The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
It was the last game of the season which was far more important for Leeds United than Brentford. We lost. It was not a good game really. Brentford finished with 9 men- substitution for injury when 3 already done. Then Canos managed to get himself sent off for a stupid tackle after been booked for taking his short off during his goal celebration.
There was an end of term feeling as it was the chance for the team to show appreciation to the fans after a successful season.
And the highlights:
A book that I really liked- having given it to EQ as a Christmas present.
It tells the reality of living under different political structures when Albania ‘transitioned’ from one to another. The story strips out the bullshit of what democracy is and what it has to offer. A socialist state had its strengths.
The sad thing was of the stage when so many people were trying to leave the country. They knew how to go where they wanted…. but did not know why or what was at the destination.
I happened to see this on Anthony’s shelving. It is the main street in Ballycastle- the village near his uncle’s farm where we stayed in the summer of ’78.
I remember going in the bar, listening to the music and the anthem at the end of the night. The church is across the road.
And it must be enough for safety. By far the better team against West Ham. A 2-0 result. A good performance- the best that I have seen in a long time. A return to proper football with accurate passing on the floor.
And the crowd were happy.
So I think there was a reference to house hunting in Brittany in a post last year.
Now it is official. We have bought a house in central Brittany for which we signed the final documentation on Friday 25th. We went to see it in person before signing. Something that seems sensible though not necessary as all can be done electronically. It was good we did as there were things not done that should have been and we used the few days to do a lot of cleaning and general organising.
So we had, and not resolved yet, issues with the garden being left to become very overgrown, some jobs not finished and finding some hidden holes in the kitchen floor.
The kitchen was filthy-‘their ways are not our ways’ – thanks Julie Q. So Shaz spent hours cleaning the oven and fridge plus the rest of the kitchen. I spent time cleaning the roof windows- note- 9 windows in the main house and 3 different brands!
The previous owners are English- not French (or Kiwi for that matter).
There is much to do to redecorate and longer term renovate. Hours of fund ahead and a need to visit as much as possible. A transition to a new life.
Late to update this but all the same.
Last Saturday the mighty Bees hammered the local rivals Chelsea. The same club that has had outstanding success in the last two decades and are currently Champions League holders and world club champions. Despite this pedigree Brentford won 4-1 away form home. Amazing result. The first win over Chelsea since 1939 it seems.
I had a late offer of a ticket but could not take it up as I had a conflicting appointment- pre-op assessment at Chelsea & Westminster. An opportunity missed.
This is the same Chelsea that are in difficulties due to sanctions imposed on Russian oligarchs close to the murderous, war mongering Putin regime.
So it seems the Danish superstar had a lot to do with the great performance and win. He scored in this match as well as scoring on his international return during the week. A marvellous story.
2 April 20222 April 2022.
Chelsea 1 Brentford 4
FTHT 0-0
Christian Eriksen scored his first goal for Brentford as they closed in on Premier League safety by outclassing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Brentford produced a magnificent display to record their first win over Chelsea since 1939 as they came from behind to stun Thomas Tuchel’s side with three goals in 10 minutes in the second half before adding a fourth late on to humiliate the Champions League holders.
Ivan Toney delivered victory for Brentford against Burnley, who were resilient for 86 minutes – yet the new box office Bee, Christian Eriksen, was the creator. The Brentford head coach, Thomas Frank, stated that his Danish compatriot could become the club’s best ever signing. Fresh back-to-back Premier League victories will ensure likely survival for Brentford. If others hesitated on Eriksen, Frank trusted his intuition. Four Burnley opponents were left rigid by a clip of an Eriksen boot for Toney to head home. And the Bees can look forward to similar manoeuvres in their nine remaining games. For Sean Dyche’s side, aiming to avoid the drop, it was harsh. For Brentford , with Eriksen’s trademark calm amid edgy moments, improvements appear guaranteed. Julian Taylor
“[Christian] has found a place where he feels confident to take the next step in the fight to get back on to the field. I’m super-happy that he is safe and happy and looking forward to playing football, and that we can all see him play again” – the Denmark coach, Kasper Hjulmand, on Christian Eriksen finding the right club in Brentford. Read his Q&A with Bart Vliestra here.