World Cup Diary Blog #3

Another hot and humid day here in South Africa.  Didn't realise how cold it would be at night though - temperature drops to as low as 3c so had to put on my fleecy PJ's in the early hours.

There was a bit of commotion in the hotel last night.  Some joker got in to Rooney's room and nicked his personal pillow.  Lots of shouting, laughing and joking until Wayno eventually tracked down his beloved pillow in Carrick's room.  Still some confusion whether or not it was Carrick who nicked it in the first place - the smart money is on Joe Cole - the little tinker.

Final friendly match today and I knew fairly early on that I would be getting a run out against what can best be described as a local pub team.  Not sure I will get a cap for this game but I suppose I am not an international player.

We were all required to meet local fans at the hotel before we set off for the match this afternoon.  Really surprised to see a group of people from the South African branch of A Question of Sport fan club.  They had come to meet Matt and had a big shock when they got me instead.  Could see the confusion on their faces but I think I got away with it.  Anyway I still autographed some of those funny shaped balls for them.

We got a good 3 - 0 win against Platinum Stars.  Not the best performance in the world and Wayno lost it a bit and got booked - he can be a divvy sometimes.  I was pleased with my 45 minutes and even got some comments quoted on the FA Website

Spoke to the boss (Harry) last night and commiserated with him after his England team lost the Soccer Aid 2010 game to a penalty by a bloke who's never played football in his life.  Some of the guys today were hoping David James would get crocked so that Fabio would call up Jamie Theakston as his replacement - he had a brill second half last night.

Right must go, me and the other four Spurs lads are having a card school tonight - if we can get some little nods, winks and tells between us we should be able to fleece the rest of the squad of a few Rands

World Cup Diary Blog #2

Had a good sleep last night - I was shattered after the flight and straight into training yesterday.  I've got Rio's old room - next door to his best mate Frank "Lampy" Lampard.  They've been pals since they were kids together at the Hammers - I can just see them "blowing bubbles" in the bath after a game.  Am getting a bit fed up already hearing how much the team will miss Rio - in the papers and on telly - no one's yet said I am a quality replacement.  Everyone just going on about the fact I haven't got any caps yet.

Looks like I'm getting the number 5 jersey.  Fabio sent Becks down the local market this morning to get some of those stick on letters for the back of my shirt.  I spent a couple of hours after breakfast taking "Ferdinand" off and sticking my name on - it does look good though but Rio's bloody shirts are gonna be miles too big for me - bet I look a right twat.

Phoned Mrs D before I went to sleep last night.  She'd had a call already from Montana Manning (Lennon's other half - and a bit of alright if you ask me) - she has a bit of a reputation though for flashing her knickers when photographers are around (according to the Mail Online anyway).  Seems like the "stay at home" WAGs are having a BBQ next Saturday at the Rooney's - Coleen's quite partial to a beef quarterpounder I hear.

Lots of really nice messages of congratulations and support from Spurs fans.  Even one from an S Quinn in Ireland - say they're big Spurs supporters and hope I get a chance to play - but they'll still be cheering for the USA on Saturday.

Also some messages from Gooner fans asking me to kick lumps out of Wright-Phillips in training so that he has to go home and maybe that loser Walcott will be called up before Friday - er don't think so.

Let me tell you I'm a pit pissed off with Panini as it happens.  Do you know there are stickers for the errand boy Beckham and that loser Theo - but there isn't one of me - bet Panini feel real stupid now.

OK, we're one hour ahead of you guys back in the UK so we're just getting ready to go down for dinner.  Fabio's imposed a booze ban - feeling a bit guilty now about that crafty drink with JT yesterday - still he's not gonna say anything he's been in enough trouble already.

Hoping to get picked for some part of the friendly tomorrow against the Platinum Stars.  Who needs bloody Rio.

Right, signing off now.

World Cup Diary Blog #1

Well what a day yesterday.  Me and the Mrs D went to see Jackson Browne in Sheffield.  We had already planned to have a couple of weeks away at Butlins in Skegness and I was getting really excited about that.

Got home last night and had a message from Fabio telling me to get on the next plane to Johannesburg as Rio had injured his knee in a tackle on Emila Heskey - well that's what it sounded like.  I can't really understand a word that Fabio says.

"Hello'a Mikel itsa Fabio ere.  Thata bloody Emila Esky as nackurd Rio'as knee'a.  I'a kneed'a you'a to catcha plane'a to Johannesburga straighta waya"

So there I was in the early hours of Saturday just hoping those BA strikers - no not Burton Albion, British Airways - don't cancel my flight.  Anyway plane got away on time and I was able to get my head down for a few hours.

I can tell you I was mighty relieved that it was Rio that got injured and not JT.  Wouldn't have wanted to leave Mrs D behind with JT back in the country - if you know what I mean.

Arrived in Jo'burg safely and surprised to see JT at the airport - thought my mate Ledley would have been there.  Anyway JT took me to a local bar for a swift half before heading off to Rustenburg and my first training session.  Not sure what my squad number is going to be yet - maybe I will just get number 5, which was Rio's number.

Accommodation looks good - deffo much better than we would have had at Butlins.

OK that's it for now - will keep you all posted - at least until the end of the first round matches.  If things don't go to plan might even be home in time to go to Skeggy - have told Mrs D not to cancel the chalet yet - don't want to lose my deposit if it's not necessary.

Speak to you again soon.

Reuben Sandwich

This is the first in an occasional feature on food - in particular food I like.  Hope you enjoy - reading and maybe trying the recipes.

So, continuing the sandwich theme here is a recipe for a Reuben sandwich - a classic from New York.

Modern day Reuben sandwiches are often open-faced and broiled, which dries out the corned beef and makes the cheese rubbery.  Or, under the misguided belief that more is better, they are overstuffed.  The main things to remember for a great Reuben are to keep the filling under control and in balance, so when you bite it you get a harmonious and succulent mouthful; and to grill the sandwich slowly, so the bread gets toasty brown and buttery crisp, the meat gets warmed through, and the cheese is just melted enough to be oozy (thats as in gooey not as in the machine gun).

Makes one sandwich

2 slices rye bread or pumpernickel

2 teaspoons butter, at room temperature

2 tablespoons Reubens Russian Dressing (see below)

1 quarter cup well drained, fresh-style sauerkraut

2 ounces thinly sliced Gruyere cheese

1 quarter pound thinly sliced american style corned beef

Butter each slice of bread evenly to the edges on one side.
Place one slice, buttered side down, in a small cold skillet - build the sandwich in the skillet you'll grill it in
Spread 1 tablespoon of the Russian dressing on the face-up, dry side of the bread.  Then put on the sauerkraut, spreading it evenly.
Arrange the cheese in an even layer over the sauerkraut, then do the same with the corned beef.
Spread another 1 tablespoon of Russian dressing on the dry side of the second slice of bread and place it, dressing side down, butter side up, over the corned beef.
Place the skillet over medium-low heat and grill the sandwich slowly, pressing down on it a few times with a wide metal spatula.  Grill until the bread is browned and crisped, then turn the sandwich over with the help of the spatula.
Now weight the sandwich down by placing a plate over the sandwich, then add on a weight, such as can of tomatoes.  Grill until the second side has browned and crisped, then flip the sandwich over one more time to briefly reheat the other side.
Serve immediately - yummy yummy.

Reubens Russian Dressing

Makes about half a cup.

half a cup of mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chili sauce or ketchup
1 teaspoon finely grated onion
half a teaspoon of horseradish
quarter teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
Caviar (optional)

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

NOTE - 1 CUP = 8 OUNCES

British Sandwich Week

Tomorrow is the end of British Sandwich Week.  Now I know that you can buy sandwiches, make sandwiches or get Jayne to make sandwiches all year round.  So very soon we will be having a delicious bacon sandwich for Saturday brunch.

So come on sandwich lovers indulge yourselves.

For those anoraks amongst you here is a link to Wikipedia  Sandwich history        

Just be careful not to get crumbs in your keyboard or dribble brown sauce on your screen.

Enjoy.

Note:  apologies to all my vegetarian readers.

It's 'Be Nice To Nettles Week'http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/events.asp

So come on you people of Midsomer give him a break and stop the murders for a few days.

Early morning pub crawl

Start of my second week off work....home alone. Jayne is back to work today. I decided I would get up and get on....no lying about in bed all morning for me. So I walked Jayne to the bus stop in the neighbouring village of Gildersome. She was on the bus on her way to work by 7.05am.


Last year, in an effort to keep fit, we mapped out a few walks around the area – each one taking about 90 minutes. So after seeing Jayne safely on the bus I set off through Gildersome and Drighlington at a steady pace.

Armed with my trusty camera I decided to take some photographs on the way....but of what....that was a good question.

By 7.10am I had an idea.

I have a bit of a thing for real ale....and why not when you can get pints of the stuff at Wetherspoons for as little as £1.39. The local supermaket has a decent selection of bottled beer and there is also small independent brewery not far from us – Leeds Brewery....not to be confused with Tetley's Brewery in Leeds which is owned by Danish brewing giant Carlsberg.

It's a disgrace that Carlsberg plan to close Tetley's brewery in 2011 after 186 years....here's a link to a newspaper article about it Telegraph & Argus - Carlsberg to close Tetley's Brewery

According to a British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) report in January last year a record 39 pubs are closing each week in Britain - here's a link to BBC report on their website - BBC Website Report from BBPA

So there I was at 7.10am stood outside the Old Griffin Head pub in Gildersome taking a photograph and listening to Bob Seger singing “The Fire Inside” on my iPod.

I decided that I would photograph all the pubs on my route this morning and see what information / history I could find out about them. Unfortunately it was much too early to have a drink in each one!!!

Not much available on the web about the Old Griffin Head. I found a History of Gildersome which says - “During the Napoleonic wars drilling of ballotted men took place before the Griffin Inn”. This suggests that there was an inn, probably on the same site or nearby back in the early 19th century.

The village wasn't very busy yet. A few dog walkers, people waiting at the bus stops, some hardy joggers and a postie in his van. The Gin Blossoms are playing on my iPod - “Allison Road”....not heard this much before....it's really quite good.

7.19am I am outside the very art deco New Inn, Gildersome....a Sam Smiths pub. Never been in here....must put that right before too long. Again can't find anything interesting about this rather handsome building except that it has a Facebook page - New Inn on Facebook

It takes another fifteen minutes strolling before I reach the next pub. Best song on the iPod so far is “When Rita Leaves” by Southside Johnny. That's just playing as I stand opposite the Valley Inn, Drighlington at 7.34am. Another Sam Smiths pub situated on the A58 Leeds – Halifax road overlooking the Cockersdale Valley. There is no name on the building just a pub sign outside.

I have been in this “establishment” a few times in my youth. My dad's friend used to run the pub many years ago now.

Heading off again the traffic on the A58 is starting to get busy. I've got Patti Scialfa on the iPod now singing “Loves Glory” from her album “Rumble Doll”.

It's 7.49am when I get to the Spotted Cow at Drighlington cross roads. Have to wait for the traffic lights to change so I can get a clear shot of the pub. This place has recently changed ownership and has been getting some good reviews. They serve a variety of real cask beers and the pub has been refurbished. It's been a few years since my last visit to the Spotted Cow. Here is a Facebook page for the pub - Spotted Cow on Facebook  The pub is a venue for meetings of the LA Crusiers – American and Custom car club.

Almost immediately, 7.50am, I am taking a photograph of The Victoria at the same cross roads while listening to “Nothing Without You” by Joe Grushecky. This a Websters pub....although Samuel Websters brewery no longer exists. It originally opened in Halifax back in 1838 and is now part of the Scottish Courage empire with the beers being brewed at the John Smith's plant in Tadcaster, near York.

Next on the iPod is Dolly Parton singing “I Will Always Love You”.... I am smiling because this is one of Jayne's favourite songs.

It takes me about three minutes to get to The Black Bull....just next door to the Post Office and The Pantry bakery....tempted to go in and see if they do bacon sarnies but manage to resist.

There is Facebook page for The Black Bull Three Wheelers 1998 - 2003

OK, starting to flag a bit now – been walking for nearly an hour.

It's 8.03am and I am opposite another pub called New Inn. This place has developed more into a restaurant serving English and Chinese food. They get really good reviews on Trip Advisor. This pub also has a Facebook page - New Inn on Facebook

The Boss is singing “Worlds Apart”.


The first of the plastic places is next at 8.09am – The Old Brickworks....built on the site of the old Drighlington and Adwalton brickworks. This is a Brewers Fayre pub with a Fun Factory for the kids. Can't think of anything else to say about it.

Bruce is now singing “American Land” with beer flowing through the faucets all night long – quite appropriate I think.

My final offering is another plastic establishment at 8.38am – The Gildersome Arms....part of the Two For One Group. This was formerly The Mill House pub and before that it was the site of a Suziki garage....that's going back a good few years. The sign outside says I can have two rump steaks and Vienetta for £9.00....now there's an offer that's too good to miss....well perhaps not eh.

There is a very inactive Facebook page called - Down with the Gildersome Arms we want a pub  This is our nearest pub....we don't go in very much....think I will join the Facebook group.

That's it then....stroll back home to Devils and Dust.

So, I know there are pubs closing down all round Leeds but in the small area I have been this morning all the pubs are still open and seem to be doing well. It was the Leeds beer festival last month....I'm afraid it passed me by.

Memo to myself to support the local pub industry a bit more during the next 12 months.

Quote....Unquote: “Once during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water”. (W.C. Fields).