"What's that coming over the hill..... (Part 2)

..... Its Michael Chopra! Its Michael Chopra!"
as made famous here.

Otherwise titled "We are top of the league, say we are top of the league!"

For those of you who actually read the rubbish I write on here, there were some rather scary feelings about this year's Cardiff City team (and a certain Michael Chopra) ... i.e. that we might actually be able to hit a cows backside with a banjo occasionally. Well, on Saturday, we only went and very impressively beat Birmingham 2-0 to go 3 points clear at the top of the table. Now while Mr Chopra didn't make it onto the score sheet, he was once again highly influencial, all-round class, and NO Newcastle (including you Leon!) you can't have him back cos he'll only get injured in his first game for you!

I'm now going to enjoy this for two weeks until our next game! I'll see you in a gutter somewhere around Cardiff with a huge smile on my face and a pint of Brains in my hand!

P.S. I fully expect this to come crashing down around me at any moment possible, but lets enjoy this, its been a while since we were last here.

What's that coming over the hill..... (part 1)

.... Its a ROBSTER! Its a ROBSTER!

Sorry, Rob, but it had to be done. This was part of Rob's celbration for winning the rowing competition..... a short cut home!

Some rowing photos at last.

A glorious day on the River Taff in Llandaff.... lets go for a row!

The semi-final against the "dinos-oars". As we charge down the final stretch its getting close.......



... But we manage to hold them off and make it into the final.

Sadly no photos from the final, but here we are... CHAMPIONS! (l to r) me, Rob, Tony, and Gavin. A great day and really makes all the hard work and early mornings we put in worthwhile. That was one great celebration that night.

Apparently its summer!

Or at least it was summer when I started writing this thing. Its now turned into a big mess with lots of water, wind and everything looking very dark and uninviting! Sounds like a night out in swansea then doesn't it!
So when I last left you we were at regatta day. Sadly this was without Dylan our coach who was otherwise engaged somewhere in the back of beyond (otherwise known as Barmouth in west wales), so Helen stepped in to cox the "Matad-oars" for the day. Nerves were rather apparent in the camp, but there was also the hint of confidence there as well. How mis-placed would this be?
The first race didnt get off too well as we ended up back at the launch before making it to the start line. What looked like a horrendous mess to our opponents, was actually a jammed rudder, and a cunning bit of "gamesmanship" by us to catch them unawares you may say..... "Eh?! You what?!" would be our reply!
Anyway, after a very impressive start that saw us almost a length ahead by 50 or so metres we held on for the remaining 400m to win quite comfortably. Cue some very surprised and happy celebrations in the boat! That win meant we were straight through to the semi-final, and we had all won our first ever race in the competition!
This race against the "Dinos-oars" (gotta like these names eh?!) was a tough one, but again it was our start that saw us get about a length ahead, a lead which we never relinquised, although they pushed us hard all the way. A measure of our consistency and confidence that we completed both races in 2:14.
And so came the final. This time we made a bit of a pigs-ear (ok.. I did!) of the start, but got going well enough, pulled out a decent lead and then for the first time in the whole day actually got properly into our stride and enjoyed the race as we won by a couple of clear lengths and in a time of 2:08. Yet more celebrations, water splashing, avoiding going over the weir, and threats to jump in the river! (Which in Rob's case weren't so far from the truth)
And so to the bar and a congratulations drink.. or five!
That was just the start of a memorable weekend, as next was off to Germany for the World Cup!

Normal programming will resume shortly!

We apologise for this interuption, but we have some urgent breaking news to bring you....
"Would someone please like to tell me what has happened to the Cardiff City team that finished last season looking like a wet rag being dragged around in a rather muddy bucket?!" I was the first one to say last season that survival was the main aim, and was ecstatic when we achieved that so early in the season, but the end was rather shabby and showed our lack of depth, largely cos the entire squad were knackered. However, this season promises something a bit more positive and exciting I feel. (ohh err! Thats a bit scary from a City fan!)

There is something special about mid-week games at Ninian. I've never quite worked it out why, but theres a certain atmosphere, and more often than not it turns out to be the big games. Leeds last season fits the bill as it was also the first home game of the season. West Brom are just relegated from the Premiership, hot favourites to go up, far better equipped than Leeds were, and we sadly didnt have Jason Koumas, who is still trying to leave West Brom to join us.
Last night though the team produced one of the most high tempo, hard working and attacking matches I can remember from a City side. Passing, movement, classy one-touch football with the ball, and then closing, pressing and harrassing without it. Newcastle, thank-you, but WHY did you sell us Michael Chopra?! A 1-1 draw was the least we deserved, and the "welcome in the hillside" reserved for swansea boy John Hartson was memorable and unique to say the least! Thats not the only praise for the fans. After meeting a Birmingham fan working in Cardiff in the pub beforehand and walking to the game with him, I can only say how proud a showing the whole of Ninian Park made. Its not been that loud for sometime now.

Maybe, hopefully one day soon, the rest of the club (ticket office and phone system especially) will lurch itself into at least the 20th century to join the 21st century team and manager. Young, quick, sharp, fluid and attacking! So lets hope that wasn't a one off and the coming season will be pushing for a play-off place at least. I fancy automatic promotion is too much to ask, but surely a top 6 finish is within reach.
The future's bright, the future's BLUE!

We now return you to the story of my summer... when I get five minutes to breathe and continue it!

Well its been one hell of a summer already, so I've finally got a couple of weeks to relax and catch up with things at last (most it being sleep and food!). The last three months have just been totally non-stop and I'm not sure where to start really. Well, lets begin at the beginning eh?!

May started with training for the annual regatta in work. After a slightly less than successful attempt last year (we lost, sorry, got stuffed, in both our races) hopes weren't exactly high. With a pretty new crew though, Gavin and Rob joining Tony and myself, and an excellent coach (stand-up Dylan), there were hopes for a fresh start at least. Rob was a total rookie, and after missing a year Gav was getting back into it, and between us all, we had three years of regatta racing, and no wins!

But with four weeks of hard work and very early mornings, and some slightly bizarre coaching methods (go and try rowing with your eyes closed for a laugh! :-) ) we grew more confident, stronger and more comfortable with each other and as a crew.

So as race day approached hopes were high that we couold at least achieve our first race win. But how well did we do?