Brilliant!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Hartlepool Park Run- Pipped at the Post!
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Cheeky Susan! Very cheeky!
You sneaked up on me, without a word! And! overtook me with 10 yards to go!
Anyway I got my PB! A new WORLD Record 29/:31 for 5k.
UNDER 30 MINUTES AND OVER THE MOON!!
Park Runs are Popping up all over the country.
This was the first at Hartlepool, have a look at where you can find your nearest Park Run in the U.K. on this link.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Golf is a good walk spoiled?
On Wednesday afternoon this week, I played my first game of golf of the year.
It was also my first game with my Son in law Steven.
I agree with Mark Twain!
Golf is a good walk spoiled!
[Only joking!]
We went to a course that I played many years ago. Saltburn by the Sea.
The views compensated for my awful golf, but as we say;' it is not the winning that counts but taking part'.
What a load of rubbish!
I got hammered! 17 holes to 1!
I played like a man with no arms!
Wait till the next game Steven! You'll see!
It was also my first game with my Son in law Steven.
I agree with Mark Twain!
Golf is a good walk spoiled!
[Only joking!]
We went to a course that I played many years ago. Saltburn by the Sea.
In this photo you can see Roseberry Topping in the background. The course is just spectacular, set on the coast with superb views all around.
What a load of rubbish!
I got hammered! 17 holes to 1!
I played like a man with no arms!
Wait till the next game Steven! You'll see!
Love Middlesbrough Blog / interview with Rob Nichols,
Follow this link to an interview that I did recently about a course that I am managing.
Love Middlesbrough Blog
Love Middlesbrough Blog
Football round up
This week saw the first legs of the Champions League semi-finals.
Chelsea managed a draw away to Atletico Madrid, no mean feat!
Real managed a 1-0 win at home to Bayern Munich.
Mourinio is now saying that he will rest certain players for the second leg against Liverpool!
Who is he trying to kid! ?
Are you telling me that he has given up the Premiership title?
No chance!
He is up to his old tricks again, mind games.
I can understand how big the return game is against Atletico, but I don't believe that he will not try to beat Liverpool!
Anyway, back to the Championship and Boro.
I am going to the last home game tomorrow at the riverside for this season.
Boro v Barnsley.
match report to follow!
Chelsea managed a draw away to Atletico Madrid, no mean feat!
Real managed a 1-0 win at home to Bayern Munich.
Mourinio is now saying that he will rest certain players for the second leg against Liverpool!
Who is he trying to kid! ?
Are you telling me that he has given up the Premiership title?
No chance!
He is up to his old tricks again, mind games.
I can understand how big the return game is against Atletico, but I don't believe that he will not try to beat Liverpool!
Anyway, back to the Championship and Boro.
I am going to the last home game tomorrow at the riverside for this season.
Boro v Barnsley.
match report to follow!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Premiership run in and Pak Doo -Ik.
The last few games are coming up for the end of the English Premiership season.
Who would have bet that Liverpool would be in contention?
Not me!
But , it's the people 's choice. Any neutral football fan, or in my case a Boro fan!, would love to see Steven Gerrard lift the Premiership trophy.
The alternatives, Chelsea and Manchester City are wonderful teams full of highly talented players, but somehow they don't have that magic and tradition that Liverpool have.
Liverpool have never won the Premiership, unbelievable really when you think about the way that Liverpool dominated the 70s and 80s, especially in Europe.
Another good reason is that there are a lot of really good English players in the Liverpool setup. Without even mentioning our Captain Marvel Steven Gerrard.
Surely these Liverpool players wil be the mainstay of the English attempt of winning the World Cup in the summer.
God knows, they would become legends, should we get anywhere near the semi finals!
The World Cup has a very special place in my heart, as my very first experience of a football match was at the 1966 World Cup in England.
Ayresome Park was the venue for 3 games in the first stages of the World Cup. Ayresome Park is the former ground for my team.Middlesbrough FC.
I will never forget my first experience of a big crowd and the big match atmosphere. I was only 10 years old, a wide eyed innocent child who loved nothing more than to kick a ball against the wall in our street. We had our own World Cup , dozens of scruffy little kids playing football from dawn till dusk.
It was the Soviet Union v North Korea. It is only recently that I realised how well the Soviet Union did in the 1966 World Cup, they only just lost in the semi final to West Germany.
But of course the legend of the game North Korea v Italy will last forever in football folklore.
Mighty Italy had been beaten 1-0 by the Soviet Union and were rank favourites to beat the minnows from North Korea and progress as expected to the next round.
The Ayresome Park crowd , the Boro crowd, were behind the underdogs North Korea. My dad told me that in fact he really didn't like the Italian team, too dirty and physical, he said.
In fact, there was a deeper reason why he didn't like the Italians in general, he served in Italy at the end of the War.
The Russian game was amazing, but this game was something else, it was electric. When Pak Doo Ik scored, the crowd, my Dad, and I went mad. Imagine! North Korea, Pak Doo Ik, so strange, so unlikely!
Ever since that match, I have loved football, playing , watching, talking about it, so thank you Soviet Union and most of all, thank you Pak Doo Ik!
Who would have bet that Liverpool would be in contention?
Not me!
But , it's the people 's choice. Any neutral football fan, or in my case a Boro fan!, would love to see Steven Gerrard lift the Premiership trophy.
The alternatives, Chelsea and Manchester City are wonderful teams full of highly talented players, but somehow they don't have that magic and tradition that Liverpool have.
Liverpool have never won the Premiership, unbelievable really when you think about the way that Liverpool dominated the 70s and 80s, especially in Europe.
Another good reason is that there are a lot of really good English players in the Liverpool setup. Without even mentioning our Captain Marvel Steven Gerrard.
Surely these Liverpool players wil be the mainstay of the English attempt of winning the World Cup in the summer.
God knows, they would become legends, should we get anywhere near the semi finals!
The World Cup has a very special place in my heart, as my very first experience of a football match was at the 1966 World Cup in England.
Ayresome Park was the venue for 3 games in the first stages of the World Cup. Ayresome Park is the former ground for my team.Middlesbrough FC.
I will never forget my first experience of a big crowd and the big match atmosphere. I was only 10 years old, a wide eyed innocent child who loved nothing more than to kick a ball against the wall in our street. We had our own World Cup , dozens of scruffy little kids playing football from dawn till dusk.
It was the Soviet Union v North Korea. It is only recently that I realised how well the Soviet Union did in the 1966 World Cup, they only just lost in the semi final to West Germany.
But of course the legend of the game North Korea v Italy will last forever in football folklore.
Mighty Italy had been beaten 1-0 by the Soviet Union and were rank favourites to beat the minnows from North Korea and progress as expected to the next round.
The Ayresome Park crowd , the Boro crowd, were behind the underdogs North Korea. My dad told me that in fact he really didn't like the Italian team, too dirty and physical, he said.
In fact, there was a deeper reason why he didn't like the Italians in general, he served in Italy at the end of the War.
The Russian game was amazing, but this game was something else, it was electric. When Pak Doo Ik scored, the crowd, my Dad, and I went mad. Imagine! North Korea, Pak Doo Ik, so strange, so unlikely!
Ever since that match, I have loved football, playing , watching, talking about it, so thank you Soviet Union and most of all, thank you Pak Doo Ik!
Pak Doo Ik scoring against Italy at Ayresome Park.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Kostroma song.
This video is just charming! Olga I need the words!
I think that this video sums up my wonderful visit to Russia this year.
Everywhere we went, we were treated with traditional music, dance and just honest , warm wondeful people.
Я люблю Россию
Friday, April 18, 2014
You are my Swift Tees, my only Swiftees! Mermaid, Marske by the Sea.
You make me happy, when skies are blue. You'll never notice how much I love you.
Don't ever take my Swiftees away!!
All together now!
You are my Swiftees!!!!!!!
Mermaid 10k. Marske by the Sea.
What a beautiful Spring day for a 10k run!
A sea of SWIFT_TEES blue shirts.
This is my first Official 10k, therefore it is a world record for me!!
Monday, April 14, 2014
End of the trip to Russia
All good things must come to an end.
Today we spent the day in Volgechensck at a school, where we had an excellent day.
Yesterday was a wonderful day with my friends in Kostroma.
I spent most of the day in Bar Barbara, drinking beer, chatting, eating, after this I returned to a Barbeque, salmon , salds and a lot wine!
OK, it was fairly fresh , in the garden and the guns came out for target practice, but when in Russia!
I seem to have managed to drink more alchohol in the last two days than I have in the last two months!
And we have tomorrow night's leaving party, yet to come, with the endless toasts and vodka.
But tomorow is a special day, because I will be spending it in the town of Krasnoye.
Today we spent the day in Volgechensck at a school, where we had an excellent day.
Yesterday was a wonderful day with my friends in Kostroma.
I spent most of the day in Bar Barbara, drinking beer, chatting, eating, after this I returned to a Barbeque, salmon , salds and a lot wine!
OK, it was fairly fresh , in the garden and the guns came out for target practice, but when in Russia!
I seem to have managed to drink more alchohol in the last two days than I have in the last two months!
And we have tomorrow night's leaving party, yet to come, with the endless toasts and vodka.
But tomorow is a special day, because I will be spending it in the town of Krasnoye.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
CAFE PIERRE Languages
I have found this cartoon of me, that Ronnie drew a few years ago.
Oh , how I miss the days of working in a hot kitchen, NOT!!!!
However, my dear old Boss always called me Pierre and therefore, it has stuck and this is how the name Cafe Pierre has evolved into the name for my language business.
Saturday 12th April
Kosomonaut's Day!
Собака ! Russian for dog.
Of course 12th April in Russia. is the day to celebrate the amazing conquests and expeditions by the cosmonauts and the famous space dogs.To celebrate this event every dog in Russia has come to my street and decided to bark!!!!!
What a racket!
Talk about ' Barking at the Moon'!
It is like something out of 101 Dalmatians, but they are all barking in Russian!
I think that if this carries on for much longer, I will be 'Barking Mad!
Friday, April 11, 2014
Kostroma Friday 11th. April
Bortsch , blinis, suchi and Macdonalds.
If I was to comment as a food critic of the Russian diet and culinary skills, I wouldn't know where to start.
It's easy for the 'so called' food critics to knock restaurants and food in general, basically because they haven't got a fxxxxxxx clue what they are talking about!
I am sure that if a certain food critic from my area came to Russia they would rip their cuisine to pieces.
Russian food is simple, everyday food consists of soups, vegetables, fish, bread, pasta, sweet tea, it is practical and to use a pedagogical term, 'Fit for purpose'.
We discussed stereotypes today in our class and of course Vodka was mentioned regarding a Russian stereotypical man.
You need vodka in Russia! It's bloody freezing! I will post some photos of Ice fishermen on the river Kostroma, they bloody well need the vodka!
After walking aorund the city yesterday for a while, the best thing in the world to warm you up is a bowl of Bortsch. We had our lunch in the Local Government Cafeteria and it felt like another era! It was like something out of a Spy thriller. I am sure the KGB were there!
Russian food has its identity, it is Russian, the vegetables that are the most delicious are usually preserved from the Family's Dacha. I absolutely love the idea of the forest and the Dacha.
Natural resources are abundent, I was told of a woman who collected wild Dill, got on the bus and shared it out with the passengers. Food is appreciated , I think that because of the climate, it is also treat with respect.
I have to visit Russia in the summer and spend some time in the forest and experience mushroom picking and the process of preserving food.
You never know it might inspire me to re-launch Abigail's pantry!
If I was to comment as a food critic of the Russian diet and culinary skills, I wouldn't know where to start.
It's easy for the 'so called' food critics to knock restaurants and food in general, basically because they haven't got a fxxxxxxx clue what they are talking about!
I am sure that if a certain food critic from my area came to Russia they would rip their cuisine to pieces.
Russian food is simple, everyday food consists of soups, vegetables, fish, bread, pasta, sweet tea, it is practical and to use a pedagogical term, 'Fit for purpose'.
We discussed stereotypes today in our class and of course Vodka was mentioned regarding a Russian stereotypical man.
You need vodka in Russia! It's bloody freezing! I will post some photos of Ice fishermen on the river Kostroma, they bloody well need the vodka!
After walking aorund the city yesterday for a while, the best thing in the world to warm you up is a bowl of Bortsch. We had our lunch in the Local Government Cafeteria and it felt like another era! It was like something out of a Spy thriller. I am sure the KGB were there!
Russian food has its identity, it is Russian, the vegetables that are the most delicious are usually preserved from the Family's Dacha. I absolutely love the idea of the forest and the Dacha.
Natural resources are abundent, I was told of a woman who collected wild Dill, got on the bus and shared it out with the passengers. Food is appreciated , I think that because of the climate, it is also treat with respect.
I have to visit Russia in the summer and spend some time in the forest and experience mushroom picking and the process of preserving food.
You never know it might inspire me to re-launch Abigail's pantry!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Kostroma Thursday April 10th. 2014
Reflections in Space!
As we move towards the end of the week, I am reminded of the 12th. April .
This is Kosmonaut's day in Russia and 3 years ago, I managed to visit the Space museum in Moscow.
What a different world it was then, in the day of Gagarin and Strelka and Belka the space dogs. I remember so clearly watching wide-eyed at Apollo 11 and Neil Armstrong walking on the surface of the moon after landing on the 20th. july 1969.
I was just 14 years old, innocent and mesmorised by the USSR and the USA and the space race.
It seems to alien to me now as I am sat in a Russian home with my Russian family.
Yet, as I am meeting new people here and getting to know them and the language, this hazy dream of a 14 year old is becoming reality.
As we move towards the end of the week, I am reminded of the 12th. April .
This is Kosmonaut's day in Russia and 3 years ago, I managed to visit the Space museum in Moscow.
What a different world it was then, in the day of Gagarin and Strelka and Belka the space dogs. I remember so clearly watching wide-eyed at Apollo 11 and Neil Armstrong walking on the surface of the moon after landing on the 20th. july 1969.
I was just 14 years old, innocent and mesmorised by the USSR and the USA and the space race.
It seems to alien to me now as I am sat in a Russian home with my Russian family.
Yet, as I am meeting new people here and getting to know them and the language, this hazy dream of a 14 year old is becoming reality.
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Language teaching and learning, a new level!
As life goes on, you sometimes realise that you have achieved something almost withour noticing it.
tonight, I think was one of those occasions.
I am in Russia , in Kostroma working with the group of English teachers, which in itself is a dream come true.
After the teaching sessions I took a Bania, believe me it has to be experienced, again another wonderful experience in another culture, we were drinking beer and of course talking about the situation in the Crimea.
Ok, yet another experience, but then, I returned to the house and went back to work for an hour.
I rang my student Carmen who lives in Spain near to Granada, and we had a one hour lesson all spoken in Spanish, but I was teaching English, in other words I had to explain everything in Spanish whilst we practised our English work.
Incredible! How the world has changed, I am so unbelievably happy that all of the things I have been looking at are coming to fruition.
I knew that we could use this type of tool, but the fact that I am in Russia, living with a Russian family, teaching English in Spanish to a Doctor in Granada is mind blowing.
Brilliant!!!
And now we are looking at the Russian market, we have 2 or 3 students ready for a program. It's up to Olga and I now.
tonight, I think was one of those occasions.
I am in Russia , in Kostroma working with the group of English teachers, which in itself is a dream come true.
After the teaching sessions I took a Bania, believe me it has to be experienced, again another wonderful experience in another culture, we were drinking beer and of course talking about the situation in the Crimea.
Ok, yet another experience, but then, I returned to the house and went back to work for an hour.
I rang my student Carmen who lives in Spain near to Granada, and we had a one hour lesson all spoken in Spanish, but I was teaching English, in other words I had to explain everything in Spanish whilst we practised our English work.
Incredible! How the world has changed, I am so unbelievably happy that all of the things I have been looking at are coming to fruition.
I knew that we could use this type of tool, but the fact that I am in Russia, living with a Russian family, teaching English in Spanish to a Doctor in Granada is mind blowing.
Brilliant!!!
And now we are looking at the Russian market, we have 2 or 3 students ready for a program. It's up to Olga and I now.
Thursday, April 03, 2014
Kostroma 2014
Here we go again, I travel out Saturday 5th. April and return 16th.
Clearly this is going to be a different experience in the light of what is happening in the Crimea, but hopefully it won't affect my trip!
The Russia I know is a fascinating place with warm and friendly people who are only too happy to meet an Englishman.
Watch this space to see if that remains the same!
I am looking forward to renewing my friendships with Max and Larissa and Olga , and all of the teachers and of course the young Russians who are so talented.
Sunday evening should be fun as I am visiting a Russian rock concert with a group called Aquarium.
Lets see also how my Russian is coming along!
Clearly this is going to be a different experience in the light of what is happening in the Crimea, but hopefully it won't affect my trip!
The Russia I know is a fascinating place with warm and friendly people who are only too happy to meet an Englishman.
Watch this space to see if that remains the same!
I am looking forward to renewing my friendships with Max and Larissa and Olga , and all of the teachers and of course the young Russians who are so talented.
Sunday evening should be fun as I am visiting a Russian rock concert with a group called Aquarium.
Lets see also how my Russian is coming along!
Swift Tees and Thirsk 10 mile race.
After all of the training and early Sunday mornings. My first taste of a real race for at least 12 years was last Sunday at Thirsk racecourse.
In fact , having just realised that this is only my second post for this year, it is clear how much running I have been doing!
It has been between 14 and 20 miles a week! Over a Swift Tees training session, a park run and a Sunday morning.
Already the second race of the season at Hartlepool, this time a 5 mile race!
In fact , having just realised that this is only my second post for this year, it is clear how much running I have been doing!
It has been between 14 and 20 miles a week! Over a Swift Tees training session, a park run and a Sunday morning.
Another PB this week!
Park Run at Stewart's Park in Middlesbrough.
Already the second race of the season at Hartlepool, this time a 5 mile race!
Near the end of the Hartlepool 5 mile race. Thank you Andy! Brilliant support!
3 amigos!!
Nice and fresh before the race!
SWIFT TEES Wednesday night team photo with our Hartlepool Shirts.
Café Pierre Languages
Café Pierre Languages
est arrivé!
Finally!
We will be offering;
Classes in;
English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Arabic and Mandarin