It seems like ages ago that I last played darts – and yet somehow I still can’t quite believe the new season is upon us.

As you know, we became more and more unhappy with our home pub last season - not through anything the hosts were doing, but the increasing numbers of pre-clubbing drunks that would start to gather from around 9.30 / 10pm. These idiots had little respect for players, helped themselves to our food, got in the way and generally caused us to want to just get through the game and then get away to a calmer pub. So we were keen to move venue and will now be playing at the sports club not 100 yards from our house (In fact Billy, Claire, Simon and I all like the fact that we will have only a short walk to home games now – though it’s further for Roger and Paul. However, we had to hike to get to last years’ home games so it’s swings and roundabouts.) The location was actually not our reason for choosing the sports club, merely a happy aside. We chose it because it is fairly quiet, though it already hosts two A league teams so will still have some life; because it’s spacious enough that players can relax without being hemmed into a corner; and because the hosts will take good care of the players - they put on good food for a reasonable charge, and we feel we will be comfortably welcomed rather than simply being there.

The other big change is that at the AGM new rules were introduced - at the behest of the A league teams we think, since the new rules make no odds to the majority of the B league players.

Firstly, instead of the teams taking turns to throw first each game :

THE PLAYER THROWING FIRST WILL BE DETERMINED BY THROWING FOR THE BULL. THE PLAYER WHO’S DART IS DEEMED NEAREST TO THE BULL WILL HAVE THE CHOICE OF THROWING FIRST OR SECOND. DARTS LANDING IN THE BULL OR 25 CAN BE REMOVED IF REQUESTED BY THE PLAYER THROWING SECOND. ONLY DARTS STICKING IN THE BOARD WILL COUNT. BOUNCE OUTS, FOR ANY REASON, MUST BE RE-THROWN.
d) THIS WILL BE REPEATED FOR EVERY LEG WITH THE HOME PLAYER ALWAYS THROWING FIRST. (AGM2010)

This isn’t a problem to do but it’s neither here nor there to most of us who throws first – we’re not good enough for it to make much difference really.

and secondly, instead of the captain choosing the order in which his players play:

PLAYERS NAMES WILL BE DRAWN BEFORE THE GAME TO DETERMINE THEIR TEAM POSITION. (AGM 2010)

This one IS a bit of a pain as we are creatures of habit and generally like to play in the same order and with the same partner. For some (e.g. Simon) how much drink consumed affects accuracy so we have always played Simon first so that this effect is minimised. On the other hand, in the past, Claire Simon and I have played trebles together and pretty much known this was a point we would drop every week. So it will make things a bit more interesting if nothing else. Of course there will be the extra faffing about to draw names out of a hat (bagsy me not being the one to wear a hat each week ) and to save a little time, I have made some tiny name tags bearing each of our names plus 4 spares for subs, laminated them and cut them to equal size. They fit easily into my darts case and can be used every week – can’t wait to see what other teams come up with for this

So, first game on Friday 3rd September, to be played at our new home. Can’t wait to play and can’t wait to see my team mates again. Roll on Friday!

With money being tight, I’ve volunteered to do some overtime as a medical secretary as that department are struggling at the moment having a few staff off sick or on holiday at the same time. Last week was the first week that I did some of this work and it kept me on my toes, though I think I did alright at it. No-one squealed at the thought of me helping them out again, anyway

I presented myself to the head secretary on Thursday morning and said I was happy to try my hand at anything they wanted. It helps that I’m already employed by the Trust, have computer access, am reasonably intelligent, and am very comfortable with medical terminology. What was new to me, though, was the automated dictation/transcription service, but I was happy to try my hand at it.

In theory, what happens is that the consultant dictates his reports/letters and the automated system types them out, so that a secretary proof-reads and corrects. What often happens is that either the automated transcription system hasn’t worked, or that the consultant prefers a real live person to do the typing.

On the Thursday I did a bit of everything and felt I did OK with it, though it was a lot to take in and I was mentally shattered by the end. On Friday though it was much more familiar and therefore easier on the brain.

The other Medical Secretaries were friendly and helpful, and I THINK were pleased with what I’d done by the end of my time with them. They said my help would be welcome in the future anyway so I can’t have been too bad. I do think I’d have struggled had I not known my medical jargon though.

It’s really hard to stay on top of things at home and my clinic when I do extra hours at the hospital but we need the money so when the manager indicated that there was likely to be an ongoing need for my help I had mixed feelings. Having given the matter some thought, I said I would be happy to help up to 2 weeks a month – ideally every other week so that I could catch up elsewhere in between. Hopefully this will help them a bit, bring in some extra money for me, yet allow me to keep up with everything. I don’t mind doing the work itself at all – it’s just that since I do EVERYTHING at home I can’t work full time. (Even on the days Billy was off it was me that still did it all, either side of work.)

This week I am working all week as my colleague is on holiday – I have to admit, I can’t wait for next week!

I’d have liked to have gone to this game, it being a local one, but sadly, finances didn’t allow, so it was good old Online Footy again for me.

The starting line-up was unchanged from the one that beat Liverpool 3-0 so I was cautiously optimistic of getting a result – though I had warned Newcastle supporting colleagues not to rely on City as they could only be relied upon to do the unexpected!

From early on, this was an edge of the seat match – and it brought new meaning to the phrase “end to end” – the ball fairly skipped through the mid-field on its way to either end and all the action seemed to be at each end. City looked bright and I felt, were fairly comfortably on top in terms of possession. Scoring, however, proved another thing entirely – and Tevez’ chance of scoring from a lovely Yaya pass, was described as “unmissable” – evidently it wasn’t! I still don’t know HOW he came to miss, but indeed he did. (To be fair, he didn’t quite appear to be on top of his game, though not for a want of visible effort.) Yaya Toure looked really impressive and though the score was 0-0 at half time, I still thought we’d score and hopefully take all three points.

I’d love to have been a fly on the wall for the two team talks in the break! Sunderland’s must have been positively inspiring, whereas ours must have fallen on deaf ears. Inexplicably, City looked a shadow of what they’d been in the first half and Sunderland started to look like they might score. As the game drew to a close, I’d resigned myself to a hard won point and if I was honest, felt it would be a fair result in the end.

And then we went and did it! In the 90+ minute, Micah gave away a penalty – despite the tackle not being malicious, it was certainly a penalty. I couldn’t watch. I had to watch. Could Hart pull off a save and maintain his clean sheet? (The clean sheet which those blasted commentators had harped on about throughout the game! “City have yet to concede in any competition this season” …etc.!) Answer: No! Sadly not, and Bent scored the winning goal.

I was absolutely gutted! Unbelievable!

Credit to Bent though, because as soon as the final whistle had gone, he went to console Hart.

Ho hum. A reminder, if needed, that this IS City, and that means being predictably unpredictable! We could do without the international break now really, but let’s hope the boys come back fired up to thrash Blackburn next game (which will also be my first live game this season. )

By the way, on the subject of the internationals (Euro 2012 qualifiers) how refreshing to see SIX City players in the England squad Well done City and well done to the players (Hart, Barry, SWP, Lescott, Milner, and AJ)

Nel has had a busy summer:

With her Peppy Paws dog walking and pet sitting service - she has a regular dog walk most days and she has had a couple of holiday customers. She’s looked after : dogs, cats, rabbits, fish and chickens so far. She even brought home the eggs (at the behest of the owner!) from the chickens so we all got to enjoy them

With a travel – to Manchester for a couple of days to see her dad who was over on a visit from the Falkland Islands, and then to Chester for a week to look after the cat and the house for mum whilst she was away. Her good friend in Chester also stayed with her so they got to play house and catch up with all their news which was nice. She quite enjoyed both of these trips but she said she really does miss home when she’s away and sleeps better in her own bed, so I think she’s a home-loving little thing over all.

With results – she got her AS (in R.E) result, though she wasn’t overly eager as she knew she’d failed. She really struggled at school as you may recall, and she was away from school more than she was there. In the end, the school decided not to enter her for the Philosophy exam and she’d already given up Sociology and Art. On the day of the exam, she worked hard towards the first paper but was taken aback when handed the second paper immediately after finishing the first. She had thought that would be at another time and hadn’t done as much work for it, and was struggling with concentration by then. She felt she’d done well with the first paper but dreadfully with the second. When she got her result, this was reflected by grades A and E respectively. Happily though, the two combined to give her an over all grade of C. A pass! She was so very surprised but eventually accepted that it was an amazing achievement. (Well done darling, we’re very proud. Wish we could afford to splash out and treat you, but we can’t yet. I.O.U! )

With Connexions - given that Peppy Paws doesn’t yet bring in a proper regular wage, and that Nel’s not going back to school / education this month she went to the local Connexions office for advice. With her leaving full time education, we will lose Child Benefits and Child Tax Credit, and I anticipate her dad will also stop contributing to her upkeep, as he did when Stephen left school. We already have no income bar a nominal amount, from Stephen as he’s on the dole, and we’re struggling to keep maintaining the kids as it is. I was also worrying about her own tax record and National Insurance contributions if there wasn’t some clear record to show her income and employment history for this period. Happily Connexions advised her that we can continue getting Child Benefit for her until she’s 18 as she is registered with Connexions. After this, she will be entitled to claim some small amount of benefit if she hasn’t got a full wage coming in. We’ll still struggle, but this will soften the blow slightly and it means her own records will be kept straight. She is looking for work now – along with her brother, and the millions of others who can’t find any!

What has been good to see is how much happier in herself Nel is now she’s left school. She really has hated school all her life and he is already looking more relaxed and confident. She’s been confidently catching buses when she’s wanted to go somewhere and she has a really nice seeming boy as a friend. I always said, from her being a little baby, that she needed to grow into herself. She’s not quite there yet, but I think she IS getting there.

I can’t wait until we have some money because I really want to take her out for a girly day, buying her clothes, spoiling her rotten, like the beautiful young lady she’s become deserves.

This week, City played their first home game and their first European home game. Sadly, I went to none as the home games were weekday evenings

I was most unhappy that our home game against Liverpool, the first home game of this season, was switched to a Monday night, which meant that I couldn’t go. Luckily for both of us, Lee was happy to have my ticket so at least my seat was occupied, and I watched at home on TV. Prior to the game, I would have taken a point, though Stephen was confident we’d win 2-1 (even going so far as to name the scorers – Balotelli, Tevez and Gerrard!) I said I’d buy him a drink if City won; 2 if it was 2-1 to us and 3 if the scorers were right. When the starting line up was given, I told Stephen he was down to 2 drinks at best as Balotelli wasn’t playing. “What, not even on the bench?” he asked. When I confirmed that he wasn’t, Stephen said “He’ll still score, anyway!” (Yes, he did get his winnings from me, btw )

What can I say about the game? It was amazing – not one City player didn’t play well and even Micah looked more like the player he showed every sign of being before mysteriously going off his game. It was hard to choose a MotM, but Billy (who watched with me) and I thought Milner, but Barry actually got it. How nice, not to have a clear cut nominee – and even nicer that it wasn’t the keeper (a la Spurs game!) though Hart did indeed make a couple of fantastic saves to deny Liverpool a chance to get back in the game. I would never have expected us to win 3-0 but we did. We played a lovely game with some lively, zippy, precise passing and the players looked they enjoyed every minute. Well done City

The return leg of the Europa League game against Timisoara was on the Thursday night and I watched it on Onlinefooty again. (Happily a nice clear stream this time.) I was absolutely shattered after a long day at work and even half-persuaded myself that I wouldn’t watch it. Or maybe just the first half. HA! Who was I trying to kid? I watched the lot and was well rewarded. City had a comfortable 2 – 0 win and though a few fans have since commented that it wasn’t a great game of football, to be honest, it never needed to be. City did a good, solid job and that was absolutely fine. It was good to see a bit of squad rotation, which is something I’ve always said is needed for cup games and all the extra competitions. Young Boyata, who impressed when he’s been called upon in the past, had an outstanding game and was deservedly the MotM. He was rumoured to be going out on loan but I’m wondering if we ought to keep him as a good solid player for the season. I was also pleased for SWP getting a goal and having a decent game – he’s such a fans’ favourite and he was my very first player that I’d followed progress of through our academy and into the first team. So, 3-0 on aggregate and we were in the pot for the group stages. And just look at the groups! City have: Juventus, Lech Poznan and Red Bull Salzburg.

So far, so good. Keep it up City

Zero to Hero:

When City were at Maine Road, part of the match day routine involved meeting up with friends and, quite often, with friendly away fans, at the Platt Lane training complex. We could have a few drinks (or tea/coffee for the drivers/non-drinkers) and a snack, and enjoy a relaxed family-friendly environment.

When we moved to CoMS, there was no such facility, just a few (extremely crowded) pubs in the vicinity of the stadium, none of whom allow away fans, on Police instruction.

At last, this has been addressed with the brand new City Square within the stadium grounds and I have to say, it looks very well thought out and appears to cater for everyone’s needs, including disabled fans.

A big thumbs up to City for this – I foresee more clubs doing this in the future.

Hero to Zero:

Sadly, City have very much annoyed me with another new initiative this season. Car park charges for the car park I use on match days, have been DOUBLED! Yes, 100% increase! How much notice? TWO DAYS before the first home game!

From mcfc.co.uk:

In advance of Monday night’s game against Liverpool the club would like to take this opportunity to update fans on match day car parking options.
Secure on site car parking is available on the North Car Park, accessible through gate 2 off Alan Turing Way, at a cost of £10 per game.

The East Car Park off Alan Turing Way is now permanently closed due to ongoing site preparation work.

In addition, there are also a number of off-site car parks which operate on match days and which although a short walk away, provide a quick getaway after the match.

*The K2 site which is operated by the club, located on the corner of Pottery Lane and Ashton Old Road is a 15 minute walk from the stadium and has 700 spaces and offers quick exit east and south.

In addition to K2, the following sites have proved popular with fans:

*The Riverpark Trading Estate site on Riverpark Road is also a 15 minute walk from the stadium and has 750 spaces, offering a quick exit to the North.

*The Vermillion site on Lord North Street is a 15 minute walk from the stadium and has 200 spaces, offering a quick exit to the North.

The club is currently working on an information centre on mcfc.co.uk which will provide full details of all car parking options in the area that meet our strict safety and security guidelines. For each car park we will post the walking time from the stadium, the number of spaces, the price and the exit benefits of parking there.

We appreciate and understand that congestion can be a problem on match-days, especially following the game when fans are trying to exit. We would like to assure fans we are working hard with local authorities to address the situation and we will be updating you on progress soon.

Now I used to park in a car park about 10 minutes walk away from the stadium, but there were two main disadvantages of this: firstly, they open and close quite close to match time so if I wanted to arrive early or stay late to see friends (bearing in mind I live 3.5 hours away from Manchester so only some for matches), I either couldn’t or had to rush; secondly, if I did leave the stadium a little later after the game (e.g if I’d met friends or gone to the store or the ticket office) it meant walking back in the dark without the benefit of other fans for a bit of safety.

Billy and I were a bit concerned about my safety as a lone female, so I started parking in the stadium’s North car park instead, which has suited me very well. I feel perfectly safe walking alone to and from my car there and don’t have to worry about being vulnerable. Yes, there can be a bit of a wait to drive off after the game, but that doesn’t worry me as I have a long drive ahead, and tend to read my programme and eat a picnic tea while I wait. My match day spend is £10 – £5 parking; £3 programme; and £2 hot drink after the game.

Now, they suddenly, without warning (and without any good reason being given as far as I can see) have doubled the cost of parking to £10! This seems entirely unreasonable to me – and I confess that had I known this before renewing my season ticket, I’d have thought twice about doing so! I’m furious about this and have had to give serious consideration to my options, which have included giving up my season ticket. I currently pay for my ST, then pay £50 petrol (this has crept up from £35!), plus my £5 parking. Now they want me to pay £10 parking. It’s all very well talking about the other places to park – as if it’s only laziness that makes anyone park in the North car park! My personal safety may not concern them, but it sure as hell concerns ME! I’m not paranoid, but I am aware that a woman walking alone after dark is pretty vulnerable and I’m not one of the “it’ll never happen to me” brigade. We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves as safe as we can and take reasonable precautions to that end.

I have had offers of travelling to games with he North East Blues – but they are the wrong side of the country for me, and I usually go and stay the night in Chester before or afterwards so I can see mum. A couple of people have kindly offered to let me park at their house in Manchester and travel in to the match with them. This is really nice of them, but the down side to this is more pressure to have a smooth drive down with no hold-ups, yet not arrive too early by allowing extra travel time just in case. (This is what I do currently – I allow 4.5 hours for what is actually a 3.5 hour drive when all goes smoothly. It doesn’t matter if I’m early at the moment, it doesn’t affect anyone else.) Or, I could park in one of those other car parks and never do anything except go directly to the match and back, without “passing Go and collecting £200“!

After much consideration I think I am going to stay with the safest option, and pay the £10. BUT I will NOT be buying my match programme any longer and I will have to do without my hot drink to warm me up on a freezing winter’s night. I enjoy the programme and reading it after the game, but I refuse to be bullied into giving the club yet more of my money in these difficult times – we’re struggling as it is and the only way I even have a season ticket is because I do without a lot of other things to have it!

Bad, bad, move City! We’re not all fit young males who have no cares about where we park! We choose our car parking arrangements for a reason!

You may recall my bedroom makeover including a new fold-down table which I bought online from Poundstretcher since my local store had sold out and it was just so perfect for my needs.

I had tried to peel off the sticker that was slap-bang in the middle of the table top, with no success. I had also tried using hot soapy water and then acetone with no more joy. This is what I was left with:

So I mailed Poundstretcher via their website contact form saying:

Comment: Hi, I recently ordered and received from you: Round MDF Folding Table 206475 (Order number:10000**** ) and am delighted with the table. It fulfils my need perfectly.

BUT.

I cannot remove the HUGE sticker slapped in the middle of it and have tried peeling, hot water, sticky-stuff remover etc and I now have an utterly ruined table with half a sticker and a load of black smeary mess in the middle!

What on earth is the point of using an adhesive so strong it renders the sticker permanent and the table ruined? Could you please advise me how I can remove the last of the sticker and the black smears and get a table that looks as good as its function.

Thanks.

The next day I received their standard “Thanks, we’ll be in touch” automated reply, giving me a call reference number of 13916.

Three weeks later, I hadn’t heard from them so mailed them again to ask when someone would get back to me. THREE WEEKS!!!!!!
This is what came back:

—–Original Message—–

From: Katie L

Sent: 25 August 2010 12:06

To: help desk

Subject: RE: Is anyone going to respond?

Hi Help desk

I have been on the Internet for advise

Wood or Furniture:

Sticky residue can be removed from wood or furniture with an oil -based product such as furniture polish, cooking oil, mineral oil or baby oil. Apply the oil to a clean cloth and saturate the sticker. Allow the oil to sit on the sticker so it can penetrate through the glue for a few minutes and then simply wipe it away.

Incidently the supplier of this product has been asked to use more peelable stickers on future shipments

Thank you

kate

_____________________________________________

From: help desk

Sent: 25 August 2010 12:01

To: Katie L

Subject: FW: Is anyone going to respond?

Hi Katie,

Can you help at all?

Thanks

Claire

—–Original Message—–

From: Tijan J

Sent: 25 August 2010 11:51

To: help desk; Shefa B

Subject: RE: Is anyone going to respond?

Don’t know what to do to this, if ruined, to return it. I honestly cannot comment on glue and how to remove

_____________________________________________
From: help desk
Sent: 25 August 2010 08:27
To: Tijan J; Shefa B
Subject: FW: Is anyone going to respond?

—–Original Message—–

From: Anji Kingman

Sent: 25 August 2010 08:17

To: Customer Care

Subject: Is anyone going to respond?

So…… Customer Care forwarded my mail to Help Desk. Shefa B evidently couldn’t give a damn and bounced it back. Claire (credit for persistence) singled out Katie (maybe she knew what a helpful person Katie was) and Katie, bless her, at least tried to help. She also made the excellent point that the manufacturer had been made aware of the problem and asked to sort out future supplies. Very well done Katie, and thank you for that.

Now Katie obviously sent her reply back to the Help Desk – who simply hit the “forward” button to send it to me – with no further message, apology or any pretence at actually being bothered. They couldn’t even be bothered to remove the trail of forwarded mails to hide the fact that they weren’t bothered!

This company quite clearly needs some staff training in customer service - even if it’s how to PRETEND they care! If you’re thinking of buying anything from their website, don’t expect any after service if they can get away with it, will you? Katie was the only person to save them from a VERY negative review.

All that aside…….. how good was the lovely Katie’s information? Well……..

I soaked the sticker in oil for a couple of hours whilst I waded through the Ironing Mountain :

Sadly, the sticker didn’t peel off any better. So I tried using hot soapy water (again) to see if I got any further. Not really, though when I gently used a pair of scissors to try scraping the damp, oily, sticker, it did come off little by (very) little:

After patiently working at it for 45 minutes, the best I achieved was removal of the sticker itself but with some sticky bits here and there (even after using acetone again) and the black smears which wouldn’t budge at all:

So: One very practical table. One super-sticky sticker sadly ruining the table’s otherwise good looks. And one company who don’t really care as long as you’ve paid your money, but obviously having the good sense to employ at least ONE person who tries to help. If you ever need customer service at Poundstretcher, be sure to ask for Katie.

I’ve been updating my links both here on my blog and on the links page of my main site and have added a new category for sites and businesses owned by fellow Blues.

So if you’re a City fan and have a site that you think might interest other Blues - whether for business or leisure, then please do feel free to contact me and if I like it, I’ll add it. It would be quite nice to have fellow Blues doing business with each other I think

MaineMoFo (Jeff) has kicked us off with his Partytentenshop

This week City fans have been like buses – two came to visit whilst holidaying in the area

On Thursday afternoon Col, (AKA Wookie, the owner of Wookie’s Lair) his wife Jen, (whose blog I have read for years and come to know as a result) and their 5 year old son came for a cup of tea mid afternoon. I’d thrown together some flapjacks and fairy cakes to go with the tea, though they weren’t a patch on some of the glorious creations that Jen creates. Young Wooklet seemed to enjoy them though He has grown SO much since I last saw him and is definitely now a real boy, but he was utterly adorable and so very well behaved. He was happy playing with the cats’ toys and moving the (light!) garden chairs around the garden and even mastered the knack of the 3-sectioned kitchen bin and what rubbish goes in which bit. (This is more than my own son and heir can manage at the age of almost 20!) It’s been a while since I last saw Mr and Mrs Wookie so there wasn’t time to completely catch up, but we did somewhat, and of course, it was nice for me to be able to chat about City too The time flew by and before long it was time for goodbye cuddles and them to head back to the Lake District and their B&B. I loved seeing them and appreciated them taking the time out to come and visit – hopefully we will see each other again soon and not leave it so long next time – my fault, not theirs, as I do go down to their neck of the woods for football of course.

On Thursday night, City were playing a European match away against FC Timisoara and all day I’d been trying to find out exactly what time it was being played (much confusion of time difference meant no-one could give a categoric answer!) and if it was being shown on TV at all. Earlier in the week, I could have sworn I’d seen that it was being shown on ESPN and Billy and I decided to sign up for the season as we’d get good value for money with 2 clubs likely to be shown on that channel now and then. On that basis, I had invited the Wookies and the other City fan holidaying up here, to come and watch the game with me. Then I found out that actually, the game was NOT on TV anywhere after all, though after a panic that the game was not on until 9.45pm, I did establish that it was being played at 9.45pm LOCAL time, 7.45pm UK time. At least at that time I might be able to listen to GMR online or follow the text commentary.

As it turned out, thanks to Wookie for pointing me in the right direction, I followed a very jumpy live stream on Onlinefooty, which kept irritatingly breaking up and the commentary was all in some foreign language - but it was a means of following and therefore better than nothing. I even derived some amusement trying to pick out some meaning from the commentator’s gobbledy-gook (still better than Andy-bloody-Gray at that!): “Manchester City. Barry. Sheet.” City looked edgy at first but did settle and improve so that later they took control of the game – a lot seemed to happen in midfield but with little threat up front. Until Balotelli came on and for me, changed the game. It ended with City winning 0-1 and who knows how vital that away goal may prove? Well done City

On Friday, I was awake at 5am and got up to see Billy off to work again. I got a few jobs done before Sue (AKA Bluebird1 from Blue Moon) came round at a little after 10am. We’d been promising to meet up for months and never managed it, so when she said she was visiting the area on holiday we arranged to finally meet for the first time. We got on like a house on fire - having so much more than City in common (though of course, that’s a major common interest to have ) We ended up spending the whole day together and could have carried on but for the fact that she had to go and get to her B&B – I think we might still be nattering now otherwise

During our day we went up to Hadrian’s Wall and took Sue’s gorgeous Border Colly, Nell, for a long walk amongst the crags and although it did rain off and on, it was very warm, and we were suitably attired in light trousers, City shirts, boots and raincoats so it didn’t spoil it in the least. Nell had a whale of a time running off the lead where possible, investigating every muddy puddle, and got very wet and mucky. She thoroughly enjoyed being lifted over gates that wouldn’t open (gates that were alongside cattle grids which she couldn’t manage) and thought it was a game I think. We walked quite a way before our bladders suggested turning back - coinciding with a couple of farm dogs who also felt we should get no closer to their home, which they indicated by coming up to us and blocking the path.

We got back to the car park and put Nell in her van, with the dog cage locked but van door open for air, gave her a drink of water and left her to rest as she was looking a bit less energetic than when we set out. We went for some lunch, the loo, and a wander round the Roman Army Museum, and then, suitably rested, we all set off again for another (shorter) walk in another direction. Nell was less able to run off this time as there were a lot of sheep and cows roaming but she did rescue us from a very disgruntled cow who felt we were a little too close to her calf. (My heroine – that cow was making me nervous. However,for any farmers/country lovers reading, rest assured we were not trespassing but walking a public footpath, Nell was on a lead and her rescue merely involved slight movement towards the cow as she came too close to us, and a little bark. At no time were either cow, calf or dog in any danger.) We came back through a narrow path in the wood and I was so busy yakking that I didn’t hear two men approach us from behind and was startled when they just appeared as we went through a gate. They obviously realised we hadn’t known they were there and kindly stood back a bit and smiled. They walked to the same car park as us and were evidently waiting for others to join them and so were showing interest in Nell whilst they waited. However she doesn’t like men and growled softly to let them know it so they backed off and waited a little further away for their companions.

Sue drove us back home and we had a much needed cup of tea before reluctantly parting with cuddles and promises of seeing each other soon. And that was that! A lovely day that positively flew by with a really nice lady with whom I had so much in common that we almost didn’t need to say what we were thinking! All that fresh air and exercise was also very enjoyable so I felt like I’d had a day’s holiday.

So I had a couple of very City orientated days – talking City, (sort-of) watching City, and seeing friends who I have made only through City. Absolutely brilliant!

Well City seems to have been linked with every player, his brother, his cousin and his cousin’s dog over the summer and so I did what I always do – sit back and wait until I see what’s ACTUALLY a done deal. The new 25-man squad rule adds a bit of extra interest this year and I predict a mad rush towards the end of the window, with larger clubs trimming their squad and maybe some bargains and loanees to be had for the smaller ones. Have I ever mentioned that I hate the transfer window? A squad should be in place well before the new season so that the team can get used to each other. This crazy state of affairs we have now is one where nothing happens for weeks, then one or two signings spark the starter engine, but by then half the window has gone. It all gets mad after that as momentum has just started flowing and the window closes!

I think we’ve probably finished bringing players IN now, though I imagine there will be some OUT’s to go yet. So new for this season we have: Aleksandar Kolarov;Jerome Boateng; David Silva; James Milner; Yaya Toure; and Mario Balotelli. For lifelong Blues, that makes surreal reading! As ever, I will judge these players based on what I see when they play in our shirt, and not what’s gone before. However, I am cautiously optimistic that 3 of those are great signings, whilst 3 will have to knuckle down fast to win me over. It also looks, at the moment, as though we have Jo back – let’s hope he’s improved and builds on his goal tally from the pre-season. (In terms of the 25 man squad rule, I think City have 11 home grown, 3 of whom are club trained. We also have some very talented under 21′s, of whom we are allowed an infiniate number, and about 5 of whom I think could break through.)

I’m a little sad that we’ve let Ned go out on loan as I think he’s an excellent defender, but at least he IS on loan (Sunderland) rather than sold. I’m not too fussed about Ireland being sold/used as make-weight in the Milner deal, as I’m not convinced by his passing and overall play, for all that he’s a genuine person and committed to his game. Weiss going on loan (Rangers) is a good move for him and for us as I really think he has a lot of potential. As for Bellamy being loaned to Cardiff, I think he is genuinely going to be happier playing for a club he loves than being 2nd choice at City so I hope he has a great season and enjoys.

I didn’t bother watching our pre-season matches I confess- notleast because of the time differences involved. I think pre-season games are getting out of hand now and players should have a chance to relax for a bit and then to train together (sans transfer window) with maybe just two pre-season games. Did I imagine it, or is that how it used to be? Anyway, I did still look at results for our games and I’m pleased they went as they did - I have this silly superstition that if we do well in the pre-season, we do badly in the season.

That said, I DO usually like to go to our final friendly at CoMS and would have loved to go to this year’s which we won 2 – 0 against Valencia - but sadly, I simply could not afford the petrol! Things did go better in that game though, and that IS a game I prefer us to win.

So, to the first game of the domestic season – away to Spurs! Not much chance of winning there, I felt, and feared the worst. Watching on TV with Stephen for company, (at least my Sussex based brother went to the game ) my fears got worse as we had to defend an onslaught by Spurs and it looked like only a matter of time before we conceded. Spurs are a settled team, and sadly, much as I dislike him, ‘Appy ‘Arry is a good manager. City, on the other hand, looked like what they were – a group of individuals finding their feet as a team. I was on the edge of my seat, and kicked every ball – my poor heart is out of practise and I could hardly contain myself. Thankfully, our MotM, our hero, Joe Hart, saved the day. Literally! Spurs should have scored at least 3 times if not more, but Hart managed to keep them out and we came away with a valuable point. I was pleased with that (if not the performance, but it’s early days) and it’s a tough game out of the way.

It’s wonderful having the football back - it just seems an age before my first trip to CoMS since our first home game has been shifted to a Monday night, meaning I can’t go!

My prediction for the end of the season? Hm, I’d be happy with 4th, we could maybe make 3rd if things go our way, but I can’t see us being higher than that, happy though I’d be to be proved wrong. Disappointing, given the investment, would be anything less than 4th I suppose as business wise, the club has to achieve its targets or be considered a failure. For me though, I couldn’t care less where we finish in terms of my commitment to, or love for, my club – it’s just nice to see the team do as well as they possibly can.

Come on City!