2026

England v Argentina

I started to believe…why? I had no interest in the world cup, it had passed me by, but its ingrained in me its that tiny part of me that thinks…that believes that maybe?

Reagan and me sat there glued to the TV watching the three lions, well 11 but you know what I mean. Reagan began to hate (well dislike strongly) the fucking Argies which pleased me because she is in no way scarred she just disliked them of her own accord lol.

We went 1 nil up early in the second half after a very angry stoppage ridden 1st half where I believed we were the better side, just. The second half began and somewhat against the run of play a great  move down the right opened up the Argentine defense and Anthony Gordon on 55 minutes, was there to poke it home. Unfortunately that was really where the problems started, we went into our shells dropping deeper and inviting them on to us for the rest of the game eventually pinned inside the last third of the field and you just can’t do that for 35 minutes once Lionel Messi started dictating play.

The manager made 2 defencive substitutions hoping to hang on but when they scored it meant we were not set up to attack again and the inevitable happen the scored again. Two goals in the 85th and 92nd minutes meant we were on our way home, beaten by annoyingly the better side on the night.

Five minutes from a world cup final but it may have been fifty we thought one goal was enough we went defensive and in my opinion when I saw it live and on reflection attack would have been the better form of defense.

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Redesign

Not having a great deal of time to actually do anything today other than work and ferry Lincoln to rehearsals at the venue for the actual performance. The Kings School Macclesfield looked huge and a bit intimidating but he strode in and I drove off.

On the way home I decided to start redesigning the garden shed on wheels which I made last year but got stuck, as I always do when something doesn’t quite go as I wanted it to. I am glad in this case because putting the doors on the short side just makes so much more sense so I spent the hour or so waiting to travel back to Macc taking the lathes off the (now) front of the shed.

This is a project I intend to complete during my time off but wanted to see what i was up against before buying the wood.

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Phantasmagoria

For all their punk respectabity I found the Damned as goth not punk, wanting the subtler vibe, something I struggled with trying to fit in with the “punk” crowd I hooked up with around that time.

This album was my gateway into punk  and the music of 1985 that stood out to me at the time. I wanted an identity something I owned that everyone knew whether they had met me or not and I reckon I achieved that being the one who dressed in black and had a white streak in his black hair.

Phantasmagoria Just spoke to me and allowed me to be different not just from anyone else but also my mates too. They were punks and skins and I fitted into neither really but was accepted and allowed to be different in a different crowd.

The Damned were my favourite band and the first I went to see live in 1986 with a mate from school Tim Oakes on a coach from Crewe to Hanley Victoria Hall. Great concert and very exciting to actually see the band I’d listened to on record playing in front of me.

My taste in music changed around this time because all we were listening to was punk but this album was a main stay on my record player at home even if me mates didn’t like it.

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England v Norway

I am writing this sat at church the day after because the match didn’t start until 10pm and it went to extra time so it was gone 1am before I got bed.

The result was 2 – 1 to England which is what we were all hoping for but as is England’s way we were put through the wringer. In command for 23 minutes then after the first hydration break the went 1 nil down and could have been even worse before they sorted the problem out and Jude Bellingham again scored a vital goal at a very important time to make it 1 -1 at halftime and the momentum wrestled back.

Second half was energy sapping for both sides but both sides had chances to go ahead but extra-time was needed and a nerve settling early goal made it easier tactically because we could dictate the pace of the game in 30? plus high humidity. 

Reagan had joined me just after halftime so was also feeling the stress as Norway threw everything at us. I did relieve some of her stress as a young Norwegian fan was shown jumping up and down on TV I shouted at the telly “SIT DOWN YOU LITTLE RUNT!” which sent her into hysterics and then every time she thought about it for the rest of the match!

Defensive substitutions proved beneficial late in the game, protecting the lead but it was still a relief when the referee finally blew for time!

So, it’s the Argies next on Wednesday and a chance of redemption for 1986 and 1998 bot cuts that still bleed…

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Not for the faint hearted.

A really hot day for Lincoln to be at rehearsals for 7 hours and even when it was reduced to 5 it was still a lot for the youth.

That was shown as he did faint halfway through rehearsals waking not knowing what had actually happened to leave him laying on the floor. Luckily he was fine and not only managed to finish rehearsals he also had time to introduce himself to an adult helper he had not seen before. His confidence was recognised by the lady who contacted Jamie say how he took it upon himself to help her without being asked and needed to make sure we were aware how impressed she was with him!

Just another reason we know we are doing something right, in the way we have brought up both our children. Parenting is not easy, we have work hard at it every day, yet we may never realise how we did?

It’s reassuring to receive messages like this along the way especially when they aren’t prompted or sought after. They remind us that the work we’ve put in is bearing fruit, even when we’re not there to guide every step. Seeing our children grow and succeed independently is one of the most rewarding signs that the effort has truly made a lasting impact.

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Togology

With summer in full swing and over the last few weeks temperatures during the day reaching over 30? sleeping at night has been difficult at times. Our duvet is the best you can get if its cold 15 togger but when its summer it has become a problem basically unusable most nights lately. The thing is during the night if you are in need of a cover it basically boils you within a few minutes.

So today I purchased a 4.5tog duvet, the best way to describe it is thin, hopefully usable if needed

[Update] No duvet needed too hot last night mid 20s all night [/Update]

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What if…

No-one really knows how they will die, or when and most of us spend all our time trying to avoid it for as long as we can, some are more successful than others but ultimately we all die!

What if an alcoholic got sobre to prolong their life and was killed by bus on the way to AA…?

We all need to do our best to ‘live long and prosper’ but we also need to enjoy our time here every second of every day.

Hopefully I will be afforded many more years on this planet and I pray my time here is filled with as much joy,  contentment happiness and peace I feel right now in my life.

Tomorrow is not promised, enjoy today!

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Dual solos

Tonight was all about Lincoln and the school mix tape a medley of songs dance acting and everything the drama at Middlewich High School has to offer.

Lincoln had 2 solos one as part of a musical adaptation which he nailed, and I thought vocally was very impressive. The second was him singing Have you ever seen the rain by Song by Creedence Clearwater Revival while his mate played guitar.

Yet another proud dad moment!

A lowly second this evening I wrote this to my team who won tonight 8 – 2

“Ok phone back on 27% dog walked and sat in garden sweating! Brilliant tonight we have had some bad luck early in the season and we had to wear it, but these nights are what we’ve worked for since September 2025. Yes, we rode our luck but its just evaning itself out that’s all. As I left there was talk of league positions and if we win next week, I just sit here thinking how much better we are as a team and individually. Last week for me was this seasons summit everyone contributed, this week was the same BRILLIANT! #keepthefaith

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Jamie’ism Part 5 million and 6

I don’t know how Reagan sleeps in the attic?

I was thinking extreme heat during this really nice summer…

Nope: with the birds tip tapping on the roof like Euston station for avonury!

I looked confused, she burst out laughing and asked if that was a word?

Wasn’t sure how to respond so didn’t just watched the brightest person I know howl with hysterical laughter

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England v Mexico

It was billed as our toughest test Mexico in Mexico at the Azteca Stadium at altitude in extreme heat.

It pissed down and the temperature was 22? yes the stadium was rocking but the English were represented in large numbers it was at altitude but it didn’t seem to affect the players untowardly. Mexico were not a great side, very capable but when England went 2 nil up even getting a goal back didn’t frighten us. We got a penalty to make it 3 -1 and it looked like Mexico had run out of ideas. VAR gifted them a lifeline but it ended 3 -2 with England in control

The only issue was I watched it lay in bed on me phone set to silent at 2am…

Today was a looooong day but it was worth it!

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