Camping in Port Burwell

We had our 3rd and possibly last camping getaway of the summer this weekend at Port Burwell with Laurel Paul Julia and Sarah. The water was georgeous and we were also joined on the beach by Rob Becky Caleb and Luke who stayed for a great potluck dinner of "dead dog pie" garlic bread corn and Caesar salad - all washed down with some ice cream,smores and campfire hot dogs.
One tradition of this annual getaway is beers from around the world.We take a trip around the world with beers - and inevitably end up getting no further than Germany Belgium and the Czech Republic ! This time we stayed a while in Ontario with some excellent beers from Hockley Valley and the ever refreshing Steam Whistle Pilsner.
The rains hit on Saturday night so we had to cut and run earlier than planned, but it was a great weekend nonetheless.

What's in a name ?

Can't say I was ever a fan of Thatcher - she polarised British society to many harmful ways ,and I've never been a fan of City's Ben Thatcher either.
The guy is a liability in defence and offers nothing when we have the ball either.
See what he did to Mendes - the guy may be Portugese but this is no dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTRaS7ffyWg

A disgrace.Many Blues support the idea of a club-enforced ban.You can't condone this.

Suffer from headaches ?

The doctor said, "Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press on your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles."

Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He had no choice but to go under the knife. When he left the hospital, he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life.

He saw a men's clothing store and thought, "That's what I need... a new suit." He entered the shop and told the salesman, "I'd like a new suit." The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, "Let's see... size 44 long." Joe laughed, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years!" the tailor said.

Joe tried on the suit, it fit perfectly. As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about a new shirt?" Joe thought for a moment and then said, "Sure." The salesman eyed Joe and said, "Let's see, 34 sleeves and 16-1/2 neck." Joe was surprised, "That's right, how did you know? Been in the business 60 years." Joe tried on the shirt, and it fit perfectly.

Joe walked comfortably around the shop, and the salesman asked, "How about some new underwear?" Joe thought for a moment and said, "Sure." The salesman said, "Let's see... size 36." Joe laughed, "Ah ha! I got you, I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old." The salesman shook his head, "You can't wear a size 34. A size 34 would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache."

New suit - $400
New shirt - $36
New underwear - $6
Second Opinion - PRICELESS

Season over, season starts

The Clarkson Sheridan league season for the kids ended this weekend with the Clarkson Cup.
Andrew's team that I coach, were 4 down early in the 2nd half but battled back to amost tie it up,losing a crackin' match 4 -3 . Another 5 minutes of my 1-0-5 formation I had moved to with 3 mins to play may have swung it but the kids did great anyway.
Sean's level is 3 a side with no goalie so they don't keep score,but he knocked in a couple of goals to end off what has been a great 1st season for him.Next year I'll coach his U7 Boys team.He loves to play and seems to have some talent....

So as that season ends, we walk in the door, to settle down to watchthe City Chelsea match I'd taped.....same old same old from City. I fear a long winter ahead, tho' better teams than us have lost by more than 3 to them.
Good to see Dicky back, but as soon as I saw that Weaver was the goalie and we were in yellow I feared the worst- we NEVER win in that awful yellow kit.

Oh well....Pompey and Arsenal (h) next week......

Elsewhere,we'll skip over the result at the swamp, and I'll moan about the penalties given against Sheff U and Watford ....welcome to the Prem,boys.....the fix is in against the minnows.

Sean loses his 1st tooth !

and it wasn't in a fight !

The roadtrip....

After 3 nights on the Mosquito coast aka Rideau River Provincial Park and a night at the Holiday Inn in Kingston, we're home.Poor Sean has mosquito bites on top of mosquito bites - he must be a tasty treat.
Andrew showed great interest in the Parliament buildings tour, Museum fo Civilisation and especially the excellent War Museum (which I could have spent the whole day in).Sean was probably a bit too young to get too much out of them ,but he loved Upper Canada Village,and was excellent in the other museums too- asking good questions to tour leaders/interpretive guides in front of up to 50 adults.He actually asked a more intelligent question in the House of Commons than an American tourist, tho' how much of a feat that is would be debatable !

Here's a shot of the boys in front of the Peace Tower of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa and also at Fort Henry in Kingston.

Big transfer news !

After 4 consecutive defeats at the start of the season,Andrew's Under 9s football team was low in confidence and looking at a long hard struggle for survival.We'd played 4 ...goals for 5,goals against 20,points 0.
Thru my extensive scouting system, we signed Theo Walcott from Arsenal for "a few bags of Walkers crisps" -sold at a specialty shop near us.
The deal was done,and Theo helped turn the season with some stunning displays,as Navy moved from dead last to the fringes of a Champions League place (well..5th out of 10).
The fee is a complex one structured on appearances and goals...I may need to buy another 6 pack this month-roast chicken ,no less !
http://www.itsoccernet.com/league.php?scriptName=DIVISIONSTANDING&leagueID=5304&divisionID=29961&seasonID=4525&sportID=1

Apprentice roofers

Andrew and Sean helping Colleen's Dad with a construction project on top of the shed.Sean looks a tad nervous !

An Inconvenient Truth

All in all it was an appropriate day to see Al Gore's excellent documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" which we did tonight (this is our annual kid-free week while they torment Colleen's folks ). It was 36c in TO today- factor in the humidity and the "real feel" was 47c (118F).....Yeah...

If you have not yet seen this film you must.It terrifies yet offers hope at the end and it certainly should stimulate debate. See the trailer or find out more here. http://www.climatecrisis.net/

It's morally repugnant that our leaders (Bush and Harper especially) refute the scientific evidence as they are so beholden to big business and the various lobbies. I wonder if Al Gore will run for the US Presidency in 2008....Gore/Clinton....has a familiar ring to it,eh ! Hopefully we'll be rid of Harper by then too.