My Adventure!

Wow!

I have literally just got back from a truly amazing walk. It was spontaneous, interesting and quite nostalgic.

This afternoon I went into town for a few things, with Ana's birthday presents the main concern. After purusing various shops I decided that only up Steep Hill would I find that special something that will woo my lady (we've already got everything from Ann Summers).

On the way up I saw Andy, Paddy and Vikki. They looked happy and we had a wonderful conversation which took the sting out of the heartache I felt when discovering Kes wasn't in Game. They also wished me good luck on my quest.

So I went up the hill and browsed a few shops. After hitting the top and continuing down the main street (having a glance at the Whisky Shop up there) I decided to keep going until I hit Bailgate. Around here to me was easily the most picturesque place I've seen in Lincoln I think, apart from Ritzys on a Wednesday. I carried on through the stone arches of Bailgate and continued to walk on unchartered territory past them. The point I realised I must turn back came when I saw the BBC Radio Lincolnshire offices. After that it all got a bit boring again.

Rather than heading back where I came I decided to attempt a different route back towards Steep Hill and the Cathedral. So I went down Church Lane to a street called Northgate (there's one in Darlington! I also passed a Turk's Head on Bailgate) which curved around back to the Lincoln Hotel (where I once shared a drink with Ana's folks) and the Cathedral.

At that point I decided to wander around the back of the Cathedral back to its front. On the way I spotted the Cathedral cafe, in which one sunny day me and mum sat on one of her various visits. I also remember we discussed U2's Vertigo, which had just come out at the time.

So, around to the front of the cathedral I went, walking through the mighty arches that guard it and got back to the top of Steep Hill. Instead of walking down the tourist-infested hill though, I took a different route down Michaelgate, which is rumoured to not be named after St Michael of Marks and Spencer.

After mosying down there, I hit Drury Lane and wandered along it for a bit, taking some views of Lincoln from upon high while trying to figure out where my house was. After panicking that Drury Lane (and then Belle Vue Terrace) was taking me out to the countryside at one point, I found the brilliantly named Liquorice Park, not so much a park but a field with weeds and a footpath in it. Wandering down through the foliage got me onto Yarborough Road and a new sense of purpose came over me.

As my parents are staying on said road in September during my graduation, I decided to hunt down the B and B where they're staying. When I hit Yarborough, I was in front of St Faith's Junior School, so I searched for a house number to help me discover 133 Yarborough Road, the Archer's Lodge B and B. When I got to a house it said 80 and the next was 82, so I carried on up the road to discover the B and B was literally only 30 yards from where I'd first clambered onto Yarborough Road from. How coincidental!

My main concern now was to get back home. To start off this task, I headed back towards the school and down Hampton St. My hope that this would get me closer to home was wonderfully confirmed when I found I was coming down to not only Richmond Road, but then of course West Parade and Gresham Street. I decided against going down Gresham and preferred to wander along the Parade and down Moor Street. From there a brisk walk got me back to Carholme Rd and then the glorious Derwent Street. At that point, my one man adventure was complete.

To many people, this strange spontaneous walk, which was navigated only through stupid guesswork of where I was and where I live, would be dull and pointless and best described as the act of a man who is sitting and watching his housemates and university friends disappear slowly from Lincoln.

But to me however, it was a very cool moment and the act that only a man on his own can do for a couple of hours. I doubt I know Lincoln much better, but it was cool to be nosy and see where the more well-off types in this city live. There were some stupidly huge houses and big cars (and the man in the Whisky Shop blatantly hated that I was a student), and one day I'll have those somewhere too...but probably somewhere less dank than Lincoln.

Lincoln is very dank.

Superman and my holiday...

Good morning all and sundry!

Today the weather is beautiful and sunny in stark contrast to the shitty rain which has enveloped Lincolnshire recently. I'm also in a chipper mood as I just watched Superman II and guess what! He won! Bonzer!

As I am on 'holiday' as I'm calling it, this week will be spent relaxing with a view to sorting birthday presents out for my beloved who I miss like crazy....and Ana. Kes is at work today you see.

For my parent's information too, my job search continues with Guardian Jobmatch proving a valuable resource. I'm open to all kinds of shit, so something perfect will come along soon.

In other news, I'm sorry to all Gunners fans that Barca humped them. I did watch the full 90 minutes as no one told me otherwise. I also, of course, thoroughly enjoyed Eurovision too. Lithuania in particular was stunning but Finland were worthy winners. However, no one remembers Romania: a good bouncy euro-pop number I would have bet my life on winning on Saturday. Also, Sweden seemed to recreate the spirit of ABBA with their big disco number. It was a good night.

Right, I'm off shortly to say by to two of my esteemed housemates, Sam and Sarah who are departing today. With Ana leaving last Friday, it seems a void is opening in my life which can only be filled by....playing as England on Pro Evo 5.

Rock on.

Lincoln...Huddersfield......Arsenal?

While I'm sure most football teams would love my support through thick and thin, two teams who haven't benefited from my support this season (except the Boro) are Town and City.

I've just got back from watching Lincoln lose badly to Grimsby in their play-off. It was dull bar the drunkard who shouted 'you seafaring bastards!' at the telly when Grimsby players appeared.

Last night I watched Huddersfield get annihilated by local rivals Barnsley, that was a dull 'un too.

So any Arsenal fans who don't want me to watch their side get 'thrashed' tomorrow night, please get in touch and I will twiddle my thumbs for 90 mins in order to guarantee you European success.

Adieu

Another Twist...

So here we are. How foolish was I to think that there wouldn't be another twist in the strange tale that this season has been for Middlesbrough.

Even though it has been long proclaimed in the press as almost certain, it feels strange. It's like losing someone close to you in a strange way. No one can argue with his track record despite the lack of top European experience, he has taken Middlesbrough from relegation strugglers to Carling Cup Winners to UEFA Cup finalists. Not bad for five years really.

Another thing that's so strange is that he's never been anyones first choice. Always seen as the safety net, the press wanted O'Neill while the FA wanted Scolari. He must feel very strange to be in the position he is in.

You can guarantee though, despite his minor affair with a secretary last year, very few tabloid stories will emerge of McClaren banging birds over the FA's finest furniture. He'll be focused on England solely. If that turns out to be the case, I'll struggle to see why he should continue.

He is young and inexperienced but you never know. Remember Keegan? Hoddle? Bad choices who never really got to grips with the team in my opinion. McClaren has to prove himself and let's hope the papers don't judge him before he actually beings managing them.

My only problem is that the media may lynch him for picking Boro players in his squad. I know it sounds funny but it's true. That could be an issue with the talent coming through at the Boro, Downing, Morrison and of course Super Lee.

For now though, I support him and thank him for his time at Boro. Never loved by all for his occasionally defensive tactics, his achievements have been excellent and I thank him for giving so many youngsters a chance. Hopefully his successor will have the same enthusiasm for that.

Also, lets be fair England fans, if we're two down at half-time in Euro 2008, I know who I'd most like to have as manager.

An Uplifting Article and a Depressing Story...

It has crossed my mind that anyone who visits this site may be a manic depressive, so in order to help you overcome that, I draw your attention to a rather brilliant uplifting article written by a fellow Boro fan on my new favourite site Comeonboro.com:

http://www.comeonboro.com/columns/110239.htm

Further attention is drawn to the bit outlining the true story of what went on in the dressing room at half-time against Steaua, with Vids and Jimmy rallying the downhearted troops. Any feeling that Viduka seemingly doesn't give a fuck about anything but his pay packet at Boro suddenly goes out of the window.

In other news, people may have seen over the past day or so that I'm sporting what seems to be a bit of a black eye in my right eye. Unfortunately I don't have an action-packed story to tell of being in a fight protecting my girlfriend from a hoard of hooligans.

No, I just got twatted in the eye by my little cousin when playing football in the back garden at my parent's silver wedding anniversary party. It's not a black eye either, probably just an infection.


Never mind.

Just incase anyone forgot...

Hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa....