Growing up

Salut! North is growing up.

Sixteen items posted.....it is what you have seen it become and there is much, much more to say. Each time I pour out one set of reminiscences, I know two things will happen.

First? My sister, Sandra, will write in (or to me) from Middlesbrough - where, unforgivably for any Durham lass, she has reinvented herself as a Boro fan - to correct my memory. Well perhaps that was harsh, since in truth she knows not the first thing about football and can therefore just about be excused for not supporting Sunderland (and probably thinks, in any case, that Boro still play at Ayresome Park).

The other thing that happens? Some other memory from childhood, youth and early adulthood streams back into mind. So this site has a long way to go. You will hear - inshallah (I am, after all, in inshallah country) - about girlfriends, elocution lessons, play, fights, jobs and much more besides. That list may well change, grow longer or get shorter.

But please remember - Irene from the Netherlands included, before I say "Irene, goodnight, Irene" - that I am helping to launch a new newspaper, an unbelievable project on more than one level in the age we live in. It is a huge challenge and a huge job; I do not have time to do that job AND write as often as I would like on my various websites.

My wife joins me (finally) in Abu Dhabi this weekend; she deserves some time too, and not only because she has packed a rolling pin to bring as hand baggage.

Friday - tomorrow - is the start of the weekend here and I may well have something to add then. You will find more in due course, if only you can bear to be patient and keep coming back. Salut!

Comments

[Bill Taylor]

Elocution lessons? Tell us more. In impeccably well-modulated tones, bearing in mind what the late, very much lamented Bobby Thompson used to say: "Ah taak the way ah taak cos that's the way ah taak."

[silversmoggie]

Colin my cover is blown. I confess to knowing very little about football. I support Boro (if one could call a glory supporter like me a fan) largely because it is the team of my two sons and of my adopted town (or should I say foster town since I still entertain thoughts of retiring to Shildon). It oils the wheels of social commerce on Monday morning and, when in Boro, do as ……. It requires less explanation than supporting that other red and white team 20 odd miles up the road . I do however know all that is NECESSARY to know. How could I have avoided it, growing up in a household completely dominated by the game. I know enough buzz phrases to sound convincing (though clearly I did not fool you), I know how to feign sufficient interest in the game to worry the men of my family into thinking that I may want to join them and so bring about a hasty retreat to all male preserves (quite fun). So, dear bro, I bow to your undoubtedly greater wisdom in all things football and accept humbly and with gratitude, that you acknowledge my equally undoubted and excellent recall faculties.

[silversmoggie]

Oh, I nearly forgot! Now that I don't have to hide my footie inadequacies any more, could you please explain the current premiership league tables to me. I never did,I can admit it now, really understand them. How many points do our respective teams have (glory support or not)and what does that mean in respect of position in the league?