New game discovered November 4, 2008

Rugby social on Saturday night was muchos fun, not least because of the discovery of a brand new game: human skittles.

We started our drinking circle in a nice old-man’s local type pub, the Gardiner’s Arms in Northampton, which has an alcove we always sit in and very receptive staff who love the comedy value we bring. There was a new addition to the alcove this time round: a proper old English pub style skittles game, the one with the cheeses that you throw.

Anyhoo, after a few beers and a go with the cheeses, we invented a new game which was ‘Human Skittles’. The concept is simple – instead of throwing a cheese, you throw yourself. A good run up was required and with speed on my side, I threw myself into it. I failed to get all the skittles down though, but 8 out of 9 ain’t bad.

I think it’s my new favourite game, alongside kick dancing…

The weekend ahead: good, bad, ugly March 14, 2008

Good thing:  A lady at work is selling me a wobble board, trampette, ankle weights and stepper – all for £20!  My physio will be well impressed and I am promising myself I shall not leave them in a back room with washing hung on them…

Bad thing:  mates are now coming over tonight to watch Sport Relief on t’box and I’m doing a big curry cook up.  House a tip, no food in the fridge and it all starts at 7pm.

Ugly thing: potentially – me, after beers, on wobble board, with curry…..not a good combo! (and then there’s the hangover as well…)

Live long with rugby and beer January 9, 2008

This article caught my attention and confirmed what I’d always believed – that a pint after a game of rugby was a good thing.  To date, I’d only considered this in terms of social benefits, but it’s good to hear there are positive health implications too!

I shall positively relish my beer after training tonight!

Come on the boys! October 19, 2007

Oooof my nerves are already jangling ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup Final.  My tummy’s all bubbly and i’m panicking already about whether Jonny will get injured, if Cueto will step up to the mark and whether Joe Worsley will be hero or villain.

We were in Paris for the previous game against South Africa, the 36-0 defeat which absolutely stunned the 10’s of thousands of white shirted supporters crammed into Stade de France.  We couldn’t even console ourselves with a pint as we had to drive back overnight for a wedding in London the next day.  Sober, silenced and sad. It was bad.

So I’m hoping tomorrow England will come out blazing and seriously get on top of the Springboks. Bryan Habana their flyer needs taking out early on and my bets are that Sackey is going to step up and ‘ave im.  England will be out for revenge after their mullering in September.

I have grand plans to get a comfy chair in the rugby club, fill my coolbox with cans of beer and lay out a selection of nibbles to keep us going.  It’s gonna be an awesome atmosphere and I was at the rugby club when we won in 2003 – grown men were crying, everyone was hugging and the place was packed.  Let’s hope for a repeat tomorrow night!!