New Years Day

For some reason New Year celebrations have never really caught my imagination. That might be best expressed by the fact that we were asleep by midnight. A good curry followed by Tim Burton's " Alice in Wonderland "was the plan. Well I completed part one, but fell sleep during the film.

The next morning saw us travel to Kingsmeadow for AFC Wimbledon v Hayes & Yeading. Hayes are the nearest conference team to us, but yet it doesn't make it a local derby. Even with a 3pm kick off the crowd seemed somewhat muted, perhaps still getting over the over indilgences of the previous evening.

January 1st also saw the first sighting of the Dons Trust Gazebo. Elaine & I had waited months for a permanent base following the changes at the ground in the close season. The gazebo seems the best solution. Of course you first have to erect the gazebo. The instructions were not clear or really detailed. We gathered fans around us and at one time there were 12 people attempting to put the structure together. Finally the task was accomplished and I have no doubt that we found more passing trade. Now comes the thorny issue of where to store the structure. It does not pack down that easily, and this make take some negotiation in the weeks ahead.

On the pitch the Dons won 3-1 to remain top of the league. A swift journey home, not too much traffic on the M25 and the chance to watch Birmingham v Arsenal as live. Another fine display by the Gunners (0-3). Later in the evening onto the World Darts Championship but sadly what I suspected occurred. Phil Taylor who had not reached his normal high standard in the tournament fell at the quarter final stage.

The New Year has been a barren period for political news, but things will stir tomorrow when VAT goes up to 20% and people remember the pre-election promises not to alter the previous 17.5% level. At the same time rail fares have increased way above the rate of inflation, not a good time to be a commuter.