Some morning reading to start the weekend. DT behind The Athletic paywall had another brilliant long read celebrating the 125th anniversary of the World Famous City Ground.
It was a fantastic read. There’s so much history to cram in. DT managed to pull off the tough task of capturing all that you remember as significant, plus a few Easter eggs as well.
I love the idea of how the WFCG now seems to be here forever. Forever is a mighty long time, etc. But ten years ago it wouldn’t have been sacrilege to suggest that Forest move out to a bloody Enormo-Dome on some shitty industrial estate.
That ain’t gonna happen anytime soon now. It’s been our home for 125 years, and it looks like we’ll still be playing there when the 200th anniversary comes around.
I hope Steve Cooper is still there then, but that is stretching the fantasy football timeline a little.
Robert Elms has a four-fer for inspiration for the England women’s team ahead of tomorrow. I hate all the Lioness hype. Good luck, girls. But it’s the women’s football team.
I was expecting some of the four-fer choices to be a bit bland. But there was some great left-field selections with songs of female empowerment. Move On Up also featured. I had a little mid-morning foot shuffle.
I rolled out before lunch on the Raleigh electric for the first time in a couple of week. I’ve missed this ride. It’s always a pleasure on the electric. It feels a privilege, and not a routine bicycle ride.
I passed the Weird Wiv Museum. In a moment of rarity it was open. A often threatens to drag me along for a shifty. I think she’s taking the piss.
It felt good to be breathing in the Estuary Wilds air. Covid shit still lingers within. I need to try and build my capacity for fitness up once again.
The St George flags were out flying around the lanes ahead of the football in the morning. There was a welcoming warm wind throughout the 40km circuit.
I reached my fave stretch on the run in to St Osyth. It’s a lovely rolling lane with a smooth surface. Horses line either side of the route. It’s a rarity to see a car. It was good to find that the glass that had been fly-tipped last time I was here has now been cleared up.
A brief clean up back at base, and then To Wivenhoe Sailing Club!
It’s maintenance week for WivGigs. Both boats are out of the water as club members volunteer to help with some basic upkeep.
The Sailing Club was busy with the proper sailors. Bright blue skies and blustery conditions were perfect for them.
My contribution today was to sand down an oar, clean it up with some white spirit, and then apply a heavy coat of yacht varnish. It was all very satisfying.
What looked like a pleasure boat steamer made it’s way down the dirty old river. On closer inspection it was the Brightlingsea Ferry, sailing a little out of its comfort zone for a day trip jolly.
Maintenance Week was ticked off for me. I walked home via the Quay. There was a definite holiday feel around the place.
Some gardening followed whilst listening to the end of the afternoon football commentary. I headed to the front of the house. Dotty came to join me. She loves watching, without straying too far.
The Horrid Hundred ate into Saturday evening. Surrey are back in action in the morning - if we can find eleven players, that is.
Gawd I despise what the Horrid Hundred has done to the County game.