WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 2021 [ENJOY WITH PEACE AND LOVE]

So that's almost it for yet another year, and what a disappointing year it really has been for many of us. So I want to send out some festive wishes to everyone, have a very Merry Christmas may you enjoy a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones. Try not to argue, say hello to your neighbours ...  then eat, drink and ... well yeah actually that'll do it for me. Personally I'll be having a nice quiet one at home alone, treating it as another "normal weekend" so having a lovely long lazy day, prepare some dinner after HM The Queen has been on and then settle down with a Bond film or something funny perhaps. Not much on I expect but nice change to be off work for the week ahead and maybe there will be a few pleasant surprises along the way if we are fortunate.

I have bought myself a nice bottle of Highland Park Whisky, which was one Dad enjoyed, so I shall be raising a glass to all those no longer with us, Mum, Dad, friends and family. Will have a look at the Kempton Park races for Boxing Day which includes the King George VI chase and there's a feast of football later this week, thankfully I am off till the new year so plenty of time to spare. Doesn't look like I am meeting up with people this year. For Christmas Day itself, before the eating and drinking gets out of control will just be putting on some music and enjoying the day at home alone. Probably also get some of my Dads model trains out for a bit of a run on a test track I have. The important thing is to just rest, try not to worry about things, and enjoy the day.

I hope you all can have a wonderful time yourselves too.

Have a very Merry Christmas 

Martin Xx 

SOMETHING DIFFERENT, A DAY OUT AT ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, KEW

Using up the annual leave had a couple of days due this month and took a day off to visit Kew Gardens not too far away from us having been invited by a work colleague who has an annual pass to this wonderful outer London location near Richmond upon Thames. It's only a few stops on the train from home, and was hopeful that the weather would be kind for us to enjoy the delights of the Royal Gardens. Plan to get there around 11am, hopefully the weather will be kind, and jump on a bus to get us to the Lion Gate entrance on the Kew Road itself. This is close to the southern end of the garden where the Great Pagoda is situated and should give us plenty to explore today. 

Great Pagoda
In the southeast corner of Kew Gardens stands the Great Pagoda (by Sir William Chambers), erected in 1762, from a design in imitation of the Chinese Ta. The lowest of the ten octagonal storeys is 15 m (49 ft) in diameter. From the base to the highest point is 50 m (164 ft). Since it's reopening in 2006 it now has the 'dragons' on each level (see picture below) which are painted 'gold' and around 80 of them in all.

Temperate House
The Kew site, which has been dated as formally starting in 1759 has had a £41m restoration of the Grade I listed Temperate House building completed in May 2018, this now hosts many artistic events we arrived with them setting up a Japanese installation which begins on 2nd October and this will be a celebration of Japanese plants, arts and culture.

Elevated Walkway
Towering 18 metres above the ground, the Treetop Walkway is a chance to get closer to Kew’s trees. From its heights you can observe the complex ecosystem of the trees' uppermost branches, a world teeming with birds and insects, lichen and fungi. At ground level, sculptures carved from tree trunks illustrate microscopic elements of trees to explain how they grow. A path leads you below ground to the Rhizotron, an underground lab constructed to study the soil.

The Marianne North Gallery of Botanic Art

The Marianne North Gallery was built in the 1880s to house the paintings of Marianne North, an MP's daughter who travelled alone to North and South America, South Africa, and many parts of Asia, at a time when women rarely did so, to paint plants. The gallery has 832 of her paintings. She left the paintings to Kew on condition that the layout of the paintings in the gallery would not be altered.

The gallery had suffered considerable structural degradation since its creation and during a period from 2008 to 2009 major restoration and refurbishment took place, the gallery originally opened in 1882 and is still the only permanent exhibition in Great Britain dedicated to the work of one woman.

MAP

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY RACING -- 31st MAY 2021

Should have been a very busy time for horse-racing for me over the past month but as Covid continues to affect many of us I've not been out to enjoy my 52nd Birthday as that would  usually have been at Ascot for their Sagaro Stakes meeting but also missed the Sandown event last week. However another round of Bank Holiday fixtures to enjoy instead, many tracks beginning to open up to a small amount of racegoers. Might have gone out to Windsor, although it's not one of my favourite tracks it is fairly local and sure to be extremely busy. Maybe it is just that I am getting older now but I do recall that Bank Holidays used to be a feast of racing, about ten meetings and now we've only six in UK (plus an evening meeting in Ireland) which is not much different from a regular Saturday? Probably just my imagination or memory playing tricks on me now that I am older ... still a good day to be enjoyed out there.

CARTMEL BANK HOLIDAY FIXTURES ALWAYS POPULAR

National Hunt fixtures;
Cartmel (above) - The long tradition of racing at Cartmel was started by the monks from Cartmel Priory in the 12th Century. The Whit Holiday Races have been a feature of the Racing Calendar since 1856 set against the backdrop of the beautiful Lakeland fells. Their seven race card begins at 13:20 with a mares novice hurdle in which I expect Somewhat Cloudy to be hard to beat, while the feature race on Monday being the Veterans Handicap Chase due off at 15:00 for which we think William of Orange could be the one to follow up his recent win at Southwell.

Huntingdon - The other NH meeting this Bank Holiday afternoon begins at 12:30 unfortunately, due to flood damage, this fixture will not be able to have spectators. An eight race card on offer with their most valuable race is surprisingly to me the 2m Maiden Hurdle contest, the only class 4 event on the card this afternoon, which is off at 13:00 and Astroman might be the one trained by Harry Eustace to foil the pair of Gary Moore runners.

Flat fixtures;
CHELMSFORD CITY (All weather) - The Essex course hosts their Bank Holiday meeting behind closed doors on Monday. "be advised that there will be no admittance to the general public permitted and no tickets available to attend this fixture" it would seem that they won't begin to have attendances for another month yet. First race is at 13:25 with their feature event is the 7f handicap off at 16:15 top weight Shimmering Dawn is expected to go well despite the burden and won here off a 5lb higher mark in February and is one of several course and distance winners.

REDCAR - Probably the feature race meeting of the day with the renewal of the Zetland Gold Cup worth more than £16,000 to the winner, prize money being down during Covid. Racing here gets underway at 13:45 with a 7f selling event that can go to Willing to Please here the Zetland Gold Cup is off at 16:40 very competitive as always and a field of fifteen so I've have a look at both Hartswood and Highwaygrey against the field.

LEICESTER - Racing due to get underway at 13:10 with a fillies handicap for three year olds that can go to Moonlit Night. Their feature race is the Welcomm Communications Handicap another race for three year olds over 6f due off at 15:25 which can go to Twilight Calls only 2lb higher than his latest win at Doncaster for which he was sent off the 1/4f winning comfortably, could be well in here.

WINDSOR - hopefully goes ahead this week as they lost last Monday's meeting due to a waterlogged course. Racing here should commence at 13:35 while their big race of the day goes off at 15:55 and is the 1m 2f handicap. A race now dedicated to the late Barney Curley and should be a win for Faisal with Hollie Doyle riding for trainer John Gosden.

IRELAND;
PUNCHESTOWN - The first of two Irish meeting today is an additional Irish meeting this bank holiday at Punchestown, it's an eight race card and the most valuable race is the 17:30 Mares Novice Hurdle which could go to Lunar Display trained by Joseph O'Brien.

BALLINROBE - The other Irish meeting today is also an evening fixture on the flat beginning at 16:35. They have a couple of nice races but the biggest prize on offer tonight is in the 19:45 Fillies Handicap with Maud Gonne Spirit an each way selection for trainer Jessica Harrington.

Whatever you doing this Bank Holiday I hope it's sunshine and fun for you. 

Enjoy your day and back to work tomorrow. 

NEW YEAR'S CHELTENHAM NH MEETING -- NEW YEARS DAY 2021 (ABANDONED)

Welcome 2021, A Happy New Year to you all.

We should have been kicking off the new year with the traditional New Year 1st January meeting at Cheltenham, which would have been broadcast live on ITV once again. We have about ten weeks till the Cheltenham festival in March so each meeting should have it's own clues to the future, maybe not so much the big races but the handicaps will certainly attract plenty of interest. 

UPDATE - New Year's Day racing at Cheltenham has been abandoned due to a waterlogged course.  The seven-race card was due to feature the Grade Two Relkeel Hurdle.

A racecourse spokesperson said: "Following 85mm of rainfall since last Wednesday, there are areas of waterlogged ground across the width of the course and it is therefore not raceable."

It would have been a nice start to the season to have some racing today but the weather has already intervened, already lost key meetings at Chepstow (Welsh National) and the snow claimed Haydock's midweek card too.

A seven race card today, the feature events are a pair of Grade 2 contests, the Dipper Novices Chase and the Relkeel Hurdle which are both run over a trip of 2m 4f. Hopefully we might be able to reschedule these two soon?

Going Report - Heavy.
Weather - Going to be cloudy and cold on New Year's Day with a high of only 3C.
Here are our selections for the New Year Day card;
12:10  2m 4f 56y Novice Hurdle (Listed)
2m 4f 56y  xx runners.
Sadly on Wednesday we heard that the New Year Day meeting has been abandoned due to a waterlogged course.

Result: .

12:45  Paddy Power Handicap Chase.

3m 2f 70y  xx runners.
Hope you have a good New Year despite this lost fixture.

Result: .

Midnight Shadow wins 2020 Dipper Chase as Champ falls

13:20  "The Dipper" Novices Chase (Grade 2).
2m 4f 127y  xx runners.
The first of our feature races here, at the early entries stage only four runners were declared. Sadly this might have to be rescheduled if possible.

Result: .

13:55  Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase (Grade 3).
2m 4f 127y  xx runners.
Abandoned.

Result: .

14:30  Paddy Power 74 Sleeps To Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle.

2m 7f 213y  xx runners.
Abandoned.

Result: .

Summerville Boy won last years renewal 

15:05  Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2).
2m 4f 56y  xx runners.
The second of our Grade Two contests is the Relkeel Hurdle. 

Abandoned.

Result: .

15:35  Cheltenham Pony Club 'Junior' NH Flat Race (Listed).
1m 5f 209y  xx runners.
We end with a listed class bumper event, bit better than we usually see of this type .

Abandoned.

Result: .

Results will be updated here later today, and the rest of the New Year fixtures will feature events from Kempton Park on Wednesday nights as well as all the cards at Pontefract on the flat, and the bigger 2021 Festivals from Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and Galway amongst many others to enjoy. 

Whatever you do and whoever you are doing it with ... Have loads of fun this year and make it the best one ever.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 2020 [HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE]

So that's nearly it for yet another year, and what a miserable year it really has been for us all. So I want to send out some festive wishes to everyone, have a very Merry Christmas may you enjoy a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones. Try not to argue, say hello to your neighbours ...  then eat, drink and ... well yeah actually that'll do it for me. Personally I'll be having a nice quiet one at home alone, treating it as another "bonus Sunday" so having a lovely long lazy day, do some dinner after the Queen has been on and then settle down with a Bond film or something funny perhaps. Not much on I expect but nice change to be off work for the week and maybe there will be a few pleasant surprises along the way.

I have bought myself a nice bottle of Highland Park Whisky, which was one Dad enjoyed, and so I shall be raising a glass to all those no longer with us, Mum, Dad, friends and family. Will have a look at the Kempton Park races for Boxing Day which includes the King George VI chase and there's a feast of football later this week, thankfully I am off till the new year so plenty of time to spare. Doesn't look like I am meeting up with people this year. For Christmas Day itself, before the eating and drinking gets out of control will just be putting on some music and enjoying the day at home alone. Will probably also get some of my Dads model trains out for a bit of a run on a test track I have. The important thing is to just rest, try not to worry about things, and enjoy the day.

I hope you all can have a wonderful time yourselves too.
Have a very Merry Christmas   Martin Xx 

HAPPY 51st BIRTHDAY TO ME -- 30th APRIL 1969 - 2020

I have made it an annual resolution to ensure that I am never working on my birthday and once again have the whole week booked off to enjoy myself. That was of course before we encountered this pandemic Covid-19 so now what to do with all that time? Well today (Thursday 30th April) I would have paid an overdue visit to the crematorium and spend some time having a 'chat' with Mum and Dad, but sadly as it stands we cannot even do this. I appreciate this is important and something no one has really experienced on this scale but the amount of time spent at home and working remotely is very difficult especially on the mental heath aspect of things. So as I'll not be going anywhere this time I have cancelled the week off that was arranged and will have to work it instead. The plan will be to take a week off later in the year (hopefully) and do something special then, meeting my Brother Graham and other members of the family and all the friends that I miss too. 


In the meantime we'll just have a quiet one safe at home, probably open a bottle of something nice and raise a glass to wish you all a lovely day too. 

Happy Birthday to me. 

HERE'S WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019 ...

So that's nearly it for yet another year, I want to send out some festive wishes to everyone, have a very Merry Christmas may you enjoy a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones. Try not to argue, say hello to your neighbours ...  then eat, drink and ... well actually that'll do it for me. Personally I'll be having a nice quiet one at home alone, treating it as another "Sunday" so having a lovely long lazy day, do some dinner after the Queen has been on and then settle down with a Bond film or something funny perhaps. Looking forward to the Gavin and Stacey special this year, makes a change from the usual Dr Who and Mrs Brown which to be honest isn't that funny for a long time.

I have bought myself a nice bottle of Highland Park Whisky, which was one Dad enjoyed, and so I shall be raising a glass to all those no longer with us, Mum, Dad, friends and family. Will have a look at the Kempton Park races for Boxing Day which includes the King George VI chase and there's a feast of football later this week, thankfully I am off till the new year so plenty of time to spare. Should try and meet up with a few people if I can. For Christmas Day itself, before the eating and drinking gets out of control will just be putting on some music and enjoying the day at home alone. Will probably also get some of my Dads model trains out for a bit of a run on a test track I have. The important thing is to just rest, try not to worry about things, and enjoy the day.

I hope you all can have a wonderful time yourselves too.
Have a very Merry Christmas   Martin Xx 

DAY OUT TO CRYSTAL PALACE TO SEE THE DINOSAURS !!

Having a day off on Monday 1st July with the aim of going out to visit the area around what is left of The Crystal Palace which sadly was destroyed by fire in 1936. It's only a short train ride away in South London but I've not been other than for football at Selhurst. There are a few things to see and all close by to the station so for today we will jump on a train and have a walk around, it's a location I've wanted to visit for a while mainly to see the Dinosaurs which I recall as a child and must have been here with my late father, but when I mention it to others they think I'm making it up ... yet they have been there for over 150+ years. 

Amongst the things I hope to see;

•  Railway Station design from 1850s.
•  Get up close to the Transmitter Tower.
•  See the Athletics Stadium.
•  Visiting the Park with the Dinosaurs in them !!

BBC TRANSMISSION TOWER

All that Crystal Palace Park is missing now is a palace -- if we don't count the football team and as a Wimbledon fan lets move on from that. Not only is there a beautiful fishing lake, but you can also get lost in a baffling maze and spot the iconic Crystal Palace dinosaurs, over 30 statues sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, which have been around for over 160 years. The collection, also known as Dinosaur Court, were classed as Grade II listed buildings from 1973, extensively restored in 2002, and upgraded to Grade I listed in 2007.

NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE

Heading out fairly early after the morning rush hour, catch the 09:35 from platform 1 at Feltham, arrives Clapham Junction platform 4. Crossing the tracks by bridge to reach platform 15 and catch the stopping service into Crystal Palace. The 18 mile journey taking around about an hour by train. And the Crystal Palace station is a wonderful hub with services running in and out across the six platforms now. In addition the architecture around the location has been kept given it was originally built here for the Palace which was destroyed by fire in the 1930's. Warning for anyone unfit like myself the area is gravel paths but very undulating and will need some decent walking shoes really, plus there are many school trips, dog walkers and cyclists using the paths so keep your eyes open. 

And finally we find the Dinosaurs, placed around various features and a large lake home to plenty of wildlife, if it wasn't for the regular rumble of passing trains this would be an ideal place, but the peace is spoilt by several classes of local school children so didn't spend as long as I wanted too.

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY RACING -- 27th MAY 2019

Has been a very busy time for horse-racing for me of late, enjoyed my 50th Birthday at Ascot at the beginning of May and then last week had a great evening out to Sandown Park for my brothers birthday. Now we have a host of Bank Holiday fixtures to enjoy. Could go out to Windsor, although it's not one of my favourite tracks it is local and sure to be extremely busy. Maybe it is just that I am getting older now but I do recall that Bank Holidays used to be a feast of racing, about ten meetings and now we've only six in UK (plus an evening meeting in Ireland) which is not much different from a regular Saturday? Probably just my imagination or memory playing tricks on me now that I am older ... still a good day to be enjoyed out there.

CARTMEL BANK HOLIDAY FIXTURES ARE BUSY

National Hunt fixtures;
Cartmel (above) -- the traditional Bank Holiday meeting with funfair and hopefully lovely sunshine. Their seven race card begins at 14:10. The feature race on Monday is the Class 3 Veterans Handicap Chase off at 15:20 and a field of 10 has been declared where I fancy the chances of DOING FINE with Tom Scudamore in the saddle.

Huntingdon -- The other NH meeting this afternoon begins at 13:30 and has been billed as their "family fun day". Another seven race card on offer and the children will be entertained by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Their most valuable race is the 2m Handicap Chase off at 15:15 and might well go to the consistent ISTIMRAAR who does mix hurdles and chases and is usually in the frame. (Non Runner).

Flat fixtures;
CHELMSFORD CITY (All weather) -- The Essex course hosts their Family Fun Day in aid of Help for Heroes. First race is at 14.00 and there's a load of competitions to get involved with for a great cause, children go free, and there's plenty of their favourite superheroes too. Their best race is only a class 4 handicap (15:50) over two miles which can go to the Charlie Fellowes trained CARNWENNAN [WON 11/8F] who won a similar event at York and this four year old could still be on the upgrade now over these trips.

REDCAR -- Probably the feature race meeting of the day with the renewal of the Zetland Gold Cup worth more than £31,000 to the winner. Racing here gets underway at 13:50  with a 2yo novice event that can go to MECCA'S HOT STEPS here the Zetland is off at 16:10 very competitive as always and I've have a look at both EPAULEMENT (a course and distance winner with a similar size field) with SOCIETY RED against the rest.

LEICESTER -- Their own Family Fun Day and good value at £10 entrance plus accompanied children are admitted free. Racing gets underway at 13:45 with a handicap that can go to Rossa Ryan riding AL BARG. Their feature race is the Victoria Park Handicap a race for three year olds off at 14:55 which can go to the Clive Cox trained filly HERITAGE.

WINDSOR -- host their family fun day too with Free rides galore, including the UK's largest dodgems, and a seven race card to enjoy (though you won't see much away from the large screens though due to the track configuration) first race is off at 13.55 which is a 6f handicap and can go to BELATED BREATH [WON 13/8F].

Their big race of the day goes off at 15:05 and is the sprint handicap over five furlongs for three year olds. A race where we hope Ryan Moore can get DEPUTISE away on terms this time having stumbled out the stalls on previous appearance.

IRELAND;
BALLINROBE -- The only Irish meeting today is an evening NH fixture beginning at 17:45. They have a couple of nice races but the biggest prize on offer tonight is in the 18:45 Mares Handicap Hurdle which can go the way of the Gordon Elliott trained ARCTIC SOFIA who is lightly raced and can continue to improve for her new trainer.

Whatever you doing this Bank Holiday I hope it's sunshine and fun for you. Enjoy your day and back to work tomorrow.