Welcome again
Another week just passes us by and it seems like only yesterday that I wrote last week’s column. I have made a decision I’m going to be like Fawlty when he said to Manual “Don’t mention the war”, well I am not going to talk about the weather, “Don’t mention the weather” will be my slogan.

Bulldogs have bark
I can hear him and he is not within 300km of me, yes I’m talking about former fruit shop proprietor John “Fruity” Nisbet who is back in full voice after declaring last week the start of the new cricket season. Could they cause an upset and go straight into the grand final? Funnier things have happened.

Minyip Meats Corporate Cup
The Minyip Meats cooperate cup is nearly upon us and the powers to be are calling for deposits for this year’s event. This struggling part time reporter who was born and bred in the Kanya hills (like the late great RE Hendy) has entered a team. I’ve had to extent myself and with the credit crunch it hasn’t been easy but I’m just that excited about the event. Look forward to seeing you all there and make sure you bombard me with funny tales.

Age old tradition
I see on the Minyip Meats logo where they have been operating since 1897. Now that’s a long time in anyone’s language. I’m sure John “Hoye” Drum and his brood will keep the joint open for another 100 years.

Cricket season is not far away
I’m told the MCC had their AGM on Sunday and are looking to kick off season 2008/2009 with a bang. Marnoo will again be looking to its youngsters to keep on improving and take them to a finals berth.

AR Loats
I was on Facebook the other day chatting with Andrew “Upstart” Nisbet and he was barking about the Dogs after their victory. The mode of the conversation changed and we got onto Ross Loats stories, now for those who don’t know AR Loats, he is a middle aged (late 50’s I’m guessing) bachelor man who lives at Laen with his mother, breeds prized cocks, mows lawns for a living and still plays cricket in Donald. Now you have to know him to understand what I am on about. Here is a story: Whilst at Bendigo Country week Dwain “Daryl” Duxson used to turn his electric blanket on 3 in the middle of the night and Loats would wake up and say “you little prick Duxson, have some bloody brains you little chump”. Now Bendigo is a hot place in January and Loats didn’t appreciate sweating during the day as well as the night time. This tradition was handed down to Hayden “Howard” McLennan and then onto “Upstart” Nisbet, I’m not sure who does it now or if Loats still goes to country week.

Other Loats stories
I was going to tell some other AR Loats stories but they are really you-had-to-be-there stories. I’m sure some of the cricketers would be giggling away because the Marnoo boys gave him buggery. Oh yes for the record – he isn’t dead yet.

Freddie and Fannie
Only in America would they call a leading lending institution Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. We could go one better by changing the name of the ANZ to Stewie Mac and the Commonwealth to Barbra May, what about this one, Rabobank to Danny Dougo!!!

It’s time to go, end of message