(no subject)

Just back from a driving lesson. Was doing OK, with Peter just pointing out one or two wrinkles, until right at the end. Going round the tight bend back into my street, I took my foot off the brake too early and nearly mounted the grass verge. To make it worse there was someone waiting to turn behind me, so I'm having to start up the engine again quickly to reverse, then go forward, to get out of their way. In the middle of all that, guess what? I stalled. A wreck, I followed Peter's instructions to pull over in the street's lay-by.

Thankfully, Peter just said we'd work on those weak points, such as staying on the brake long enough, and also my steering (apparently I'm still steering two-handed instead of using push-pull, and going too wide as a result) next week. Phew.

(no subject)

Down to East Preston this evening for Hawks' first pre-season friendly. Turned out of Angmering station, soon realised from my map (hand-drawn from Google Maps) that I was going the wrong way, and did a rapid U-turn to be joined by another Hawk, a young lad named Warren, who actually knew the way to the ground. On our way there we were asked for directions to the football ground by a guy driving an open-backed van.

Simon, Angie, Mark, Barry and more of the Hawk hardcore were standing on the raised wooden floor outside the clubhouse drinking. Went to the bar, got a Bulmers with ice and came out to join them. Trevor stopped by for a quick chat just before we went in. As we all trooped through the turnstile (where I was given some free folded single-sheet programmes to hand out to fellow Hawks) Aly announced "Oh dear, here come the hooligans. Welcome to the madhouse."

The ground was a pleasant, homely County League set-up. Hawks fielded mostly first-teamers for the first half with a couple of Academy boys and a trialist, Brad Johnson. Brad, playing right-back, turned in an impressive display; Charlie Oatway, playing his first game in months, was every bit as good as ever; Craig Watkins up front (not yet signed on for the new season) came close several times and was unlucky not to score; our new centre-back Ian Simpemba looks special; and Nathan Ashmore, our new number two goalie fresh from the Academy (Scrivs is on honeymoon) played a blinder. It was 0-0 at half-time. During the second half Hawks made many substitutions, giving more of the Academy lads and a couple more trialists a run, and it was a trialist who scored the only goal of the game, a tap-in from a cross by Craig. When a substituted player jogged past, Dave C asked who the goalscorer was and the player just said "Danny" - he didn't know his surname. Aly then phoned Adi Aymes, who said the player was called "Seb" - he also didn't know his surname. Later Craig Watkins, who'd been subbed late on, passed by us and confirmed the scorer was Danny. Again he couldn't help with the surname...

A great thing about being back at the footie again after the summer break was the return of the terrace banter. Subjects included the Isle of Wight Festival; the fanciability of Amy Macdonald; whether cricket is good or crap; whether 15-year-old Billy Parker (the lad who was shown on Match of the Day crying at Liverpool) is entitled to be called a man (Dave S asked him "Have you had a wank yet?" at the precise moment three teenage East Preston fans walked right by us); Football Manager (Dave C said he was going to have words with Jay Smith for getting him the sack with his complaining and transfer requests. When Jay passed us, Dave said to him "I want a word with you. In Football Manager, you're a miserable bastard." Jay grinned "In real life I'm like that"); the liaison that occurred last season between a Hawks player (now left the club) and a former barmaid at the clubhouse; Jay Atkinson's pink phone; and, when another trialist came on late in the game, his resemblance to Christoph Metzelder.

Time for a quick drink after the final whistle - in the clubhouse Trevor unveiled the mystery of Danny's surname, it's Edwards - before the walk back to the station. Another Gosport Hawk joined me on the platform and we talked about footie all through the journey home.