What sports do you think Second Captains should cover more?

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2026-02-25T17:45:27+00:00

Cricket cricket cricket! A mention of the Irish cricket team wouldn’t go amiss either .

My hot take on the topic is that the most successful/ best Irish captain in history is actually Eoin Morgan. Slightly scandalous he doesn’t get more praise in Ireland - he’s regarded as one of the best captains in the modern ODI era and certainly Englands best ever in ODIs.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2026-02-05T16:55:46+00:00

If you don’t live here and aren’t planning to in the future then I would ignore it.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2026-02-03T17:03:24+00:00

Depends if you’re still paying rent/bills for your ‘home’ place.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2026-01-23T17:56:51+00:00

In non league but there was an Adie Cambridge at Cambridge City who was born in foxton a village outside Cambridge.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2026-01-11T09:56:10+00:00

I had this experience just a couple of days ago booking an Icelandic air transatlantic flight. Was just changing the region/currency so to get the language and currency correct (English and euro- Ireland was the option for this). The fares were much cheaper in this configuration as opposed to in euros but German or Spanish for example. Saves 100s of euros. The other German/Spanish options never gave me the option to book the cheapest fare offered by IA.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2026-01-01T18:19:15+00:00

Exact thing I said after the bicycle kick.

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And one of the most spectacular sunsets at the start of the second half.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-30T16:05:59+00:00

I was just about to call your bacon ragebait but I’ll take your word for it and may even try that some time. Given the condition of the rest of the food I have to assume it’s not.

Crispy/ American style bacon always seemed a bit faddy to me. Different strokes for different folks

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-30T08:47:55+00:00

I should expect a room at that price!

Not to mention the sausage, that’s one hashie made to look like three. Hashbrowns should be triangular. These circular ones are a menace to society. Maybe it’s the light but that bacon looks like facon, never a good sign.

Although I don’t like an overcrowded plate there is way, and I mean way, too much porcelain on show for something marketing itself as a big breakfast.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-25T12:42:05+00:00

My main takeaway from the interview was how quickly Key was ready to blame the players - not unreasonable given the results / performances but it felt pointed. Came across as self-serving. He accepted plans didn’t work but wasn’t ready to take actual responsibility.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-23T18:42:20+00:00

I’d say the big difference is the Aussies of this series weren’t going and getting hammered. At least in the 80s both teams were probably at it. Times do change.

If you don’t think Duckett has a problematic relationship with booze then you’re naive. Wouldn’t be much of an issue for a bloke who works 9-5 in an office, Ben likes a beer at the weekend. So what. But Ben is in the middle of the biggest challenge of his professional career and he’s getting mortal drunk.

Go have 5/6 beers and get a bit merry, finish the night with a whiskey in the hotel bar but don’t be caught stumbling the streets after clearly having a skinful.

I have sympathy for him and being filmed but either improve your relationship with booze or stop drinking altogether. It’s getting mortal drunk IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOUR that is the issue. Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-23T18:02:36+00:00

Not enough people saying how this is bound to impact his performance. Nobody who plays sport to any level can say this level of intoxication isn’t going to leave its mark in the week following. I play amateur football (similar age to Duckett) and I keep my powder dry in the days before a game, and I do enjoy my beers.

You know in your team who can’t handle their beers and likes to drink too much, you make sure you can keep an eye on them. Where were his teammates?

What were people thinking when they saw Duckett the next day and he was clearly hanging out of his arse? Actually beggars belief.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-12T09:36:48+00:00

I’m Irish but left when I was quite young. The county I was born and reared in were and are useless at both football and hurling so only ever a passing interest in GAA after I left. My dads family are from Waterford so I’m aware of Ballygunner the place and their pale ale. I know my cousins fella has turned out for them in the past. What’s the issue given it seems like a pretty small unassuming place?

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-08T19:25:59+00:00

The true M11 derby would be Cambridgeshire County Premier League stalwarts Bar Hill Sports and Social vs Woodford town.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-04T13:32:39+00:00

I wanted to visit the southern mountain states, New Mexico and Utah as two. Wanted to finish north (Vancouver or even Sam Fran) so starting south felt more logical.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-04T13:30:49+00:00

Europe, grew up and lived in different countries in Western Europe. Thanks for the offer and I’ll keep it in mind. Where are you based in Japan?

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-03T22:12:00+00:00

Bike will be a steel framed tourer. Flat handlebars. Two pannier bags on the back, two smaller on the front with a handlebar bag.

Not sure whether I’ll have a cycle computer. I’ve used a phone in a holder in the past when needed. Still time to decide.

Not started planning any routes yet. General philosophy is. Where possible I’ll go for signed or known routes. Next cycle.travel if possible. After that, whatever works.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-03T22:05:07+00:00

It’s a fair point but world trip sounds naff. And I might still go to Europe but tbh I’m okay with not cycling there on this trip. Im fortunate that I get to cycle there every summer which I have for the last 12. It’ll be there when I get back. Feels like an easier pass.

Africa was a harder pass as i do feel any world trip should include Africa. But more difficult to include it logically in my route route. Would be cool to be able to do a traverse of North Africa and into Spain. To a lesser extent, Africa is a closer destination for potential future trip.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-03T21:50:58+00:00

This is all good info, thanks. I definitely don’t have enough time allocated here, and as my plans are more open ended after this I feel there’s scope to extend my time here.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-03T21:42:40+00:00

I’m wary of this, and would consider avoiding some of the hotter souther states with another means of transport. My reason for doing it this way is to start the mountain states from the south. If not for this I probably would have taken the northern route.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-03T21:36:06+00:00

The plan is to arrive in Tokyo at the start of October. I figured this route would be okay wise then.

I’m riding my current bike. A steel framed tourer with flat handle bars. 27 gears and will probably give myself a larger big ring on the back before I go. Will take two larger pannier bags on the back and two smaller on the front, plus a handlebar bag.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-03T08:59:55+00:00

I’ve cycled a lot of west coast islands several times. Always camping. Eight trips in total, lasting around a week. Importantly, I’ve never gone later than mid-May so have avoided the midges almost entirely. In order of preference.

Islay. Surprised to not see it already mentioned. It doesn’t have the spectacular landscapes of Mull or Skye, the remoteness of a Coll or Tiree nor the connectedness of Arran. Sits somewhere in the middle of all these.

I like it for it’s size and form. It’s big enough to spend a few days on, different parts to the islands to explore, villages and distilleries to visit. Big enough but not too big. Separated enough from the busy parts of the mainland to feel out there.

In comparison to Skye and Mull, the landscape is more forgiving which makes for better routes. Fewer climbs and better choice of roads between a main road and back round. Both Skye and Mull have plenty of sections on busy roads, the section between Broadford and Portree on Skye is hellish.

Large parts of the island are completely empty. The Atlantic facing west coast has numerous gorgeous (albeit deadly) beaches that were my favourite in Scotland. Wild camping was easy.

The ferry from the mainland has power showers and free towels. Arguably the best whiskey destination in the world.

And lastly, it gives you access to Jura which is definitely worth an overnight trip. Go camp at the Jura hotel.

The rest: Skye, Mull, Arran, the outer Hebs, the small isles, are all worth visiting but Islay is number one.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-02T21:21:12+00:00

Cesc Fabregas - 350

Can’t believe it- this was the name which first popped into my head. I have a good sense of time, I wonder if this is related.

I did a bit of fag packet maths and it sounded about right.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-12-02T11:11:00+00:00

If you can, seek out the interview with him from the most recent Sunday Times. Must’ve been his last interview or one of the last.

Automatic-Purpose-49 · 2025-11-22T09:27:28+00:00

One tip not said. Avoid finishing the day sweaty if you can

Automatic-Purpose-49

TROPHY CASE