Tag Archives: chess

5 November 2007

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Partly – though perhaps not entirely – because I’ve been feeling lousy, I have not made any progress with novel-writing five days into novel-writing month, and will probably abandon the attempt, concentrating instead on writing a short story for the Fish competition, getting a collection of poems together to submit to a publisher and writing a Christmas drama. So if I’m galvanised into something, it will have been worthwhile, and if David finishes his novel and makes a million I shall bask in reflected glory. I can do basking.

I’ve been feeling vaguely sub-fluish, with a floaty head (no picture, unfortunately), occasional nausea, pains in odd places and particularly severe pains in my lower back. Dot thinks this is to do with my weight, but I am not fooled. Anyway, I am feeling a bit better this evening (she prayed for me before going to Weightwatchers) and will shortly be off to play a tournament chess match, if I can avoid the fireworks.

Yesterday I managed Communion and the church lunch. Read one of my poems in the service – immediately following Rufus Wainwright’s version of the Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah, which is not where you want to be – and all went well. Didn’t do much for the rest of the day, other than catching up on recorded TV programmes. No, I didn’t feel like writing. Norwich CIty came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Ipswich, so Glenn Roeder, our new manager, is clearly the Messiah.

Today we went to Park Farm, then to visit Dot’s cousin R. On emerging form his house we found it had started raining. Chilly too.

Oh, yes – the picture. Another one of our refurbished garage to demonstrate that I do sometimes play cars (and trains) with Oliver, whatever he says. It’s hard on the knees, though.

3 November 2007

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Caught almost in mid-air, grandson Oliver walks along the back of a dinosaur – no, wait, it’s a row of tyres. But it’s at the Dinosaur Park, which is where we spent most of Tuesday. Lovely sunny day with a bit of a nip in the air, and I was impressed with what the park had to offer, even thought it was out of season and a few things were unavailable. The Dinosaur Trail was very well put together with some nice touches – like reporting to rangers on three missing tyrannosaurus rex. Oliver wasn’t too impressed with the sound effects, but he’s quite a sensitive little soul.

Also had some fun on some mechanically propelled go-karts, and Oliver showed some class on the crazy golf. Some good dinosaur-themed play areas too.

The previ0us day, when we had brought him back from Caddington, we also called in to see Aunt E, who gave him a car which responded to voice commands – at least, it was supposed to, but we had a great deal of trouble getting it to work, much to her disappointment. She unearthed a substitute present, but by the end of Oliver’s stay with us we had got the car to work after a fashion – so we had to return to her on the way back to Caddington on Thursday to show her! Oliver is very anxious that people should be pleased and happy – which is a lovely trait, though it worries him when they aren’t.

On the Wednesday we went to Yarmouth to visit the Sea Life Centre. One reason for this was so that Oliver could go on the train, and from the station we got a taxi, as the buses were so rare (we never actually saw one during our visit). The SLC was interesting but extremely pricey despite being out of season, with minimum staff just about managing to cover all bases. There was a nice touch pool, where O could stroke a hermit crab shell, among other things. He was particularly interested in the sharks, which came a very close second to the shop. The shark exhibit is quite impressive, as are the sea horses.

Another taxi back to the station – this time a much friendlier driver, who not only refused my tip but gave Oliver £1! He was rather scathing about the lack of forethought going into the new harbour plans – or more particularly the inability of the roads to cope.

On the Thursday morning we took a bus into the city (and back). Oliver sat upstairs at the front and enjoyed the view. We also got a couple of boxes out of the Poetry Vending Machine in Borders. The one intended for Amy wasn’t really suitable, so I had to substitute both poem and warning on the box. There was a danger Amy might not know what pregnancy was, or why poetry might lead to it. Had a drink in the Forum and sent Daddy some pictures to prove it.

Got Oliver home successfully, but by Friday both Dot and I were feeling rather ill. I had to write my column, but neither of us did very much. Today Dot has been feeling quite bit better, apart from an occasional coughing fit, and went into the city. I found myself at my old school taking part in a rapid chess tournament, despite feeling very strange – slight temperature and a gradually developing pain at the base of my back. Thought I was getting a cold yesterday, but this happened instead. Ah well, despite it I actually won some prize money for the first time for years, scoring 3/5 in the all-play-all open-challengers section and finishing =3rd. Not as impressive as it sounds (if it sounds impressive), because there were only six in the section, and four of us won something. I drew with the two who finished 1st and 2nd and lost to the guy who finished equal with me. Beat the others – and in a final-round friendly beat the guy who had beaten me.

I have to admire Stephen Orton for organising it – a few of the kids were very difficult to handle and three of them got stuck in the disabled lift. Tempting as it was to leave them there, a caretaker was summoned to extract them. Most were fine, though.

15 October 2007

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Well, it turned out to be Swardeston Church, which I realised just in time. Very pleasant evening: concert by a string quartet, with three poems from me in the middle. Seemed to go well: sold a few leaflets and a couple of books afterwards to benefit the festival fund. Had a drink in the refreshment are and chatted to a couple of people. Nice atmosphere – good weather too – and to cap it all we saw the rugby without knowing the score: England in the final after beating France. They’ll play South Africa next weekend.

Met a woman at Swardeston – Grace Smith – who knew my aunt Dorothy when she was school secretary at Lakenham, before she became matron at Norwich School. She also knew Frank and knows Josephine. She told me my grandmother stayed at Brundall some time during the war, which I didn’t know. Gave her a copy of my poetry book with the poem about Dorothy in it (Coltishall Hall).

Nobel Peace Prize won by Al Gore and the IPCC, which is a joke. Might as well have given him the Nobel Prize for physics. Obviously releasing a film full of scientific holes and making pots of money out of climate change is peaceful in some way. At least it wasn’t the Nobel Prize for Truth.

Spent the evening with the Cracknells on Friday discussing theology over a chicken takeaway and wine, and on Saturday (before the poetry reading) had a brief Creative Day at Bally, though only Rupert, Tonia ands Joan were present. However, got Joan’s password and put her on the web site with David’s help. I’m writing some poetry to go with Joan’s new pieces for the PVM boxes.

Meanwhile our lovely granddaughter Amy gave us all a scare by falling off a high walkway at Woodside and landing on her head. Big bruise, but she didn’t lose consciousness. On Saturday evening she was taken to the A & E on the advice of the doctor after her neck seemed stiff. But it seems she’s OK. She’s three this coming weekend.

Weather has been quite mild. I led the service on Sunday, and in the afternoon Dot and I went to Alderfen Broad, a little-known spot approached down a bumpy track with a tiny car park at the end. No siognposts, so I guess they’re not actually promoting it. Quite unprepossessing but lovely spot: peaceful. We walked down some pathways and looked at a cormorant, some coot and a grebe or two from the hide. Also five unidentified ducks of some kind.

Today work on the garage proper started. Colin took away loads of stuff and came back to fill some holes, make a door work and do a lot of painting – ceiling and walls. Tomorrow Dot and I head for Great Bircham, where we stay the night before her inspection on Wednesday. Hopefully it will be nice enough for me to go for a walk.

Tonight I won a game of chess on top board – about time – and the team won 3.5-0.5, with the help of a default.

Picture is of the lovely Amy on a different climbing frame, but at the same place.

11 August 2007

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Yes, it’s France again. This is the branch line from Cabourg to Deauville, taking to the road at Dives.

Meanwhile another busy week. On Monday, Andrew’s birthday, I went to visit him and possibly take him out, but he was the worst I’ve ever seen him. Very sad. I had a long talk with him, but nothing seemed to make any impression. He was tired and frightened.

I drove on towards Hull, stopping at Corley services for a bite to eat and then at Nottingham to see if I could catch the Evetts in. But no, so I carried on to a Travelodge on the M18 (Doncaster North), where I had booked a room. Quite nice, but the kettle didn’t work. Went for a walk in the evening and then had fish and chips, which was adequate: tasty but chunky. Spent the rest of the evening catching up on reading – I had taken the precaution of loading the car up with newspapers and magazines I hadn’t had time to tackle.

After breakfast the next day I drove into Hull, arriving 40 minutes early for my 11am meeting. Had to wait in Reception, but eventually met with three trainees and did the induction. Went quite well. Left about 1.30pm: the journey home was tedious in the extreme – road works and dithering drivers all the way. Took four hours.

On Wednesday we had the carpet cleaned – had to get up early and move the furniture out because Dot had injured her back. This now seems to have cleared up. In the evening attended an Ambient Wonder review which I can’t say I enjoyed, possibly because I was very tired. Good pizza, though.

On Thursday, after lunch at Park Farm, I drove to Yarmouth to watch the penultimate day of the British chess championship. Was there for about four hours, most of which I spent watching the four top boards, which were on demonstration. But also spoke to a few friends and watched some other games. Repeated this yesterday for the last day but left before the end. Watched a nice game by Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant, a Georgian “Scot”, in which she demolished Simon Fowler to take the ladies’ title. A Danish “Scot”, Jacob Aagard, took the British title on 8.5 out of 11, after he beat Glenn Flear, who left his king too exposed. The only person who could have matched him, Stephen Gordon, was held to a draw by Tony Kosten. Fascinating to see so many peple whose names are so familiar and whose games I have played through in the past. Good also to see so many young girls doing well. The website is at http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/livechess/british/2007/

Today – the spell of good weather continuing – Dot and I went to Reepham to get our hair cut and then on to North Walsham. Left flowers at the cemetery and then visited Jessie and Frank.

6 March 2007

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Just returned from two hours sailing in Pine Island Sound on board the Adventure, captained by Jorge, from Chile. Beautiful day: some breeze, but not too much. No sign of fish, surprisingly in view of what you can often see from the shore, but plenty of entertainment from Jorge, who had views on a wide variety of things, from Canadian government to the amount of food you get in certain restaurants here. When he discovered I was a writer he came up with a couple of ideas for my next column. Hmmm…

The Sound is only about five feet deep at its maximum, and is over two miles wide. Jorge suggested that if we sank, we could walk ashore. The more vertically challenged among us were not sure about this, but some found it comforting.

The picture was taken at the end of the voyage by Jorge, using Dot’s camera.

Earlier, while I took a while to get up (hadn’t been feeling too well – maybe very mild sunstroke from tennis, or a touch of dodgy food), Dot and Barb went over to Sanibel for a little shopping. When I eventually stirred, I finished writing my page for next week.

Last night after bridge we watched The Luzhin Defence, a film about a chess grandmaster who is one pawn short of a set. No, that’s a metaphor. The chess references, of which there were many, were very accurate, though there is no way a world championship would be settled by a single game, of course. Superbly acted by all.

13 February 2007

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The other snow photo, taken the other day at Caddington: Amy looks on admiringly as her brother bravely throws a snowball at their father.

Of course it’s all gone now, and we’re back to a normal winter – chilly and wet. The weekend was very busy for us. I spent all day at InPrint studios, discussing the future and getting creative with ideas for exhibitions. Fun in a cold atmosphere – that’s the temperature, not the relationships. We had several heaters in the studios but didn’t quite get rid of the chill. I went so far as to buy fish and chips, which helped a bit. Studio 2 is leaking a bit.

In the evening Dot and I went to Heather S for a meal, and the three of us had a great evening putting the world to rights. On Sunday, as well as the morning service, Dot and I had to put together an Ambient Wonder event in the evening, which I was very unsure about – possibly because we hadn’t picked the theme, and not many people were offering to add bits. But the feedback was good – to my astonishment. Over 20 people there, several for the first time.

On Monday I had another chess win, amazingly, against a good player. I was turning out as a guest for the B team and played Trevor Ansell, of Fakenham. I was black, and the end of the game was quite exciting.

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cd 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Be7 8 Qf3 Qc7 9 0-0-0 0-0 10 Bd3 Nc6 11 Nde2 b5 12 a3 Bb7 13 g4 b4 14 ab Nxb4 15 Bxf6 Bxf6 16 g5 Bxc3 17 Nxc3 d5!
18 e5 Rfc8 19 Qe2 Qa5 20 Kb1 d4 21 Ne4 Qa2+ 22 Kc1 Qa1+ 23 Kd2 Qxb2 24 Rb1 Qa3 25 Ra1 Na2 26 Rhg1 Qa5+ 27 c3 Rxc3! 28 Nf6+ (Desperation. Nxc3 loses immediately, but Kd1 makes it a little more difficult for Black) …. Kf8 29 Nh7+ Ke7 30 Rgb1 Rc1+ 0-1 It’s mate next move.

Today it’s a little brighter, and we had three adults and three children for lunch. Very tasty.

5 February 2007

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Dot with Julia and Dave on the dunes at Horsey, shortly after our encounter with the obnoxious dune walker, who wanted to get everyone off the beach. Later immortalised at www.back2sq1.co.uk/articles/edp/342.htm. This was a new year walk on January 2.

At last won a decent game of chess tonight against Jim McAvoy. Here it is:

1 c4 f5 2 g3 Nf6 3 Bg2 e6 4 Nf3 c6 5 0-0 d5 6 d3 Bd6 7 Nc3 0-0 8 Qc2 Nbd7 9 e4 dc 10 dc Ne5 11 Rd1 Nxf3+ 12 Bxf3 Qc7 13 Qd3 Be7 14 Be3 Rd8 15 Qe2 e5 16 Rxd8+ Bxd8 17 Re1 (!) f4 18 gf ef 19 Bd4 Bh3 20 e5 Ne8 21 Bg4 (Be4 may be even better) Bxg4 22 Qxg4 Qf7 23 Re4 g5 24 e6 Qg6 25 e7 Ba5 26 Re6 1-0

4 February 2007

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For the record, this is Aspland Road during the recent spell of cold weather. Our house is on the left, with Dot’s snow-covered car in the driveway. My car is parked on the right. The road dips down to the river, and you can see the new town houses on the opposite bank.

It’s been warmer, but it’s very cold again today, and there’s a possibility of more snow this week. I was in Thetford yesterday, playing chess for Norfolk second team (Board 2) and managed to win the morning game, but lost the afternoon one. As I lost last Monday’s game and my win yesterday was the result of a blunder by my opponent, my poor run of form continues. However, Oliver is learning the moves. Perhaps he will take over.

Dot is better. I’m glad to say. We went to church this morning, and the music went very well. Quite a big congregations, and lunch to follow. I’m afraid to say we’ve spent most of the rest of the day watching TV – particularly Ireland beating Wales at rugby. Sadly, Spurs failed to trouble Manchester United.

Since my last entry, astonishingly, England have beaten Australia at cricket. I saw it, so it must be true. I have got together a few poems to enter into the Norwich Writers’ Circle competition and have also applied for a commission to produce a Norfolk poem for a Norfolk arts initiative which involves promoting the county through its arts. The commission is worth £2000, but of course a lot more well-known poets will apply. I’ve sent in three poems as examples of my being inspired by Norfolk landscapes.

Yesterday, after my chess exploits, we went for a meal with our former neighbours, Menita and Regis. They are Italian and French respectively, and there were two other people there – one Italian and one Brazilian. International, or what? A really nice evening, some great food, and I discovered that I shared an office tray with the Italian friend when I was at UEA! She is in the LIT department (as a translator) and our names both begin with L.

29 January 2007

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This is the promised picture of David’s new car – an Astra. Actually the first car he’s ever bought.

Dot is still not very well. She spent all day in bed yesterday with her sinus infection, and I would have liked her to stay there today, but she insisted on coming with me to North Walsham to put flowers on her mother’s grave. It’s her mother’s birthday today. Now she’s gone to have herself weighed, but that shouldn’t take long. Not that I think it’s a good idea.

I’m playing chess later and could do with a win, as I’m having a very mediocre season. But I’m not tremendously optimistic.

Yesterday I was doing most things at church. I was the only musician (using the word loosely); I also did the sermon and the prayers. In the evening I went to Ambient Wonder, which consisted of a labyrinth (there will be a write-up on it eventually on www.ambientwonder.org).

I have discovered that the name Lenton is very old, going back at least to the Domesday Book in 1086. It probably meant originally two or three pallisaded houses in a forest clearing – from two old English words which gave us “lea” and “town”.

There are two English places called Lenton – one in Lincolnshire, probably Leofa’s tun, but spelt Lenton since 1202. It is south-east of Grantham, near Ingoldsby. The other is a suburb of Nottingham, on the river Leen, which is a corruption of a Celtic word for a river or other waterway. My wild guess is that the Lincolnshire village was founded by someone who came from Lenton in Nottinghamshire. It’s not far away. Just follow the A52.