Footy & camping...

The first leg of the Liverpool-Chelsea UEFA Champions League semi-final was last night. It was at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea's home ground) and ended 0-0. I think that it was a fair result based on the performances of both teams. And actually a good result for both teams. The second leg is at Anfield on Tuesday and will be interesting. If Liverpool win they will go through to the final BUT if Chelsea win or if there is a score-draw (i.e. 1-1 or 2-2, etc.) then Chelsea will go on to the final. If it ends 0-0 then there will be extra time and perhaps a penalty shoot-out. I think both teams will be happy. Liverpool know that they have to get a win at home to qualify and Chelsea know that a score-draw is enough for them.

We're off camping this weekend. A group of us (the usual gang) are going to a campsite near Corfe Castle in Dorset. It is close to a place we camped a couple of years ago so we know the area a bit. It might be one of the last times that Marla will be able to camp -without being too uncomfortable - before the baby is born so we have to make the most of it. The weather forecast is good for the weekend, so fingers crossed.

Exciting news...

This news is perhaps long overdue and seeing as Griff has posted it on his weblog there is now no point in not posting it here. Marla and I are expecting our first child in October. We are, of course, very excited. And inevitably nervous too. The exact due date is October 7th - although I think it is less than 5% of babies are born on their due date.

We had our first visit from the midwife just last week and were able to hear the babies heartbeat, which was brilliant. Marla is more or less over the morning-sickness phase of things and once this hectic time at her work passes she should be able to enjoy being pregnant more than during the first tri-mester (is that hyphenated?).

Other news, that rather pales into insignificance now, is that Liverpool are into the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League after beating Juventus over the two legs of the Quarter Final. They will play Chelsea in the SF, which means that there will be an English club in the final of the competition. I just hope it's Liverpool!

Spring is in the air...

Softball season starts in a few weeks time and preparations are being made. Friendly Fire is planning training sessions and pre-season games and there is talk of ordering team shirts and hats. It's almost as if we are starting to think we have a chance of winning more than a handful of games this season. We'll see!

Birthday season is well and truly upon us now. Griff, Sheila, Dave Molander, Fi and Susanne all have birthdays within a couple of weeks of each other. Happy Birthday to you all. There. That's saved on sending them all cards.

There are plans for another trip to Anfield to see Liverpool. This time it is the final game of the season vs Aston Villa. Tickets go on sale later this month. Aston Villa was the first team I ever supported before I saw the light and became a Red for life, so it will be a nice game to go to I think. Things are looking better for Liverpool at the moment. The team is now only one point behind Everton for fourth in the Premiership and just had a good performance in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League vs Juventus - they are 2-1 ahead after the home leg and just need a draw in Turin on Wednesday to progress to the semi-final. I say "just need a draw" but it is a tall order. However, after the fine performance on Tuesday they look capable of pulling it off.