Sunday, August 25, 2013

Just stunning: Bluebirds 3-2 Manchester City



Goodness me, days like this don't come along very often.
The last time I watched the Bluebirds play Manchester City, we were in the 3rd Division when Nathan Blake scored the winner as we put out Premier League opposition in the 4th round of the 1994 FA Cup.
How different was today? Our first home match as Premier League new boys coming against the millionaires from the blue side of Manchester coming on the back of their 4-0 thumping of Newcastle, and our opening day 2-0 loss away at West Ham. They must have been full of confidence, and we - well in all honesty, many were thinking how many we could keep the score down by. But football's a funny game, and how we saw that today.
Our visitors saw two thirds of the possession, but came away with nothing after taking the lead, as goals from Gunnarson and Campbell (2) overturned the form and predictions.
The stadium was rocking. I don't think I have ever experienced an atmosphere like today's, and that includes the win over Leeds in the FA Cup, several Wembley visits and that play-off final at the Millenium Stadium against QPR. The noise today was incredible, and importantly, persistent. The crowd was fantastic throughout the match. The Sky TV commentators made many references to the atmosphere - Gary Neville in particular saying after Gunner equalised for us, "You'll have to go a long way to find a stadium that celebrates a goal like that".
The photo above shows things getting even better as son & daughter celebrate us going 3-1 up after Campbell's second.
There's no point in me talking about the match. 1) I'm not very good with match reports and 2) lots of other people are. All I will say, is every one of those players, Malky and backroom staff deserved today. everyone at the club has worked their socks off for this.
All I can say, is that this is a day that will live me for a very long time.
Blooooobirds.....

Thursday, August 15, 2013

A watershed moment


Today is a watershed moment in Chez Stats. Child No.1 received his A level results, and to everyone's delight they were suitably good enough for him to be accepted at his first choice university, Reading in Berkshire to do Geography.

This means that in a couple of months time, we'll be rolling down the M4 from Cardiff, car laden with him plus whatever gumpf he wants and needs to take with him to start a new chapter in his life as a bonafide uni student.

It's an exciting, though probably also anxious stage in his life, but he'll settle down in the round of freshers events, make new friends and generally and hopefully enjoy his new found freedoms.

But it's also a new stage and chapter for me & Mrs H, and I suppose to a slightly lesser extent our 16 year old daughter. Jim has always been there - usually on the sofa in front of the TV, or in his room with his music and guitar, but from October he won't be. Ok, Reading isn't that far, and through the modern wonders that are Skype and Facetime we can probably video call him every day (if either party wants us to), but as is the way with these things, it'll never be the same as it has been.

That all sounds a bit gloomy, but it isn't meant to be. Sure, I reckon we'll mope around for a few days worrying about him, but he'll probably be out having a great time at the fresher's parties, the students union and other such stuff that kids do when they first go to uni.

And let's face it. It won't be long before his clothes need washing, or Cardiff City are playing a home game and either it'll be a quick pop up & down the motorway, or making use of is new student railcard.

Congratulations to him for getting the grades he needed. We're very proud of him. It'll be sad to see go, but to paraphrase  Arnie said...."He'll be back".