Me, Juvenile ?

I was offered a ticket, by a work colleague, for yesterdays Ipswich v Watford match, and as other plans had gone wrong, I accepted.

I was going to go to Cambridge, and meet up with my Bro and his mate from Cambourne and watch the Rugby, but unfortunately my brother had had a full industrial wheelie bin go over his right foot at the printers he works for, meant he couldn't do it on crutches.

My colleagues spare season ticket was their daughters under 20 ticket, which works out at less than half price, but I decided to try my luck at getting in without paying for the upgrade. I'm 39 soon, so it was a bit of an ego boost to get in without being challenged with a juvenile ticket.

The players used to run out on to the pitch applauded by the crowd to music, boosting the crowds enthusiasm. Now it is like a funeral procession to the halfway line, then both teams shake hands, where in a child's voice, it is announced no one is allowed to swear or make racist comments, the latter understandable.
Anyway the game ends 0-0, but Ipswich appeared to have more possession and more goal scoring opportunities than Watford, just couldn't score. I was impressed with Jon Stead's performance and think he was "our" best player.

No.5

Dangerous Territory

I decided to have a look in Debenhams new store in Bury St Edmunds today, having decided the novelty factor must have worn off by now, and their would be fewer people in there.
I entered the main front doors, and looked for the "men's" department, and to my surprise this is on the ground floor. Usually this is up or down a floor and the "women's" clothes are on this level, which I've wondered if its due to pushchairs and buying powers.
Anyway I wander through noting Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Jasper Conran, Red Herring plus many other brands. I pass Sketchers shoes and then I've entered my uncomfortable zone.
I'm on my own and I've now left "men's" and I'm in Bikini's and womanly stuff, I'm a Deer caught in headlights.
Where's the door ? shall I turn back, past the shop assistant, who I'd noticed had nothing to do ? Is there an escalator to take me out of this department ?
I keep walking, daylight, there is the door, keeping my eyes looking straight ahead, I don't need a thong !

No.5

Cattle Market Opening

On Thursday 5th March the Cattle Market development finally opened. I took some pictures, but when I got home Thursday night, I found the Camera cable nowhere to be seen. So I have been unable to blog it till now, using photographs, until I was able to locate the cable at my wife's friends house.

Working in close proximity to the Cattle Market development, I've seen it rise from the ground. I can't believe the photo below is dated 06/06/2008 to where the building is now.

On Thursday the offical opening was at 10:30, and in my lunch hour I took a quick walk round the new square, before a quick pint in the Grapes got me back to my senses.

I always feel uncomfortable taking photographs in unusual places, I feel self conscious of people wondering "why is he taking a picture of that". This was reiterated, when the man in the foreground wearing a baseball cap in the picture below, came up to me and said "Do you work for the council" ? "No" I said. "Well I think it looks bloody awful" he said.

I didn't stick around to hear any more, and I haven't been back since. Not in case he's still there, but because it is having its desired effect at the moment, and there are to larger crowds for my liking.

But on opening day, Debenhams were already offering 25% off.

And another thing, someone is going to get hurt in St.Andrews street, the amount of muppets who cannot read the signs at each end of the road that say "Pedestrian Zone" and tear down there at 30 mph is unreal.

No.5

Market Thoroughfare

Work has started on removing the link between The Post Office and Stead & Simpson above the Market Thoroughfare. This is just a small gesture on the link between the Arc shopping centre and the old town centre shops that was promised.

Anyway the Arc starts to be opened on Thursday 5th March, it does look nice through there, but how long will it be before the 1st closing down sale ?

No.5

Playing God

My wife decided that today was the day to say goodbye to Tiggy. The aggressive tumour had grown back and was causing the Cat breathing difficulties, trouble eating and was affecting her right eye. The Cat had spent the morning laying in the sunshine in the bay window watching the world go by, and had had some Tuna to eat.

My Wife couldn't face going to the Vets herself, so I made the short journey with her to Moreton Hall Veterinary Surgery. While I stood at the reception desk, a man and his young daughter also stood waiting behind me. The young girl pointed out our cat in her pet taxi to her dad. Please don't want to look closely at her, I thought to myself. I didn't want to have to explain why we were there.

Called soon after arriving into a side room, a vet and a nurse, very professionally, undertook the reason for us being there, with one injection to a front paw.

This is one of the last pictures I took of her sitting at our back door. "Sleep well" were my last words to her.