Simon's Racing & Devon Diary #7

It's been a while since I've written one of these, but it's been a weird summer, but no need to lead on a bleat! Here's how the mop's been a flopping in Devon and beyond. 

I'll start off with something that is statistically going to save some of you some money. We had a bit of drama a few weeks ago. Little Monty was downstairs playing with his Numberblocks when he called up to Melanie. He was a little concerned that water was pouring through the ceiling, down the fireplace and onto the carpet. When Melanie rushed down she was a little concerned too, even more so when she checked upstairs to look for the source finding a fountain of water spurting up from under the sink. I was on my morning walk, about as far from home as I could be when called upon by a wife in distress. Luckily her uncle came to the rescue before too much damage could be done. I had expected to return home to a collapsed ceiling and a ruined record collection, but phew happily total disaster had been averted. 

I know, none of that is going to save you any money, but the next bit really might When the insurance assessor came to check out the damage he wasn't surprised by the cause. A flexible pipe had burst under the sink. Now, these pipes are favoured by DIY homeowners and those who don't want to spend money on a plumber. Pretty much anyone with a spanner can fit one because you don't need the skills to make a pipe to fit. He told us that he's kept in business by these braided flexible pipes. Every time the tap they service is turned on or off there's a little bit of friction in the pipe, turn by turn over the years the pipe will perish. Eventually, they all burst. He said that he is called out to 100 water damage incidents a year caused by these pipes, that's right, 100 a year. Just imagine if we'd been on holiday, or in bed. Please, go and check yours now. This blog isn't going anywhere, it could save you a catastrophe.  

We'll continue with a bit of fun, the Nott Lot recently took a few days off to visit Cornwall. We stayed at a lovely proper family friendly hotel near, but not too near, Newquay. The weather was kind and the kids loved it. Mel and I did too, any parents will know that as fun as it is, actually relaxing with a 3 and 8 year olds enjoying a kids holiday is a tricky job. This place was a winner though, sadly, there's no point in telling you the name, it's closing in a couple of weeks, sold to upmarket developers I'm told.

Anyway, it was a lovely holiday, I kept up my morning walk while away, but got more than I bargained for. That is being greeted with cheery 'hello' from a totally bollock naked chap on a bicycle. I took a picture as he passed, then averted my eyes as he did a U turn and headed back towards me.

The next day I wasn't so lucky and copped an eyeful of his uncomfortable looking old chap as he peddled towards me. This was on a walking trail out to a headland. When I got to the kiosk back by the road I asked the young girls at the tea shop if they'd seen him. They had, he'd stopped for a chat and they'd both got stiff necks trying not to look. Apparently, he's riding naked for charity, I didn't see a tin being rattled, maybe you just drop your donation into the slot, it's not hard to spot! 

On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend legendary bookmaker Stephen Little's garden party, I'm not sure even Stephen was even aware I was coming but his son Charlie and wife Michelle invited me, thanks to them. What a nice do it was too, the weather was kind and the people kinder. Melanie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I came home clutching a copy of Stephen's new book 'From Bicycle to Bentley', I've not read it yet but am keen to get stuck in. Stephen and his editor Rupert Mackeson are doing the rounds promoting the book so if you see them on a racecourse you can grab a copy from the man himself. Published by Pen and Sword and will set you back a score. Review to follow. 

Despite missing the major racing this summer I made it to most of the Star Sports Greyhound Derby from the heats to the finals. What an event finals night was. The betting ring was something else, Lofty, Ben and Charlie took some right old lumps including a single bet of £10,000 on a 5/4 chance. Whilst last year they got untold bundles, this year it didn't go the way of the firm, OK let's be honest, did their bollocks. They had plenty in the hod during the night though so at least had a sporting chance of winning. Ben Keith really has been keeping the prestige of the Greyhound Derby alive, long may it continue. 

News on the Star Sports front, they now offer Best Odds Guaranteed. If you have been holding back from opening an account with them, now's the time to get stuck in. They are on oddschecker too so you can pick them off with BOG at a glance. I'll wait, fill your boots, Click on the link below to open an account with them, there's a bit of commission in it for me too. They also offer bigger playing owners to back their horse to win £10,000 at 10am. Click on the link below, if you lose after opening an account, I get a bit of commission, if you win off them I get nothing, certainly not a pat on the pack for putting a shrewdie into them. 

OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH STAR SPORTS HERE

The other independent bookmaker I have an affiliate deal with are Bet Goodwin. If you've not got an account with them, it might be worth giving them a spin too. They also offer BOG but also specialise in special offers to compensate for bad luck you might suffer, falling at the last, being beaten by a rag etc. For full details please click on the link below where there's a money back offer, I get a few quid if you do your money with them, support your independent bookies. 

At the time of writing I'm still waiting for a date for the heart bypass I was told I needed back on Oaks day. It's been a weird old summer especially being advised that I could expect to have it done in weeks rather than months. I'm now told I'll get my plumbing sorted in September, that's my heart bypass not the old flex pipe under the sink. I'm told at that these days they are both a routine operations for a professional. Proper Job!  

Simon Nott