Explore Ancient History in Northallerton, North Yorkshire

If you ever wanted to stand where your ancient ancestors once fought, traded or raised their families, visit Northallerton – North Yorkshire. Here you will find yourself amid the ruins of history stretching back to the twelfth century and buildings set-up on soil where the Saxons once trod. Explore their history with the benefit of modern conveniences at hand.

Places such as Kiplin Hall take visitors back a four hundred years to Jacobean influences. View collections of paintings and furniture from across the centuries or take part in family activities established to bring history to life for younger visitors. Push back further in time to a fourteenth century Carthusian priory, Grace Priory, or even further: almost 900 years to a former residence of Richard III, Middleham Castle. Richmond Castle represents the best in Norman fortification: you are close to this busy sight complete with exhibitions and activities for curious tourists.

A busy sacred life was carried out at Easby Abbey as well as Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Both are in ruins today though the very serious looking Victorian church still stands as a contrast to the more joyful features of earlier faith. Studley Royal is home to the largest ruins of a Cistercian Abbey in Europe along with graceful fountains and landscaped gardens.

Turn your time machine forward several hundred years, not quite to modern England. Visit The World of James Herriot set in the former surgery of Alf Wight. The animal hospital and surrounding area allow visitors to walk in the footsteps of a well-loved literary figure, where they too can gain inspiration, perhaps to write their own novels.

If you love animals, this area provides plenty of opportunity to get close. Take little children to Monk Park Animal Center for visits with rare and modern farm creatures such as sheep and goats. Feed lambs and even bathe a pig at The Big Sheep and Little Cow Farm.

Sports play an important part in Northallerton life. Cricket is well represented, while football, hockey and golf also make up some of the many local pursuits. Watch or play: your choice depends on the activity. Try angling, horseback riding or go for a vigorous ramble through the Vale of York.

Accommodation abounds here, just waiting for history hungry guests or the animal lover. Choose from one of the many local hotels and inns or select a guest house. For the independent traveler, self-catering cottages are available, while camping spots await those who prefer to set up a caravan or tent to save money for touring. Eating out poses only one problem: which establishment to select first. Take fish and chips away to your cottage or try a tea house for traditional English fare. As one might expect, pubs await the thirsty tourist too.

November 5th, 2010 by admin
No Comments
 
 

Paraguay Another Power In South American Football

 

In South America like in Europe, football is played all around the continent yet unlike in Europe; only Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have achieved any real success in the world cup. As it is only these three teams which have ever won a final or even reached one for that matter. This being the case since apart from them the only other South American nation to ever enter the semifinal was Chile, who accomplished the feat in the world cup in 62 which they also hosted yet since then has failed to return to the semifinals.

 

As for Uruguay, though they hold two world cup titles along with two fourth places, it would be hard to say that they are a team which has enjoyed any real success in the last few decades since their last world cup title was in 1950 and the last time they ventured in to the quarterfinals or further was in 1970. With this in mind, it would be safe to say that the only teams of any real success in South America as far as the world cup is concerned are Argentina and Brazil. As they are the ones, who are contenders in every world cup they play in yet I wonder what is it about the rest of the nations of South America that (with the sole exception of Chile in 62) does not allow them to go beyond the quarterfinals in a world cup?

 

Football after all is the main sport in all South American countries (except Venezuela) and it is basically played with equal passion and talent through out the southern continent of the Americas. This being the case that on more than one occasion Argentina and Brazil have lost to countries like Paraguay, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador which have even won the South American cup of nations and have had teams which have won the Copa Libertadores (the South American Champions League) yet it is in the world cup where the success of these nations has been as limited as those from the African continent. For my part however it would be hard to ascertain the reasons as to why this is yet in this I see Paraguay emerging as a future power of not only South American but world football. As they have qualified to not only their fourth consecutive world cup but the eighth in their football history.

 

Paraguay for many years however has been over shadowed by their neighbors Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, after all they have not had anywhere near the success in world cups as their fellow South Americans yet they are not without their triumphs as was the case in 1979 when they won the South American championship for the second time. Club wise Paraguay’s Olympia of Asuncion has also managed to win the Copa Libertadores on three occasions while arriving to the final on four occasions which in and of it self is a huge success considering they do not posses the budget of clubs from Argentina or Brazil and needless to say those of Europe. All of which leading to the belief that talent for the game is to be found in Paraguay as well as many to ask when their moment will come to go beyond the  quarterfinals in a world cup.

 

Paraguay however despite having enormous potential, only recently has become a team to qualify with frequency to the world cup which they have done so with relative ease in a fashion to include victories over both Argentina and Brazil. Paraguay even on more than one occasion qualifying in first place in the South American group which includes all ten countries of the continent yet it is in spite of this that they have yet to advance as far as the quarterfinals in a world cup though they were ever so close in 98. It being in France 98 where Paraguay in the second round took the host nation as well as eventual tournament winners in to overtime; before being beat by a late golden goal by French defender Lauren Blanc. This after having qualified ahead of both Spain and Bulgaria in their first round group.

 

Paraguay would come back in the 2002 World Cup and again they would qualify to the second round yet unfortunately theirs would be to loose to Germany by 1-0. This thanks to an almost last minute goal by Neuville. The last world cup in 2006 also saw Paraguay qualify but unfortunately theirs would be to be eliminated in the first round yet in all they did prove that they could at least get to a world cup; despite having a team which was weak for their standards.

 

Paraguay once again will be back in South Africa 2010 and I believe their time has finally come to proof to the world that they too like Argentina and Brazil are a power house in football. This being the case since what else could a team with a player of the quality of Santa Cruz and several others be considered? I however for my part only hope they do not turn on the qualities which they have yet to fully show in the world cup against Italy; who is also in their first round group along with New Zealand and Slovakia.

 

In conclusion, I will say that Paraguay is a team who should never be underestimated by any country; as they posses the elegant ball control of South American football along with a spirit that will not let them surrender even when other teams might have conceded defeat. I furthermore will claim that it is high time that a team from South America; other than Argentina or Brazil showed great football. As it would be safe to say that Uruguay, who did not even qualify to the last world cup and had to play in an additional elimination round after having finished fifth in South America; is no longer among the world’s best. As for other countries in South America, Ecuador did well to get to the second round in the last world cup but failed to qualify for this year’s tournament in South Africa. Chile did manage to qualify yet I would not count on them doing much as they have not won a world cup match since they organized the tournament back in 62.

 

As a footnote, it was Paraguay’s goalkeeper; Chilabert who in 98 apart from making more than a few spectacular saves was the first goalkeeper to actually take a free kick for his team. This being something he had a habit of doing for his team, Velez Arfield; for whom he scored many a goal; this being not only from free kicks but the penalty spot. He even scoring a last minute equalizer from a free kick against Argentina in a qualification match for France 98.

November 5th, 2010 by admin
No Comments
 
 

Australia Visa denied for renowned footballer

Paul Parker has been denied Australia Visa for travel by working as a TV soccer analyst.

He was appointed by the FFNT (Football Federation Northern Territory) as a coaching consultant and was scheduled to commence his work 1 week ago. At present, Paul Parker is in Singapore and has already applied for Australian Visa for “Distinguished Talent”. Only after getting this section of Australian Visa, he would be able to commence his work with the FFNT.

According to the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) Australia, which looks after the matters related to Australia immigration, Australia Visa to travel does not permit the visa holder to work while in the country. Paul Parker, who was working as a soccer analyst breached the conditions and has been entitled of exile.

“He will be heading our indigenous program. Hopefully he’ll have some sort of involvement with the NT’s Timor Sea Cup side, work with school sports and with look at club development. They will keep him busy.” he added. FFNT is very much keen to see Parker back to the job at his earliest, provided he secures the correct for of Australia Visa.

Daymon Port, who is technical director of FFNT said, “Everything has been left as is”.

It should be noted that FFNT is a non-profit organisation which has contributed remarkably to promote football game in the country. Working with it is an opportunity that anybody cant afford to miss. In fact, Parker is trying his best to get the things on track.

November 1st, 2010 by admin
No Comments
 
 

Names You Should Know In American Football

If you claim to be a big fan of American football, you should know the legendary names in the sport’s history. These legendary athletes continue to be an inspiration not only to football fans but to aspiring players and athletes in general. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, selected every year by a committee in Canton Ohio, honors players and coaches who have made a special contribution to football. Knowing about the players and coaches of the past and present will give you a deeper appreciation of the sport. Below are some of the most respected payers and coaches in the history of American football.

Lance Alworth

The first AFL (American Football League) professional football player to be honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Lance Alworth was one of the star players of the San Diego Chargers, joining the team in 1961. He later played for the Dallas Cowboys for the last two years of his career. By the time he retired, he had caught 542 passes and rushed for a whopping 10,266 yards.

Bill Dudley

Earning the nickname “the bullet” during his college days in the University of Virginia, Bill Dudley was famed to have never missed his target. In 1942, he was invited to join the Pittsburgh Steelers and, during his first season, was named Rookie of the Year. Bill Dudley was enlisted in the armed forces during World War II but returned in 1945 just in time for football season.

George Halas

Aptly nicknamed “Mr. Everything” for his many talents, George Halas became a renowned Football player for the Chicago Bears, as well as a manager and coach for the Bears during his lifetime. Every year, football teams compete in the NFC Championship Game for the George Halas Trophy.

Vince Lombardi

One of the most famous American Football coach in the sport’s history, Vince Lombardi brought the Green Bay Packers countless of victories. Retiring as coach in 1968, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971. The most sought-after prize in American Football, the Super Bowl Trophy, is named after him.

Walter Payton

Walter Payton caught the attention of important figures in pro football during his college days in Jackson State University, where he is said to have scored singlehandedly, 46 points in one game. During the 1975 draft, he was invited to play the first round for the Chicago Bears. IN the course of his thirteen year career, he rushed for a total of 16,276 yards, making him the most successful rusher in NFL history.

O.J. Simpson

Born in 1947, Orenthal James Jones had a successful college football career, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968 by the largest margin ever. In 1969, he was the first player to be drafted in the NFL and became one of the best running backs in history. He was named NFL Player of the Year four times, in 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1976. O.J. Simpson retired and pursued a career as an actor and broadcaster and in 1994, was subjected to and acquitted for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and friend Ronal Goldman.

October 31st, 2010 by admin
No Comments
 
 
 
 

Dublin’s Many Attractions

<!– @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } –>

Boasting a heady mix of history, culture, comedy and live music – not to mention possibly the best pub scene of any city in the world – there are enough attractions in Dublin to keep a visitor happy whether they are coming to the city for a long weekend or a couple of months!

Depending on what your penchant as a tourist is, you’ll find something to delight you in the Irish capital. There are historic monuments galore, castles, old disused and slightly scary prisons, modern developments and no small amount of galleries and museums.

Dublin is famous of course for its literary connections, with the city having been home to many of Ireland’s most celebrated writers and poets. Fans of the scribes can pay homage to the greats at tourist destinations like the Dublin Writer’s Museum, home to works from the past three centuries. Here, perhaps surprisingly to the keen literary fan, they will learn that Oscar Wilde was once a talented boxer and that James Joyce was known as a good cricketer, having played in the Dublin Trinity College first XI.

Speaking of Joyce, just down the road there is the James Joyce Museum at Sandycove, housed in an ancient Martello tower first constructed when it was believed that Napoleon was thinking of invading Ireland. Today the museum stands as a tribute to one of Ireland’s best-loved writers and is said to be the place he stayed when he wrote the first few chapters of his classic Ulysses. George Bernard Shaw’s birthplace is another literary attraction not far from most of the downtown Dublin hotels.

Having sampled all that history and culture you might be in the mood for a try of one of Ireland’s other most famous exports – Guinness. Indeed no visit to Ireland’s capital is complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse, a six-floor monument to the black stuff which previous formed part of the actual Guinness brewery in Dublin. Today it offers the visitor the ‘Guinness Experience’, taking the tourist through the origins of the famous brew to how it is made today and all other stops in between. The Storehouse is home to a couple of decent quality restaurants and of course a couple of bars, naturally! A pint is best sampled in the Gravity Bar on the top floor of the Storehouse, where the drinker can enjoy a pint while taking in panoramic 360-degree views of the entire city. Another treat to keep an eye out for is the Guinness advertising section, where there is a complete history of the beer’s innovative commercials, from Toucans to surfers.

Another popular attraction and reason for visiting Dublin is to attend a match at famous Croke Park. This historic stadium is the home ground of the Gaelic Athletic Association, or GAA, and hosts all the big Gaelic Football and Hurling matches throughout the year. It is the third largest sports arena in the whole of Europe with a capacity of more than 82,000 and on match day the atmosphere is quite unique. If possible it is worth timing a visit to Dublin to coincide with one of the main Hurling or Gaelic matches, for an amazingly different sporting experience. Beware though that the city does tend to get a bit busy around these events, so be sure to book a Dublin hotel well in advance of arriving in order to avoid disappointment.

October 28th, 2010 by admin
No Comments
 
 

FOOTBALL,VUVUZELAS,LONELINESS

Afternoon : SouthAfrica
Soccer city stadium.
Night : Mumbai, India
Drawing room
Daughter, husband, children, friends.
All in front of the flat-TV.
A roaring stadium
full to the brim
Vuvuzelas keep on blowing.
Exhilaration and excitement rent the whole atmosphere.
Commentary non-stop,
betting, arguments, debates, too non-stop
daughter and husband enjoy
crunching snacks,
occassionally standing up and clapping
‘hurrays’ repeatedly
Coaches restless on the side-lines
expressions change seconds by seconds
minutes by minutes
facial muscles tightening and loosening
depending upon the occassions.
Excited and disappointed often
keep on encouraging from the side-lines
A goal scored,
Vuvuzelas keep blowing
Spectators go more and more upbeat,
time ticks thick and fast.
Who will win? who will lose?
Betting and arguments galore.
Bed-room
Mother knows what goes on
Doesn’t care but,
she lives in the past,
loves to be in the past always
Drowned in memories.
The Ancestral home ,
locked and no one to look after
a gnawing feeling
presence of her husband
still inside the nook and cranny of each room
And like a butterfly
fluttering around the premises.
The thick greenery
days with him and children.
Then as the clock ticked past
she and her beloved better-half
with their children
Happy moments all spent together,
The joyous moments shared,
All she cherished and
loved to cherish.
Outside in the drawing room,
the excitement and applause mount and mount.
SouthAfrica : Afternoon
Ellis Park Stadium.
Night : Bangalore, India
Drawing room
Stadium goes on roaring
Spectators full to the brim,
Like a pond on the edge
Vuvuzelas keep blowing,
exciting the spectators,
already upbeat them all.
Room awashed with light,
son, wife, children, friends,
all in front of the flat-TV screen
football tossed about,
kicked around, passed in between each’s legs,
with no rest whatsoever,
Commentary non-stop,
A goal scored,
Applauses, Vuvuzelas
reach its crescendo.
Non-stop betting and debates continue albeit,
son, daughter enjoy,
biting, chewing snacks.
Coaches on their roles
As usual , As always,
Referee keeps on running after the ball,
not loosing seriousness,
final decisions always his.
Like a jury.
Cards, yellow and red
safe in their pockets.
When to take it out,
and show to the foulers,
kind of warning,
they know better.
Bed room
Mother lies, looking up
to the ceiling
her mind
Like the speeding fan,
Past days come and
embrace her
Memories cloud her mind,
The locked-tiled ancient house,
Her youthful days spent with her husband,
her beloved-
shining always like a star
Later their children,
the little flowers bloomed in their love-life,
the pleasurable moments with all.
The lush greenery around,
very thought of a lonely
soul wandering there,
that of her beloved,
made her eyes wet.
But no one saw it.
In the darkness
the lump in her throat,
the agony she felt,
only she knew.
Outside the drawing room-
lively kicking and throbbing.
Betting, arguments, debates,
still non-stop.
SouthAfrica : Evening
Nelson Mandela Stadium
Night : Chennai, India
Drawing room
Stadium crowded and full
like a reservoir at its limit.
Vuvuzelas keep on blowing,
Spectators in high spirits,
as always
teams, confident and
formidable powers both,
Like two super powers facing each other
to take on
coaches also seem to be competing
exciting and encouraging the boys
through gestures
Referee in yellow and black,
with the whistle in his mouth
As if it was his organ,
‘Whistle-blower’ he is,
commanding looks flashing in his eyes,
‘I mean business’ like looks
essential in a no-holds barred-battle,
no partiality, no controversy whatsoever.
Jabulani goes on rolling
tossed around, kicked around and passed
in between each’s legs,
one to another and occassional slips
reaching the wrong foot.
An upper hand each look for,
goals, more goals
ultimate victory,
the ultimate aim.
Grandson, wife
children, neighbours.
All eyes centred on the flat-TV screen,
Betting, arguing and debating,
voices go loud in the heat of the moments,
Grandson and wife enjoy,
biting and chewing snacks.
Adrenaline keeps on flowing among all.
Bed room
Her mind always
a compass
The big tile-roofed ancient house,
flying around the memory of
of one person, one soul.
The locked house, the
premises strewn around with dry-leaves,
Verdant surroundings around,
his soul seemed to be
wandering like a dragon-fly,
past comes alive and caresses her.
She yearned to be there.
There only she knew inner peace.
The locked ancestral home,
where her better-half still lives,
she always wanted to be there.
The invaluable moment she cherished.
Helplessly she turned around.
Outside, the victory celebrations
in its crescendo.

October 28th, 2010 by admin
No Comments
 
 

Japan Across Asia1 to face Canada in Rugby World Cup

Canadian National Team Stars to Attack

The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board (IRB) as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the others being Fiji, Japan, Romania, Samoa, Tonga and the USA. Canada competes in competitions such as the Churchill Cup and the Rugby World Cup. The sheer size of Canada means that talent is scattered across the country making the job of coaches and selectors very difficult. The climate is also unfavourable for playing rugby union for much of the year in most parts of the country.

Canada has been playing international rugby since the early 1930s, making their debut in 1932 against Japan. Canada have competed at every World Cup since the tournament was first staged in 1987, the only North American team to do so. Canada achieved their best result at the World Cup in 1991, where they reached the quarter-finals. Canada is the dominant power of North American rugby and considered second only to Argentina in the Americas. Canada is currently ranked fourteenth by the IRB.

Canada beat the United States in a two-legged playoff game in July 2009 to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. They will enter the tournament as Americas 1.
Japan has participated in the Rugby World Cup since its inception in 1987, and has made appearances in all tournaments thus far. Despite this, they have experienced little success, with just one victory over Zimbabwe in 1991, and one draw with Canada in 2007. Having won both Asian Cups, they qualified for the Rugby World Cup 2011 competition should they repeat their success in the 2010 Asian Cup. They will be the home team for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which is to be held in Japan.

Japan Rugby National Team

Japan (often known as “The Cherry Blossoms” or more recently Brave Blossoms) are traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. Rugby union in Japan is administered by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) which was founded in 1926. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup and the Asian Five Nations. They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987. However they have only ever won one game at the tournament, against Zimbabwe in 1991.
Canada V Japan Tickets for Rugby World Cup 2011 can be bought from SoldOutTicketmarket.com. You can buy all Rugby World Cup Tickets from SoldOutTicketMarket.

http://www.soldoutticketmarket.com/sports-tickets/rugby-tickets/rugby-world-cup-tickets/7009/canada-v-japan-tickets/canada-v-japan-mclean-park-napier-tuesday-september-27-2011-tickets.htm

October 26th, 2010 by admin
No Comments
 
 
Page 3 of 21123451020...Last »