Final

Birmingham City secured a promotion play-off position, with a win over visiting Reading yesterday. Having already gained promotion and the Championship title, many suggested the Royals just weren't trying in their last match of the season. Or perhaps Birmingham needed/wanted the win more and on the day were- more importantly- the better team..?

28 April Birmingham City 2 - 0 Reading

Today Reading FC were due to hold a parade through the town out out to the Madejski Stadium (pronounced Ma-day-ski Stadium or Mad Stad for short). Sadly Dad, who was up visiting with SM and the poor weather conspired to stop me going out to support. 

On The Slide

Have just uploaded images on my latest and last (for now) pot the Webshots. This is a tilted pot, thrown on an angled 'bat' on the potter's wheel. It's quite difficult to get right but a whole lot of fun to do and the end result is in my opinion very pleasing.

Porcelain Green over Blue Grey glaze on a Stoneware pot.
















Please take a look at the General Ceramics folder (you'll need to go to about page 16) and let me know what you think.

St George's Day

Proud of my country.

The Maths Of Winning

Despite being reduced to 10 men early in the match, the Royals managed to gain a point from their final home game of the season with a draw against Crystal Palace.

21 April Reading 2 - 2 Crystal Palace

Elsewhere in the Championship results went Readings' way, including second placed Southampton losing away at Middlesbrough. This left Reading in an unbeatable position and have tonight been crowned Champions.

Next Saturday Reading play their final match away at Birmingham. Obviously they will be wanting a strong finish but regardless of the result the Champions will take an open-top bus tour of Reading town on Sunday. Might have to go join the crowds :-)

School Of Hard Knocks

LL came home with a letter from the School informing that he had a fall during PE. He'd been monitored for a period of time and no ill-effects had been noted. He did end up with two sticking plasters on one knee, plus myriad bruises on both legs and on one elbow. Some fall, poor boy.

He doesn't seem too concerned and said he was big and brave, not crying once. Bless.

Promo

Reading FC will return to the Premier League having won promotion with two games to spare.

17 Apr Reading 1 - 0 Nottingham Forest

Reading manager Brian McDermott











(Sorry Notts Forest fans, but at least you will likely stay up this season)

— · — · — — · — — · · *

Coverage of the run up to 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking has been extensive and for the most part very informative, certainly adding greatly to my knowledge of that event.

I won't say any more here- others have and will do it so much better than I ever could. That's not in any way to say I'm not acknowledging the tragedy and loss suffered by so many far and wide.

* Morse code for CQD, meaning "All stations: distress."

Top

13 April Southampton 1 - 3 Reading

The Royals leap frog Southampton, into the top spot and more or less guaranteed promotion. Only three more games to go.

Omen

Reading football club's run of good form has continued these past few games, with three wins from as many matches.

31 March West Ham 2 - 4 Reading
6 April Reading 2 - 0 Leeds United
10 April Brighton 0 - 1 Reading

The Royals are now on equal points with first placed Southampton, who they are due to play tomorrow night, Friday 13th. Hope that's not a bad omen LOL.

Happy Easter

Have a peaceful day.

Go easy on the buns and chocolate eggs LOL.

Aveo

Look what I came home with.

Don't have to worry about whether I can get to work now.
















Have you been following the progress of the two giant pandas at Edinburgh zoo? They're on loan from China for 10 years I think and the intention is to breed from them.

Well it occurs to me that giant pandas are not exactly a good advert for Darwinism. I mean are we really meant to accept that evolutionary 'survival of the fittest' would produce a species that can only mate for two days each year? Really?