Sheffield...

I've taken the day off work today and had planned to cycle to Sheffield. However I'm aching and my cut knee is sore. I take it easy in the morning, but eventually get out on the bike for a short 22 mile loop. From Burntwood, through Heath Hayes, past the end of my Nan's road, on to Hednesford, down to Rugely, right along the A51 to Lichfield and then back to Burntwood.

Once out on the bike my legs don't feel too bad, though there isn't much power there and hills sap the energy very quickly! I get a sharp stabbing pain in my shoulder heading down into Rugely, a bit like I've been stung by a wasp or theres a thorn stuck in my top. Can't find the reason, but it continues to irritate me for the rest of the ride!

Once back in Burntwood we take the opportunity to visit my Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Graham. Yvonne's just had an operation to drill out some dead bone in her hip and is hobbling around on crutches, but she looked very well and was as chatty as ever :-) They agree to sponsor me which is great! And I've mentally booked Yvonne's 60th Birthday Party into the diary.

Dad and I drive up to John and Jo's in Sheffield (it was a bit quicker than cycling, but nice to revisit the route I cycled in reverse!). We have a cup of tea and read stories with Megan and Ellie before heading off to Hillsborough with John. I've asked my Dad to come up to Hillsborough a number of times, but this is his first visit to the stadium.

As we walk to the ground there is a distinct lack of programmes, I wanted to find out if I had managed to get something about the event into the programme, but apparently the publishers failed to deliver the programmes on time! They are now going to be given away free with the Norwich programme on the last game of the season - I'll have to get John to get me a copy!

The match itself didn't start well, with Plymouth taking the lead in the first minute through a wickedly deflected shot from just outside the box. Wednesday spend most of the next 80 minutes trying to break Plymouth down, but Plymouth are a much stronger and more physical side the the Owls and never really looked threatened until Wednesday grab an equaliser inside the last 10 minutes. Its a frantic end to the game, but despite a few chances to nick a result, 1-1 was probably a fair reflection on the game and lifts the Owls out of the bottom three.

We return home about midnight and need to be up early in the morning for the 721 train to London...