Daniel Is 3 Today!

Happy Birthday To Our Little Star...

Three years, unbelievable - where is it going? Another year and he'll be getting ready for school.

Presents today included three new Thomas The Tank Engine books, An 8ft trampoline, an 8ft x 4ft football goal, some games and plenty of new clothes. It was a shame that heavy rain overnight meant the grass was way too wet for football but there will be plenty of time for that over the summer (hopefully).

Suffice to say Daniel has had a great day, enjoyed blowing out his candles and had to be coaxed out of the trampoline as he loves it so much! I knew he would as we have some friends with the same type which he stayed on for ages.

Thanks to Grandad for his much needed help, couldn't have done it without you.

A good foot-note in Daniel's progress is that he's now gone five days wearing proper pants (not pull-ups) with no accidents. Wherever we've been he's always told us when he needs to go and it's been excellent - he even did his first "stand up wee-wee" at the weekend which made me both laugh, and feel very old at the same time!

Discuss

Sooty has been our cat for around 15 years.

On Saturday evening she was cruelly run over and left to die on our quiet cul-de-sac road. Some sub-normal bastard is out there, well aware they did something but didn't have the guts to report it or tell anyone.

It took two strangers to knock on the door to tell us. We also soon realised we've got some really nice neighbours around here we didn't know.

Sooty was old but this was no way to go.

I hope the spineless prick that did it gets a heavy dose of karma sooner rather than later. God help them if I ever meet them the fucking gutless arsehole.

Very sad, and very unfair.

RIP Sooty.

Everything about Sunday had been great, the whole day from start to finish. The match, the atmosphere, the drubbing the opposition got, the work that had been done to make the front of the Holte End look extra classy. Everything.

That was until I heard about the death of Christopher Priest, one of our own, killed in a road traffic accident not long after the match. Poor kid, feel so much for his parents and family.

Brings it all into perspective as it could have been any one of us, dodging cars, running about in a rush to get home. Whatever rumours are being spread at the moment, this isn't the time or place - I hope the Police can do their job and bring the criminal to justice.

It's no consolation at all, but I hope it was over quick, and the last thoughts he ever had were of elation and joy as he saw his favourite team win with style. He'll have some great memories.

Holte Enders In The Sky - Hope you enjoyed that too Mark Ginger - never forgotten mate

RIP Christopher Priest.

Aston Villa's biggest away win since November 1971. Only 37 years ago.

It was just about the perfect day. On the pitch, though slightly alcohol-clouded, I honestly thought we were second best until we actually scored.

Scotty Carson was getting plenty of grief from their fans over to our right, though by the end of the match it was Roy Carroll who looked the fool along with all of his Derby collegues. Quite honestly, they're one of the worst sides I've ever seen. I hope the home fans gave the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Bridge and equally hostile welcome - all far more responsible for England not being at Euro 2008.

That's taking nothing away from us, we did exactly what was needed and it was great to be witness to six different goalscorers including Stan Petrov belting one from 40 yards with his left foot!

He's fast as f*ck, he's fast as f*ck.

We looked quite clinical in front of goal, especially with the last two strikes from Gabby and Marlon. The latter of the two came over at the end of the game and left his shirt with a lucky fan at the front - he seems to be quite the favourite at the moment and very appreciative of it too.

Every player did a job. Laursen was excellent when needed, as was Freddie Bouma with a vital stop before we'd scored. I was really impressed with Nigel Reo-Coker who excelled in whatever he did and where ever he was being asked to play. Everything else ticked nicely.

Derby are a bit sad all round. I remember Dallas Cowboys fans being hammered on a local radio phone in for doing the Mexican wave in 2003. "Nobody does that anymore do they" was a continuous response. Then two years ago at the JJB, Wigan fans showed the sad trend was still alive - I thought I'd seen the last of it.

...Till yesterday. Derby County 2008 doing the Mexican wave. There is "Gallows humour" and there is sadness. You make your mind up which it is.

On the alcohol side of the day things went rather well. A few drinks on the train up and then we went to a "Harvester type place". It was totally packed and a much better option than the grim looking boozer opposite the Station. Everywhere around the ground is very new, and simlar to Bolton and Wigan - it was alright actually.

Anyway, several pints and Vodka's later we headed off with ten minutes to kick off. We did miss the first few minutes but hey ho.

A very, very good day out. Finding out that Fulham and Bolton had won was a bonus and leads is nicely into next week. Same result again please....