A Trip to the Emirates Stadium

Going to see Arsenal is a bit like a trip to the Royal Opera House. A beautiful stadium - with padded seats - a polite and appreciative audience, a sublime performance of art and beauty and a sense that it was a bit of a special occasion which may not be repeated in the future.

Derby were overawed and outclassed. We didn't play badly. We did the best we could, but we were up against a team who were from a different planet and played the game at a completely different level. As a football fan I've always enjoyed watching Arsenal. It was a privilege to see such talent on show and although we were played off the pitch it was great to be there.

Great to see Giles Barnes back. Boy, do we need him.

Back Home

Have been away most of the week with little access to the Internet. I can't believe I missed all the news about Morinho and Chelsea. What a shock. Apparently Arsenal were amazing in Europe and have got a very tough game v Derby today. Am really looking forward to the trip to the Emirates and as with all football fans am filled with false optimism. Now that Derby have their first win under the belt I'm sure we're in with a shout. We shall see!

From Wednesday onwards, I was in Italy looking to buy some property. Am doing my best to live out my dream of owning a famhouse in Tuscany or Umbria. Really enjoyed it and am very excited. Watch this space for news...

Derby 1 Newcastle 0

Hurrah! First win of the season. Wondergoal from our new hero Kenny Miller. We are no longer bottom of the league!

Sam Alladyce, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley, Gazza, Malcolm MacDonald, Bobby Moncur, Jackie Milburn, your boys took one hell of a beating!

Arsenal vs Derby Preview

This morning I went to the Pride Park shop in Derby to buy the new Derby shirt and other bits of tat - including a Derby mug with my name on it

One of the guys at the checkout then told me that 2 tickets had just been returned for Derby's game at the Emirates stadium next Saturday, so I bought them as well. Really lucky, as the match is a sell-out.

At the moment, Arsenal are top of the Premier League and Derby are bottom, so I dread to think what the score might be. Having seen the amazing goals Arsenal scored against Tottenham (who beat us 4-0) I'm really, really worried. Let's hope we play well against Newcastle tomorrow night. We could do with a change in our fortunes.

I Love Radio 4

Whilst I'm writing this in my hotel room in Schiphol, I'm listening to Radio 4 via my laptop. Forget the multichannel tv and the movie menu, this is the best form of in-room entertainment there is. The Archers, Just a Minute, Front Row, The Afternoon Play...the list is endless. All free, all fabulous and now with 'Listen Again' it can go on forever.

Whenever I hear those familiar voices I'm immediately reminded of home and I get a warm glow inside. God bless the BBC!

Another Day, Another Airport

This time it's Schiphol near Amsterdam, which seems to stretch on forever. I'm not even moving out of the airport complex as the Hilton hotel where I'm staying is right next door. Wasn't there a film about someone who lived in an airport? Just managed to catch the end of the England game - hurrah! and have set up the meeting room where I'll be working for the rest of the week. Bit late. Must sleep.

England 3 The Rest of the World 0

In a rare coincidence, the England cricket, football and rugby teams played important games today, and amazingly all 3 won! Admittedly, the rugby team were not too impressive, but let's not get bogged down in minor details. It's results that count, so three cheers for our brave boys!

Choumert Mews Party

Choumert Mews in SE15 is a little community of residents and creative businesses who hold a lovely party every year. As ever, it was really enjoyable. The barbecue was fantastic, there loads of kids and everyone was relaxed and chatty. I've just got back home and no doubt the party will go on through the night.

We were invited by my sister Silvana, who along with her fellow food writers and stylists own Fork.

They're keen bloggers in Choumert Mews. Check out Landcroft House and The Daily Muse. In fact the Dulwich area seems full of bloggers. I wonder why?

Food Heaven

The great thing about being in Malaysia is the fabulous food. There's a mix of Malaysian, Chinese and Indian cultures in Malaysia and this is reflected in the huge range of cuisine available.

In UK hotels, if you're running a workshop you're lucky if you get a few chocy biscuits at break time. Here, every couple of hours a banquet appears outside the meeting room with noodles, samosas, satay and peanut sauce, all kinds of little prawny things, spicy chicken, fried rice, dim sum, roti, plus loads of sweets, little cakes and huge plates of watermelon and papaya, etc. Plus of course you've got lunch and dinner.

Its so hard to resist, especially as the people here love talking about food and are always encouraging you to try something new. Its got to the stage where I don't eat anything in the evening and I still feel stuffed. Must try and get to the hotel gym.

Ride of the Falling Leaves 7th October

Have foolishly entered this cycle ride organised by the Dulwich Paragon Cycling Club, along with the same guys who I went cycling with in Italy earlier this year. 66 miles! Been having a go on the bike machine in the hotel gym to try and get in some practice. Not sure its going to do much good. Must get out to Richmond Park put in some serious miles this weekend.

New Cadbury's Dairy Milk Advertisement

Does anyone know what the brand idea is behind this new Cadbury ad?

Just Arrived in Kuala Lumpur

The worst bit of the entire journey was trying to get to and through Heathrow airport. Dreadful traffic, overcrowded, really slow - even though it was supposed to be fast track. It really is an awful airport and travellers are treated really badly. KL airport is so much nicer.

Flew with Malaysian Airlines, who serve really nice satay on board. Did my best to get some sleep on their flatish beds. Started to read Alistair Campbell's Diaries. Have never been a big a fan of his, but it does give you a first hand view of the Blair years which is very insightful. Not sure I'll get through all 700 odd pages but will dip in and out of it.

Staying in the rather posh Marriott hotel on the 18th floor and will be here until Friday. So far has rained non-stop. Very humid. Am travelling with my colleague Mark and the first thing we did was go to the gym and try and return to normality after the 12 hour flight.

The food here is fantastic with loads of restaurants in the basement of the hotel. Played safe and went for the Thai restaurant which was great. We're right next to a very posh shopping arcade with Louis Vuitton, Omega, Mont Blanc shops, etc. Not sure how expensive everything is. Will check it out at some point - not that I'm in buying mode.

Is always a bit nerve racking before a big workshop, but am looking forward to it. Not sure how well I'll sleep tonight, but will do my best to get used to the new time zone. If all else fails I can always check out the movie channel...or else have another go at the Alastair Campbell Diaries.

Aunt Bessie's

Just had Sunday lunch and have come to the conclusion that Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire Puddings are bloody marvellous. Pre-cooked, ready from frozen in 4 mins and perfect every time. Everyone loves 'em - especially the kids so why bother making them yourself.

Am off to Malaysia this evening for the rest of the week. Food's great there but I doubt they'll be serving Yorkshire pudding.

Liverpool 6 Derby 0

Derby are embarassingly bad at the moment. We were destroyed by Liverpool yesterday and I can't see how we can possibly avoid relegation.

The gulf in class between the top Premiership teams and Derby is enormous. Don't think I can face watching them on Match of the Day with those snug ex-Liverpool presenters. Our next away game? Arsenal. How many goals will we let in? I dread to think. Thank God Thierry Henry is not playing.

Marie Antoinette

Saw Marie Antoinette last night and rather enjoyed it. My expectations were pretty low as the reviews I read slated it. True, there wasn't much substance. However, Versailles and the costumes looked fantastic, I liked the 1980s music and Kirsten Dunst is always good to watch.

Not many emotional highs or lows, but good for a relaxed night in.

Gordon Ramsey Advertising Gordon's Gin

Whilst driving home last night I kept seeing lots of Gordon's Gin posters with huge images of Gordon Ramsey.

This is such a literal example of celebrity endorsement. Gordon's featuring Gordon. It would have been one of the first ideas that someone came up with in a brainstorming session. Really poor. Still at least they didn't choose Carol Vorderman.

Watch out for a forthcoming Cadbury's Dairy Milk ad which features a man in a gorilla suit drumming along to a Phil Collin's track. Will cause quite a stir.

Back Home

Just arrived back to London after a 4 hour delay with our flight from Cork and headed straight off to the very posh Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex for a workshop tomorrow.

Just learnt that Derby were beaten in the Carling Cup by Blackpool on penalties, despite leading twice and despite playing at home. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to beat Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday to get our first win of the season......

Places to Eat in West Cork

The food in this part of the world is fantastic, particularly the seafood. 2 of the best places to eat are:

O'Callagahan Walshe in Roscarberry
Mary Ann's in Castletownsend

We're off to Mary Ann's tonight which should be great. Our last night out before we all head back to London. Looking forward to our return visit in 2008, when we hope to launch our very own Glandore Triathlon!

Glandore People

One of the great things about Glandore is meeting with old friends, usually around the table of one of its many fine pubs and restaurants.

A Few Highlights of Glandore



The weather has been fantastic so far and we've managed to get out on our friends' boat on a couple of occasions.



The next village along, Union Hall, is hosting The All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championship so we went to have a look.

This is the 7th year in a row that we've come to Glandore over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Every year I've taken a picture of Mae sitting at Hayes' bar down in the village. This is the latest.

Most days, we even managed to have picnics on deserted beaches.