| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) 10:54 - Apr 16 with 1419 views | Warkystache |
I caught the sun in SBR yesterday. It was more than the Charlton goalkeeper caught all afternoon.
First up, the walks. Naturalists among you may be interested to know that I saw three foxes, a red kite, two buzzards, a muntjac and a very old woman in a tartan scarf and pink coat who looked like Rod Stewart. She was walking a sort of rat. Closer inspection (didn't use the binoculars in case onlookers thought I was some kind of necrophile pervert peeping tom) revealed the dog was a miniature thing, the sort with big bulging eyes that makes me wonder how bulbous they get when it squats down for a poo. Marty Feldman-like I reckon.
She wasn't friendly. I said a polite 'morning' as you do with dog walkers round this way, and she didn't even smile. So on I strode, deliberately through puddles which splashed near her. I thought I heard a tut in response but was out of earshot before it definitely registered.
The girl in Tescos was better. She's used to weirdoes coming in before 8am with mud splashed up the side of their trousers and socks pulled high. Leaving wet muddy footprints on the worn lino. Buying bacon and half a dozen eggs and the papers and then mumbling something about forty Marlboro Lights...no Gold, sorry, forgot they'd changed. She greeted me with a coy smile and a goodly flash of boob top as she bent forward to adjust the chip and pin machine. Her blue Tesco shirt was as open as Charlton's defence. She'd clearly fashioned her work apparel on Tony Manero from Saturday Night Fever.
It was cold as I walked back, the Tesco Bag for Life I'd just paid 15 pence for rustling as the wind caught it, worrying the papers. Home for a shower, no work today so why I'd got up at 6.00am was unknown but I did and furthermore had a bit of exercise as well.
There's no news this week. Tel and I went to the footy yesterday, his last game before he goes (although I did try him for Tuesday night and he hasn't said No yet so...) and he thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the bits where he could wind up the Charlton fans from Sir Alf upper. We had a few drinks on the Friday as usual. Didn't have a curry as he was in one of his abstemious spells where he 'din't fancy it' so we dined in the pub on ribs instead. His life is a series of compartments now. Boxes rule the roost at home, to the extent that he 'carnt find nuffink ah need, like she asked me ter rehang one'o' the kitchen cupboards last week an' couldn't find me drill". It's getting closer.
He's now fretting on the furniture removers turning up on time on Friday 28th so they can get everything packed and moved. He described the bungalow as being 'barer than Linda Loosardi in the currant' and bemoaned the echoes when he walks around the place. Mrs Tel was 'fine, stressin' a bit, but then thass expected innit?'. They've had visitors around to wish them all the best, neighbours and friends mainly, Tone and Sandy on the Thursday so he could get Tone to help him fill in a bedroom wall that was a bit holey from the absence of pictures.
The leaving party is next Saturday. Chinese, plenty of drink, "jus' bring yerself an' any spare bottles yer might 'ave" sort of thing. He then told me Paula has cancelled. "Summink abart work an' 'er new feller she said, although.." here he became confidential in tone, "reckon it might be embarrassment cos you'll be there, o'course". He nodded and winked. I didn't really mind. We've moved on from all that. She'd probably have tried to tap me up for a 'loan' anyway.
So yesterday. Glorious weather. Warm with a hint of spring freshness. We met at Manningtree rail at 10.45am, Tel driven by Mrs Tel who looked like Anna Wintour from Vogue in her impenetrable black Ray Bans and her boxy calf leather jacket. She's had her hair dyed in pearl highlights and cut smooth, so the bushy old style had been replaced. She reminded me of Yoko Ono without the kiss of the orient. She did kiss me in greeting as I stood in the Manningtree rail car park and leant my head in to the driver side. She smelt instantly recognisably of Anais Anais and warm leather. She was off to Braintree for the afternoon.
We had a livening bacon roll (Tel) and a pint of Guinness each as we waited for the 11.15 train. The Station Cafe was fairly busy with blue-shirted town fans mingling with leisurely London-bound day-trippers speaking in hushed tones about Harvey Nicks and the galleries and salad lunches. Denim v light cottons and expensive-looking coats. It made me feel the gulf in class. Much as I'd imagine the Charlton fans felt on the lonesome train journey home later.
We arrived in Ipswich on one of the best short train journeys in the UK, past the shimmering Stour and the first heat haze over Jimmy's Farm. We'd apparently just missed a car crash by the station and the police were out in force dealing with it. "Beer" said Tel, business-like as he waited at the level crossing for the lights. Walk into town, past the cinema and through the thoroughfares to the pub, pausing en-route so that one of us could use a cashpoint. The pub was busy but not yet to excess. The beer was gulped almost in one draught and we queued for the next ones.
By 1.30pm, I was feeling nicely merry. Tel ordered enough chicken wings for ten, and we munched watching the Villa game. We switched to shorts after the chicken, too bloated by the spicy sauces and the beer to worry about more gas, the ice tinkling in the washer machine-grimed short glasses as we raised them to our lips. We left at 2.30, weaving through the shoppers, the afternoon heat making us unzip jackets, the anticipation of a good game of footy in the air.
Well, if that WAS his last game as a Dovercourt resident, he chose a great one. We attacked at will, cruising through the Fraser-led away midfield like a knife through overheated butter, Morsy was excellent, almost unplayable. Massimo dipped and jived and shimmied like a swallow over a meadow. To be going in at half-time just 2-0 to the good felt almost unjust. Tel texted me to say it should have been five. I was in the half-time queue for a pint so shot back a two-word reply. I know. Always sounds minuscule when you write it.
The second half up my end was even better. Chappers forged his hat-trick from a tap-in and then went off to celebrate with a fan away to my right. Then on came Freddie and for a brief moment, I wondered if he'd be fighting Chaps for the match ball at the end. The Davis sixth was a smashed beauty after Kyle's stabbed shot hit the post. The ground celebrated. It was party time. God knows what it'll be like when we finally manage promotion. I reckon the Exeter game on the 29th'll be a fiesta.
We met by the corner of PR after and walked back to the station, Tel worrying his phone with updates on the National. We both had Corach Rambler by the way. Another reason to smile post-match.
We got back to Manningtree and went straight down the local. The Man City game was playing in front of no-one. No Spurs or Chelsea in sight. Glorious, wonderful day.
He's just texted by the way. He can make Tuesday. Pick me up at 5.30pm, so I'll leave work early, like 3pm that afternoon. I'm sure they won't mind. This is work-life balance as they're always going on about in staff meetings.
The pleasure was all ours. Sometimes, you can't analyse it. It just happens like that. |  |
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| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) on 11:32 - Apr 16 with 1309 views | runaround |
Sounds like it was almost a perfect day |  | | |
| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) on 11:35 - Apr 16 with 1302 views | 66notout |
Great stuff, always a delight. |  | | |
| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) on 14:32 - Apr 16 with 1139 views | Ftnfwest |
Missed yesterday but will be there Tuesday. Early leave from north Herts as ‘working from home’! |  | | |
| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) on 15:16 - Apr 16 with 1075 views | Pendejo |
I'd forgotten about the car crash at the station, I take it they had plenty of blue uniformed witnesses. |  |
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| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) on 15:35 - Apr 16 with 1044 views | Meadowlark |
| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) on 15:16 - Apr 16 by Pendejo |
I'd forgotten about the car crash at the station, I take it they had plenty of blue uniformed witnesses. |
Oh yeah! We saw the remnants of that car crash. Also the police were a bit OTT with all the closed-off roads after the match. |  | | |
| The Warky Report: Charlton Athletic (H) on 07:49 - Apr 18 with 683 views | Kitman |
Always amused by your reports on country walking. For a long time I have been doing the same around the local rural area where I am several decades exiled to in leafy West Sussex. Took it up in an attempt to reign in the ever expanding beer gut which is just about working. Until 11 months ago was wandering around the footpaths dog-less and experiencing very similar occurrences you do still on a regular basis. Now with my own dog to take out, I actually have a walking social circle now-and almost exclusively lady dog owners! Having one of our canine friends seems to take you out of being eyed with deep suspicion as that weird bloke always wandering around on his own- to he must be ok, he has a dog! Not suggesting you should get one Warky. They do require a lot of time and attention. Nothing going on either with the dog walking ladies other than just buddies dog walkers, and no issues from Mrs Kitman over it either- which I was expecting. Seems having the mut has a wonderous calming effect in more areas than you would expect. Carry on enjoying your walks. Mine are a lot more fun these days. And the dog likes the local pubs I take her into!! |  |
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