Blimey, it only took a day and a half, but I got there. My brother house sat on Monday to take delivery of the gravel and plants, so respect to him and the help in digging up the tree stumps, planting the er, plants and setting the gravel. As pointed out by Claire I have to we warey about Cats shitting, but hey lifes a bitch. It actually felt good to look out of the kitchen window and see a real garden, and not the overgrown for 3 years one I had there previously.

We got a win on Saturday. Finally putting Bolton to the sword ... or maybe that should be elbow. It's a funny old game this football. Different people saw HH's indiscretion in different lights. The bloke behind me saw nothing wrong. Vince thought HH was an idiot stroke liability. As for Kevin Davies and Fat Sams appeal you have to just put your hand up sometimes and say fairs fair. Davies spent the whole match living on the edge. Finally he fell on his sword. Ho hum.

It's transfer deadline day. So we may see some action ... well we've already got Souleymane Diawara in through the door. What with El Kak, and Djimmi in the back four it looks like Luke is going to have to learn French. I wonder if our lot will sing "Enger-land" when we play the Arse. Surely we can't do that now?????

At least the suns shinning.

My tune of the day: Bus Stop - Fatback Band

Well that's all folks ...

Fourty odd mill later and it's all over for the Blue Brigade. They drew Barca in the Champions league, a day or so after being dumped by Boro. So that's there season over. If it wasn't so funny I'd laugh. Poor old Ballack.

We head onto the second home game of the season with nowhere to go. We could try Marcus or Kevin up front, Kish in the middle, Rommo out wide. So what, it's Bolton. You know Kevin Nolan is going to score. Put fifty pence on it.

Now what I want to know is if they do cuttlery in the pound shop. I need to get some for the office. Oh and a bowl or two.

It's August bank holiday. It was a year ago that I headed off to Philli. How time flies. August Bank Holiday is usually the cut off point for Summer. It's all down hill towards Autumn, and then putting the bleedin clcoks back. What's that all about? Then Halloween, and Guy Fawlkes ... onto Chrimbo. Then we start all over again. Talk about wishing your life away.

I'm hoping it doesn't rain Tuesday or Wednesday. That's when I'm gardening ... so that'll be that then!!!!!

My tune of the day: I know you got soul - JB's

Man bites dog

Beep, beep ... another text. Blimey Gonzalo Sorondo has fractured his back. So what's the deal here I thought. Another 4 months sitting on his ass picking up 10 grand a week!!!! Andy Reid had problems getting out of bed, Jimmy Floyd had problems running and Matt Holland has problems impersonating a footballer.

Well that was another stuffing at the hands of UManU. Why we even bother is beyond me. But hey at least we had the weather.

I couldn't get my head around all the "Eng-er-land" nonsense. Charlton sand Engerland and UManU sang Portugal/ Argentina. Oh well it was all fun.

It was brought home to me last night, when we tried to take a quick freekick and the UManU player wouldn't retreat. Luke played the ball against him, and the ref laughed. Five days previously Djimmi was sent off for doing the same. Reality ...

Things that are annoying me today:

• People clipping their nails in the Office.
• People reading books as they walk down the platform.
• The rain.
• The thought of circuits at the gym.

It had better stop by next week. I've got two days of gardening to do. I've just spoken to my Bro, who's planning the operation. I should really do a blog like Barnie. Riscardos Garden - Heaven or Hell. Oh watch this space.

My tune of the day: Respect - Aretha Franklin

Rubbish

Beep, beep... a text from Sir JimBob. He says he’s a but worried about tonight, It could be a real thrashing. He’s resigned to relegation, and we’re going to be no better than Sunderland.

Blimey Sir ... I nearly spat out my coffee. Worried, a thrashing. It's never been anything else against UManU. Well we had that 3-3 about 100 years ago. But 3-1, 4-0 in the last 2 seasons. Oh well.

I'm not exactly expecting the world tonight.

My number has finally ported over to O2. So I'm using the White Chocolate number. First impressions are not great. Can't send calls directly to voicemail, it doesn't have the time as a screensaver, it idles after about 10 seconds, I can't view some to my pictures. Well it's only a phone.

Seems like I'm on the credits to Good Times 6. Big up respect to Storming Norman.

My tune of the day: Hangin' on a string - Loose Ends

 

Cricket, lovely cricket

Well Cookster brought it up, but now the real truth comes out maybe I can put my tuppenth in. As long as we've all been playing cricket, we all know that everyteam tampers with the ball. They spit on it, they rub it in the dirt, they pull at the seam, they rub it on their sweaty balls. But it's always the infidals that get the blame. Mike Gatting started it, and now Fletcher carries it on. Secretly going to the match referee to snitch on the oppo. Quality bit of cricket ethics that, but that's what you expect from England.

I can't believe that's gone down here though ... Pakistan were stuffing up England, but hey ho.

It would appear that Marcus Bent may be on his way!!!!!!

I also noted on the Pink Oboe list someone prasising Rob Elliott for Stanley beating Forest. Given that he was injured Pre-season I think our Rob didn't really contribute too much.

Blackberry's = Crackberry's ... now that made me laugh.

My tune of the day: When I found you - Patrice Rushen

I've been banging on about this for years since that purple and green shirt. Take a close lok at this picture and see how difficult it is to pick out Matt Holland. It's the colour of the kit!!!! We should be wearing illuminous shirts so when Dazza is through the playmaker!!!!! could actually pick him out.  

Familiarity breeds contempt

Or so they say. I don't believe it, or didn't that is until I turned up at Upton Park on Saturday. Another saying is, the more things change the more they stay the same. Does anyone know that one?

So we rolled out a couple of new signings. Carson in goal, now I won't call him Frank because Frank Carson usually puts on a good performance, Amady Faye who seemed a tad lost, but playing with Matt Holland you can understand why, Jimmy of the Hasselbaink was lesft on his own, and started to moan too early in his Charlton career for my liking, and last but of course not least Djimmini "Cricket" Traore who put his left leg in, and forgot to take it out, turn around or do the pokey hokey kokey. Oh well, that's 3 points down the swannie. I tell thee what though, I was a little worried about Lil Bent. Apart from the Pen, he wasn't really in the game, I just hope that he gets up to speed as soon as. It's always a pleasure pottering over to Green Lane, just to see how the other half live. If you want some Mooli, or some bling it's the place to be, but I'm not sure what Mr Bowyer makes of it all when he pulls up in his Bentley.

There was a little bit of expectancy oozing from me at the first whistle, but reality bites. I wasn't going to watch MotD, Sky Sunday or get the Sunday papers. Start the season as you mean to go on.

Oh I went to the Peninsular Chinese Restaurant on Friday. It had a few good reviews, but not from me. If you want an overpriced Chinese in the settings akin to a hotel reception (it really is in the reception) then this is the joint for you. If you want to have Din Sum, think again. None left. I went for the Eel, so I should have guessed it would be overcooked ... it was "Rubbery" and that isn't a classless chinese joke, it bleedin was rubbery. Stick to what you know in future, Archipelagos or bust for me.

The Blackwall Tunnell was fcuked again all weekend. So I stopped over in Leytonstone again last night. Three notes to park my car today was ok, but the fact that I had forgotten my belt made the trip to work interesting. Thank god for dressing gown belts, they rock.

Oh, the footie season's in full swing. It's UManU on Wednesday, gee I can't wait.

My tune of the day: Medicine Song - Stephanie Mills

Nearly there ..

Well tomorrow is definately another day, as we head through the tunnel to Green Street and the 'Appy 'Ammers. It looks like Carlton and Marlon upfront for them and Jimmy and Dazza up front for us. Who would you want leading your line?

I'm actually looking forward to seeing Amady and Djimmi and I'm hoping that Darren Ambrose has a bit of a better first game of the season that last year.

Oh smudge has a new Charlton website out there in the mix. Go on take a look, you know yu want the Delboy wallpaper.

It was a journey to the Big Yellow in Tunbridge Wells yesterday. How the other half live!!!! Snail paced traffic through the tunnel, down the A2 and round the M25. How on earth people do this day in day out is beyond me. Good luck to them is what I say. But the Big Yellow is something else. It's a reminder to throw things away don't store them ... go on you know you want to.

Oh it's lucky England have won the series already. Pakistan are really giving it to them.

Did I say I'd sorted my new phone out. I'm actually quite taken by it ... once they port the number that is. Seven days, I ask you.

It's the final of Big Brother tonight. So I've booked a restaurant for 7:30, I will eat, drink and be merry. Oh and Nikki is being paid to "like" Pete. You heard it her viewers.

Now come on own up ... how many of you want to go and see Snakes on a Plane? It may look a tad, er shite ... but I think you're going to love it.

My tune of the day: Got To Have Your Love - Fantastic Four

Tunbridge Wells

Isn't it a great place????????

My tune of the day: I shot the sherriff - Light of the World

Summertime Special

So, the papers are full of reports of bags going missing. Well you don't have to be a genius to work out that that was always going to be the case. Passengers had to stick everything in the hold, including ipods, phones, books. So when the airlines lose your bags you are well and truely buggered.

It's still raining, and it's supposedly still summer.

I bought a hawaiian shirt at lunch time. Roll on my bollybobs. I also bought two beigels and a coconut tart. Rock on.

Another day closer to the first game of the season. I bet there will be a problem with the tubes come Saturday!!!!

Oh, and I finally decided on a new phone last night. Feast your eye's on this.

My tune of the day: Go Bang - Dinosaur L

Hectic

It's been a weird, busy couple of days. Weddings, bad backs, text messages re new kits and loanees, and bleedin rain. It rained and it rained. Sod them people who have moaned about it being too hot, I blame them. It rained so much I had a leak in the conservatory. Another leak I might add.

I bought a ticket for the Wet Sham game on Saturday. Maybe I was deluded, but when it's all said and done I couldn't not go. Sitting on my own though ....

I was thinking about the signing of Scott Carson. When was the last really decent loan signing? Carlton Cole? John Hendry? Scott Houghton? He's got to be a better bet than that fat bloke at Narwich?

The suns out, so I'm in a happier mood.

My tune of the day: Too High - Stevie Wonder

Time

There is never enough!!!!

I'll be back on later ....

More beeps ...

Blimey, we've gone beeptastic. 18:20ish last night confirmation that Matt Holland and Bryan Hughes had been sold for 2 pound each. Ho hum, no I mean Costa Rican wizard Christian Bolonas has signed on loan. Although he may be better suited to Wimbledon!!!! Thwack ....

It's lucky I'm not flying today. We're on a Critical alert and you're not allowed to carry handluggage on the plane. Everything, including wallets, phones, ipods to go in the hold. So some poor sod now arrives in Spain and all his belongings including essentials in Portugal!!!! Just stay home, or go to Newquay. I was listening to Alan Brazil on talksport this morning. They went live to a taxi driver who was at Terminal One at Heathrow. And it's over to Shabbaz at terminal one. Shabbaz what's the traffic like? Oh it's not too bad at present Alan, a little tailback but surprisingly no police on the approach. Ok, ok, says Brazil ... but where are you from Shabbaz. Er, I'm from London says our Taxi Driver hero. Well yes, says the Scottish version of Dr Evil, but where are your origins!!!! Well my parents are from Pakistan. Oh, yes says Dr Evil. Given that, do you think this will effect Sikhs!!!! Will they have to remove their turbans to fly. Well you could have knocked me down with a feather. Poor old Shabbaz was laft speechless. A great bit of Radio ... nearly up there with James Whale.

Has anyone watched any of the European Athletics? I have to say, Merlene Ottey running for Slovenia!!!!! What's that all about?

Still no idea on what phone I wont to get. Ho hum, oh and I cut down some of the garden, cleaned the kitchen and made fish pie and beans. Rock on.

My tune of the day: I love the nightlife - Alicia Bridges

Beep, beep

Well at 00:32 on Wed 9 August I got a text message. It was from the Addicks telling me Djimi and Amdy had signed on. Given that it was sent at 18:15 on the 8 August, I was less than impressed, as it woke me up. I knew by then, and also knew that we had beaten Antwerp 2-1. Another pre-season win ... wonders never cease.

Whatever happened to the days of not knowing who we are linked with until they are holding a shirt up at the Press Conference? Oh that's Old School .. we lost that when Curbs went.

Also what's it with Dowie being the Head Coach??????

How long is BB going on for? I watched 10 minutes last night. Davina give it up gal.

I may venture back out into the garden this evening. Some more bushes to cut down. That's after I have made a fish pie.

My tune of the day: Celebrate - Kool and the Gang

And still we wait

The clock ticks on and still no text message to say we have signed anyone. I'm not saying this is desperate, but it's starting to look that way.

Blimey, England have won the cricket. The local lads Monty and Saj doing the damage.

Anyway, as I was saying, the clock is ticking. Supposedly Amdy Faye and Djimi Traore have had medicals. Well Tyrone Mears medical at Wet Spam lasted 2 days so maybe I'm jumping the gun. But really do these signings get the saliva glands churning overtime. Then again we are Charlton.

I may take a trip down Oxford Street tonight to see if H&M have anything left in their sale.

**Tick-tock**

Still no text.

My tune of the day: Bra - Cymande

A niche in the market ...

This isn't a Charlton Blog. It's a blog about life in South East London that happens to include my support for Charlton. So I don't rush home to get on T'Internet to write about the team, or rant (much) about the clubs falldowns, or generally argue the toss about how shite Marcus Bent is. I leave that to others. But sometimes, just sometimes you have to make your feelings known.

I wanted to go on Saturday because it was Dowies first home match. We've had 15 years of Curbs and this is a new chapter. If it all goes pear shaped you know there will be cries of "Sod of back to Sellout you Palace twat!!!" You know it I know it. But I wanted to get in there early whilst the canvas was still quite blank. So what did we find? A general non plussed experience.

Lets start at the Oak. It's changed hands. A new govenor, new bar staff, ho hum. The pub was fairly busy, I say fairly, but in truth it was empty in comparrison to the usual bedlam that will happen come UManU or the Arse. So why did it take forever to get served. The bloke did that crap shake of the arms, stoke shake of the head, shouting whose next because he wsn't serving people in any particular order. There was a 2 minute conversation about crisps!!! A bloke wanted Salt n Vinegar hade been given Cheese n Onion, then the barman started saying he had asked for this and that. Just give him his crisps and poor me a drink. Trust me, by Christmas the Oak will be empty.

Then we move onto the Programme. It's square!!!! It's got a wipe dry cover (still) and it's difficult to fir in your pocket. It's also gone up to 3 notes, so I'll not be buying one in future. The end of an era, you decide.

Next, we have the ground. Exactly the same, no new paint, or signs or flags ... just the same dirty seats and a patchy pitch. The word is that Paddys seeds were washed away in a storm. It looked shite though.

Then onto the game. An inept performance from a bunch of overpaid football players, a whirling dervish as a PA announcer and supposedly music when we scored. I was gobsmacked that Marcus had scored to notice the music, but reading All Quiet ... it appears it was true. We don't and I repeat don't want goal music. Leave it now. It maybe something we need the fans director to get involved in. So make sure he knows your feelings on this.

Did I mention how inept the football was!!!!

On a side note, how hot was it yesterday? And there was bleedin delays at the Blackwall Tunnell again. I'm not sure why for 3 years the south bound access was shut, but now that they want to repair the North Bound tunnel they close on of the South bound lanes and shunt trhem all up there. Bleedin typical.

My tune of the day: Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes

My hell at Wet Sham!!!

Back page headlines as Franc Lumpard excercises his demons. Paulo was this, Hasselbaink was that, I hate West Sham, I hate Liver and Onions .. hoha, hoha ... WTF ... all for 75k a week.

Flat packed computer chairs ... have you ever tried putting one together? You need a team of midgets to do it.

Its Charlton vs the All Whites tomorrow. It should be quite interesting, and I'm actually looing forward to it ... in comparison to the Welling game the other day. Take a kagool though I say.

No new signings !!!!! And the clock ticks on.

I'm still undecided on what mobile to get next.

I've booked a window for my summer holiday. It's a week at the back end of Sept, but I'm not sure where I want to go. It's got to be hot, with cheap booze. Suggestions?

It's a double eviction on BB tonight ... BOTHERED???

My tune of the day: The Freaks Come out at night - Whodini

Wings Clipped

How easy a headline was that? We tropped over to PVR in the rain and stood there watching a typically saucey performance. That was my first game under the Dowie regime, so it was a little bit of a damp squib.

A couple of trialists that we couldn't hear the name off. Surely it's about time the Wings spent money on a good PA system. What ever happened to the covering at the road end. I'm sure they had a questionaire about 15 years ago.

Welling looked better than I expected, so if they keep it up I may nip down there a few times this year. I won't hold my breathe tho'.

The funniest sight was the whole New Zealand squad tyurning up 5 minutes before kick off. I'm sure they didn't know what to make of it. Welling in the rain. It's definately not a World Cup warm up.

I liked the look of Youga, so maybe that's why Chrissy Powel was let go? Who knows!!!

The weathers turned. Just as I was going to get in the garden and start chopping. Typical.

It was a session of circuits at the gym today. An hour sess. It made my feet go numb and my belly have a liking for hot chocolate. I don't know either.

Role on the weekend.

My tune of the day: You can't touch this - MC Hammer (The year 1990)

No comment

Thanks ...

A pub in Dartford served beer at 30 degrees???

The Muslim only day at Alton Towers has been cancelled. Well thank the Sun for that. I read that they are having a naturalists day there ... I hope they wipe down the rides!!!!

Mel Gibson ... what was that all about?

It's Park View Road tonight ... and the question is red/ white or black?

Wet Sham didn't have a sell on clause for Michael Carrick ... whooosh.

My tune of the day: My adidas - Run DMC

Things ....

that should make you think:

1. Why do people wear their staff passes when they are outside of work?
2. Why do people text when a call is more appropriate?
3. Why do people stand right in front of the door to smoke, then throw their butts on the floor?
4. Why do people get overly concerned about other people appearing to be "PC"?
5. Why do people strut around the gym having not done much by way of a work out then spend an age showering?
6. Why is all furniture now flatpacked?
7. Why is starbucks so shite?
8. Why. oh why, oh why?

Sometimes its good to think.

Still no signings. It does start to make you think. Jeeez, this thinking malarky really is a pain.

My tune of the day: Think - Lyn Collins