Autumn Chill

By eck it's been a chilly day here in Leeds.  The sky has been a mucky grey and we've had wind and rain.  Apart from a trip to the local supermarket I've been indoors trying to keep warm.

We made some malted muffins this afternoon and they're quite tasty - perhaps could do with a bit more of a malty taste but that's a lesson for next time.  We have a recipe book with 100 different varieties - sweet, savoury and healthy.  Looking forward to trying most of them!

I've been getting some CD's uploaded to iTunes today so I can have a change of music on my iPod.  Going away with work for a couple of days soon so good to have plenty of music to pass the time on the train and in the hotel.

Despite the cold I do quite like Autumn.  There are some annual traditions that we enjoy - some English and some from over the pond.

First up is Halloween with lots of kids dressed up "trick of treating".  Must get a few bags of sweets and a pumpkin.  We sometimes spend the night with our friends over the road having some good food and a drink or two.

Next is Bonfire Night - you know, when we celebrate Guy Fawkes failure to blow up the Houses of Parliament.  Anyway we don't usually go to a fire these days but do enjoy watching the spectacular display of fireworks in the night sky.

Towards the end of November we like to celebrate American Thanksgiving with a turkey and all the trimmings.  Good practice for the Christmas dinner about  month later.

November in my family also sees loads of birthdays - my mum, my brother, two nieces and three friends.

So lots to look forward to over the next couple of months.

Finally for today I got the latest newsletter from The Sumo Guy today.  I do like to share this with you and encourage you to check out his website at  http://www.thesumoguy.com/

His theme this month is about "more is less".


Too much stuff can clutter our mind. Whether that 'stuff' is items in a home or activities in our lives.


You see, when there's too much stuff in our lives we begin to suffer from fuzzy focus. We lack a clarity of focus.  In our desire to improve and keep ahead of the game we maybe pursue too many good ideas rather than focus on a few great ones.  You see;


'Focus brings clarity but clutter clouds your thinking.'


How can you apply this to your own life?  Why don't you set aside just 10 minutes to focus on what you need to do to create some space in your life?


That might be chucking some stuff out, but it might equally mean saying no to some things.  And let's not make having a lack of time an excuse.  Everyone can find 10 minutes.  In doing so you'll begin to create the space to allow great ideas to develop and flourish.  And once you've done 10 minutes you often create the momentum to do more.  Here's a couple of questions to answer:


What's the one activity I need to reduce or cease doing?
What ten minute action can I take today to increase my effectiveness?

Ok that's it for today.  Time to get some tea and settle down to watch the Horse of The Year Show.  It's not that I'm dead keen on horses or anything.  It's just that one of the riders is Jessica Springsteen - and sad people that we are we might just get a glimpse of her dad - Bruce.  If you're not a Tramp then you just won't understand.

Bye for now.

RIP Clarence "Big Man" Clemons

Photo from BBC website

Clarence Clemons

11 January 1942 - 18 June 2011

We woke this morning to the very sad news that Clarence “Big Man” Clemons had died after suffering a stroke last weekend.

You will find lots of comments from fans on facebook and good news coverage at BBC and the New York Times.

The last time I saw the “Big Man” was in November 2009 when we went to two Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band shows at Madison Square Garden, New York.  So for me that will always be even more special.

I can’t really do justice trying to describe the love and affection that E Street Band followers have for Clarence - so I’m not going to try.  Perhaps if I just say that when I heard  him play it often sent shivers down my spine - even when he didn’t quite hit the right notes.  It was just electric.

I feel sad that I won't see or hear him live again.

My wife (Jayne) bought me a saxophone for my 50th birthday.  I wanted to learn to play Clarence’s sax solos.  I never quite mastered it.  Now I have renewed determination to get to grips with it again so that I can play my own tributes to the “Big Man” any time.

Two moans in one post

I've been getting more and more angry over the last two days.  That's not really like me because I think that I am quite placid and cope reasonably well with adversity - most of the time anyway.  Those closest to me may well have a different view!!

What's getting under my skin?

First is the issue of public sector pensions and the way that the government appears to be handling this at the moment.  There was a review and report done by Lord Hutton a few months ago and the recommendations were then to be discussed and negotiated with all the relevant unions.

Now things have really kicked off in the last couple of days.  Public sector workers voting for industrial action and the government - in the form of Danny Alexander (Lib Dem) the Treasury Minister seeming to say that policy decisions have been made and are not up for negotiation.

Today according various news reports the Treasury is stepping back from this stance and appears to be saying that no final decisions have been made and that negotiations with the unions are still on.

I've been a public sector worker for over 41 years and was looking forward to retirement in about two years.  Now I know that things change in life and that there are no guarantees about anything.  I also accept that the pensions world is in a mess and that many working in the private sector have had their pensions devalued.  So it seems only fair to me that public sector employees should share the pain.

But that pain needs to be inflicted fairly and not as a result of some political dogma.

Being so close to retirement I feel particularly angry about the prospect of my pension being reduced - so I hope that some protection can be put in place.  I do think that public sector employees will have to contribute more to their pensions and that the retirement age will need to go up.  But does that have to be for everyone currently in the scheme?  or for those close to retirement?  I don't know what the definition of close to retirement is except that I think it means me.

So come on Government and unions get it sorted.

The other thing that is getting me cross is the closure of Tetley's brewery in Leeds.  Beer has been brewed on the site in Leeds since 1822.  Tetley's is owned by brewing giant Carlsberg and I think that it's an absolute disgrace that the Vikings are raping and pillaging our country again.  So let's just imagine the advert shall we.......Carlsberg don't do mistakes, but if they did, this would probably be the worst mistake in the world ..... RIP Joshua Tetley.


Ok rant over now settling down to watch Lee Mack on telly.

SUMO Latest

If you've read Utter Drivel before then you might remember that I am a fan of The SUMO Guy - Paul McGee. Here's a link to The SUMO website.

I thought I would just share with you his most recent newsletter.

SUMO stands for Shut Up, Move On and is a helpful philosophy to deal with difficulties in life.  I used this approach a lot in my last job as a staff welfare officer.

Paul has been working with education bodies and has now launched SUMO4Schools.  When working with schools he changes what the SUMO acronym means - Stop, Understand, Move On.

So I thought I would just put this out there for my readers to consider what's going on for you in your life and whether SUMO might help.  Do you need to take time to Stop and Understand?  What does Moving On mean for you.

Here are some questions to ask yourself.

1. What's going well at the moment?
2. What's going less well?
3. What do you need to do more of?
4. What do you need to do less of?

Moving On can sometimes mean letting go - and this can seem really scary.

And finally - you can tell you're getting old when the phrase "Happy Hour" means time for a nap.

Right I'm off to get my head down for a couple of hours!

Seaside Special

Well it was a lovely sunny weekend in Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire. Never heard of it? It's on the coast (as the name suggests) between Mablethorpe and Skegness.

My brother in law and sister in law live there. They run a high class delicatessen called Espley's.

If you haven't tried it you don't know what you're missing.

One of the highlights of a few days with the "outlaws" is spending time at their beach hut or chalet. I'm never too sure what they are actually called. Anyway, this is right on the "prom" overlooking the beach. The chalet has just had a makeover and is now painted lilac and white.

There has been a spate of arson attacks on the chalets over the past couple of weeks. It must be a nightmare for the people who own one wondering if theirs is going to be next.

Jayne and Irene had a walk on the beach while Ian cleaned out the inside of the chalet and I had a doze on a deck chair.

On 31 January 1953 the east coast was hit by devastating floods. The Sutton-on-Sea flood defences were breached and the High Street and much of the surrounding area was under water. The only thing remaining of the original sea defences is this "Lion Pillar" in the photograph.

In the last few years some major work has been done to reinforce the east coast flood defence system. Most recently at Sutton sand dredged from the sea bed has been piped to the edge of the beach creating a man made slope. This prevents the sea ever reaching the sea wall. Not so much fun but definitely safer.

I guess the holiday season hasn't started yet - perhaps it will get going after Easter. I hope so because it was really quiet. There was a hardly anyone about - the beach in from of the chalet was really deserted.

It's a a tough time for anyone running a business in this quiet seaside town and the recession is really hitting them hard. Here's hoping for glorious summer weather.

Goodbye Wellington

This has been a very sad week in our house.  We said goodbye to our fluffy cat Wellington.  He was born on 11 January 1997 and died on 24 March 2011 - 14 years old is a pretty good age.

Wellington was a Persian Blue Colourpoint.  His pedigree name was Toffynose Bluebyou - but we called him Wellington, or Wellie for short, because he had grey/blue markings on his feet just like wellington boots.

His parents were Brujeana Scallywag and Brujeana Meeka Blueorchid.  Some of his grandparents and great grandparents were champion and grand champion show cats.  That wasn't ever going to be an option for our Wellie because he didn't cut the mustard as a show cat.

So he ended up living with us in Leeds.

He had a particular liking for tuna, cheese and home cooked chicken.  I'm not too sure what Morrisons are going to do now that we won't be buying so many of their chicken breasts - they're bound to wonder why sales have dropped so drastically.

We couldn't make toast without him trotting in to the kitchen for his own slice with a good coating of butter of course.

One of his very favourite pleasures was being brushed, and brushed and brushed.  Whatever you might be doing he would come up to you meowing and you were absolutely required to follow him to the rug in the front room.  There he would flop down just waiting.  And the purrs would just start and never stop until you did.

Wellie was mainly a house cat but he did go out on some adventures.  In his younger days he used to jump over the back fence and scuttle around in the undergrowth eventually coming home with all sorts of foliage stuck in his fur.

When he discovered that there was life away from our garden we often had to go in search of him when it was time to go to bed.  Shouting his name as we wandered up and down the street he would appear from a neighbours garden with not a care in the world as he nonchalantly strolled across the road oblivious to the dangers of any oncoming traffic.

Fun times included chasing frogs around the garden and occasionally bringing one into the house carefully nestled in his mouth.  He never once hissed at, scratched or bit any other cat or human.

Our garden seems to be a mecca for neighbourhood cats and Wellie wasn't at all territorial - he would just sit at the door or look out the window as trespassers wandered around his patch.

Wellie was never short of admirers.  If he sat at the front door passers by would often stop and comment about him.  When the doorbell rang he usually made for the hall stairs and would sit there staring until the caller had either gone or they had come in and he judged it safe to see them.

He wasn't popular with everyone though.  My brother (Trevor) doesn't like animals at all.  So when he came to visit it was as if Wellie could sense that Trevor didn't care for him so Wellie would be all around his feet and making a nuisance of himself.

On the other hand a number of people would have been happy to take him to live with them, especially Laura, my sons partner.

Wellie had been unwell for a while - he had cancer - so he was on borrowed time.  I don't think there is a good way to deal with these things.  When one of our other cats (Willow) was poorly we asked the vet to put him to sleep before he became too ill and his quality of life was so bad.  We beat ourselves up for that for a long time.  Wellie died at home but it was a difficult decision again.  He was really poorly, experiencing very regular seizures - the cancer had gone to his brain.  So we agonised about whether we should ask the vet to let him go.

In the end nature took control and we were there when he died.

So a fond farewell old chap - have a great time with Willow and Horlicks (our first cat).

Dodgy Knees

Been to the doctors today - and for me that is a rare event in itself.  I needed a new prescription for anti-inflammatory tablets for my arthritis.  While I was there he had a feel of my knees - you know the thing, moving your leg backwards and forwards checking for wear and tear.

Anyway it seems that there is a bit too much wear and tear in my right knee and he predicted that I would need a replacement before too long.  That made me feel really old.  Perhaps my body is getting on a bit and has been abused - but I still have the mind of someone younger.  I suppose I will have to give it back sometime - bum tish, I thank you!

Knee replacement surgery is quite a routine operation with over 70,000 done in England and Wales each year.

I've become quite attached to my knees - I've had them for almost 58 years.  But if I have to have a replacement I've been thinking what sort of knees would I rather have.  There are so many to choose from - fat knees, thin knees, chubby knees, knobbly knees.

There are even place names that celebrate the knee - Wounded Knee (USA) , Neasden (UK) and Kneeden (Germany).

When all is said and done I think I will stick with the ones I've got for now - they're quite attractive in a funny sort of way.

Happy New Year

Sorry I've been quiet for a long time here on Utter Drivel.  To be honest I've been concentrating on a new blog I started last October about my Family History.

Steve McCabe, Steve McDonald and Me

Anyway I'm at a loose end right now having taken a day off work after a great weekend in Liverpool.  We were celebrating my friend, Steve McDonald's, 60th birthday and visiting some other friends, Joyce and Kevin.  So I thought I would do a quick post to let you all know I'm still around.

This is traditionally the time of year when people make resolutions and set goals for the next 12 months.  I received my regular email Newsletter from The SUMO Guy over the weekend (see link at the side) and he passes on some thoughts about the subject - see what you think.


Problems are not personal:
Life is not conspiring to get at you personally. It might sometimes feel that way, but it's not. Problems happen to all of us - so ditch the conspiracy theory.


Problems are not pervasive:
Just because you've experienced a setback in one area of your life doesn't mean it will automatically occur in other areas as well. Life has it's ups and downs but in the board game of life there are ladders as well as snakes. The issue is when you're feeling down you can fail to spot the ladders. You can be lured into thinking that everything is going against you. The reality is it's not. But beware. Problems can and do spread if you resign yourself to the fact that they will. So look for the ladders and make sure you put your foot on the first rung.


Problems are not permanent:
They might seem that way at the moment but things can and do change. But how soon that happens will depend on you and your response. Now if you're locked into the disempowering belief that "there's nothing I can do" then clearly things will take longer to improve. So ask yourself the question "How can I influence or improve the situation?" You see, at the heart of that question lies an empowering belief that things can change. Snow melts, ice thaws and problems pass. Remember 'everything is temporary.'


If 2011 is a year when you decide to take action, move out of your comfort zone and quit your excuses then problems and challenges will come with the territory. But that's OK because you will have remembered the three P's.


Problems are NOT: Personal, Pervasive or Permanent.


Hope to see some of you at a Bruce gig before too long.

World Cup Diary Blog #16

Well it's time to come home.  We're on the bus on the way to the airport.  Everyone's really down about yesterdays performance and exit from WC2010.  However a few guys were feeling so sick last night they were still in the wc at 20:10.

At least one consolation for me is that I  am not about to get picked on by the press.  No game, no cap, no blame - perhaps.

Anyway the early exit means that Mrs D's possible TV opportunity has gone - victim of the programme makers austerity measures - allegedly.

We're still on for Skeggy next week.  Might even have a run up to Mablethorpe and  the naturist beach at North Cotes a few miles away.  Nobody saw me with my kit on in South Africa so people won't recognise me with my kit off in Lincolnshire. 

Fabio's future won't be decided for a couple of weeks.

Whatever happens we're back to football business with a friendly against Hungary in August.  Then European Championship qualification matches from September.  Looking forward to the game against Wales next March.  Mrs D told me last night that there is a young lad called Dyfan from some place called Llandybie who thinks he knows what I look like - but he could be getting me confused with someone else with the same name.  Maybe I will see him at the game and he can ask me for my autograph - it will be worth a fortune one day.

Thanks for reading my diary - it's been fun writing it for you. 

Look out for The Spurs winning the Champions League next season - especially if we can keep Harry at The Lane.  Keep your hands off England!!

World Cup Diary Blog #15

Well it's been a while - but eventually managed to get some time to write again.  The sense of relief in the camp is clear.  The performance on Wednesday was much better and the fans responded as well.

The gaffa seems more relaxed - hugs, back slapping and high fives after the game.  He has even allowed us to have a couple of beers on an evening.  The darts crowd has now taken "Don Fabio's" photo down from the bulls eye.

Upsy Daisy had a good game on Wednesday - some really great tackles and a solid all round performance.  Looks like I'm gonna have to wait a while to get my chance.  Carra's available again after suspension and Ledley's recovered from his groin injury so the gaffa will have a tough decision who to partner with JT.

Full training session in Rustenburg today.  We've been practising penalties - it just can't happen again - can it?  We're feeling pretty confident about beating the old enemy - for example do you know about the curse of Eurovision - no country that has won Eurovision has gone on to win the WC later that same year!  Here are some more reasons why we're confident Goal.com

Mrs D has kept me posted with reaction and news from home.  She watched the game on Wednesday with the cocker spaniels.  Funny though how these so called pundits can't seem to agree - see what ScotStevo from Ireland has to say about the coverage from BBC & RTE in the Daily Record

The WAGS at home are all keeping in touch and starting to think about plans for coming out to Sun City.  Mrs D's been shopping for new outfits - hope she's got something she can wear in South Africa and Skegness.

I'm a bit concerned that Mrs D is getting into this WAG life too much.  There are rumours that she is about to be offered some deal to appear in a TV reality show and I haven't even been of the bench yet - more news about this when she fesses up.  She was certainly disappointed not to have been asked to take part in the WAGs "Come Dine With Me"  Have to admit all this is making me a bit unsettled.  Can't believe she might become more well known and recognisable than me.

No more blogging until Monday - have to focus now.

World Cup Diary Blog #14

Well Don Fabio has decided that Upsy Daisy has got the nod for Wednesday's game.  Maybe he will trip up getting on the plane tomorrow - will see what I can do to help.

Looks like we will be training at Rustenburg tomorrow morning before flying down to Port Elizabeth as we've been told we can't train on the match pitch.

The gaffa has been disappointed by comments JT made to the press yesterday - tensions are running a bit high.  Lamps has tried to defuse things today.  Just seems like there's a power struggle going on.  Decided to keep my head down. 

So this might be my last blog for a couple of days.  The next one will probably be on Thursday - but where from that's the big question.

Hope you all enjoy the game on Wednesday - we'll be trying our best to put in a good shift and get through the group stage.  Don't really want to even think about all the stick we'll get next season if we don't get through.  Probably worse than Ronaldo got when he had Rooney sent off - the cheeky winker.

Mrs D said it's really muggy tonight back in blighty.  Also she's having a problem with the internet connection, she can't get the wireless to work - it's driving her crazy.  Really glad I'm not there.  The cocker spaniels are keeping out of her way as well.

Right I'm off to lie in wait for Upsy Daisy and see if I can't help him to have some sort of mishap.

World Cup Diary Blog #13

Training behind closed doors today.  I tried to close and lock the doors before Matt Upsy Daisy got there but his team mate Greeny dropped the key at the last minute.  So I will have to come up with some other way to make sure he's not available on Wednesday.  Only one more training session tomorrow.

Lamps has his mind on other things at the moment however - Chrsitine Bleakley just secured a transfer from BBC to ITV.  She's more in demnad than he is.  What has that Chiles bloke got anyway?

Heard Harry Redknapp on Radio 5 this morning saying that Upsy Daisy was probably ahead of me in Fabio's thinking simply because he was selected originally.  Lets just wait and see.

There's a full squad meeting tonight with Fabio and the management - don't know what it's about though.- probably summat to do with football.  We'll probably watch the video of the Algeria match and have an open and frank discussion.  Hopefully nobody will be sent home like Nicolas Anelka. 

Let's not forget other countries are struggling too - remember France, Germany and Italy.  All have had unexpected results.

We go to Port Elizabeth on Tuesday and play at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 3.00pm UK time on Wednesday - our WC could all be over by 5.45pm.  Hopefully my mates at the Leyburn Cricket Club will be taking the day off work to watch the game.

World Cup Diary Blog #12

Not good headlines in the press today - as we expected.  The gaffa read us the riot act last night.  We all know the performance and the result were not good enough.  Everyone who played tried hard but things just didn't work out for us.

Surprised to hear the fans jeering us after the game - especially since the boss said that we wouldn't be having any booze while we were here.  Just goes to show he doesn't know everything.

Spoke to Mrs D after the game - she said that most of the WAGs are keeping their heads down for while.  Although a couple have already sneaked into South Africa Mail Online

Carra getting booked might turn out to be good for me - really now hoping I will get a game on Wednesday - but I probably won't find out until just before we leave for the ground..

Still keeping options open about Butlins at Skegness.  If we have an early exit from WC then we will save some cash as Mrs D won't be coming over to South Africa.  With the money we save we can upgrade to a Premium Gold Apartment.

Spent the day in Cape Town relaxing and meeting fans around the city - trying to build some bridges.

We're on the bus right now and expect to get back to Rustenburg about 11.00pm.  Everyone's a bit quiet - it's really weird.

Start work tomorrow on getting things right for Wednesday.

World Cup Diary Blog #11

The Spurs lads took on all comers at Texas Hold Em poker last night.  At one point I had almost more clubs in my hand that Amelia Heskey has played for.  We're up a few Rands - especially from little SWP who couldn't quite get the hang of the game.  Meanwhile Glen Johnson is now leading the darts tournament - although Jamesy might have something to say about that.  It's really just a bit of handbags between them.

Carra's bought his kids a couple of vuvuzelas - yes, that's right.  He kept most of the lads awake last night trying to get a tune out of the blooming things.

The cat's out of the bag about the squad's Soprano nicknames Metro Online - being a Bruce Springsteen fan I like to be Silvio Dante (played by Steve Van Zandt from the E Street Band).  Anyway Mr Beckenbauer just be careful what you say or you might end up sleeping with the fishes in a pair of concrete football boots.

The freshly washed kit has gone off to Cape Town and we'll be going tomorrow morning.  I tried to hide Matty Upson's shirts so I would have more chance of playing but Golden Balls in his role as Mr Fixer checked all the kit as it was loaded on the bus - unfortunately for me he spotted that there were some numbers missing - didn't know he could count.

Managed to get another round of golf in this afternoon with some of the lads.  The picture in the Metro article above shows Roono has written some cryptic messages on his golfing boots.  What it doesn't show is that he has also writtenh L & R on the inside.

Just been watching Bafana Bafana get beat by Uruguay - shame but they looked outclassed.  And what a good result by the Swiss.

Right off to fill in my wall chart and then bed.

World Cup Diary Blog #10

Hands up everyone who remembers Steve Hodge.  Yes, that Steve Hodge - played for Notts Forest and Spurs as well as six other clubs and 24 times for England.  A man renowned for footballing knowledge - as here he calls on Fabio to pick Jamesy and me against Algeria on Friday - Telegraph Online  Anyway he's certainly gone up in my estimation.  Hope the gaffa takes notice.

Sunny, cold and windy in Rustenburg today.  Resemebles Stoke on winters afternoon at the Victoria Ground.

Yesterday me and Matty Upson went to off to visit a local orphanage near Rustenburg.  Spurs have paid for one of the bungalows that houses up to eight orphans.  I have sponsored one of the kids (Aubrey) for the last three years and it was really great to see him.  Gave him a signed England shirt - managed to find one that wasn't covered in crap from the drain leak - although it does have some dodgy autographs.  Here's a report from the Mail Online.

Couple of pretty dull games earlier today.  Have been looking forward to watching the best South American team and North Korea tonight.  I realy love Brazilians but every time I mention them Mrs D gives me one of her knowing looks.  Korea have been playing OK but as I'm writing they've just conceded a goal - whatever happens by the end of the game it will have been a close shave.

Spoke to Mrs D this evening and she had heard me interviewd on Talk Sport - the cocker spaniels went crazy when they heard my voice - one of them even did a whoopsy on the kitchen floor.

Mrs D thinks she will be watching the match on Friday by herself.

Card school tonight before cocoa and bed. 

Nite nite.

World Cup Diary Blog #9

Bright sunny day in Rustenburg - unlike other WC locations where it was chucking it down and cold.  At least we got the choice of hotel and training camp right.

Back to training - Roono decided to sit round the pool instead - claiming to have a knock on his ankle.  Ash had his usual day off as well - can't seem to play and then train immediately afterwards - molly coddled if you ask me.  My mate Ledders is really struggling with his groin injury.  I think he needs to take his time and make sure he recovers well.

Serious darts tournament going on in the squad - 501 is the game of choice.  David James is practicing every opportunity he gets and is leading at the moment.  Mmmmm 501? the number of minutes before Amelia Heskey scores his next England goal? and unless Matty Upson has a sudden injury it'll be 501 minutes before I get a game - that gets me on in the second half of the final.

It seems the pundits don't think I'm gonna get a game or play much part - even when I do get a mention they always add that I am uncapped and inexperienced.

Have to admit the Germans looked good yesterday and seem to be the team to beat right now.  Rumour has it that they have been using the WC ball in the Bundesliga since last December.  Clever beggars.

Sat with some of the lads to watch the Italians tonight - they got out of jail and I think will still be hard to beat.  Although we saw some of their usual amateur dramatics when they allegedly went down injured.  They've got it off to a tee.

Had a problem with the drains at the hotel today and the kit room was flooded with foul water and other stuff.  Not sure what actually happened - didn't fancy going to look to be honest.  Anyway the kit that was supposed to be on the way to Cape Town for Friday's game against Algeria had to be washed all over again - hmm perhaps I don't fancy wearing any of that.  Think I'll get down to Sportz Kitz R Us  and buy myself a couple of replica kits to be on the safe side.

As well as picking a team in the squad sweep we also had a guess how many red cards there would be.in the whole tournament.  I went for ten - blimey already four in the first eleven games.

Just had a text from Mrs D - she's watching Match of The Day on BBC2 - got a mention from Alan Shearer.  Mind you he said that I didn't have much pace - that's a bit rich coming from someone who never left the six yard box.

Right, off to bedroom to play FIFA World Cup on the Wii - I'm the England skipper and scored the winning goal in the last game.

Nite nite.

World Cup Diary Blog #8

Didn't get chance to write my blog last night.  We've been having the usual post match analysis as you can imagine.  The lads all feel that it was two points lost - but it's not a total disaster.

We got off to a great start with an early goal from Stevie G.  The rest of the first half was fairly even and then Greeny was caught out by a pot luck shot from Clint Dempsey.  I'm not gonna say anything here about what happened - that wouldn't be fair on Greeny - needless to say all the lads and the gaffa are fully behind him - as was the ball as it happens.

Second half we had some chances to win the game but didn't take them and Greeny made a super save from Altidore to keep the scores level.

My brothers met up with some guys from Hull (where Andy plays) and they are moving in with them later today - they've got a villa near Johannesburg.  So I will get my bed back.

Spoke to Mrs D before going to sleep last night - tried using Skype instead of just the phone.  It was OK - picture was a bit jerky though.  She went to Coleen's BBQ - here's a link to an artcle in the Daily Mail about it.  They had a great time but missed Wayno's cooking - they got professional caterers in to make life easier.
They watched the game on a plasma TV, enjoyed a few beers and some sausages and hamburgers.

Mrs D said she doesn't know yet what she's doing for the Algeria game - waiting to see what offers come in.

It was pretty subdued on the bus back to the hotel.  Some joker plugged their iPod in to the speakers and we got "Careless Hands" by Des O'Connor, "Fingers and Thumbs" by Erasure and "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis.  Greeny took it all in good spirit - put his head in his hands and promptly dropped it.

Had a cup of cocoa and then off to bed by midnight.

We'll be watching Algeria v Slovenia at lunchtime.  Hoping Fabio will get the "tictacs" right for Friday.

Speak again soon.

World Cup Diary Blog #7

Didn't sleep very well - three in a bed was actually two too many.  Not sure how long Andy and Kev will be with me.  Had to sneak them some breakfast this morning.

Training this afternoon - more running and jumping up and down.  I like training - especially being able to wear those brighly coloured bibs - I was in yellow today.

The gaffa had a press conference this afternoon - and still no clue about the starting line up.  Except he did say that Gareth's likely to be on the bench from the start.

We all watched the South Africa v Mexico game this afternoon.  It was an OK match with a great goal opening goal.  Fair result in the end.  Getting ready to watch Uruguay v France - kick off in a few minutes.

Spoke with Mrs D today and she is getting excited about tomorrow.  Going to the Rooney's for a WC BBC.  That's a World Cup BBQ - not a BBQ in their toilet.

Can't stop on long - "Aero" saving me a seat.

Early night then - think the brothers will have to sleep on the floor.  Need my rest tonight for the big day tomorrow.

Bye for now - and thanks for all your good luck messages that coming.

World Cup Diary Blog #6

Now, I know that Ferdz is a very influential member of the squad and a great skipper.  But sometimes players can get too wrapped up in their own publicity and self importance.  I don't mean to be disrespectful to the big man but.... The TV in my room has a clever gizmo that lets me see what pay per view films have been watched since the squad checked in - here's the list and you make up your own minds

Blame It On Rio
Rio Bravo
Rio Grande
Rio Lobo
Road To Rio
Girl From Rio
Flying Down To Rio
Lost In Rio
Rio Conchos

I mean come on, the man really needs to get out more on his crutches and get some proper perspective on his contribution to life and the universe.  Me, I'm gonna be watching Dawson's Creek tonight.

Closed training session today.  James Milner still not feeling well so he had yet another day off and Ledley did more gym work - shame about his chronically dodgy knees - but it might turn out to be good for me.  If Fabio has to choose between me and Matty Upson then I'm a shoo in.

It was off to Sun City after training for a round of golf.  Last time I played I had trouble getting the ball through the door in the wooden windmill.  Still, I managed to get round without losing my balls.  Unlike Glen Johnson who hit the wrong ball off the fairway.

By the way Mrs D just for you and our cocker spaniels - here's a link to my FA Quickfire Q&A for YouTube Quickfire Q&A

Only two more sleeps until we start our campaign.  The gaffa knows the starting line up but hasn't told us yet.  My money's on JT and Ledley at the back.  Hopefully I might get a run out at some point on Saturday - would be great to get my first cap at last.  Even better to get the 2010 version of the one in the piccy.

By the way - it seems FIFA are reading my blog as their website has now been updated to show me instead of Rio.  Thanks Sep. FIFA Website

Look at that concentration!

They also have a pic of me in training quality.

That's it for tonight - sleep well.  Not sure how much sleep I will get with Andy and Kev sharing the bed.

I'm getting really giddy.

World Cup Diary Blog #5

Oh dear more tension today as the gaffa has a right go at the press photographers.  Relationships with the photographers and TV crews seem a bit strained.  That's a shame - I need pics of me out there so I don't get mistaken for that Question of Sport bloke again or worse still Les Dawson.

Could do with a photo sending to FIFA as well and for the FA to remind them that I am now a proper member of the England squad.  They need to get their website updated - still have Rio in the squad list.  So come on FIFA get it sorted FIFA Website

In case you haven't already picked it up from the papers the gaffa is a bit of a disciplinarian.  We need to be smartly dressed and no mobile phones to be used at meal times.  It's a bit like being back at school in Northallerton - but discipline is important so we don't complain - well not publicly anyway.

Talking about being smartly dressed - those M&S suits are a bit of alright.  Will be able to wear it when I get back home.  If I leave the badge on I can even get tax relief on the cleaning bills - result.  Even George Osborne can't stop that - well not yet at least.

I'm getting a bit worried about my blog - not sure Fabio will be too impressed if he finds out.  I know our other halves back home are keeping a check on what's going on and read all the blogs and news stories.  It's a bit like the "WAGs dogging the tale".

More training today.  I quite like all that running and jumping up and down, stretching and waving my arms around - Training Video

The gaffa said we needed to practise our penalties.  He showed us a video to help Crouchy and Defoe with their synchronised diving.



My two brothers, Andy and Kevin are arriving tomorrow.  They haven't found anywhere to stay so they're gonna bus it up to Rustenburg and I'm gonna sneak em in to my room.  There's a massive bed in my room, in fact you could get the whole back four in at the same time.  Anyway me, Andy and Kev are gonna sleep top and tail - just like we did as kids.

That's all for today folks.