This week has seen the latest episode of the Tory civil war - it started with George Osborne's budget, and once again he has had to admit that the state of the UK finances are in a mess. However, after six years his excuses are wearing thin, along with his credibility and chances of ever leading the Tories. However, don't focus on the economic mess, let's all rejoice that we now have a sugar tax!! In actual fact we have a tax on some sugary drinks in two years time - even though Jamie Oliver got excited about it, it's hardly a seismic shift! This on its own will have little impact on obesity levels - it's just another tax on the poor and a way of diverting attention from the state of the economy, but after Ian Duncan Smith's resignation (after finding a heart - perhaps he's been to see the Wizard of Oz) and bizarre justification, fizzy drinks is the last of Gideon Osborne's worries!!!

Well England began their campaign in the T20 cricket world cup losing their first game to the West Indies - unfortunately, they met Chris Gayle in one of those truly unstoppable moods. However, they bounced back in impressive style with a massive win against South Africa.

Grimsby had a disappointing result at Guiseley on Tuesday, twice coming back to equalise, and after Saturday's results I'm sure there will still be many ups and downs before the season is over. However, realistically it'll be the play-offs again and after last years experience, hopefully promotion. This weekend we had the second leg of our FA Trophy semi-final against Bognor Regis, and even though we beat them 1 - nil the previous Saturday at Bognor, they gave a spirited performance before the Mariners won 2 - 1 to secure our Wembley appearance, but credit needs to go to their goalie who after being injured pulled off a string of impressive saves, and Padraig Amond with his 31st and 32nd goals of the season. I don't know how many of you have noticed but the FA Trophy final is a double header with the FA Vase final, both the day after the FA Cup final, which just happens to be a week after the National League play-off final on Sunday 15th May, so the FA Trophy final could be a massive promotion party (or wake!).

While I was away I kept myself entertained by reading 'The Prospect of this City' by local author Eamonn Griffin. It's a historical novel set in and around the Great fire of London in 1666, of course without giving to much away, the city of London burns down and is re-built by Sir Christopher Wren, with St Paul's Cathedral being the crowning symbol of Charles II's newly built London. Eamonn manages to transport you back to the squalor of late-medieval London, emerging from outbreaks of the plague, and austerity of Cromwellian England. This is when he is at his best, describing the awful conditions of life, and even the feel and smell of the printed copy reminded me of cold beef fat! He intertwines a fast paced action story into this world, clearly showing his research of this specific period with the odd authentic term and vulgar expression of the period. The story takes you on an unexpected, but in another way a predictable conclusion. I look forward to Eamonn Griffin's next book, either the further adventures of some of the key characters, or perhaps another period of British history, because he clearly has a gift of bringing history to life. I highly recommend this book as an excellent read.

Anyway, I better go and plan my trip to Wembley.

UTM
Captain Haddock

After several months at sea, it's always nice to turn into the Humber with the Dock Tower and the flats on the horizon - you know you're home!

A lot has happened while I've been away, such as, the Conservative party openly tearing itself apart over its ridiculous decision to give the British people a vote over EU membership. David Cameron may well end up regretting this and getting the outcome he dreads! The film 'Grimsby' has now been released worldwide, and even though I don't like the thought of some southern ex-Cambridge posh boy coming up and taking the piss out of the north, it could have been a lot worse.

The Mariners are in third place, after an excellent win at second placed Forest Green, and we are 1 - nil up in our two legged semi-final against Bognor Regis in the FA Trophy with a Wembley final as a reward for the winners.

I watched the X-files for the first time in years the other night, and apart from Moulder and Scully looking years older (like us all), it was a bizarre episode featuring an Islamic terrorist in a coma, and Moulder trying to communicate with him by taking LSD! It was like Homeland crossed with a Cheech and Chong film from the 1970's and 80's - and not a UFO in sight!

Anyway, while I was away I read 'The Prospect of this City' by local writer Eamonn Griffin, but more of that next time.

UTM,
Captain Haddock