His Royal Dryness, The Duke of Cork

Despite my Dad going to the game, the Blades played quite well.  At 3pm (as I arrived) we all commented that the team looked well-balanced - possibly for the first time this season.  Only imbalance was maybe Ward and Yeates being both right-sided.  Camara got a well-deserved start and the rest of the side probably picked itself.  Nobody on the bench you'd have played instead of who was on the starting line-up. First half was a slow-burner but the Blades made all the plays and probably deserved to go in a goal up after making a few good chances.  Bristol hadn't really threatened our goal.  At half time my Dad texted me saying it needed a goal and I think he was right.  I hadn't realised he was going to the game, so I was expecting the Corky Curse to strike in second half. The Blades snuck out without the announcer seeing them - it was a bit like the old days and was quite nice not to be told to "welcome them out" and "make the difference".  We ...

The stat on the TV, when I watched the goals back this afternoon, was that Sheffield United had conceded their first goal at Bramall Lane in 500 odd minutes, which is 5 or 6 games. As we walked away from the ground, I commented that with a back four of Stewart, Kallio, Noseworthy and Monty, we couldn't really grumble that we'd got a point. The first half was dreadful. Blades didn't have a threat on goal, never mind a shot on or off target. Derby looked like they could walk through us at will. 1-0 at half time after Robbie "only his mother likes (not even loves) him" Savage managed to score from miles out with the ball seemingly in slow motion. Officials managed to add to our despair by giving terrible decisions and not giving blatant fouls. I think they do it just to wind me up. It works. Second half, they'd obviously been given a bit of a talking to. I also must point out that Mark Bunn had been hobbling around and not kicking the ball most of the fir...

Enjoy the fruits of our week's labour! James Bond in Les Gets on YouTube

A great day in Les Gets. Sun, with cloud in the valley giving us some superb views throughout the day. Got loads done and had a great time. Cheeks and nose are red. For today's trip, see My EveryTrail trip. Thanks to Geoff for use of the La Soulane apartment (and his company, of course)

Thanks to The Real Corky for the guest blog from Blades v Reading :- "The Corky snr jinx seems to have disappeared with the blades 3-0 drumming of Reading . United played some fairly good approach work in the first half and the defence appeared to be OK (apart from Taylor who is rubbish). As I have witnessed before though the blades could not convert some of the better chances but put one goal in from a ball bobbling about in the area which Fortune hit in and a strong cross from Walker that the Reading keeper let slip through his hands for Cresswell to nod in. Did I mention that Taylor was rubbish? Well at 1-0 Bunn saved a penalty and to his credit Taylor stopped a certain goal with a well timed tackle. This tackle however was not good enough in Blackwell’s eyes as he substituted Taylor for Stewart at the start of the second half. (Wish we could get Naughton back on loan with Walker ). The second half was I think a bit boring (not like me to criticise) and most of the time was ta...

We haven't seen any avalanches, or caused any today. However, it was a bit chilly and I made sure I wrapped-up warm. However I had a 5mm strip of skin showing between my goggles and my balaclava. Now that WAS cold! A few adjustments, and I was sorted. Fingers and toes were a bit cool, but it's been snowing and tomorrow is a sunny forecast, so we may get up nice and early and make a full day of it. View Graham's Somersault on YouTube And see where we're staying at lasoulane.com (Thanks, Geoff!) View pics and vids for today (not many) on FaceBook

Superb journey down. Set off shortly after 10am from Sheffield and arrived in Les Gets 14-15 hours later. First day on the snow, we were hampered only by "The Yellow Peril". A guy with a bright yellow jacket who insisted on getting in our way off every lift. We decided we would clothesline him with a ski pole the next time he offended. We didn't see him again, but we've clocked him now and the Yellow Peril may well lose his head before the week is out. Some good conditions and fine weather. We had a great first day. My cheeks ache with smiling and I also realised that I make skiing sounds when I ski. No falls, no broken bones. Links to the day are here http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=478720 on EveryTrail with photos around the route. Top speed is recorded as 112mph, but I think this is a GPS error, and 53mph is my best speed today. Hoping to break the 60mph barrier this year and conditions are looking good. Hopefully won't break any bon...