bit of a blog from new'castle!

[Sallydaisy]

Isn't it nice when your hotel has a bar offering Happy Hour until 7pm ... and the very kind lass behind the bar suggests, that since the first glass went down so well, that you buy a bottle at HH prices. Oh, and she'll put it in an ice bucket so it stays wonderfully cold and you can take it to your room to finish off in the chilled wine glass so thoughtfully provided.
:big grin:

With apologies to Linda and Teresa, I didn't know you were travelling up today or I'd have maybe fixed to meet up this evening. I'm across Osborne Road in the Cairn ... but as you may read above I'm already very well into the practice session for tomorrow night, am in my PJ's and not fit to socialise tonight.
:whistle:

Also, my lovely residents pulled a double whammy last night/early this morning. Half an hour before I clocked 'on-call' at 9pm one of them fell over (her feet 'stuck' to the carpet) and the call centre put out a 999. At 9.15pm the paramedic rung the front door bell; they left at 10.45pm ... all was well thankfully. However, my packing then took until 1am! And at 4.50am another resident pulled her lifeline cord instead of the bathroom light switch and was completely astonished when I arrived in her room to see if she was alright. She also pushed the door entry button - thereby disabling it to anyone who wanted to visit her.
:facepalm:

3.5hrs sleep ...
... train journey up was good but I risked falling asleep and ending up in Glasgow!

Wine sampling still in progress; these notes might tail off unexpectedly, probably when Only Connect starts!

[Sallydaisy]

I'm staying in the Cairn Hotel, it's diagonally opposite the Pizza Express so not far to totter back tomorrow night. I looked at the Caledonian too but the Cairn promised a room at the back away from street lighting and quieter. I hadn't bargained for the marital disharmony taking place in the room opposite. I was so concerned for the safety of the missus that I complained to the hotel; the bloke is being abusive, effing it and is louder than the TV in my room! As far as I know the hotel isn't doing anything; I may call the police - watch this space!

There's a bar attached - '97&Social - which has decent grub and I've had a healthy salad. And a bag of crisps. Bar of choccy in the fridge. Chilling out began some time ago.
:lol:

This is my first proper 'holiday' since DC in Serbia last year. Mum passed away in November; the house was sold in May. I know enough of you on here will have dealt with similar situations to know that it all takes time and you can't relax until it's all done and dusted. And grief cops you when you least expect it.
:sad:

So, this week's holiday starts here - and on Monday I'm away to Rannoch Moor!

[Sallydaisy]

TV is at the end of the bed ... how convenient.
:yahoo:

[patlowe]

You sound a right happy bunny Sally. See you tomorrow.

[Sallydaisy]

I seem to have organised breakfast in my room rate; if they see me before 10am that'll be a Murraycle!
:sirandy:

Planning to either go down to Durham tomorrow (as I've driven past/through it several times without stopping) to look around the magnificent cathedral or go shopping in Eldon Square/Jesmond. Will do t'other on Sunday - hangover pending.
:hmm:

Have just told the couple in the opposite room to stop swearing, may have to run away.
:wino:
;)

[RoastLamb]

Say hello to my home town from me! Have fun!

[Sallydaisy]

Say hello to my home town from me! Have fun!
Durham was lovely! But mobbed with students starting Uni ... fantastic steel band playing in the market square.
I've had a great day there but got out of puff a couple of times, no-one mentioned it was hilly!
:hmm:

Found a nice place for lunch - Vennels, well tucked away, great home-made food.

RL - huge developments going up on the opposite side of the river to the Castle/Market and either side of the big road bridge going over the Wear. Big complex of cinema, restaurants, shops, housing etc.

[RoastLamb]

Hope you are taking pix!!! The last time I went home in 2009 it looked a lot different too.

[Sallydaisy]

Took a few piccies in Durham but not allowed to do so in the Cathedral, furry enuf.

It's sunny in Newcastle!!!
Done the crosswords (including the DT Cryptic!) so it's time to head off out to the City Centre
and enjoy the day. I suspect I've a bit of walking ahead around the retail areas ... route planned
to start at Haymarket (M) down via M&S, John Lewis, Fenwick, Waterstones, lunch and Monument (M).
:shades:

[Sallydaisy]

Just painting toenails blue on account of visiting Scotland tomorrow.
Can't quite manage saltires as been in the bar for 'Happy fortnight'.
:boogie:

[Sallydaisy]

And to amuse myself whilst said toenails are drying I'm having a pop at Ben Rothenberg on Twitter on account of his ideas for dumbing down DC. Y'all can join in any time you like ... pretty please.
:flowers:

[Sallydaisy]

Had a lovely day in Newcastle revisiting some old haunts (shops) and a leisurely lunch in Ask (courtesy Tesco Clubcard, thankyouverymuch). Really quite balmy weather for this time of the year. Found a top in M&S and some 'yerrings and a pair of comfy shoes. Like you do.

Back at the hotel and it was happy hour from 5pm but the bar was mobbed!
Hadn't realised that Newcastle were playing footie today; against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Magpies lost - explains why it was a tad quiet ...
Had a couple of large glasses of Chenin Blanc (rather good for £3.20 a large one) + tonic water to make it go further ... might have got blue nail varnish where it doesn't belong to be and packing everything in suitcase is proving tricky. It all went in on Friday ...

For those asking last night - the warring couple left on Saturday. Whether it was planned I don't know, I'm not sure if the wedding will still go ahead. I know what I'd do with a bloke who treated me like that ... the words CONCRETE/BURY/DEEP seem to belong in one sentence.
:lol:

[Steven]

And to amuse myself whilst said toenails are drying I'm having a pop at Ben Rothenberg on Twitter on account of his ideas for dumbing down DC. Y'all can join in any time you like ... pretty please.
:flowers:

You and me both! Given all the replies, etc, I got (most, though not quite all, pro-DC), he probably didn't know what had hit him ;-)

I think the biggest point the journos tend to miss (probably because they can fly whenever/wherever at the drop of a hat) is the way DC is a unique and special event because when you get a home tie, it's easier to get to most other tennis events and you can be certain of there being someone you really, really want to win in every match, which is very different from the average tournament. It also provides the best opportunity for like-minded fans to get together, though presumably nobody except the fans really cares about that.

Some interesting stuff came out of the conversation about Americans' attitudes to international events, which might explain a lot, in particular why the American new head of the ITF just doesn't seem to 'get it' about DC at all. I've noticed it while I've been here too - it's not that the Americans don't support sport, it's just that they are very parochial about it (big crowds at college games and there were 9000 people at a 3rd division (AA) baseball game I went to recently) but not that much enthusiasm for international events unless they're winning them all the time, or according to one US journalist (who reports very little interest the last time the USA were in the DC final) not even when they are winning.

Anyway, I'm not saying the US attitude to sport is wrong, indeed in some ways it's quite healthy, but if they can't be that bothered with country v country competitions, they shouldn't be allowed to spoil them for the rest of us.

[patmoren]

You and me both! Given all the replies, etc, I got (most, though not quite all, pro-DC), he probably didn't know what had hit him ;-)

I think the biggest point the journos tend to miss (probably because they can fly whenever/wherever at the drop of a hat) is the way DC is a unique and special event because when you get a home tie, it's easier to get to most other tennis events and you can be certain of there being someone you really, really want to win in every match, which is very different from the average tournament. It also provides the best opportunity for like-minded fans to get together, though presumably nobody except the fans really cares about that.

Some interesting stuff came out of the conversation about Americans' attitudes to international events, which might explain a lot, in particular why the American new head of the ITF just doesn't seem to 'get it' about DC at all. I've noticed it while I've been here too - it's not that the Americans don't support sport, it's just that they are very parochial about it (big crowds at college games and there were 9000 people at a 3rd division (AA) baseball game I went to recently) but not that much enthusiasm for international events unless they're winning them all the time, or according to one US journalist (who reports very little interest the last time the USA were in the DC final) not even when they are winning.

Anyway, I'm not saying the US attitude to sport is wrong, indeed in some ways it's quite healthy, but if they can't be that bothered with country v country competitions, they shouldn't be allowed to spoil them for the rest of us.

Well done Steven, I'm always having a pop at Ben Rothenberg. What you say about the American attitude to sport is very true. When you see all the half empty stadiums during the US swing and how difficult it is to get tickets for the competitions here, although we don't get many top level ones.

[patlowe]

You and me both! Given all the replies, etc, I got (most, though not quite all, pro-DC), he probably didn't know what had hit him ;-)

I think the biggest point the journos tend to miss (probably because they can fly whenever/wherever at the drop of a hat) is the way DC is a unique and special event because when you get a home tie, it's easier to get to most other tennis events and you can be certain of there being someone you really, really want to win in every match, which is very different from the average tournament. It also provides the best opportunity for like-minded fans to get together, though presumably nobody except the fans really cares about that.

Some interesting stuff came out of the conversation about Americans' attitudes to international events, which might explain a lot, in particular why the American new head of the ITF just doesn't seem to 'get it' about DC at all. I've noticed it while I've been here too - it's not that the Americans don't support sport, it's just that they are very parochial about it (big crowds at college games and there were 9000 people at a 3rd division (AA) baseball game I went to recently) but not that much enthusiasm for international events unless they're winning them all the time, or according to one US journalist (who reports very little interest the last time the USA were in the DC final) not even when they are winning.

Anyway, I'm not saying the US attitude to sport is wrong, indeed in some ways it's quite healthy, but if they can't be that bothered with country v country competitions, they shouldn't be allowed to spoil them for the rest of us.

That is so so true. We were discussing that very point in Newcastle at the weekend. I have come to prefer DC to Wimbledon because I know exactly who I am going to get to watch and the atmosphere at DC is amazing. But of course, if the chance to go to Wimbledon (or any other tournament) comes along, I certainly wouldn't turn it down! It's all relative!

[Steven]

Well done Steven, I'm always having a pop at Ben Rothenberg. What you say about the American attitude to sport is very true. When you see all the half empty stadiums during the US swing and how difficult it is to get tickets for the competitions here, although we don't get many top level ones.

I've actually met Ben and he's pleasant enough to talk to - intelligent, if a bit over-earnest. Well, he is American! I say that having got to rather like many of the Americans I've met since I've been living here - most are genuinely friendly and quite a few seem interested in Brits (those who realise I am one, some seem to think I'm an Aussie!), to the extent that my wife gets quite miffed that they're far more interested in talking to me about the UK than to her about China when we're out together! LOL But I've done enough sitting in cafés here listening to people telling their life stories and not caring who can hear it to realise that their rep for being a bit over the top at times is quite well-deserved ;-)

I think Ben has ambitions to be a campaigning/scandal-unearthing journalist though and I feel that he does take it too far at times, though to give him his due, he does at least engage with criticism in a reasonable way, unlike, say, the current US President! I also get the impression that he is less anti-Davis Cup than most US journalists (and many British ones), but I do feel that the US media and tennis hierarchy simply doesn't get DC at all, which is why having Haggerty at the top of the ITF is a worry.

[Linda]

Wasn't it Ben Rothenberg who first accused Neil Harman of plagiarism?

[xenon21]

Wasn't it Ben Rothenberg who first accused Neil Harman of plagiarism?

Pretty sure it was

[Steven]

Wasn't it Ben Rothenberg who first accused Neil Harman of plagiarism?

Yes, it was. Clearly Neil did something wrong but the fact he'd only done it with the Wimbledon annuals, never with his Times articles, etc, makes me think that not making all the attributions was probably more slapdash than deliberate, or that there was some misunderstanding with Wimbledon over what could be used without attribution - things like this often look more cut and dried with hindsight than they ever felt to the people concerned at the time. So the ill-concealed, self-righteous glee with which Ben went after Neil on this made me very uncomfortable (to put it euphemistically)