We started again last night - Whoo-hoo!

An interesting session.  The Sports Centre replaced the Volleyball equipment over the summer - very nice of them.  The new posts are lovely.  Just one problem, the net is not really competition grade and the head cord is too short to reach between the posts!  Duh!  I had nagged the centre manager a few times over the summer about us coming along, getting it all set up, and maybe knocking a few balls over it.  This was partly so we would know what to do with the new kit and partly about making sure it all worked together.

Lindsay - the duty manager - was wonderful.  She did everything she could to help us out.  With the aid of some extension cord and a few bits of string we were able to get something workable for a training session.

Sixteen people showed up.  Three people new to the club - (It was great to meet you.  I hope you had a great time and you'll stay around).  WE had a few apologies as well so we know there are more in the wings.

There... Read More »

Down to Coate water.  It's 6:45 and there's only three of us there - Irwin, Dani, Me.  It's the first time I have managed to get to play on sand this year and I really want to play!  I'm worried it might not happen!  We put up the net, begin to knock a ball about, and gradually folks arrive.  We end up enough to play seven on six!  Great evening.

We met two new ladies who were intrigued enough to come and play with us.  They abandoned their plan to go a pilates class. 

So Laurence (France), and Celia (Norway), we enjoyed having your company.  If you had a good time do come along and enjoy Volleyball again.  We play on grass over at Lydiard Park on Wednesdays so there's another chance to join in and have even more fun.

Finally to the pub with Jodie and Dani to talk about weird interview questions (!?! - Eg - How many hairdressers are there in Cologne?) and fail to answer any (OK Jodes - you got some) questions in the pub quiz.

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I tried leaving the strapping off my finger today.  It’s so odd to be able to type again!  Sufficiently odd that I cannot really do it properly! 

It's still about half as wide again as it should be.  It is completely painless unless abused in some way.  It won't straighten, and it won't bend much.  But left alone it is fine.  Just what you want in a finger!

The A team had a major match (semi-final of the KO Cup) on Sunday.  (News click here and pictures click here.)  

We (B-team) turned up to officiate.  The lads did well and won 3 sets to 1 so there was a bit of spare time and an impromptu game got started.  I could not resist.  I went on to play back court only - I refused to hit - that would have been really stupid, but I thought that careful digging should be pretty safe; and if I was really cautious to keep my little finger out of the picture then overhead passing should be OK too.

The finger didn't complain and I had a good time.

Brilliant - LOVE IT. , ,... Read More »

You arrive early and wait for an hour and a half.  During that time the posted wait to see your consultant moves from 20mins to 1hr20m!

Conversation:

"Can you move it?" "Yes." "It's healing up nicely then.  Keep the strapping on for three weeks."  "When can I play Volleyball?" (Makes spluttering noise.)

I guess that means about six weeks then.

I mishandled a ball last Sunday (It was a great serve Phil) and ended up with my little finger not looking too good.  There were no crunching sounds and I reckoned it was just a bruise.

Well - it's been swelling and hurting increasingly all week.  Tonight I went to A&E - I should have accepted Bart's offer to take me up there last Sunday.  It's broken.  Fracture clinic on Monday but "Broken bones take six weeks". 

Serious .

If you have to go to A&E then picking 8:50pm on Friday seems a good choice.  I was in and out in 40minutes.  One of the nurses said it was because "Everyone is away on Easter holidays".  I assumed it was just because the pubs hadn't turned out yet.

Tuesday - to Whitechapel for London Lynx's Tuesday evening session.  About 30 people, nearly equal men/women and a healthy crop of youngsters - but they all look young to me.

Very friendly coach, Gary; very friendly bunch of people.  Had a great evening.  Much more inviting than the Wildcats were the week before.

I'll be doing that again.

A week ago I took the 50 minute journey down to Wapping.  When I got there I was told the session was full and I could leave.  How inviting is that?  Their web site insists (in two places) "We are looking for players"!! - I don't think so.

Just three, plus... Well no-one in fact - just three! Read More »

Just four plus Benjamin Read More »