steve roberts

I visited my local nature reserve on Sunday and was the only one in the hide but when I went along to the next one there was an elderly man there which I didn't have a problem with as we were well apart. However it turned out that he was deaf and had forgotten his hearing aid and came across to me to talk and show me photos he had taken on his camera...just my luck!

I enjoyed reading Johnnie Hoskins' "Walkabout".

The RSPB have closed their sites...I would normally be thinking of visiting Bempton Cliiffs some time soon when the seas birds congregate in great numbers for the new breeding season. I wonder if "Springwatch" will be transmitted this year?

The question of whether fishing would be acceptable as an isolating activity was a question raised on the main BBC news yesterday and the answer was a bit ambiguous. I've checked with my local lakes (1 mile down the road) and they were still open for business and although I would have no contact with anyone I guess that my conscience is telling me to avoid such an activity observing the spirit of recent developments. Shame as it would have given me peace of mind but it would come across as hypocritical if I was to follow such a route.

Great race...not impressed by the commentary!

Trouble is I don't know how to post links etc!

Got it on DVD...and the track for that meeting was shocking! Ivan has since said that he was totally exhausted by then thru' a rigid diet regime he followed that year. John, however, had got himself super fit thru' a trainer and his scrambling expertise helped in adjusting to the dodgy track something he talks at length in his autobiography.

I visited Wembley (81), Norden (83), Ullevi (84), Bradford (85), Katowice (86), Amsterdam (87) and Vojens (88) The best in my view was the Wembley one but personally the most satisfying were Katowice and Amsterdam that saw Hans Nielsen as victor.

Remember Jim. RIP

I've only seen Wembley (81) & Bradford (85) on that list although I have Bradford (90) & Vojens (94) to watch at some time. If I can hark back to the seventies (outside your remit) I think that the Wembley Final (72) and Katowice Final (73) were full of drama and of course Katowice (76) took some beating due to Peter Collins superaltive efforts. I intend getting round to my hundreds of hours of speedway DVDs over the coming months.

Great video!

I've just contacted my local angling society for an update as regards fishing in isolation and whether they expect to receive guidelines as to whether it's acceptable to isolate one self and whether it falls under the category of 'taking exercise' and 'fresh air'. Personally I'm not holding out any hope although my local fishing spot is literaly just down the road from where I live so I wouldn't be travelling more than a mile. No way that I wish to become a slave to just watching TV but what with my very extensive DVD collection I intend settling down each afternoon and watch one classic movie...afternoon matinee performance...with some comfort food!

Personally I used to hate the 3TT! We never did any good in them!! But yes the local derbies were always spirited affairs and I would imagine sadly missed in the speedway calander now. I have an abundant of speedway DVDs so no doubt will be dipping into those during these very unsettling times...it'll get worse before it gets better in my view (especially if I'm unable to do any fishing with all this fine weather forecast...there is only so much decorating I can do!)

Great names there Sid. Of course Eddie Reeves was always synonymous with Oxford.

Oyvind was a favourite of mine when he rode for Oxford in 1972. I also saw the last race Odd Fossegen rode at Cowley (1974) when he received a very badly broken leg after a first bend coming together.

I have all of those bar the Hull ones...all great reads!

Yes I'm looking forward to doing a lot of "self isolating" involving various activities!

Hmmm! Now that's a thought!

Yes it was going to happen...wasn't surprised by the announcement.

Looks like my fishing days are up the spout!

He stayed loyal to the JAP engine and it didn't suit Wood Lane and he was badly effected by a crash he had with Trevor Hedge...personally Sid I think after getting his dream wish joining Oxford he felt dis-heartened having to up-sticks again. However I will always remember him scoring an immaculate 15 point maximun at Swindon in atrocious conditions during the Mike Keen Testimonial Meeting in 1976.

That sounds familiar!

Can't remember the reason behind it however...so you missed Swindon's victory at Wood Lane in 1976? Dag was blighted with engine problems I recall.

I seem to recall some years ago when there was a shortage (sugar?) some local stores were only selling tp their regulars?

Sorry Sid...I think I'm confusing the meeting with the one against Swindon in 1978?