Shrimpers' new ground approved!

Exceeding my wildest expectations, Southend Borough Council have approved Southend United's application for a new ground.

For those of you who know your geography of Southend, this is where it is:

Sort of between the Crematorium and Waitrose. It's been designed by the same architects that had a hand in designing the Sydney Olympic Stadium, The Emirates Stadium for Arsenal, The Reebok Stadium and the new Wembley - Have a look at some of their projects:

http://www.hoksve.com/sport/projects/proj_list_location_1.htm

When complete our new ground will seat 22,000 and looks absolutely stunning!

So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye...

Just said goodbye to Richard and Heidie who fly off to Zambia for another 18-months this afternoon. It's been great to spend a little time with them over the last month and, as with any good friends, the time is never enough.

We still hope to visit them in Chikankata but the cost is pretty horrendous for 4 of us. Richard is trying to persuade me to do the Soweto marathon with him in November, but I don't think so!

On the marathon front, I now have a place to run London in April so training must start in earnest. After vowing "never again" I have a Golden Bond place with NCH which means I've got to raise £1400 for them. I'm not going to push for it too hard and will just make up any shortfall myself.

I'm a rubbish dieter and exerciser so I need a goal to aim for, and for the last 3.5 years marathons have been my thing.

Just come back from a weekend at Center Parcs which was great - went with my Mum and Dad, my sister and her husband (Uncle Albert!), and Tania's mum and her husband, Geoff. We were also there at the same time as Statford Nick and Lisa (and young Joshua) and Lisa's sister Jo and her husband Richard, who are members of our house group. Had a great time - it's a bit expensive but good value for money if you get my meaning!