Saw this on the I Love Durham Facebook page. Weather looks decent so we’re heading in for the afternoon. #Durham has lots of cafes and bars plus of course the best cathedral in the country.

Girlfriends birthday today. Low key,off to Durham on Friday. Seven years ago was a bit more adventurous, we were here. #Melbourne Really doesn’t seem that long ago time whizzes past.

In the Western House on the racecourse for a few beers. Day didn’t go to plan, syndicate horse ran a bit flat but jockey says he’ll do better when it gets really soft or heavy. Overall though it’s been a good day the food in the O+T is really good as is the complimentary wine. 👍🏇🏿

50/1 might be a bit generous but it’s a tough race with plenty horses in good form. Hopefully he’ll run ok and we’ll move on to races later this year. On the upside we get to go to the O+T where the food is spot on. #Ayr

Ayr Wednesday for two nights,racing on Thursday (hopefully)then south to Moffat for the Friday night. Retirement lump sum is taking a hit. 👍😀🏇🍺 That’s what it’s there for. Worked from age 16 to 66 doubt I’ll get a 50 year retirement. 🙂👨‍🦳 ♿️

Looks like Ayr next week. Hotel prices are nuts. £340 for two nights at Premier Inn. I suppose it’s a busy week so the prices go up but that’s a bit steep ! 🏇😳

#Durham return to Division one of the County Championship TBH it always looked likely. Would be great to see us win the league next year, don’t see why we couldn’t give it a real go. Back where we should be after the #ECB kicked us in the nuts a few years ago. 🏏😡

2003/4 ? met a couple of California lads in the Dun Cow in Durham.They said 9-11 was the first time they’d felt vulnerable. Bit like the blitz I said, they did their worst we did our best so will you. They were both visibly emotional, wish I’d had the gumption to get their details.

25 yrs since 9-11. Watched it all live on tv. I was counting copper coins and bagging them to cash in, (divorce about to start and I was skint.) Just couldn’t believe what I was watching. World wasn’t the same after that. We were all Americans that day. 🇺🇸

@durhamcricket.bsky.social Lads doing well again sure to be back where we belong next season in Division 1. Plus we continue to provide England with more than our share of international players. 👍🏏 #Durham

Another cap for the pub.

Out for lunch with some lasses from my old work tomorrow. Been over a year since retiring so it’s nice to be included. They must miss my sparkling wit. 😊

Redcar.

Redcar was good yesterday. Same MO for our syndicate horse ground too quick and a wide draw. Did back a winner so not all losses. Food was decent in O+T and overall there enough bars viewing points etc. Only downside is the travel through Teeside the armpit of NE England. 😳

Cap on order. Let’s see what reaction I get in the pubs, should be interesting. #RNLI

Off to Redcar today weather looks good, wanted rain but not to be again. Anyway I’ve backed these, some at tasty EW prices. Deputy Vice , Son of Dolly, Talitha Rouge, Idyllic ( heart rather than head given the ground) Long Shot and Sunny Orange Good luck if having a bet. 🏇🏇👍👍

Redcar this week. Rain would be good. 🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️

We were at Hamilton on Wednesday. Food in O+T was nice. Scottish cheeseboard spot on. Syndicate horse number two ran ok but got tired after his long rest. 🏇

Wasn’t to be yesterday the ground went too dry jockey said it rode G/F which isn’t good for her. She’s home and ok so we go again when we get some G/S or soft. 🌧️🏇👍

Food nice at Carlisle

Carlisle tomorrow, could have done with some more rain and a better draw. Never mind, a day at the races is always always a positive. 🏇

Despite the disappointment of the Ebor I managed to back 2 winners and a decent EW so a nice profit. Plus New Zealand beat the boks at rugby which is excellent. Currently drinking spiced rum and ginger listening to Western Stars Some Saturdays are ok. 👍

I have a habit of spotting ‘value’ in races. However they also have a habit of losing😳 Surely get a run for my money from one of these two. #Ebor

Jim Delahunt is a good judge of a horse. Met him at Ayr recently lovely bloke. Altareq (6.15 Hamilton 20/1 beat our horse at Ayr so would be nice to have form franked.) is a fancy of his tonight. Can’t see it myself horse looks out of form and up in grade, but I’m having an EW punt. 🤞🏇🏇

Last race get out today but a winner and a third is enough for a profit. One caught my eye tomorrow 5.20 Caim currently 14/1 from 20’s will appreciate any rain ( it’s forecast) well drawn and should be up with the pace. That’s the logic let’s see if it’s correct. 🤞👍🏇

Day one of the Ebor festival starts tomorrow. 4 I’ve backed Toca Madera EW 15/2 1.50 Kirchner win at 9/2 ( if there is a drift to 5/1 I’ll be on EW) 4.10 Black Star Boy EW 22/1 4.45 Henley on Thames EW 10/1 at 5.20 Looking forward to the next few days 🏇👍 Good luck.

Black Cat appreciation day.

Stopped off on the way home near Dumfries.Might do this regularly especially if the weather is good.

Ayr on Monday had a good day. Horse ran a decent third.

Looks like Ayr Sunday/Monday. We are getting to be regulars there.🍷🍷🍷 Staying in Prestwick two nights and a country house stop off on the way home on Tuesday. Retirement suits us. 👍🏇😎