Noon Image: 18 Feb 2015

Where are the ears

The Gorse Fox seems to remember the phrase "walls have ears"... and whilst we now have some rudimentary walls springing from the ground, there is no sign yet of the ears. Maybe they are higher up and get installed tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the brickie has left us a nice tunnel fro the cat, so hopefully we can encourage Jasper to start using a cat-flap, once the buiding work is complete.

Organisation - pah!

The FA People's Cup wrote to the Gorse Fox.

Thank you for registering your team Arun Amblers to take part in The FA People’s Cup in partnership with BBC Get Inspired.

It has been necessary to merge some of the first round heats within the  Walking football category in your region.

Therefore we are writing to let you know that your local heat will now be played at Goals (Bristol South) on Saturday 21 February 2015.

The Gorse Fox was not amused. It is not as if Bristol is just a few miles further. In practise it's about 3 hours drive... and that is not conducive to a few hours of football which would be followed by the return journey. The Gorse Fox is not happy.

He informed the team... and awaits a list of those that are still up for it.

He phoned the BBC (the co-sponsor) - they weren't really interested.

He phoned the Sussex FA - who really were not able to help as they have none of the regional centres in their patch.

He phoned the Hampshire FA and finally spoke to someone who was interested in the problem and is trying to get some traction. Meanwhile GF phoned The FA themselves and was able to leave a message of the phone of the lady who is running the whole tournament. Firstly he registered his displeasure at the late change, and then he suggested that instead of making us trek across country - they just give us a bye into the next round.

He is not holding his breath.

Noon Image: 17 Feb 2015

Too Quiet

The Gorse Fox though it was too quiet. It was about time he heard something about the upcoming football tournament. He decided to call the tournament centre and after a moment or two found himself talking to the manager. It would appear that Arun Amblers are the ONLY team who have entered for the walking football category!

This required some intervention. After emailing the Amblers, GF tried to get in touch with BBC South Today (after all, the BBC are co-sponsors of the event). The TV reporter wasn't in, but GF managed to talk to the Radio reporter. He listened intently:

• He was spectacularly unaware of the tournament
• He was genuinely interested
• He resolved to investigate further and pass it on to the TV reporter to give combined Radio and TV coverage.

That was a start. He also pointed out that Arun falls in BBC Radio Sussex catchment, so the Gorse Fox phoned Radio Sussex and got the names of the sports reporters. They appeared to be out of the office, but he managed to email them to see if they too will give some coverage.

Noon Image: 16 Feb 2015

Not today, thank you

The builder phoned. Today's forecast is for a lot of heavy rain, starting mid-morning. He has decided that it was not conducive to working and would defer until tomorrow. As long as he stays on schedule - the Gorse Fox doesn't mind how he manages his time.

Chicken

When GF got back from the football, the Urban-cud was at home with the Silver Vixen. Pistol Pete was at work, doing his last day at the current establishment. Now they both have a week's holiday and then he starts at a new location next weekend.

Once GF was showered and  presentable, we made the most of the opportunity to pop into Chi and grab lunch. Chichester Gate is undergoing some refurbishment at present, but it still offers some choice and easy parking. We decided on Nando's and enjoyed a lovely hour or so sitting and chatting over someone else's cooking!

Watched the Barcelona vs Levante football when we got back. Wonder if that chap, Messi, is free next Saturday? GF might just drop himself to the bench and give him a start.

That is Better

Good game of football today. We were a man short on our team, but still managed an impressive 13-6 win. The Gorse Fox was in goal for the first half - but let in 2 goals; the first was unstoppable, but he should have got to the second. He completely misjudged it, and thought it was going wide. Pah!

Second half he played sweeper. Though outnumbered, we covered well, passed well, and finished well. The Gorse Fox scored a couple of our total, but it was the overall performance that was most satisfying.

Kits have been collected ready for the tournament next weekend, so we are ready to roll.

Noon Image: 15 Feb 2015

Downsizing

Well that was a bit of a surprise.

The Gorse Fox and Silver Vixen headed for Chi for a bit of shopping: a card, some shinpads(*), and some new trousers from M&S. Having looked through the range in the Sports shop, GF selected a pair that would have made a Roman Legionnaire proud. Supported under the heel, and strapped at the top - they should survive any impact short of a ballista.

We then went to M&S. GF wanted some casual trousers that were a bit darker than those he was currently sporting. Somehow they seem too light for the winter weather. They choice, though wide, was a little underwhelming (though there was a dark pink pair that GF just ignored). Eventually, three candidate pairs were selected and taken to the fitting rooms. Each was tried, the first two being swiftly rejected. Too baggy. The last pair were adequate, but still not a great fit. The Gorse Fox presented himself on the catwalk for the approval of the Silver Vixen. It was then that she suggested that GF's bum didn't look big... and maybe he should go down a size. A few minutes later, GF was wearing another pair and feeling quite comfortable - it appears that he has downsized.

(*) The shinpads were for the Gorse Fox, not the Silver Vixen.

Noon Image: 14 Feb 2015

Reinforcements

Well the builder, Darren, turned up with an extra side-kick today. That was four of them in all. The weather forecast was for rain this afternoon, so they wanted to get as much done as possible and then pack up for the weekend.

They achieved their schedule. The footings are complete, the trenches are back-filled and the base of the cavity has been filled with a ballast and cement dry mix.

The Gorse Fox is amazed at the the amount of work that they have achieved in three and a half days, particularly as this was interspersed with moving stuff to the back garden and cleaning up out front.

Noon Image: 13 Feb 2015

Rising

The builders started a little later this morning, and had an on-site meeting with the design director of the company providing the build.

By lunchtime the first few rows of blocks were in place, and even more stuff was being ferried from the front of the house to back garden. (Gorse Fox has made it clear he does not want to inconvenience his neighbours and wants everything clear at the front).

We now have 11 tonnes of sand and ballast, three pallets of bricks, three more pallets of blocks, and a partridge in a pear tree(*).

By the end of the day the first couple of course of bricks were in place, and the damp-proof membrane in place.

The garden may look a bit like the Somme at present, but something is certainly rising from the trenches.

Noon Image: 12 Feb 2015

FA People's Cup

The Gorse Fox was selected as captain for the team we are submitting to the FA People's Cup. He can only hope that we play better than we did today. Frankly, our performance today was dreadful.

Anyway the team "Arun Amblers" has been submitted. First round is scheduled for 21st February at Portsmouth. Now we await more details.

Ooops

It was another early start. The builders arrived a few minutes before the truck carrying the blocks, a pallet loaded high with cement bags, and eight tons of sand. This was all offloaded without incident, and after a bit of finishing off yesterday's trenches, another truck arrived to take the digger away. The chaps then started to move all the materials into the back garden.

This is where it went a bit skew-whiff. Cutting one of the cargo straps it sprung back and broke our front window. Obviously, this can be repaired, but they were so apologetic that it was hard to even raise ones emotions as far as "mildly irritated".

As the Gorse Fox writes, the trenches are now being filled with concrete and laser lines are painting verticals and horizontals across the back of the house.

Noon Image: 11 Feb 2015

Holes

Well it was an early start. Not something the Gorse Fox has had to worry about since last July, but it was no real problem as Jasper the Cat was already on the prowl and trying to get us up anyway. The builders turned up at 0715 and the skip arrived 15 minutes later.

By 0930 the builders had lifted the old patio and path and done their marking out.

The garden was filling up with wheelbarrows, tarpaulins, picks, shovels and heaven knows what else.

Meanwhile the builders had disappeared for 30 minutes to fill up with breakfast!

They we soon back and the digging got underway. By the time they called it a day, around 1600, the trench for the footings was over 1 meter deep. Backfill had been piled in the garden, but the spoil had been loaded into the skip and the skip taken away.

So far so good.

Tomorrow sees the arrival of the bricks, sand, cement and whatever other supplies they require. Their current schedule shows the footings poured tomorrow.

Noon Image: 10 Feb 2015

Digger

So it begins.

The builder turned up this afternoon to take delivery of the mini-digger he will use to dig the foundations. It was a tight squeeze, but he managed to get it down the side passage without any scrapes or mishaps.

A skip should arrive early tomorrow - and then it's all systems go! It's quite exciting that it is finally getting under way. We do seem to have been waiting for quite a while.

It would have been nice to rig up a weatherproof time-lapse camera to record the progress, but GF didn't think about it util it was too late to set it up and get it tested. Will have to rely on regular photos from phone.

Noon Image: 9 Feb 2015

Mediocre

Well, the Gorse Fox must confess that he was, at best, mediocre in today's football. In his defence, he would point out that the new shatterproof glasses were proving to be a difficult adjustment - severely restricting peripheral vision - and having just broken the back of a cold, he was a bit lethargic. The Gorse Fox was wearing his Spurs shirt, but playing so badly that he decided to keep it covered. He was not worthy. Having said that, he probably would have made the Arsenal first team.

In other news, it looks like we will go ahead and field a team for the People's Cup. Further discussions scheduled for Wednesday.

Noon Image: 8 Feb 2015

Broken

The Gorse Fox seems to have broken the back of his cold. Whilst still a bit cough remains he's feeling well enough to go to today's football. It will probably help shift any residual cough.

Big thing for today's meeting is a decision whether to enter a team for the People's Cup (co-sponsored by the FA and the BBC). I suspect we will decide to go ahead - but will need to make a further decision regarding getting a team kit... and how much we wish to spend on that.

Noon Image: 7 Feb 2015

Virus

The cold virus has kicked in with vengeance. Night Nurse and Day Nurse tablets are acting as a chemical cosh to try and keep things under control. A purple haze has settled over the Gorse Fox's mental processes - lethargy seems the order of the day (if it can be bothered).

Fighting

The Gorse Fox is fighting a cold. It started with a tickle in the throat, but is now moving towards nasal armageddon. Not amused.

On a separate note, HMRC has acknowledges GF's tax return - and so far seems to accept they owe him money... He is still convinced this is an error, and it will catch up with him.

Noon Image: 6 Feb 2015

Hostile Interface

The Microwave/Combi Oven installed in the house is somewhat obtuse. In fact it's downright user-hostile. This Zanussi appliance (the Appliance of Stupidity - to paraphrase their branding) is particularly difficult to operate. So much so, that the Silver Vixen doesn't like to use it, and one of our neighbours has twice asked the Gorse Fox to talk her through its operation whilst she took notes.

By any measure, this is a massive failure of interface design.

At Last

The message from Royal Mail was that Gorse Fox's glasses would be delivered this morning. Shame that it wasn't yesterday, but never mind. Gorse Fox's shatterproof football glasses have finally arrived and will be pressed into service on Sunday.

They look fairly innocuous like this, but quite menacing when actually being worn. GF is a little concerned that it narrows his peripheral vision, but is sure that he will adapt.

Meanwhile, word from Captain Jack is that the tournament at Brighton & Hove's training ground was good fun. It featured B&HA, Charlton, Crystal Palace, Wimbledon, and Portsmouth. Our team finished 3rd overall and there was a report on the BBC's South Today about Walking Football and the tournament.
 
Here is a video clip from B&HA's Albion in the Community coverage. The Gorse Fox only wishes he had been there.

Noon Image: 5 Feb 2015

Icy start

There was an icy start to the day, but it soon warmed up and by the time we went out, soon after 9, the cars were clear.

Football was a little more challenging today. We had the usual 5-a-side court, but only 4 players each way. This meant that we all had to cover much more ground. We also set some rules - goals could only be scored from outside the area, but only if shot within the attacking half. We also had a spectator who acted as scorer and called free-kicks for Running offences. This actually made the game very mobile and at 25 minutes each way, was a very good work out. GF's team won 11-8 in the end with GF scoring 4 or 5 of the goals - so he felt pretty pleased with himself. Best still, he didn't have to play in goal.

Noon Image: 4 Feb 2015

Mentor

There were three football matches this morning, following some photos for the local newspaper. Gorse Fox must say that the photographer seemed to have some strange ideas. There was the tradition group shot, but that was followed by the whole group walking towards him dribbling the practise balls. We will have to see what they come up with.

In the first game, GF played his usual sweeper role. He was not having a good day, so after the first game he swapped and took up the goalkeeping duties. This was much better, and he kept a clean sheet whilst allowing the team to score a few goals of our own. The third game, however, was somewhat disastrous. Nobody on the team was playing defence, so everything funnelled in towards the Gorse Fox. Whilst he save quite a few, he also let a few in as they attacked in numbers and usually had one or two over. It's difficult closing down the angles when there is no cover.

At the end Gorse Fox admitted he had learned everything from watching Pat Jennings. Trouble is, that it was watching him play squash at Hoddesdon Squash Club, not playing in goal at WHL.

Noon Image: 3 Feb 2015

Update

Nissan have identified a problem with some of the control units that manage the Xtronic gearbox. So it was that we received a recall notice for the Qashqai - they wanted to apply a software update. The Gorse Fox contacted the garage last week and this morning popped along to give them access to the car so they software could be downloaded.

Not so easy.

It turns out that the control unit in our QQ was not the one for which the recall was released. This was a relief, at first, as clearly nothing was wrong. Indeed the engineer tried to update it anyway, and the update was blocked. Marginally more worrying though, was the fact that Nissan clearly haven't got the correct bill of materials registered against our QQ. This was pointed out to the dealer and they resolved to get straight on to Nissan and sort things out.

Oh well, it gave the Gorse Fox an hour or so to sit and read.

Noon Image: 2 Feb 2015

Honourable draw

Today's football was an honourable draw. The Gorse Fox started off in goal - and frankly, was a liability. He let a number of shots in, when he should have got to them. He just wasn't reading the game well at all.

In the second half, as previously arranged, we swapped and the Gorse Fox played out on the pitch. He made up for his poor first with a hat-trick and a number of key interventions. At the end he was pleased with the way we had clawed our way back and achieved a draw.

Noon Image: 1 Feb 2015

Noon Image: 31 Jan 2015

Oooh, snow!

Well, that's not quite true. The Gorse Fox can see snow lying on the South Downs, from his study window, but there is no sign of anything here. Traffic reports talk of trouble between Worthing and Arundel on the A27, caused by the snow; and the Silver Vixen sent a message to say they have had snow in Odiham - though it is now melting. The Gorse Fox will leave it a while before venturing out to collect the Silver Vixen. No sense in taking unnecessary risks, as much as he misses her.

Talking of which, it is clear that the Gorse Fox is no substitute for the Silver Vixen, as far as Jasper the Cat is concerned. GF is roundly ignored, except at meal times or when access to the garden is required. Last evening, with the SV away, Jasper either slept (as usual) or sat in the doorway with his back to GF, clearly watching for the Silver Vixen.

GF knows his place.

Road trip

The Gorse Fox and Silver Vixen had a road trip. The SV is staying with Betty Rubble overnight so the Gorse Fox drove her up to the wilder parts of Hampshire. It was the longest drive we have had for a while, and was a pleasure in the morning sunshine. Having dropped her off, the GF headed back and managed to get the car up to 59mpg on the way back.

Was disappointed that the new sports glasses still hadn't arrived. Hopefully, they'll arrive tomorrow.

Noon Image: 30 Jan 2015

Quiet Thursday

Very quiet day today. A bit of admin and a bit of shopping and a lot of web surfing. The Silver Vixen caught up on some recorded TV programmes during the afternoon. The Gorse Fox did chase down the supplier of his new glasses to find out where they were in the process... and apparently they had just been shipped. Gorse Fox awaits with interest.

On another front, the Gorse Fox had to advise the Urban-cub to pull out of her flat sale. Things have been going on for ages and it is just not getting anywhere

Noon Image: 29 Jan 2015

Brightening up

It was a pretty foul morning. The rain, though fine droplets, was being driven almost horizontally across the football pitches. Despite wearing a peaked cap, the Gorse Fox was in serious need of windscreen wipers on his glasses. The rain was also fine enough to penetrate the various layers of clothing and get right through to the skin. This was not too bad whilst playing, but became particularly unpleasant during the drive home. GF had a good workman-like game, without actually feeling as if he's played well. GF is not saying some of the players run, but one seems to refer to Mo Farrah as his coach!

Weather has brightened up now and we have a few scattered clouds punctuating a lovely blue sky.

Noon Image: 28 Jan 2015

Matched

Football was good this morning... two draws and a loss, but all were hard fought games and the Gorse Fox did have to stamp some authority over one of the opponents who was getting a bit physical.  GF failed to score any goals today, but felt as if he'd had a good game.

It looks as if there will be a tournament next week - where teams will be chosen at random to represent the various clubs in the South. GF has put his name in the hat, and if chosen would represent Brighton & Hove Albion against teams from Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, Portsmouth and a couple of others. Could be fun - but the random "pulling names from a hat" may mean that he is not selected, given that quite a few of us entered.

Was pleased when another chap commented on the weight GF had lost. Again, he was not monitoring his weight, but is pleased to hear the exercise is paying off.

Noon Image: 27 Jan 2015

Drops

It is pleasantly mild, but looks like rain could set in later. The Gorse Fox made the most of it and headed out for a quick walk. Slowly, he is becoming able to join up all the cartographical dots as he becomes familiar with the back roads, footpaths and cut-throughs. He was only out for about 30 minutes, but briskly covered a couple of miles and explored some areas he hadn't previously visited. He managed to get back before the rain, though it was looking touch and go.

Fixings

A package dropped through the letter box. It was the missing fixings for the third of the glass end tables we had ordered before Christmas. At last. Gorse Fox set about putting the unit together and ten minutes later we were set.

Talking of construction. The latest we have heard is that our builders will start in the second week of Feb because there has been a delay in getting the bricks, but that they are due to be delivered next week.

Noon Image: 26 Jan 2015

Better

That's better. With the ankle strapped up, the Gorse Fox was able to play pretty normally today. It was a good, though fairly intense game, and we won by a whisker. It was turning quickly that was the challenge, but by nursing the ankle a bit through the turns GF played a pretty good game as sweeper, striding forward to score a couple of good long-range goals.

GF also has a new best friend. Dave Tumbledown(*) turned up for the first time in a while. In fact it is early December since GF last saw him. His first comment was to observe how much weight the Gorse Fox had lost. This may or may not be true (GF never weighs himself), but it was an endearing observation... Now, where's the Ryvita?

(*) Not his real name, but he does seem to be rather a victim of gravitational anomalies, which drag him to the floor and seem to hold him there much longer than you would expect.

Noon Image: 25 Jan 2015

3G Onion seeds

The trouble with 3G Astroturf is that your boots tnd to pick up the tiny plastic granules that form the substrate. Trying on his boots early, Gorse Fox has now managed to leave trails of these granules - that look like onion seeds or mustard seeds - all over the floor. An unplanned circuit with the Dyson was necessary before heading out to the game.

Friction

The Gorse Fox has noticed that when there is a hard frost, the pavement outside the house becomes lethal. Absolutely no grip whatsoever. So it was that he gingerly crept out to the Silver Vixen's car to de-ice it ready for her annual trip to the quilt show at Ardingly. He did manage to remain upright, but it was touch and go at times.

Talking of remaining upright, he has just donned the ankle brace ready for football. Just hope that he can get the boots on!

Address

A redirected item of mail dropped through the letter box. This triggered the realisation that we had yet to formally change our address with the Bank. So it was that, at lunchtime, we pottered in to Chi and wandered in to the Bank. It has clearly been refurbished. Though the outside is still a lovely historic building, the inside is very modern with various zones satisfying the different needs of the customers. GF was impressed. A few minutes later a very nice lady had waved her magic wand and our address had been updated - and passed on to the credit card issuer. Done!

In turn this triggered  the realisation that GF still had to inform N7SI (The Premium Bonds) of our new address. After lunch, the relevant forms were completed and dropped in an envelope, giving the Gorse Fox an incentive to go out for a short walk to keep strengthening the weak ankle and to get a bit of exercise.

Noon Image: 24 Jan 2015

Support

The Gorse Fox ordered some ankle supports. These have arrived so, with luck, he should be able to play football on Sunday. He is still awaiting his protective glasses, though. This despite chasing them.

Noon Image: 23 Jan 2015

Err, that wasn't the plan

The service engineers turned up. We had a couple of minor problems with the combi-oven and it was still under warranty. Though the Gorse Fox had explained the problems when booking the visit, it was clear the engineers had only sketchy information. One problem, however, was covered by a recent bulletin from the manufacturer and they had the spare parts with them. Gorse Fox talked them through all of the various issues and they set to wrk.

The front was removed, and the door dismantled. They fitted two new seals and set about putting the door back together. One gasket kept falling off - in the the end GF had to intervene and suggest they held it in place with some sticky tape. Then they couldn't fathom out how the door component fitted together. The Gorse Fox suggested the newly fitted panel was upside down - this proved to be the case. Then it was just a matter of clipping all the components back together. Again, this proved too much for them until the Gorse Fox suggested the way in which the panels clicked together was partly mechanical and partly friction. This, again, proved to be the case - but in putting it together they managed to break the panel. It appears that they will return for further coaching next week, when the complete replacement door comes in.

Shakes head. Slaps forehead. Tuts. Wanders off.  

Noon Image: 22 Jan 2015

Walking Football JAN 2015

The Gorse Fox, watching from the sidelines whilst his ankle improves.... A few cold moments from early in yesterday's game.

Cold comfort

It was cold, damp, and at times downright wet. The Gorse Fox gave comfort to his tender ankle by not playing football - but decided to go an watch the lads anyway. Standing by the side of the 5-a-side cages was frustrating - he so wanted to join in, but had to give the ankle time to heal. GF if home now, and trying to warm up.

Noon Image: 21 Jan 2015

Blast

Ankle/foot is still much too tender and stiff for football. GF is definitely side-lined today. The Gorse Fox is not amused.

Get set...

Well the electrician turned up to isolate the external power, ready for the builders to get started. It was a bit of a nightmare as the external power turned out not to be a spur from the obvious socket... oh no! It turned out to be a spur from the back bedroom. Anyway, all got sorted.

Football was fun, though chilly. Gorse Fox is now nursing a twisted ankle, however. He hopes it doesn't come to anything and is keeping it gently mobile at present - he will be most annoyed if it isn't better by morning - he doesn't want to miss a game.

Noon Image: 20 Jan 2015

Brrr!

There's a cold start to the day. Not cold compared to Scotland and the North - but cold for the southern coast. It'll take a while to get the joints and muscles working for today's football.

Getting by

Oxfam have produced a report stating that the richest 1% of the World's population will have more wealth the other 99% by some time next year.

This sounds incredible - and you start to think of the extravagant lifestyles of the Oil-rich Arabs, the Russian Oligarchs, the Landed Gentry, the Software Billionaires, the talentless Celebrities, the great Sporting Legends... but you should read on.

If you have assets in excess of £526,000 - then you are in that 1%. So, if you own a decent house and have paid off your mortgage in or around London, or in the more affluent parts of many of our cities or regions - then you are probably part of the 1%.

Makes you think!

Gas

That went well.

A letter arrived. Our gas supplier was asking for a reading, claiming they couldn't get access to the house. The letter was addressed correctly - but the address of the house to which they were trying to gain access was completely different. A long phone call ensured.

They have acknowledged their error... and taken the Gorse Fox's reading as an opening reading. That means that all of the gas consumed to date has been free-of-charge. Errors like this may be a problem to sort out - but as long as he gets results like this, the Gorse Fox is not complaining.

Noon Image: 19 Jan 2015

Coconut

The Gorse Fox, whilst working in Edinburgh, became somewhat partial to the Beef Rendang served at Nanyang (a brilliant Asian restaurant). He noticed, in Sainsbury's, a paste for rendang and so last night we tried a Chicken Rendang. This worked out beautifully. The chicken pieces were fried up in the rendang paste, then some mushrooms were added, and then some coconut milk. It simmered away for about 30 minutes and then was served on a bed of fine rice noodles. It was not as dry as that served in Nanyang, but it was certainly delicious (and not too spicy).

Bake off

The Gorse Fox headed off to football. The Silver Vixen hit the kitchen. The slow cooker was prepared and loaded and left to do its thing, then the baking equipment emerged from the cupboards. A gluten-free bake was scheduled. Following the recipe to letter the SV waved her magic wand and a dozen blueberry muffins appeared through a cloud of flour. Delicious.

The football was well-attended. We ended up playing 7-a-side, which on a 5-a-side pitch is not ideal. All in all it was a good work out - GF playing sweeper, goal-keeper, and midfield at various parts of the game. As we approached the end it was all square , so we decided on a "golden goal" to settle things. GF managed to duck and dodge a few tackles before letting loose and scoring the decider. Very pleased with GF's outfield play - but his goal-keeping was mediocre today.

Noon Image: 18 Jan 2015

Lies

The Gorse Fox watched a segment on the local news last night. It was featuring the waiting times at A&E in local hospitals. This is obviously a concern for all. However, the BBC (political wing of the Labour Party) seems to have taken Ed Miliband's request to "weaponise the NHS" to heart. To that end they completed the the segment with an interview with the local union rep who said, without blinking or embarrassment "this is a result of the Government's £20Billion in cuts". The BBC allowed this statement to go through unchallenged - as they would! This is a blatant lie. Examining the figures from the treasury we find that, since 2010 the budget for health has continued to rise each year and now stands at £133Bn; not only that, but with inflation at 1.5% the 2 latest figures are well above inflation (also don't forget the Government pledged an extra 2Bn for this year):

2010	116.9
2011	119.8
2012	121.2
2013	124.3
2014	129.5
2015	133

If you pay tax, 35% of all your tax goes on Health and Welfare, 23.6% on Health.

There is a vast amount of misinformation being spread by all parties at present (particularly Labour); don't just believe what you are told - go and look up the numbers from the ONS, or the Treasury.

Noon Image: 17 Jan 2015

Scanned

That's better. Feeling righteous now that the scanning is done and the documents digitally filed, mirrored, backed up offsite, and physically shredded.

Admin

A quiet day today, predominantly focussed on admin. GF has a pile of documents to scan, but is finding it difficult to motivate himself to do it. He suspects the bullet need biting.

Noon Image: 16 Jan 2015

On your marks...

The Gorse Fox received a call. It was Darren, the builder. He's talking of starting work on our extension next week and wanted to come and assess the site. He was with us for about 30 minutes and then resolved to check with the builder regarding access to skips and so forth. Gorse Fox had made it clear that he did not want a skip sitting outside the house - in deference to our neighbours. Still waiting to get confirmation of his start dat, but it sounds like next week.

We headed for Chi. We were looking for kitchens fitments and it seemed like a good idea to have a look in Covers. ((Covers are the biggest local builders' mechant). We were unable to get what we wanted, but they did point us at a suitable website.

Noon Image: 15 Jan 2015

Pah!

Pah! Despite a dreadful forecast of high winds and possible sleet - we all turned up for the football. It was cold, but the sun was shining and the winds were nothing to write home about. A very pleasant game - though we were a man down after about 10 minutes, with one chap going off with a pulled muscle.

There's still an alert for this evening regarding the winds and rain, but we'll worry about that when it hits.

Noon Image: 14 Jan 2015

Second

Well the weather didn't quite manage to remain clement for the football. Of the three matches played, two were in sunshine and one was in a torrential downpour. We are hardy souls, however, and carried on regardless.

GF was pleased that in the three match round-robin, his team won two games and lost one, ending up second. Very satisfying that after nearly 90 minutes of exercise (GF turned up early and made use of the empty nets) he wasn't tired or puffed out. Fitness is generally improving - even if the weight is not changing by much.

Noon Image: 13 Jan 2015

Improving

At 6:45 this morning (when Jasper, the cat, dragged the Gorse Fox from under the duvet) it was cold and very wet. It did not look promising for today's football. It may be played on an all-weather pitch, but it is still pretty exposed when the weather is bad. Fortunately, the clouds have gone and the sky is bright blue. It may still be cold, but at least it is no longer raining.

On a related subject - the special glasses GF (thought he) had ordered for football never actually hit the order system. GF has now re-ordered and this time has all the expected confirmations. Now, lets see how long they take to come through. If this works out, he may well order some new general purpose specs online - he seems to have worked out all the variables that are required to place these orders - Sphere, cyl, axis, prism, base, Dist, Int, Near, PD, width, arm, bridge, diameter and so forth.

Quotes

The weather outside is wet and miserable and does not entice one into its damp embrace. The Gorse Fox has been at the computer most of the day and the Silver Vixen has been re-organising things in her study. This has thrown up the requirement for some floating shelves. This, in turn, has thrown up the challenge of finding some that suit and are practical. (We had some at the old house and they were useless: they did not stay tight to the wall, nor were they able to support any appreciable weight). The Gorse Fox is waiting for a call back with a quote for some glass shelving, having received a benchmark quote already from another supplier. Whether we use glass, or go for a minimalist white is still open for discussion, but it is important to get the quotes in place.

Noon Image: 12 Jan 2015

Draw

Football was very good today. There were 14 of us playing initially, so 7-a-side to start with. One of the Gorse Fox's team pulled up after about 5 minutes so we ended up 1 man down. The Gorse Fox played central midfield as he often does when not in goal. This enabled him to snuff out many of the attacks but also to surge forward and score several goals. The Gorse Fox is fairly solid and was accused of battering his way through like a prop-forward - he makes no apology for that, having to ride  a number of hard tackles. Gorse Fox went in goal for the last 5 minutes in order to keep things tight. In the end, despite being a man down for most of the game we managed to win 6-5.

Noon Image: 11 Jan 2015

Very quiet

Very, very quiet day and nothing that really warrants comment.

Noon Image: 10 Jan 2015

Domestic duties

Today has been focussed on domestic duties, but these were interspersed with periods of reading the local parish plan.

Yesterday we had a Parish meeting to discuss a number of items from a broad agenda. Rarely has the Gorse Fox sat through a worse-run meeting. The Chair had no control over the participants, and the participants were ill-disciplined in terms of the points they raised. This meant that almost every agenda item spread into other items and questions were being directed at people who had no knowledge or responsibility for them. It reinforced the Gorse Fox's determination NOT to return to Parish Council duties! The meeting did, however, refer to the new Parish Plan - and so, the GF thought he should read it (particularly as he was instrumental in the development of the plan for Kingston).

On another front - the Gorse Fox chased the order for his football-specs. It turns out they haven't got any record of the order, so he has agreed to chat with the chap on Monday and place the order again - he in turn will try to expedite it.

Noon Image: 9 Jan 2015

Admin

Thursday is often the day that the Gorse Fox does his admin. So it was today that he went back through the bank transactions and checked everything was in order. One number caught his eye - the direct debit for BT seemed higher than expected, and so he went back through the BT Statements. It seems that, despite assurances to the contrary, he has been charged for equipment that BT sent to help resolve the problems with broadband - including one device that never turned up.

GF has written to his exec contact in BT and awaits her response.

Noon Image: 8 Jan 2015

That's better

The Gorse Fox was playing football again this morning. This is something we have arranged independently as we no longer need to attend the "taster sessions". We have had a taste and we like it. 

We met up at the Worthing leisure centre - some of the Angmering and Littlehampton groups and one guest from the Tuesday Worthing session. As the group was only 10, we took a 5-a-side pitch and used that. The Gorse Fox managed to avoid playing in goal until the last few minutes of the game so managed to get a good work out on the pitch.  His timing was much better today and he was very satisfied with his overall performance.

Back in the real world, we have had a call from the chaps who will be buiding the Orangery on the back of the house... but keep missing each other. Hopefully. we can meet up and get things under way.

On an entirely different subject, the Gorse Fox tried out the cordless Dyson. Very impressing performance, judging by the amount of detritus deposited in the bin. Also, it makes vacuuming the stairs an absolute doddle.