The Disallowed Goal (29.09.06)

For the first time since the 1956/57 season, Colchester United had an opportunity to play Ipswich Town in the league and at the end of 90 minutes had recorded their first league victory over Town since St David's Day 1951.

However, Ipswich should have gained a point from the match with a goal from Jon Macken being cruelly disallowed by referee Lee Probert, suggesting Macken had fouled U's keeper Aidan Davison as he bundled the ball into the net. The evidence suggests otherwise...

Macken reacts first and slides in to beat Davison to the ball



The ball's in the net and Ipswich Town get ready to celebrate before the referee rules out the goal.



Luckily Ipswich Town won't have to wait 50 years to gain revenge, as the two clubs meet at Portman Road for the return fixture on 20 January 2007.

St Michaelmas Day Feast (29.09.06)

A birthday lunch on St Michaelmas Day at the Armenia Taverna in Manchester with colleagues Sarah, Clare, Vicky, Nick, Sarah and Gis.



Sarah is amused as Nick tries one or two of the 10,000 PIN combinations available on his credit card.



The waitress is called over to rescue the situation, also to the amusement of Vicky.

Fifty Years Of Waiting Almost Over

Almost half of a century has passed since the last league match played between Ipswich Town and Colchester United.

Only 18 miles separates the two football clubs, but since the end of the 1956/57 season (when Ipswich Town won the Division 3 South title) the two teams have been one to three divisions apart...until now!

Ipswich Town's return to Layer Road will be screened live on Sky Sports HD2 on Friday 29 September, when an away victory could see Ipswich move into second position in the Championship.

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos to hand of our last visit to the U's, so below are three pics from more recent times.

(1) The Big Press Conference: Ian, the writer and Alan announce the signings of Andriy Shevchenko and Samuel Eto'o (subject to medicals and a £50m cash-injection!).



(2) Time out with the Chairman.



(3) Receiving tips from the great man himself Sir Bobby Robson.

Lunch at the Unpronounceable (27.09.06)

Colleagues Vicky, James, Mary and Lisa taking time out from a hectic schedule for a spot of lunch at a Manchester City Centre restaurant (previously know as Simple In The City).



Tip of the day: don't order the pollo e chorizo linguine.

Archie's second birthday party (24.09.06)

Another weekend and another small person holding court. Still in north Cheshire but on the west side of the A34.

First up, some photos of older people. Archie's dad Jon with Kate and Andy. In the background some small people test out small vehicles.



Sam resting half a lager on Kate's bump.



Kate, Andy, Sam and the writer appear to be confronted by a giant photographer.



Mayhem on the lawn. One small person has become transfixed by the chocolate birthday cake !



As the sun begins to set, birthday boy Archie blows out both candles on his birthday cake (and what a cake it was too - thanks Archie's mum!).

The Godson (Parts I-III) (16.09.06)

Baba G aka 'The Sage' returned for his third visit of the summer, having just recovered from his previous trip, when he witnessed England's defeat to Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Godson Part I: Arrival on dad's shoulders. Comments were made that the lawn could to with a cut before ordering his chariot into the house.



The Godson Part II: Once inside the house, Baba G wastes no time in testing out his latest toys.



The Godson Part III: After all the excitement of shoulder riding, toy-testing and a spot of lunch, Baba G decided it was time for a nap and volunteered to test out Craig Junior's new cot.

Fun in the Sun (Rising Sun Pub, Manchester 22.09.06)

Another Friday, another Manchester hostelry. This week we're in The Rising Sun pub which is at least 30 meters away from last week's haunt - The Old Nags Head. At this rate we'll have made it to Mr Thomas's Chop House by Christmas !



Friends and/or(!) colleagues, Sean, Angela, Gisella and Peter.



Colleagues Chantal, Chas and Gisella.

IP1 2DA (Last Friday (15.09.06))

A real 'Tractor Boy' on the famous billiard table that is Portman Road.

Pride Park, Derby (08.11.03)

A rare moment when a piece of sporting action is captured on a camera phone without blurring!

Another penalty success for Tommy Miller, the penalty king

Kerala (Easter 2005)

Back on the Indian sub-continent after an eight year absence, but this time in the deep south west in the state of Kerala.

We undertook a south-bound tour from Cochin to Trivandrum via the backwaters through Alleppey, Pullangady and Kollam to the resort of Varkala before ending the trip at Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach in South Kovalam.

First stop was the bustling town of Cochin.



It was bumper to bumper on the high street.



Cochin was getting ready to host a big one-day cricket international between India & Pakistan.



Next stop was the more tranquil backwaters.



The two-day boat trip snaked its way through Kuppapuram, Pallathuruthy, Kainakary, Pally Canal, Venattukadu Canal, Moonnattumugham, Nedumudy, Champakulam, Pullangady, Karumady, Thottappally, Kumarakody, Pallana, Thrikunnapuzha, Kayamkulam lake and Vallikkavu before finally reaching Kollam.



Chief Petty Officer Schmit enjoying a break at the end of the first day.



After leaving behind the backwaters we had a short drive to Varkala.



The grounds of the Taj Garden Retreat in Varkala.



The final port of call was at the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach resort in South Kovalam.



The location has some spectacular views of the coast and the Arabian Sea.



We stayed in a traditional Keralan Hut (this one in fact)..



A view from our veranda..



By coincidence, our friend Ian from the UK was doing some voluntary Tsunami relief work a few miles down the road in Tamil Nadu and came up to visit us for the weekend.
Ian is pictured here in a neighbouring Keralan hut.



Ian and Kate on the beach.

My Stag Trip (Prague 2000)

The first of what turned out to be three trips to Prague in two years (for UEFA Cup football and other stag events).

Below from l to r, Nick, me, John, Martin, David, Andy, John & Marcus waiting for our boat to sail (and for the bar to open!).



But look! When the bar does open Andy notices Steve, John and David have left evidence of a soft drinks order!



Andy discussing matters with John. Nick appears neutral on the subject.



Marcus, Andy, John, Nick, Martin, John, David and me stopping off for a brief beverage, before continuing our cultural tour of the Czech Republic.

The Old Nags Head (Manchester) (15.09.06)

On Friday evenings my colleagues enjoy congregating in various hostelries in Manchester. On this occasion The Old Nags Head was the chosen venue for Chas, James, Gis and Peter.