He raises his head above the parapet, and nobody notices.

Dear Reader,

I haven't posted in quite a while, despite the remarkable election results, lots of interesting political incidents, football and, well, football. So much going on in the religious arena too.

What can I say? I have been ludicrously busy but also distracted.

Well, I have done a review of the election results in the South West of England which I will, when I can find it, post on here. 

I wish you all well.

Not so much a hiatus, more of a complicated hernia.

I have been away from regular posting for sometime now; it isn't unusual for me to take a bit of a break, but a change of circumstances and suddenly finding myself extremely busy has prevented me from finding the time to sit down and share a few thoughts, opinions, reflections, etc.

I am now in a position to at least have a bit of a return to the fray and will be posting on a fairly regular basis again. Politics is very interesting at the moment, the religious world is forever full of fascination and it is only football that presently leaves me depressed.

I will doubtless be sharing some overviews and thoughts on the forthcoming local elections, which have been delayed by two weeks to coincide with the European Parliamentary elections. I will again be visiting the politics of Stockport, Portsmouth, Manchester and Rochdale, as well as my new home of Blackburn.

The Personal Ordinariates have continued to progress in the UK, Australia and North America and it will be interesting to see what, if any, effect that decisions in the Church of England will have on the growth of the Ordinariate the UK.

The Pope continues to confound people with his approach to his ministry and it is worth having a look at the following link for this perceptive article (don't be put off by the title): http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2014/02/13/beware-of-pope-francis/30949

As for football, for the love of all the is holy - David Moyes, get a grip!!!!!!

Thank you Sir Alex.

It has taken me a couple of days to get over the shock of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement - I know, kind of pathetic. He has brought me such joy over the many years and I wish him the very best.
I do not gamble but have been predicting David Moyes to take over for the past three years so am happy enough about that.
For Man United fans everywhere:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ykMNtzMT8

February 6th, 1958

The best laid plans.....

I haven't blogged for a while, even though there have been quite a lot of things to comment on in the world of sport (especially the Olympics and Paralympics), Faith and Politics. Except for the odd comment here and there, I have stayed out of the blogosphere.

I wish I could say that it was due to a need to reassess the way I use my time and direct my energies anew but the truth is closer to the opposite. I have allowed myself to be run into the ground and, in the way of those who refuse to acknowledge such lack of commonsense in their own behaviour, have ploughed onwards in my work life with (I would guess) less success in each of my endeavours.

Knowing I was due a good break starting this week, I didn't use my days off to rest and ignored the aches and pains, broken sleep and less agility of mind that comes from being over-worked.

On Monday, 20 minutes before I was due to finish for my holiday, I was reminded that personal determination cannot defeat the body when it wants to slow down: whilst speaking with one of the prisoners I work with about the Liverpool-Man Utd game on Sunday, I suddenly felt my legs go from under me and struggled to keep my balance. The guy I was talking with laughed as he thought, as he later explained, that I was doing a 'bit of an Irish jig' because I was pleased with the result of the match - I wasn't that pleased! Luckily, the medical team were visiting the Segregation Unit next door and, having been helped to a chair by a couple of the prison officers, I was seen to immediately. The worst part was the double vision which is still not quite right now.

In the event, having been wheeled down to the healthcare centre and checked over again, an ambulance was called and I ended up in A&E to assure themselves that I hadn't had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
I was told they believe I am exhausted and need to be off work - fortunate that my holiday break started that evening - and I can't drive my car for a few days.

What is the point of this post? Well, if anybody reading this feels it speaks in some way to their own situation - stop, take a break, before your body forces you to shut down. Believe me, it is less unpleasant that way. Yesterday I felt like I had been hit by a truck and my holiday plans have been thrown into some disarray.

I am still hoping to get away at the weekend but if I don't, it will be my own silly fault. At least I can post a few thoughts, I mean to say - why should I suffer alone?

Premership Blues

Oh well - congratulations Manchester City on winning the League - yes, I know I have taken a bit of time to mention it but I have had to get over the remarkable last 5 minutes when all my determination to believe that Man U could not win the Premiership had been overwhlemed by what looked like we could win it after all. I'll take losing on goal difference in a transitional year for us and, hopefully, coming second means that the Glazers will spend some serious money on transfers this year.

It is nice to see my cousins so happy as well - I remember that feeling - don't get used to it.

Of course, the real joy - who the **** are Liverpool? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!

Ignoring my Dad's advice: "Never talk about politics, religion or sport."

Dear All,

sorry I haven't posted for a while but events are running ahead of me and I wanted to enter Holy Week in a good frame of mind.
So much has happened in the world of politics, religion and sport recently and I will be commenting on all three - I have particular interest in the Local Elections coming up, the (with a few hiccoughs here and there) approaching Premiership Champion's mantle remaining on the shoulders of Man United and the ongoing situation with reference to the Personal Ordinariates set up by Pope Benedict for Anglicans wishing to enter communion with the Holy See whilst retaqining elements of Anglican Patrimony.
In the meantime - I am off to a wedding in East Anglia tomorrow so, much fun will be had there.

Oh, what a perfect day...

In the midst of all the controversies in the world of politics and religion, it might be as well to concentrate on the joys of sport. So, England beat France 24 - 22 in Paris, GB win a pile of medals at athletics and, oh joy of joys, whilst Manchester United beat West Brom 2-0, the glorious Swansea gave Manchester City a lesson in football respect at Liberty Stadium.
Top of table with 10 games to go. Sweet joy!

Hail to the chef: cooking canaries.

As a former chef, I have lots of respect for Delia Smith; I have even attended a day of Recollection that she gave. So we share the three 'f's - food, faith and football.
Your team have played a treat but we took them at Carrow Road today. Best of luck for the rest of the season but you've got to love the old guys: Giggs and Scholes, still doing the business after all these years

¡Esto es ridiculo!

Luis Suarez...words fail me!

¡Aprende un poco de respeto, niño stupido!