88D

Lofty, Johnster: I think they’re keen on such things? Apologies to them both if they are not!

I see that Tigerbunny’s team won again. Thought I would post it before him. Apple correction again, but it does sound better? Can’t work out Bath, can they ever string a couple of results together?

Marvellous session beer. Do people have sessions any more?

Quite a few houses kept the bitter pump on for a time because they were bitter (ho,ho,ho) about the change of name.

Bolt maker is the newish name for their standard bitter. It is named after the longest-serving Taylor’s pub in Keighley (near the station) , and that caused a lot of commotion in the other Taylor’s pubs! The Boltmaker pub is well worth a visit for any KWVR visitors, when possible that is!

Just to avoid confusion, here’s mine after a few bottles.

Ring-necked Parakeets have now hit Hebden Bridge, and in winter! At this rate, they will usurp mankind as being the dominant species on the planet.

Well, you live and learn!

Dapol is in Chirk, isn’t it? If so, Wales.

Not that I’m infatuated with black pheasants, but—- a few things have come up from the local birdwatchers which may interest you. Black pheasants are very common in Sherwood Forest, probably been selected through Darwinian mechanisms to avoid the arrows of passers by. If a black, or white, pheasant is shot in a shoot, the marksman has to pay a fine! Black and white pheasants are used as markers for flocks. The keeper makes a note of where these markers are during their normal life, and uses that info to spread food over the grounds. If anybody is interested in willow tits, or suchlike, perhaps they can add titbits for our delectation.

Well, I’ve spotted a surfeit of Niger seed in our garden, but never a sparrow ( or a starling)!

A first for me. I was driving in clear daylight from Oxenhope to Hebden Bridge, about 1200’ up on the moors. I saw a completely black pheasant sidle off the road in front of me into the heather, etc. I’ve never seen nor heard of a black pheasant so thought it might be my first sighting of a Black Grouse, though, admittedly, it did look too small. Quick chat with the local birdwatcher group, and yes, it is a black pheasant, bred to be a marker for shooting parties. Can’t be that good a marker as I should have seen a lot more of them! Anybody else heard of/seen any of these?

Andrew Brace, the ref, seems to cause a fair amount of controversy in his matches: this one did not disappoint. I wouldn’t like to be reffed by him.

England are a bit stuck right now. They were very predictable in attack, and I think Farrell at centre makes sure that it can’t change. He’s very much like Biggar for Wales, utterly dependable, almost undroppable, but not able to give backs an attacking platform. This rigidity is ok against most teams, but not against the top teams. This was broadly England against the French u-20s from a year or so back. I would prefer to be a French supporter heading to the World Cup, they are coming along well.

Last week I watched replays, but not for long. When I wanted to move forward or back, there seemed to be no synchronisation between how many minutes you thought you had gone forward, and how many you actually did. I gave up trying to review individual events and patches.

Haven’t they heard of standard railway time? Flabbergasted.

Didn’t have any problems, and watched all three matches. Guess the problem was at your end.

Eight of these for a tenner at my local Sainsbury. Not bad, eh? Cheers.

That last paragraph certainly hits the nail on the head. If we are not careful, we could end up like American NFL with a very limited participation beyond college level. At national level, I hope Ireland and Scotland, in particular, don’t carry on with their nurturing foreign talent to reside for three years before taking the place of home-grown talent — which will start drying up if they’re not careful. At club level, Sale now have ten Saffas on their books, I believe, and that could alienate former feeder clubs. In Wales, the national game has been funded and nurtured to the detriment of club sides, not quite as much by importing players, but by providing bu...er all funds and support to the rest.

A few points here: England didn’t steal a line out, we now give them for free during most matches. England should have won by more, but for some reason were very conservative, almost defensive, in their approach. Ben Youngs has normally kicked too long. I don’t know why he has won so many caps, as I think England have had better scrum halves than him. He does get an armchair ride from that pack, they are a real handful in all facets of play. Having eulogised about your pack, there are some real knobheads in there. I don’t need to mention names. I wonder if there will be any citings? Have a look again at your forwards try, I think you’ll find Launchbury in an offside position pulling Vunipola(?) over. Not sour grapes there! A spirited effort from Wales against an England team that should/could have won by more.

Saw a lovely murmuration of starlings at RSPB Fairburn Ings last night. Groups joining in for half an hour until there must have been 3000 or more, then the lava lamp effect and groups plummeting into the reeds in front of us. Within half an hour, all had ensconced in the Reed bed and couldn’t be seen - but could be heard - even though they were only about 30 yards away. The human crowd started to disperse and then a Schmauser barked at our Patterdale, he barked back and a few others joined in. The starlings erupted back out of the reeds and we were treated to another 10 minutes or so of this spectacle. fantastic! There was only one predator bird hanging around, peregrine, and he/she was kept away by the mobbing crows. Not the biggest murmuration I’ve seen, but still a fanbloodytastic sight. I’m only guessing at 3000 by the way, probably more, but don’t know how to gauge these numbers without counting on photos. Well, I’m not going to waste my time doing that, and I would have posted a photo here if any were good.

Does your wife know mine? My wife bought me Derail for my birthday, and has bought me Old Peculier this week!

I’m not normally a fan of Porter and stouts (except Sam Smith) but I like this one. Just as wee as I have two bottles!

It used to be good when it was a proper hand-pulled beer, but they sold their soul to the devil.

Yep, a fantastic player yet only 5’6” tall. He did well against the likes of Lomu! RIP, Christoffe