Another work week, softball and another trip to Cambridge

So last week was mainly working and softball.

Softball report:

Tuesday 19th May - Base Jumpers vs London Legends

After last weeks win we were ready to add another point to the win column. Unfortunately we were short a couple girls, but Sam’s girlfriend Debbie went from cheerleader to right outfield. Also it was Tim’s farewell game.

We started off brilliant! Gideon was pitching them in and striking them out. Out batting was on fire, we couldn’t do wrong. By the second innings we were up 13 to 2 but then the Legends lived up to their name. They came back with a vengeance. After a couple of bad innings we got to the 6th and final innings. As the home team we were batting last and the score was 34 to 16 in their favour. If we needed a miracle it was right about now. 18 runs to tie and 19 to win………we got 4! We still managed to score 20 runs to their 34 which was a fantastic effort.

Our batting and fielding was great, we are coming together as a team better and better. Unfortunately we didn’t have the right calls from the umpire but that’s the name of the game. We did go down fighting! And Tim got a couple massive hits off for his last match.

Next matchup Legends……….Lookout!!

Line up:

Mimi, Tim, Katrina, Gideon, Zou, Sam, Irma, Will / Lee, Debbie, Neil / Andrew


Then on Saturday I picked Julian up in North West London and we headed up to Cambridge. We got to Mila's finally and had picked Colin up on the way. We all then headed over to Jesus Green for the 36th Cambridge Beer Festival. We were straight in, no waiting and the sun was glorious. Annabel, Claire & Freddy met us in there and it was an afternoon of lying on the grass soaking up the sun. Had a lovely pork & apple sandwich from the hog roast going. After that it was a quiet night in at Mila's with Thai takeaway and watching W (dub-ya).

Up on Sunday and it was farewell to Mila and hello to Jamie & Vicky. It was so nice to catch up with those two, Colin came too and we hit Giraffe for Sunday brunch. Then it was on to meet up with Julian again and back to Jesus Green to veg out on the grass for the arvo. Charlie came to met me late in the arvo....it was so good to see her, felt like ages since I had. Then I walked round to Carrie &Ruth's place for a cuppa. They have just got a new puppy. Lundy is 8 week old black spaniel. She is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute. She followed Carrie round and was so soft and cuddly. Finally it was time to go home.

Monday (Public Holiday) was spent doing NOTHING, talking to NOONE!!! It was great. A couple of friends (Francesca & Sarah) had spent the day in London so were crashing with us for the night before heading back to Norwich so it was nice to spend the evening with them watching Fracture with Anthony Hopkins. Spine tingling but good.

Now back at work! Softball tonight (maybe) so long as the clouds blow over!

Claire's Birthday & Freddy's Christening

So I drove up to Cambridge on Saturday and we went for dinner for Claire's birthday. Me, Mila, Sabine & Steve got her a breadmaker which she really liked. Dinner was at La Galleria just on Maudline Bridge. I had lovely monkfish and rice. It was so delicious. Then we were off for the second surprise, a boat ride up the Cam to Fen Ditton. Claire was surprised and the girls had decorated the boat in Abba memorabilia. It was a lovely cruise and we finished off at a lovely pub.

On Sunday we had Freddy's christening. It was lovely, the sun came out just as we were going in. Freddy was great with only a little cry after the water had gone on his head. After the service we were back to the house for celebrations. A lovely afternoon spent eating soooo much and chatting with friends.

A lovely weekend but such an action packed week it will be nice to just go to work and back home.

Old friends

So Kate & Pete flew in from Australia a couple of weeks ago and have been in Wales. Kate decided to come down to London for a couple of days so it was a great change to catch up. I think it's been about 3 years since we last saw each other. It's been a great couple of days and now they are off backpacking for 3 months.

3rd time unlucky

So you won't believe it but someone ran up my arse whilst I was sitting at the lights. I couldn't believe it. This is the third thing to go wrong, but hopefully the last. You might not be able to see it but on the bumper there is a 50cm vertical scratch and some white horizontal ones. So I now have to ring the insurance company AGAIN!!

So the last few weeks have been super crazy. So will try to summarise.

1. Softball
So after we have been training all month we finally had our first game. Unfortunately we lost but went down laughing. The second match again we struggled but did better than the first match, but still lost. Our third match was fantastic (see blog entry). We won. We even went for a drink and something to eat after the match in Primrose Hill. A couple of the guys were celebrating birthdays and it was a great opportunity to get to know each other. Our next match is Tuesday so watch for the match bulletins.

2. House of Commons
Went to the House of Commons for a Red Balloon function. This is the 3rd year in a row we have had this event and it’s always great to be invited. The weather was great so I was hanging out on the terrace staring at the Thames and Tower Bridge. This event is always a great function to meet people from all walks of life.

3. Work Night Out – Clare, Debby & Steve’s birthday
I’m sure you have already seen the pics from this night out. It was great fun meeting first at a bar in Shoreditch for a few drinks. The weather was great so it was lovely to stay outside. After nightfall it was off round the corner to another club for a big of a boogie. The cider was flowing and by midnight I knew it was time to go home. Luckily it was a bank holiday weekend so had plenty of time to recover. I ended up doing nothing that entire weekend but hang around the house relaxing.

4. Lucy’s Birthday & Tamlyn’s Birthday
My niece turned 3!! And is the cutest little one in the world. The photos of her on the web are priceless. I spoke to Lucy & Fiona on the webcam later in the week and she seem excited and had had a great birthday.

Tamlyn’s birthday also came round on Thursday 7th. Hope you had a great day.

5. Last weekend was relaxing. I did nothing except go to training on Sunday. I had Coop so I decided to drive up to Regents park instead of public transport. Not too bad only took 40 mins compared to 1hr 30mins on the train.

6. Coop Troubles
So got my baby back and didn’t need to use her till a week later. When I did get in her to do a grocery run a light came up on the dashboard. Further investigation into the handbook revealed nothing I could understand. I showed a couple of boys and they too were stumped. So it was off to the BMW showroom for a diagnostic. Turns out she has a faulty sensor in her engine somewhere. She is totally safe to drive I have been told so she is going back in to the BMW repair shop in 10 days to be fixed. Luckily she is still under warranty but getting her there and back is annoying.

7. Happy Birhday to Inger for Wednesday 13th. I have booked my flight and will be joining her for a long weekend on the 5th June. I can’t wait.

8. Kate & Pete have arrived.
So they have been here for a few weeks already spending time up in Wales with Pete’s family. Kate caught the train down to London yesterday and we met up for dinner at Belushi’s in Covent Garden. Krista also made it over to visit. It was just like old times.

The girls and I are off tonight for a bit of a boogie so get ready for the pics.

Also I’m up to Cambridge on Saturday night as we have Freddy’s christening on Sunday. Action packed weekend.

Softball

Tuesday 12th May - Base Jumpers vs Lone Wolves

After the first two losses we were pumped and ready for our third match on Tuesday. A full team ready to take on the Lone Wolves. The sun was setting over the hills on Primrose Hill making batting conditions hard.

We were up to bat first and managed to get a few home. We ran out onto that field ready for whatever they hit at us. Well what an innings they only got 3 home before we put them away. After that there was nothing stopping us.

We scored over 20 runs this game and managed to keep them to only 4. A couple of double plays really put us on the board, with great fielding from the outfielders.

Whilst running from second to third, Jacob got slammed in the face by a ball coming from their left outfielder. Unsure as to who he was trying to throw the ball to as Jacob was directly in between the two bases. But did he let a 50mph hard as rock ball whacking him in the face stop him! Hell no, he made it to third! What a trouper. Luckily the first aid kit was there and he was able to put a cold can of beer on his face. It was a massive red mark on the right side of his cheek/eye socket.

After that incident the Base Jumpers went from strength to strength. But not only that we had a great time! The wolves were unsportsman like in their behaviour. Calling the umpire on every play he calls is a bit stooopid. Also telling our catcher to shut up wasn’t on either. Giddeon’s pitching got called into question as well! This team needs to be advised which division they are in!!

Anyway it was an extremely satisfying win…….we kept the wolves at bay!