John Bates
Charlie Callahan
injaynesworld
debbie_suburbsanity
GregI have news on the holiday front. We were (not) looking forward to spending our hols in Skegness.This isn’t a preferred destination, but it was practical because Number Three Son isn’t coming with us this year, and will be left in the care of Sons Number One and Two. As this is a first, I wanted to be nearby in case anything disastrous happened, so Skeggy seemed a good choice because it is only 40 or so miles away. However, it was hard to be enthusiastic about the idea. If you have been you will probably understand, if not, just look at the name, Skegness*, it is very descriptive. However, I mentioned my reservations to Mr Blogs and found he agreed, so after much deliberation we have changed out plans, and will now be going to the Peak District. It is also close, but is so much nicer. The downside is, it will involve camping, in a tent. I’m not a camper. You may remember some time ago in a meme I mentioned my theme song should be the Outdoor Type by the Lemonheads. I have been assured that camping has moved on since I last did it, that was in the 80s so I guess it must have, and that I will be alright. Well as long as no one asks me to light a fire, have a fight or grow a beard.
It’s the end of June, and that means it’s Wimbledon. The annual tennis tournament during which the population of Britain foolishly ponder the chances of a British player winning, despite the fact none ever do. The last I can remember was Virginia Wade back in the 70s. Maybe there has been another since, I can’t recall one, but then I don’t pay that much attention to the whole thing. Curiously, even though Wimbledon occurs every year and lasts for at least two weeks, it doesn’t arouse the same level of complaints as the World Cup which only happens every four years.
If you think about it, in those four years we get at least eight weeks of Wimbledon, but only 4-5 of the World Cup. Plus, Wimbledon is on all day, on two channels, and for some reason if it rains they show an empty court. How fascinating. If a football match is cancelled due to bad weather it is rescheduled and another programme is shown. Tennis matches last for hours, and it’s not unusual for the whole schedule to be put back because one has lasted much longer than expected. On the other hand a football match lasts for ninety minutes, with an extra thirty if it finishes as a draw in the knockout stages.
I am mentioning this because in the last few days I have encountered three people who have complained about the television coverage of the World Cup, but who are thrilled that it’s tennis time. Personally, I’m not bothered if people want to watch tennis, we have umpteen channels, so if I want to watch tv I can always find something else. It just seems unfair that some folk complain when one sport is shown then do cartwheels because another is. I suspect that this is at least in part due to an element of snobbery, because football is a working class sport, while tennis is a predominantly middle class one. So, if you are unhappy about the World Cup at least be honest about why you feel that way. Please don’t blame the amount of time involved, the coverage of the players – you have Tim ‘never gonna win’ Henman at least the English football team stand a chance of success – or the fans. Especially not the fans. England fans may be loud and boistrous, but they aren’t Cliff Richard.
* To be fair there is a tiny bit of local rivalry involved, having lived in Scarborough for so many years, where we tend to see Skeggy as a poor relation.
Technorati Tags: Holidays, vacations, skegness, the peak district, tennis, football, wimbledon, the world cup, england, tim henman, virginia wade, cliff richard
powered by performancing firefox
I appreciate you dropping by,
Please leave a comment, don’t be shy
Find me on: Twitter | LinkedIn | Google Buzz | Friendfeed
Follow this blog on: Facebook | Google Connect | Networked Blogs
The Boy
/ June 29, 2006if it rains they show an empty court.
That probably appeals to the people who watch paint dry and snow melt.
Tennis, in my opinion, is for the snobbish class, or as you might say, blooded. You cannot even yell to the beer guy because everyone MUST be silent. Snobs.
parnellpr
/ June 29, 2006Skeggy, never been there but oh how its reputation proceeds it !
Jermaine Stewart- why is song not easily avaibable in the uk? It’s soooo not fair! Tennis, I thought if it rained they showed old matches. If you haven’t already you might be interested to read my post on it…. we have a weird relationship with it here don’t we. Don’t care rest of the year, but suddenly develop rabid interest and national fervour when wimbledon comes about.
Kate
/ June 29, 2006Charlie – I know, how can you really get behind a player if you can’t cheer them on. The Wimbledon crowd just applaud politely and say things like ‘jolly good hit’ or whatever the terminology is, it can’t be the same.
This is why I prefer football, you are encouraged to shout and sing, the crowd are seen as a extra man because the support can really lift the team.
Kate
/ June 29, 2006Pippa – to be fair Skeggy isn’t as bad as it’s reputation, it’s just not my kind of thing. It’s all arcades and silly hats, and the scenery in the area isn’t much to write home about. I’m used to hills and peaks and cliffs, and Lincolnshire is incredibly flat. It’s weird because we are only about five miles from the border and it changes exactly where you cross over.
It’s been so long since I watched Wimbledon, it has probably changed – the last time was when Pat Cash won, so that’s the 80s. Then they used to show the court covered in canvas and occasionally go back to the studio where the presenters would discuss what might possibly happen when the match resumed.
Kim Ayres
/ June 29, 2006We did seriously consider camping to reduce costs fort he holiday, but in the end it was the idea of campsite toilets that finally put an end to discussions
parnellpr
/ June 29, 2006I stand corrected over skeggy. Still peak district sounds good! Thanx for all the comments. I take it your hubbie is a league fan then?Pippa
Pete
/ June 29, 2006oy you trying to ut me off of my four nights in Nth Lincs in August?
To be fair to Lincs the area around Grantham is quite attractive.
Never been to Skeggy, is it worse than Scunthorpe? Never been there either but Cherrypie is a fan.
WBS
/ June 29, 2006I don’t think Sir Cliff will be invited this year, I saw a bit of the F Word last night, after being given a few glasses of plonk to drink, the smooth talking Mr Ramsay got him to say the F Word on camera. My grandma would be turning in her grave if she heard it (if she was dead that is). As it is the Wimbledon branch of the Oliva Newton Bomb Appreciation Society have applied to have his membership of the All Ingeeerland Brawn Tennis Association cancelled.
Diddums
/ June 30, 2006My mother watches Wimbledon, but I complain equally about all sports, LOL. Snooker is another. I don’t bother so much now, but when I was working in the office and came back for supper at 6pm, I liked to be able to collapse in front of the TV with my hot meal and watch something relaxing, like Star Trek or Babylon 5. Usually when sports came along, these programmes were dislodged. I would come home exhausted and find nothing on the TV to make me smile.
Nowadays I’m actually relieved if nothing is on that I want to watch, as then I get to read a book or do something else. How times change…
* (asterisk)
/ June 30, 2006I see your pet name for Tim Henman was considerably more charitable than mine… I don’t mind tennis, although I prefer football, obviously. Tennis is at its best when it goes no longer than three sets and it’s not just full of aces. Which is why women’s tennis is often more watchable than the men’s. And no, it’s not just because they wear short skirts and grunt!
Kate
/ June 30, 2006Kim – I know what you mean. It’s the toilet facilities that put me off, I’m a bit fussy about how and where I do that kind of thing. Oh, well, even if they are dreadul I suppose it’ll be an experience LOL
Kate
/ June 30, 2006Pippa – Oh no, I was trying to correct you, just felt a bit guilty about slating Skeggy LOL You are right though, the Peak District will be nicer. The place we are starting off in looks beautiful. You could easily imagine the Famous Five pedalling around looking for somewhere to picnic and drink lashings of ginger beer.
Oh yes, Mr Blogs is a league fan. This is Yorkshire, I believe it’s compulsory LOL
Kate
/ June 30, 2006Pete – Actually yes, Grantham is nice. Gainsborough too. It’s just so unrelentingly flat. I can’t handle that, I’m not used to walking on flat ground and being able to see for miles without going to the top of a hill LOL
I haven’t been to Scunthorpe, but I have been told it is quite nice.
Kate
/ June 30, 2006WBS – Sir Cliff, swearing, on tv! I’m shocked! What is the world coming too? Can nobody be trusted to uphold standards? I blame that new fangled rock and roll.
Kate
/ June 30, 2006Diddums – I don’t mind some sports, football and (motor)bike racing I love, but not tennis (or snooker, or darts. How is that even a sport?) Nowadays it’s not such a problem if they run over time because we do have extra channels to choose from. Or as you say, you can go online or read.
Having said that I can see how you would feel agrieved if you had been at work all day and instead of relaxing in front of something you liked you had to face the sight of sweaty men leaning over a table LOL Especially if you were eating.
Kate
/ June 30, 2006*Asterisk – Well, poor chap, it seemed unfair to be any meaner LOL He has suffered years of public humiliation as it is. But, I did consider Tim ‘professional loser’ Henman. It’s quite descriptive of his career I thought.
“Which is why women’s tennis is often more watchable than the men’s. And no, it’s not just because they wear short skirts and grunt!”
Oh you must be a better person than me. It’s years since I watched a tennis match and that was only because I fancied Pat Cash.
Beki
/ June 30, 2006I don’t like football or tennis and so far have avoided seeing a ball kicked or vollyed thanks to the entertainment value over at BBC7 – give me Hancock reruns anyday!
I shall be off to see my sport of choice (MotoGP) live tomorrow. You can’t get the glory of young men in leather unless you are actually there sniffing in the testosterone
)
Kate
/ July 2, 2006Beki – Ooh I’m jealous LOL I love MotoGP and young men in leather ( thinks wistfully)
In my teens I was a member of the St Johns Ambulance folk, not because of a desire to help my fellow man or woman, but because they covered the racing at two local tracks LOL I got to hold the hand and mop the brow of many a young man in leather.