Coffee

I really like this guide to what makes up your coffe done by Lokesh Dhakar

The wisdom of Miss Teen USA

Please just go....now!

What is it with Tim Henman? As if boring the country to death with his gallant losing for as long as I can remember isn't enough, he has to stretch out his retirement forever.

Not content with just announcing his retirement, he had to announce on Monday that he is going to announce his retirement soon, thus ensuring even more publicity. And he hasn't even retired yet, he's going to play more tennis and then retire! He's stretching his retirement out even longer than one of his defeats.

Saints Fan Of The Season (so far)

The bald bloke in the picture is called Snowey. He follows Saints everywhere. On Saturday he was ejected from the ground by some over-zealous Norwich steward. Snowey says he didn't do anything to justify being chucked out of the ground. Anyway, didn't matter, two minutes later he was in his hotel room in the Holiday Inn next door watching the game. Rather pathetically, he has now been banned from the Holiday Inn!

According to Snowey:
"For the record I was asked to leave the ground for allegedly telling a steward to F off. Very surprising as I had not had any conversation with the steward in question until he and his support came to ask me to leave. I had spent most of the match sat down but was standing at the time of their request for me to leave. The chap next to me was standing as were several hundred other Saints fans but nothing was said to either he nor they! The steward had singled me out for attention for no apparent reason at all and was oblivious to all of the other fans around me at the time who were protesting my innocence.On arriving at the window I did wave my Saints shirt to attract the attention of my friends and show that I was OK but the reports of me shouting and singing are totally incorrect as anybody who was in the ground will testify. There were no 'hotel rules or regulations' regarding the wearing of football shirts of not wearing a shirt or opening of windows. To be accused of behaviour likely to incite a riot are ludicrous and a gross exaggeration of the situation.At the time I was fuming at being asked to leave but kept my head as I knew that if I had kicked off, I would have been arrested and ejected. If that had happened then a report would have been made back to SFC and I could well have faced a lifetime ban. Those of you who know me know how devastating that would be, and for what, some jumped up little prat saying that I had sworn at him. A bit harsh don't you think? If it had been the likes of Man U or MIllwall or Cardiff, to name but a few, the stewards wouldn't be so eager to go into the crowd to throw innocent fans out. I sincerely hope that SFC don't latch onto this incident and withdraw my season ticket as a result of this incident."

The BBC report of Snowey is here. Top man!

Go Go Go

Nothing like some hot chilli salsa and lunchtime drinking to fuel some whacky races. Contrary to appearances they hadn't eaten one hot chilli too many! West Dean is a truly beautiful spot in the West Sussex countryside, with plenty of grounds to explore when the chillies and crowds get too much. A real find of a day out if you enjoy outdoor space and tasty treats.

Hot Hot Hot

Had a great day at the Chilli Festival on Saturday at the lovely West Dean Gardens. The sun shone and lots of hot sauces, chutneys and general condiments were duly acquired.

Dear oh dear

The season couldn't have got off to a much worse start. But here are some thoughts:
1. It's going to be a long hard season for Saints.
2. It can be turned around, but we need to buy some decent defenders now.
3. Jens Lehman's comedy goalkeeping was great.
4. I think QPR will be dark horses in the Championship this year and could well end up in the play-offs.
5. Newcastle will do well under Big Sam (top 6 at least) and Bolton will go down under Little Sam.

Clarkie Case Notes 4 - Argentinian TWS

Argentina was our host nation for what was a great night of wine tasting and conversation. Wines tasted, with brief notes and team score, as follows:

1. Banderas de La Tierra; Chardonnay 2005; label said: ripe tropical fruit salad flavours and vanilla notes; we said: citrus-y, thick and smooth, wants to be a red wine, very new world (blended by an Ozzie winemaker); £5.99; 7/10
   
2. Norton; Barbera 2006; label said: deep colour, rich aromas and flavours; we said: short on tannin, easy drinking, food wine; £5.99; 6.5/10
   
3. Tupungato 2006; Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec; label said: luscious blackberry fruit and soft silky tannings; we said: drinkable and rich; £6.99; 6.3/10


4. Finca Flichman; Malbec 2006; label said: plums and strawberries; we said: not very much, and gave this £4.99 bottle a team score of 6/10
   

Winner of the night was the Banderas de La Tierra Chardonnay. Quite a turn up for a white wine to win the night's 1st place - but it suited a wonderful Summer evening very well indeed!

COYR

I think through comedy glasses will be the best way to view this season for Saints fans. Selling all your best players and buying nobody is hardly the recipe for success. I'm tired of all the behind the scenes wrangling, and I'm sick of the club seemingly being run by a bunch of muppets. When Lowe went I really felt it was a new dawn, but it only turned out to be a false dawn. Anyway, if Kenwyne doesn't go to Derby, I think we've still got the best forwards in The Championship and I'll support them through thick and thin. COME ON YOU REDS....

Skilts Website

Our friend Rich has his new kilt website up and running. Lots of photos of Rich in "Skilts" and some interesting style ideas for men who want to embrace the Skilt logo "Be Your Own Man". Well worth a visit, if only out of interest. Prepare to be surprised by the clothing's versatility.

Scrap

From the Guardian's YouTube round-up, the number 11 is great; he wants to retaliate but knows he's just not big enough.

Bye Bye

The Ozzies flew home today. We really enjoyed our time spent with them and T loved getting to know his cousins from down under. Despite the best efforts of the weather we also have some fabulous outdoor memories too. And I'm happy to report the English contingent faired pretty well in beach cricket ...

Haystacks and Camp Fires

Haystacks, paddling in the sea and running through fields made for a great first family camping trip. Evenings of barbies, camp fires and amazing sunsets made us feel that the halcyon days of Summer had returned for good. New friends made and a brilliant time enjoyed by all of us here at Pacuare People. The folks at Eweleaze have all the ingredients and know how to create the setting for a fabulous camping adventure. It's a very special place on a beautiful part of the South Coast. Since our return it seems haystacks are now cooler than bouncy castles in the eyes of one particular 3.5 year old.

Camping

Back from a great camping trip at Eweleze Farm. It was T and F's first taste of camping and thankfully they loved it, with perfect weather helping. The campsite is in an amazing location. It has very simple facilities, but is very uncrowded and perfect for families.