Hi All!

This is the first post in a series. I plan to share my thoughts on what I’m up to. What lies ahead includes a few laughs along the way. Hopefully. Big thanks as ever to my main Techie-man (and dear friend), Steve Bennett, for setting it up for me!

Anyway, whatever is here, the opinions and thoughts expressed are mine and mine alone.

First up, Manchester United’s performance away at Hull City on the opening day of the 26/7 season. To start, well done to Hull. They were superior in every department. Hull dominated the second ball, defended with aplomb and outplayed United from the start.

Manchester United should respond to what was on offer with far more determination and organisation than they did. Absolutely no cohesion. No fight. No semblance of unity or, indeed, planning. Bruno had probably the worst game he’s ever had in a United shirt (making his comments about making the same mistakes as last season all the more hypocritical).

There has to be a comeback on Sunday against Ipswich. Not just a win, but a solid and functioning performance that shows intent. I’m not a naysayer. Nevertheless, things will get better. I was hoping the need to do so would be a few games off yet; instead, it’s Day One!

I’m in Chester on Friday night, where Canadian rockers The Damn Truth will be playing The Live Rooms. If you haven’t heard them yet …what are you waiting for? There’s an interview online here, along with a video clip of the band in action, and I cannot explain just how much I’m looking forward to seeing them for the second time this year.

This week saw me return to work at WMC, but never mind. Summer has been amazing. A fabulous cruise around the Greek Islands on the P&O ship Azura. A bucket list visit to the Acropolis. The chance to (as Marillion put it) get my Tux On. Fabulous food, great entertainment, hot sun and lots of chilling by the pool. What’s not to like?

Moreover, for my 60th birthday, four of us went up to Edinburgh: castles, beer, food and laughs aplenty! It’s a beautiful city, but with so much to see and do, we barely scratched its surface. I’m certainly hoping to go back soon, tick off a few missed hotspots and sample yet more of the city’s hospitality.

Terri and I have just binged A House Through Time on BBC iPlayer, which is a fascinating programme, made all the more so this season by it being based in Edinburgh. The first series was set in Liverpool and is – as are all of the other four – truly excellent. If you haven’t seen the series yet, I cannot recommend it enough.

I have just finished reading Robert Crais’ The Watchman. I love these Cole and Pike offerings. They’re so cleverly written, with loads of action and a great deal of wit. This one was published way back in 2007, but that doesn’t matter: good writing NEVER ages in my opinion.

Massively excited to see a stage version of Twelve Angry Men will be onstage at The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, next March. One of the GREAT movies, if it is anything like as good as the adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption we saw last year, this is going to be a show NOT to miss.

Finally, for now, I learned this morning that the piano Freddie Mercury pulled up to his Munich bathtub and laid down the melody for Crazy Little Thing Called Love in about five minutes is going up for auction today, along with a microphone he used on stage. Now, if I were to play the lottery and win, I know exactly where my money would be going. No, I can’t play the piano and I certainly can’t sing, but just to have this in my home … MAN!

See Ya Soon!