80th Birthday Photos

Just in case you can't wait for the photos from Lizzie, here are a few of them. If you click on a photo you should get a full size image, then you can save it on your own computer and print it or something ...

As a matter of record the Eton team beat the Keeling team 25-5. But apparently this wasn't too shameful. Sometimes the visiting team is being so slaughtered that the game has to be suspended. This didn't happen to the Keelings. Hurrah.

There are more photos on Lizzie's facebook at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104674&id=672780041. You have to have a facebook id to see them.

Old snow news

What a great weekend for Mum's birthday with an epic contest at the field game. Thanks to Archie for organising the game and to Dad and Mum for laying on such a good party at lunch time.

A week before Mum's party we had our fair share of snow in Somerset with the result that we were actually snowed in on 6th Feb with six inches of snow outside our front door and big branches lying across our drive from the cedar and other trees. The younger children could not be taken to school and poor Arthur was stuck at school because he had been boarding for the night on Thursday. We got him home on Saturday and he was able to join in the tobogganing.

But while we were under the white out we took some good photos which hopefully are attached to this post.

Tom

Archie's field game Valentine's day 2009

Archie, all hail to you. On behalf of all the family can I thank you for organising such a marvellous event for some 80 of us. I can think of no better way to salute Granny on the run-up to her 80th. What a huge effort you have put in. This morning I was so over-excited at the prospect of the match and I can only imagine the fever pitch of your own excitement as you tried to juggle the pitch arrangements to ensure that the game was not sabotaged by the authorities.

Your own game was a joy to watch. With a couple more of you playing it would have have turned into a Valentine's day massacre. For the Keelings. Up the Keelings.

Archie... thank you, thank you, thank you.

Lossa love - Trev (Dr)

The Last Field Game Post + maps

This is an urget last minute post to the players....

For several reasons we have decided to postpone our on-field meeting till 10.00am,just one hour before kick off. I am sorry this is such late notice and I hae been frantically trying to try and get in contact with the players but I am having trouble contacting George, Trev, Paul, and Fred.

I am so so looking forward to the game and its very interesting to see how each team has panned out. It looks as if we will be very equally matched.

But we have the advantage! because as Ghandi said in 1920 - "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." And therein lies our strength. what else could be the reason for George's phenomenal fitness work?

Game on.

George writes: Archie provided this schematic of where the game is.

ZILCH

We consider this a good omen for the field game match.


Trevor, Ruth and I had a very close game of zilch on the evening before the match. Trevor started off by getting 5 zilches in a row and descending to -1,500 and then went on to win.

To make it even more exciting, we were all in the 9,000's by the end of the game. Ruth got 10,550 as you can see, then Trevor pipped her at the post with 10,750. I zilched in a desperate attempt to overtake.

Trevor was possibly cheating by only drinking water. He claimed that this was in preparation for the match. He also got 2 x 1,000 with straights in two throws.

There is a footnote and another story, if only.

11 days to go

Phew! Just got back from my daily run. I'm trying to get a little bit fit for the Field Game. But I still hope I can stay on the sidelines. I will be a disgrace to the family name if I am called onto the pitch, Archie. I started last Tuesday with a modest run of about 860m. I had to stop on Pohlstrasse at about 600m and have a rest. The next day I didn't have to stop and today I extended my range to just over 1,000m. I wonder if I can get as far as the river in 11 days?

Monday 9/2/09: I did get to the river today! 1,200m and no heart attack yet.

PS Has anybody seen Valkyrie yet? I did and it's pretty good. Just beyond the river is Stauffenbergstrasse, which is named after the hero. He was shot in a building on that road. You can walk in the courtyard where it happened. Spooky.
Comments
Much looking forward to seeing all these fit keeling brothers competing in the wall game and thankyou for including me in the lunch afterwards.
Alex Palmer
Posted by: Alex Crockatt | February 08, 2009 at 06:04 PM

George - well done and I am sure you can make it to the river, but for goodness sake don't have a heart attack in training. The father of a friend of ours was involved in the Valkyrie plot (and was duly knocked off afterwards) - so we are looking forward to seeing it.

Posted by: Jim | February 04, 2009 at 04:37 PM

Local sporting news from Somerset

Imogen, aged 9, competed in her school's long distance race for her year and the year above her. She finished sixth overall and second within her own year. She was the fastest girl out of both the years. A couple of days later she took part in the Somerset Primary Schools long distance race with about 60 competiitors and finished tenth and was the first girl to cross the finishing line.

Flora, aged 7, is the youngest pupil in her year and took part in her year's cross country race at school. She finished sixth and was the second fastest girl. (The fastest girl was Harriet Fox who is a second cousin of Jim and Emma's children, I think).

This year Arthur is playing in the B team of the Somerest under 14 hockey squad.

Edward should be competing soon in his school cross country race which he has previously won, but is off games, recovering from in growing toenail operations. However 'Fur Elise' is sounding beautiful from the piano at the moment, which Edward is playing (with his fingers).

Tom
Comment
very good to know that Imo, Flora and Arthur don't get their sporting genes from me.

Posted by: rob | January 30, 2009 at 12:07 PM

Meribel

I’m having a lovely week with Ruth, Trev, Mum and Dad at the Yeti. The first day it was sunny but the snow was a bit scrapey. It has been very cold here but it hadn’t snowed for 3 weeks. After lunch Grandpa tripped on the third stair from the bottom out of the restaurant. I was right behind him and could do nothing. He executed a beautiful 180 degree turn and landed neatly on his back laughing and demanding to be picked up. Philippe and I raised him to his feet and he was none the worse for wear. The photo shows Dad, Mum, Philippe minutes later.

The next day it snowed hard and the weather was pretty foul. I was with Trevor coming down the Saulire on that ghastly shoulder. I lost him and my hat in the blizzard conditions. My head froze and I had to stop, hold my head and nearly cry several times. Luckily Trevor didn’t see this shameful behaviour. He boarded merrily down to the bottom and came back up to meet me for our lunch rendezvous at the half way station. As usual Mum and Dad are funding excellent lunches.

Yesterday  was better. There had been a good snowfall during the night and my children insisted that we get up early to get the best of the snow. We got half way up the Saulire (Saulire 2 was closed) and skied Georges Mauduit. Then we went towards Mont Vallon. At the bottom of the Mont Vallon at 11.25 we got a message from Philippe to meet us for lunch in La Soucoupe  in Courchevelle at 1. We decided that we still had time to do Mont Vallon and get to La Soucoupe in time. We made it with 5 minutes to spare and had a delicious lunch. I skied with Granny and Grandpa in the afternoon – very relaxing.

Today was even better. More snow in the night and sunny weather today. And this evening it’s snowing again. Yum yum.

Click Read more for more pictures and commentd

Post from Jim

Archie, marvellous description of the field-game this morning on the blog.  Am REALLY excited about it.  Well done so far!  LoL Jim
All, sadly Emma and I heard from Nico/Christa last night that Herbert died yesterday afternoon.  We have told Mum and Dad, who incidentally said skiing is going very well though cold.  LoL Jim/Emma xo

Granny’s Birthday Celebration

Hello Keelings and distant cousins and friends,

Here is probably the most informative and accurate field game update I will ever give on the 8 brothers blog. So if you have any questions to do with the great event, it is likely that I am now about to answer them.

To the players (or if you are interested) -

Firstly I will say a word about the squad. This includes the following people: George, Simon, Jim, Paul, Trev, Tom, Colin Hely-Hutchinson, other Trev Keeling, Tom Palmer, Sam Palmer, Harry Keeling, C.Gardiner Hill, N.Hely-Hutchinson, Ted Keeling, Fred Keeling and myself.

We will play in plain white and all the players will need shin pads, long sports socks and football boots. Although I will be able to help kit people out with stuff lying around the place here at school it is obviously much easier if people can bring their own kit. There is a sports shop called ‘Eton Sports’ on the highstreet perhaps five or ten minutes walk from the playing fields, and the heart of Eton, where all these things can be bought.

There will be changing rooms and showers at the pavilion nearby where everyone can base camp. Or alternatively my housemaster has kindly said that we may use his house to pitch camp and prepare for the game. It is just before half term and many boys will have already gone home, so the place will be reasonably free for this sort of thing.

To everyone -          

I am sure you all have the dates and vital details of the day tattooed into your memories but I will go over them again just in case. It is on the February 14th at 11am. It will be played on Agars playing fields where you can drive right up to the edge of the pitch. I would suggest that supporters aim to get there comfortably in time as, I assure you, it will be reasonably busy and there will be a fair bit of battling to get a decent place for your car (with supporters and players from other teams, of course.)

But I would like to insist that the players pay no attention to this 11am kick off time and instead arrive as early as 9am. I am sure that as you are reading this you cannot help thinking how ridiculous this sounds but this timing is really absolutely essential. Because we will need ALL 15 PLAYERS for at the very least an hour and a half so that our extremely talented but, alas, inexperienced field game team can learn how to play this game. It will require all 15 players to be present and if the entire team can get all kitted out and everything in half an hour I will be very impressed.

Players absolutely must pretend that they have to get there for a 9am kick off. If we do not prepare properly for only a short while for the game, the whole match will be a bit of a shambles, less fun, and will also slightly embarrass the keeling name, which, of course cannot happen.
Also, I should say that for people who want to take the train, there are two options for you. You can get a train to Slough and from there get a five minute taxi into Eton.

Alternatively, you can get a train to Windsor & Eton Riverside and from there you can cross the bridge that the station is just adjacent to and then take a very pleasant walk for about 20 minutes up the high street to Agars playing fields.

After the game, Granny and Grandpa have completely booked the restaurant The House on the Bridge (on the bridge I mentioned just earlier) and the food is amazing and it’s going to be the best lunch ever ever. Incidentally, Granny and Grandpa are staying at the hotel The Christopher Wren which is about 20 yards from this bridge I keep going on about.

The rules –

The Field Game is often branded over complicated and confusing and while this is slightly true, in my opinion, only a basic understanding of the main rules are really required to be able to play it to a reasonably enjoyable and successful level.
The field game is played with a size 4 football. (In the premier league they play with size 5.) It is played at your feet, similarly to football, and no player in the team is allowed to use his hands to control the ball during play.
The object of the game is to score the most points. This can be done either by scoring a goal (three points) and the other is scoring a rouge (five points plus conversion). Scoring a goal is done by putting the ball between the posts. A rouge is, when compared to football, winning a corner. It is done by getting the ball off the opposition’s field of play, via an opposition player. And there are a number of methods of doing this, mainly going along the line. This means that you go along the line. You get the ball up the opposition’s end of the pitch and the attacker shuffles along the line trying to win a rouge (or a corner) off the defender who comes to meet him.
The team consists of 11 players.  There are 2 shorts and a long. These players are defenders who are good at long, accurate kicking. Then there is a fly around whom the attacking game is essentially centred around. The fly is usually a quick, strong player who is good at dribbling. Then there are 7 bully players. These are the workers of the team, they should be strong, good at lots of jogging and, if possible good at dribbling.

The shorts and long are the only players on the pitch who are allowed to pass the ball to other players. The shorts and long will usually boot the ball up far into the opposition’s half which the bully players are then required to follow (or occasionally the shorts will play a neat, clever pass just into the path of the bully). What will often happen in field game is that the shorts and long of each team will be continually firing the ball into the other’s half in an attempt to gain the upper hand and build momentum. While, as often does happen, this passing back and forth between the shorts and long occurs the bully players of each team, meanwhile, have to run up and down the pitch, in a very tight group, chasing the ball, seemingly pointlessly, but actually abiding by some fairly complicated offside rules. These offside rules are the ‘main rules’ I mentioned in the first paragraph of this rules section. If, as an inexperienced player, you can grasp the offside rules, there is a very good chance you can play the game successfully and really enjoy it.

The TWO offside rules are known as sneaking and cornering. Sneaking is essentially the same as the offside rule in football (which you can look up if you do not know it thank you very much) but instead of being behind the last man when the ball is played to you, instead you must be behind the last man when the ball goes over your head as the ball is played over. Cornering is an offside rule that works perpendicular to sneaking. You are cornering when you play the ball and you are either too far to the left or the right of the bully. This rule is more vague and basically as a bully player you must just make sure that you stay in tight, narrow group. Except when you are dribbling, of course.
If this makes no sense, maybe try reading this again. Because it’s not a bad summary of the rules. But if you have gained just one solitary scrap of knowledge from this epic summary of the rules and feel thoroughly unenlightenend, don't panic, I would not expect anyone to really grasp it just from reading. It's the bit of practise we will have before the game that will really count. If you have gained one solitary scrap of knowledge then you have made me a little bit happy.

And finally…

Although I know how useful the internet and the keeling blog and email and everything are at getting these kinds of messages across, I know that there are also bound to be members of the Keeling empire whose ears (or eyes) this message will not reach. And so, please make this event your gossip until its all over because I hate the idea of leaving people out, or worse people forgetting all about it. But don’t worry I have told Granny and Grandpa. I am almost certain they will turn up.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year (it’s not too late to still be saying that, is it?) and I look forward to seeing you on February 14th.
Love Archie.

Comments
archie rules as captain love it!!!
Posted by: fred | January 18, 2009 at 07:58 PM

It sounds so extraordinary that I may as a distant cousin at least once removed and with no previous interest in any kind of football have to come along...if that's alright?
Alex Palmer
Posted by: Alex Crockatt | January 16, 2009 at 06:15 PM

Amazing captaining Archie - and the team hasn't even met on the pitch yet.
Good luck Dad.
Posted by: ruth | January 16, 2009 at 02:04 PM

oh gosh
Posted by: George | January 16, 2009 at 01:14 PM

Top stuff Arch.
Everyone please take Arch's plea for us to turn up early seriously. Every minute we get to practise before the game, the more enjoyable the game will be by far.
Florat Keeli!
Posted by: Harry | January 16, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Brilliant work Archie. Three early cheers for our captain!
Posted by: Tom | January 16, 2009 at 09:33 AM

Germans and Germany

Recently Edward asked me what Germany was like. I wrote him my answer and asked him if he thought it was worthy of 8brothersing. He agreed, so here it is ...

Dear Edward

Thank you for your letter. In it you asked me if I was in Germany and, if so, what it was like. I do live in Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany. I can tell you what that’s like and it will give you some idea about the rest of Germany. But, rather like London is unlike the rest of Britain, Berlin is unlike the rest of Germany. So what I say about Berlin is not always applicable to Germany.

The first thing is that I only intended to stay in Berlin for one year. It is now almost two years since I arrived, I find the place and the people very congenial and I see no reason to make a permanent return

Berlin New Year

to London or England yet. The streets and pavements are wide. The traffic is usually fairly light. The public transport system is efficient and reliable. For example, underground trains run all night at weekends at 20 minute intervals. On New Year’s eve they were running at three minute intervals  because of the excitement. On that night every Berliner seems to put on their own fireworks display. I was lucky enough to be at a party in a 24th floor flat with a large balcony. The whole horizon was lit with fireworks. There were people letting off fireworks in the street below us and they were exploding in front of our eyes. I found some fireworks in the flat and a German man showed me how to hand launch them from a champagne bottle, which we did. (Do not try this at home!) Can you imagine more fun?

It is very cold at the moment, -10c. Berlin is prettily covered with 5cm of dusty snow. It’s usually like that for about a month every winter. In the summer it’s usually hotter than England and they have lots of huge lakes around Berlin where people go to swim, play, boat and sunbathe. Berlin is flat. With the

Wannsee Beach, Berlin

wide roads and massive bike lanes, it’s great for bicycling. There are also parks and playgrounds on about every corner. So there are children running about and playing very safely everywhere. It’s a startling contrast to England, especially London, where the poor children seem to be locked away all the time. It’s not so bad for you, Edward, because you live in the country and your Mum and Dad are confident people. But it is for a lot of children in England.

The best thing about Berlin is the people. Even though I don’t yet speak German very well, I find them friendly and tolerant. One of the best things about them is their directness. When you make an arrangement with one of them, they stick to it. If they don’t want to talk to you, they tell you. They don’t waste your time or their own time. Their tolerance extends up to the highest political levels. I recently heard a German politician say that it was important that they go on being tolerant and spread their tolerant message to the rest of the world.

Obviously the Germans and Germany are not perfect. Nowhere is. They still have some racism, some prejudice, their food is pretty dull (apart from the very good sausages) and there are other bad things. They struggle against the racism and prejudice - but they’re not too bothered about the food.

I think that, nowadays, they’re doing better than most and have lot’s that the Brits, and the rest of of the world, could learn from.

Love George

GOT STUFF YOU DONT NEED?

Next Monday the 12th, I am coming to London and taking reposession of my beautiful flat in St Marys Mansions. (Inland revenue: Please note.) As a result I will be in the awkward position of having a 2nd home in Germany, because London will be my main residence (Inland revenue: Please note again.) If any of you have spare stuff such as cooking utensils, double duvets, pillows, double duvet covers, pillow cases, a Vista compatible printer/ scanner, I can relieve you of them. If I can minimize my trip to John Lewis it would be dead handy. Fortunately, I'm sorted for furniture (beds, tables, sofas, chairs, cocktail shaker etc).

In addition, if any of you want to rent a room or two in my lovely London flat, or know somebody nice who wants to, there would be a place. For family I would do a cheaper rate, otherwise £700 per month.

After that, on Friday evening, Ruth, Trevor and I take the Eurostar to Moutières en route pour Meribel. Wooo hoooo!

Happy Birthday Carrie

Happy birthday dear Carrie,

Happy birthday dear Carrie,

Happy birthday dear Carrie,

Happy birthday to you










Comments
Happy Birthday! xD
Posted by: David | October 17, 2008 at 02:01 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM! xx
Posted by: ruth | October 16, 2008 at 06:42 PM


Many thanks. Glad to see there weren't 54 candles. They must be those magic ones because I can't blow them out. Cx
Posted by: Carrie | October 16, 2008 at 01:09 PM

happy hunting grounds

Bonnie has gone to chase rabbits in the sky...she was 17 and a half and had enjoyed three happy country years of retirement after her long metropolitan existence. She never quite got used to not being able to jump onto the tube in suffolk,,,,though memories of David nearly decapitating her by jumping onto a train without her whilst holding the lead stayed with her for a long time!

She came to live with us when she was 2 months old - Poppy was nearly 7. Pedigree name was "Our Bonnie Lass"...hastily shortened.
One of her first memories was weeing under Grandpa's chair at breakfast when she was only ten weeks old  - the kitchen swing door had buffeted her back as she scrabbled on the shiny floor.

At two she went on a horse drawn caravan holiday in Ireland and spent a lot of time trying very hard to get kicked by Bess the Big Bummed Horse eulogised by Poppy in a memorable sonnet.

Once upon a time she walked with David from Barnsbury Road to Jacobs over a weekend. Late on the first day they were still a couple of miles from the friends at Ightem Mote with whom they were to stay when a bus passed them. Bonnie decided she had had quite enough and tried very hard to get on it.

She went on many exciting holidays.....Ireland with Ruth and Trev meant the pleasure of a 12 hour boat trip = spent in a tiny box on deck where she sat and licked the salt spray in delight. Scotland was one of her favourite places though she thought camping overrated and really much preferred B&Bs (excess breakfasts always eagerly awaited to be eaten in the bedroom). Yurt dwelling was also acceptable as a form of excursion though her deep snores meant being constantly thumped with a pillow which quite spoiled the experience. Walking weekends with Trev and Jaqui and  Paul and Van were an enormous pleasure.

The South Downs way was great fun - parcels sent ahead to each B&B had the added frisson of excitement....if they failed  to turn up ...... instead of beastly tinned food out of the evening post she would be treated to supper under the table in a pub...heaven!

One of her best holidays was with Poppy and a group of her friends after their GCSEs in a friend's house on Dartmoor. She sat by the lake and surveyed the land for hours when she wasn't swimming with the ducks. Swimming was her delight  - really lovely wild green swimming (though she occasionally 'fell' into the pool when she got really hot at Jacobs). She loved to swim in the sea but always thought the taste a little peculiar - wave jumping until she shivered with cold at Camber Sands is a clear memory; head just lifting out of the water for long enough for a little boy on the beach to shout "a seal! look! it's a seal"

But the best swimming of all was in Cambridge at Barton Road where she loved to sit by the lake and just commune for hours with passing dragonflies if she wasn't in the water -  but any murky puddle would do - the smellier the better - and her long distance swimming was impressive.
She loved children, and took a particular pleasure in trying to make friends with anyone who really didn't like dogs. (Not just Mike!)

Commment
Molly will be delighted and will welcome her with open paws. xV
Posted by: Vanessa | October 11, 2008 at 09:48 AM

Bah Humbug or Credit Crisis?

I know I have suggested similar drastic measures before, and the Christmas spirit certainly runs thicker with some of you than me, but the suggestion has always fallen on barren ground.

Can we not for, for this year only, agree to have a general amnesty on inter family gifts.

I know it is hardly the attitude and it’s the thought that counts and it wouldn’t be the same without it etc., but we could give it a go.  After all we might all still have a happy Christmas. I am fairly convinced that we will all survive the festivities intact with out the extra 7 presents each, and I’m sure the banking system will take a much needed boost from us not all buying an extra 20-30 presents apiece.

Looked at from the other side of course we might be held responsible for driving the retail sector into recession!

What are your thoughts?
Comments
In the Hardy family we buy only for our parents, our children, neffs & nieces under 18 and anybody we're spending christmas day with. We're very happy with that system.
Posted by: Carrie | October 11, 2008 at 03:24 PM

I thought that we had all agreed this, at Paul's instigation, a couple of years ago. Is Paul getting early onset Alzheimers? I plan to send no presents to my bruvs and sin laws, I'm even excluding older neffs and neeces ..... I think 21 is a generous cut off age. Maybe 17 this year.
Posted by: George | October 10, 2008 at 04:01 PM

Kilimanjaro

This summer Dad, Tom, Ted and I along with some friends climbed Kilimanjaro! The first few days were fairly easy - a team of around 30 porters carried all our overnight bags, so we were left with only a small day bag during the day and going at a really slow pace so we didn't get tired (about the pace grandpa will be running at ten years from now!)

I think the only difficulties we had on the first couple of days was the temperature at nightime. My friend and I hadn't done enough research into the trip, and had thought that as we were in Africa we would be boiling overnight, but in fact it was absolutely freezing and every night we were bundled up in all the clothes we had brought with us (at least six layers on both the top and bottom) as well as a hot water bottle made from a water bottle. The other difficulty, particularly for the girls, was the loo situation. As we were at altitude there were luckily no flies, but that didn't take away the fact that our bathroom situation for nine days was a long drop. Luckily, as I was about to brave it the next morning, one of the porters pointed out a tent to me which happened to be our very own portable loo - amazing! [Click Continue reading to read the rest.]

Update for The Keeling Field Game Match

Recently, I had to make some very difficult decisions...

Being completely honest, and with the best interests of our family name and reputation in mind, it has to be said, some keelings will be, alas.... unfit for battle. There I've said it. And I know it will be upsetting for some of you to be rejected from the Keeling XI, but allow me to console you. (I'm really talking to the younger keeling grandchildren and the keeling women). Really, you will be laughing when you see our opponents, laughing with happiness that you will NOT have to form up against some pretty formidable giants in, what we call, the bully. Another, reason you might be more able to accept rejection is that we do want to put out as physically strong a team as we possibly can, and I reckon that any keeling man is strong enough... just. And as the great French writer and physician, Louise Celine, once said...

"All great innovations are built on rejections."

So please dont be disheartened if you are not quite big enough yet or are the wrong sex. Am I being sexist? Well, I just quoted a French lady so pipe down any feminists out there.

Also another point that Tom Keeling, the older (or elder?), wisely brought up is the issue of showers after the game and football boots. Well basically we might be able to use the football pavilion showers, but I have not really done anything about that yet. And with regard to boots, yes I think I probably could rustle up several pairs but really you would be much better prepared in digging out an old pair or going buying some for £20/£30. But we can cross that bridge on the day.

The game kicks off at 11.00. but I think that all players (not necessarily supporters) should be there at literally 9am. this is because you are essentially re-learning (or in some cases just learning) a game that our opponents will have been practising for the whole term. and we'll need quite a few people in order to demonstrate easily what is supposed to be going on for people that need to know.

I am really going to start properly recruiting in about 3 weekends time when I'm at home and I've got more time to think and do stuff. So if you have been sitting by the phone all  this time waiting for my call then alas I'm afraid you must wait a little while longer!

Lastly, I know that everyone's feeling quite pessimistic about actually playing but let me assure that no matter how crippled you think you are I garauntee you will enjoy thrill of playing this sport! Also, we are playing the 4th XI and I really believe that we can be better than them and are more capable of beating them. Remember that most of them will probably be fat and unfit and probably hung over, and none of them will be that great sportsmen. and even if we dont win, who cares, its just a great way to celebrate granny's 80th!

lots of love,

Archie.

Comments
With a pep talk like that, how can we fail to beat them. Go Captain Archie!
From Cheerleader #1
Posted by: ruth | October 03, 2008 at 02:57 PM

Archie, Great update and yes we have crossed in the post, sort of. Wily and cunning we shall be versus raw youth and the spoils will be ours! On the hangover note that you made...if you arrange a bash at Tap the night before the match for the 4th XI then we may have that clear-headed advantage over them that could bring victory to the family team. Does Tap still exist?
Posted by: Tom | October 03, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Judgement Day: 14/2/09, 11.00 am

Finally, at last, the news is out! I can confirm that the Keeling XI will be playing Eton's 4th Field on the 14/2/09 11am. and another slightly less relevant success story is that I've finally discovered how to make a post!

Its the date that everyone wanted.... its the date that no one thought we would get... its the kick off time (11am) that means we can play and then have a massive lunch and drink till our livers are like grandpas without having to worry about playing after lunch!


so now all we need is a team...

recruitment has officially begun. as it stands, i know that so far we have harry, simon, jim, george and myself. 5.

so please feel free to book your place in the keeling XI. so probably just write something on this blog if you want to play or email me archiekeeling@hotmail.co.uk . but i will be making really over excited phone calls all over the shop in the next few weeks, so beware!... you better have a dam good excuse not to play..

lots of love, archie.

golden oldies

For years I have kept a pile of 45 rpm singles that used to be at the Oast House and also a number of LPs. From time to time I have got them out and listen to them, more often the LPs than the singles. I have now recorded all the singles onto my pc, adding them to Edward's itunes collection. Now it is much easier to listen to songs if I feel like it, plus a collection of much newer ones from Edward. If anyone wanted to hear a blast from the past then it is pretty easy to attach a song to an email. Tom

Comments
I thought we were going bto be able to listen to them
Posted by: Jenifer | September 19, 2008 at 07:29 PM

How about a list of them?
xx D
Posted by: David | September 19, 2008 at 10:54 AM

And why they're bust

Also here.

Comments
Just to say that as a result of the credit crunch some junk mail has come through my door.

It isn't offering me a credit card, as it would have done a couple of years ago, but short term loans with interests rates starting at 76.9% and topping out at 442%.

Hope none of you need to take advantage of this offer.

Rob

Posted by: rob | September 18, 2008 at 03:44 PM