Three Hours in the FA Cup

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A poor first half for the Blades but they certainly found their feet in the second. A deserved, well crafted opener and a second soon after proved more than enough to kill off Charlton aspirations. And now a cup semi final and Wembley to look forward to. By contrast, Sunderland just didn’t turn up at Hull and were poor throughout. First goal was a quality header but the next …

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Went Down Fighting

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Not really a post as such, more to memo the date that Sunderland played in the Capital (League) Cup final. Lost but played good football, scored an excellent early goal, were tactically sound and were beaten by two outrageously fine strikes (the third was largely irrelevant). Take this form into the next few league games and premiership survival definitely on the cards. All this and the …

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Professional Hypocrisy

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Given the inexplicable nature of certain refereeing decisions in a number of high profile games over the course of this season has led to a degree of understandable consternation from fans and pundits alike, it was inevitable that the referee would become the focal point of disquiet and opprobrium. But even so……

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Richard II Live Stream

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Saw the above at the Riverside, Woodbridge last night – direct from the RSC in Stratford. Tennant excellent in the title role, particularly fine as he weakens and his power base slips away. All cast excellent so seems ungracious to highlight specifics, but I thought Oliver Ford Davis was particularly good as the Duke of York, struggling between his loyalty to the Crown and the …

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Muscle Shoals – The Film

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A film about the creation and development of Alabama’s “Muscle Shoals sound”, this is an affectionate and informative documentary about the origins of the “Muscle Shoals Sound” (the “river which sings” holds the key, according to many of the local contributors) and the legacy of its success.

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Guernsey 2013

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Just back from an excellent week in Guernsey. Our third visit in four years, so in danger of becoming a ritual! The self deprecating cheap shot would imply it’s something to do with our age but the island has more to offer than a friendly environment for those of a certain vintage.

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Birthday Bash!

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Last minute(ish) long weekend away in Ely at the Poets House Hotel. Very pleasant hotel with its butler service USP (which, perversely, we didn’t use). Excellent restaurant, which we sampled both evenings, and which looked to be popular with both hotel guests and locals alike. Just enough in Ely to keep you busy for two full days.

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Premier League Ennui

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Barely two weeks into the new Premier League season and I appear to be largely disinterested already. Although I am of advancing years (they definitely speed up as you get older, that’s scientific fact) I am not of the opinion that everything was better in the ‘good old days’ when players were paid a pittance, played for one club throughout their career and retired to run a pub, having received a few hundred quid from their testimonial.

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The Heat

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It might not be the most original film released this year and the plot may be a tad formulaic, but The Heat is still a must see. The reasons?  A great take on the good cop / bad cop routine, played out to wonderful effect by Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, some sassy dialogue and genuinely hilarious interplay between the two lead characters. Just goes …

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Gwyneth Herbert’s Sea Cabinet

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Back to the Snape proms for the final time this year, this time to see and hear a performance of Herbert’s Sea Cabinet, based on the sights and sounds of the Aldeburgh coastline. Having said that, we didn’t get to see or hear Gwyneth for most of the first half of the concert, which was a tad surprising.

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Bellowhead at the Proms

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The Snape Proms always feature what could be loosely described as folk or traditional bands as part of the overall programme and this year was no exception. Lau has already played and on Thursday night it was the turn of Bellowhead, who are always fantastic value in a live setting.

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