ted all scored perfect zeros in the Premier League - Ted also had the only perfect score in the Championship. My four points was the best score in League One and I also had the best in League Two with eight.

Click here for the full tables.

Camping in Cambs

Just got back from a weekend camping with Jo & Tony in Comberton (near Cambridge). Got there late on Friday night (after I'd finished my month end stuff) - had a barbie and a few bevvies.

After a leisurely breakfast on Saturday, we went to Wimpole Hall where, apart from the hall itself, there are some beautiful gardens and a farm featuring many rare breeds. In the evening we adjourned to the local pub for a hearty repast.

On Sunday, after another pork-based breakfast (good work TB), we visited Wicken Fen nature reserve where we did a 3 mile walk despite the threatening weather.

The weekend was a lorra lorra fun. Photos are online, click here.

Lincoln Beer Festival

Last night we visited the Lincoln Beer Festival at the Drill Hall.

Mark & Lydia picked us up and we met, Nick, Amy and Jon inside. As usual, we managed to go on the night when they were running out of beer. However, there were still over 20 different ales on offer. They had run out of cider and perry and around 50 other ales.

Anyway, 20 beers is more than enough for one night and we all tucked in! Well, nearly all - Lydia was driving and K stuck to the wine as usual. There was some good ale, some good music, a couple of good hog baps and lots of very good banter.

Ted's 30th and Clint's 35th birthdays

It was barbecue-tastic yesterday as we descended on McGinn towers for a double celebration. Not only was it (nearly) Ted's 30th birthday but it was (just past) Clint's 35th.

The guests arrived for a lunchtime barbie cooked by Ted. There was a plentiful supply of beer and wine and the weather was helping. K and I walked round as the McGinns only live five minutes away.

At 3pm, those that were interested nipped inside to watch the FA Cup final on the big projector telly (Portsmount beat Cardiff one-nil).

It was an excellent afternoon and I think the lads both had a good birthday.

Paul Derry's 30th

Another weekend and another 30th birthday party in Cambridge! This time it was Des' turn. About 30 or so people had been invited to Parker's Piece (an open grassy park) in Cambridge for some picnic action.

K & I drove down at lunchtime on Saturday with all our camping gear. We met Clint & Emma and Martin & Charlotte in a campsite in Cherry Hinton (just outside the city). It was a nice place with lots of small enclosed areas rather than a big open field.

After pitching the tent, we taxied into Cambridge and met up with the sizeable party. The sun was shining and so the park was very busy with picnickers, footballers, cricketers, frisbeeists and general sun lovers.

As afternoon turned into evening, we moved ourselves to a pub called The Bakers. Paul had reserved some space inside but most people gravitated towards the terrace at the back. Lots more beer was consumed, drinking games were suggested and everyone went home well-oiled. One reveller had to ask the taxi driver to pull over so he could hurl in the gutter, but he shall remain nameless. Suffice to say, he'd have been punching his leg in embarassment.

On Sunday morning, the campers awoke to more hot sun and some thick heads. However, we discovered the magical properties of Barr's Irn-Bru as a hangover cure and soon got going. A game of boules was the order of the day (won by Martin, I think) before decamping and heading home.

Another top birthday weekend - thanks to Des and Daisy.

Harrison's 30th

Despite being hardcore rock star (see picture) - Mr Harrison's 30th birthday celebration was distinctly low key.

Falling (as it did) on a Wednesday, it clashed with the Harrows quiz night - an immovable feast if ever there was one! So Mark decided to locate his soiree at Hicko towers and make it an early evening affair.

Consequently, Mark, Phil, Martin & Charlotte, Nick & Amy and Keren & me all enjoyed crisps, nuts, beer and banter on the Hicko's patio. We were briefly joined by some neighbour who climbed over the back fence with her own glass of wine (she didn't spill a drop!).

Mark had brought along an impressive selection of Asda's finest snack foods and I was particularly impressed with the fusion of scotch eggs and curry. It's a landmark moment in modern haute cuisine!

Goldsy's 30th

May bank holiday weekend was also Mark's big birthday weekend. He was having a party near Cambridge and K & I were kindly invited.

We drove down on Sunday lunchtime and checked into a Travelodge just SW of Cambridge. We met Gareth & Helen there and Gareth drove us ten minutes up the road to the village of Fulbourn. Mark had taken over half of The White Hart for the afternoon and evening. It was warm day so many people were spilling out of the pub into the garden and this is where we set up base camp. All the usual gang were there except for Emma - Joel wasn't very well so she was looking after him, Clint nipped in for an hour but then went home to help.

Mark made a short speech where he thanked everyone for coming and said some very nice things about Naomi and all the hard work she'd put into organising the day. There was an big buffet with a huge pile of pork pies at Mark's special request. As it was his birthday, I thought I'd honour his wishes by eating as many of them as I could!

We got a taxi back to the Travelodge at about midnight - the party was still going strong, not sure what time they were kicked out. On Monday morning, K & I and G & H visited the "World Famous" Comfort Cafe for breakfast. I'm not sure that it is really as famous as it proclaims but they certainly know how to fry pig meat and all the trimmings. K & I took the country way home with the roof down all the way - the breeze meant we didn't realise how hot the sun was and we both got sunburnt but that didn't stop it being a great weekend.

Thanks Mark & Naomi. Looking forward to the 40th.