The Fox Covert

Could be worse. I don't believe there have been any drive-by shootings in Leicester, unlike our East Midland neighbours to the north. Even sleepy Shepton Mallet witnessed a shoot-out between rival drug dealers on New Year's Eve a few years ago. I just had a look for the story however it looks as though Somerset Live has deleted it - infamous 404 job.

I used to have hay fever real bad when I lived in Leicester and i had it even worse when in London. Now I live in the countryside most of the time I don't have a problem. Constant low level exposure to pollen does help your body to build up a resistance in my opinion. Although the pollen count has been sky high over the last few days and I have started to suffer. The fields next to my house used to be grazed when they were owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and rented to a farmer. But since some shyster bought them in the hope of getting planning permission for housing development (no chance, there is no access, the flat bits are flood plain and the sloping bits are too steep to build on) a lot of people in the neighbourhood have started having problems because there is no stock in the fields any more and the grass is waist high in the summer.

Tend to agree with the loan-him-out crowd. What about Barnsley as a replacement for James? A season in a tough and physical league could be the making of him.

Ian Baraclough new NI Under 21 manager http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39822470

I go Blackcircles. You order online and choose the garage to get them fitted. There is always one near you. Two front tyres from Blackcircles last year were about the same price as one from the local Kwik Fit, when I had to replace one of the back in a hurry after pothole damage. A couple of years ago I bought two new tyres. At the end of the week the car was written off when some muppet drove through the lane of traffic on the right and piled straight into the driver's side of my car. His name was Courtney. Never come across a bloke called Courtney before. And another car story. When the Tories win the election in a few weeks time it will probably be my fault. 1987 Blue car, Tory win; 1992, Blue car; 1997 Red car, Labour win; 2001, Red car; 2005, Red car; 2010 Blue car, Tory win; 2015, Blue car. 2017, Blue car (Skoda say it is actually grey but it is a distinctly bluish shade of grey).

Although Peggy is a beagle cross and will chase anything up to the size of a fox she is a bit stupid with rabbits. She catches them occasionally but lets them go when they scream.

I can't have a dog because I work all over the country wherever there is suitable work to be had, but I love going for a walk with somebody else's dog. One of the best moments was on a cold winter day when Peggy came out with a brand new coat in a fetching bright red Stewart tartan. Peggy, a beagle cross, suddenly shot into a thicket and a few moments later came out again, in hot pursuit of a fox. Without her brand new coat. The fox dashed off and Peggy soon realised there was no point continuing the chase and came back to me. I asked her if she was missing something. She disappeared back into the thicket and re-emerged a few seconds later with her coat!

Anyone been to Sunderland? One of the biggest shitholes on the planet. Who cares whether they like us or not? Walk round the town centre Saturday or Sunday morning and the pavements are densely spattered with puke. Don't quite know what the local pubs do with their beer. The local brewery Vaux actually makes a nice pint, but you won't ever get a decent pint in Sunderland.

Paul Konchesky crosses from the left wing for Gillingham to score against Charlton yesterday. Charlton are, of course, his first club.

And another one. Don't remember seeing this one when the news broke. Wonder if the dog is as aggressive as Galloway was when he was a footballer? http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/ex-footballer-appears-northumberland-court-benefit-6558106

Wellens signs for Shrewsbury Town. Definitely a twilight career move. Not even a picture of him on the BBC website article reporting the move. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35255199