Ma'am

What better way to celebrate the Queen's reign than with the original and best yeast extract product in the world?

Weak willed fool that I am, I couldn't say no in the supermarket. Suppose I could put it down to being patriotic, I guess.

Winter- The Sequel

Apparently it's been snowing in Staffordshire today.

Isn't it supposed to be Spring by now?

Brooklyn

No I'm not off on my travels again just yet. But just look what I found by chance in a local supermarket:

Readers of long standing will recall that I love this imported beer. It's just that I don't seem to be able to locate it that frequently and in fact I suspect the last time was possibly in 2007. That's far too long to wait. At £1.80 (about AU/US $2.90) per bottle they're a tad pricey but come on, it would have been rude to refuse wouldn't it? LOL

Three Visitors

It's not often I come home to see anything more interesting than say a pigeon or blackbird sitting on my roof. Yesterday evening was one such rare occasion when something vaguely "exotic" stops by; lucky I had my camera to hand. See if you can work out what they are...

Do you think the one on the left had fallen out with the other two?

Isn't he/she lovely?











Any bird lovers want to tell me what they were?

Star Wars Day

May The Fourth Be With You.

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."