rabbit

It was one of the few bits I did hear today - Dave Lanning said it was a diabolical decision and was ranting and raving. He wanted to know if all four touched the tapes whether they'd be starting in the car park!

Fair comment Colin - think that possibly after the first set of races when some riders were out of contention they eased off a bit which may have affected the competitiveness - you certainly noticed those giving it more were those still in with a chance for the final. There were showers piling in - we got lucky in that they all missed us until the end but any one could've dumped a load of rain on us. A totally shattering but enjoyable day (I think - ask me tomorrow!). I was quite impressed with some of the racing - don't ask me which ones and who because I'm never able to watch that intently!! I just know there was some good stuff in there! Will have to watch the DVD to catch it all! A decent crowd and plenty of people inside the glass grandstand too - not surprising as it was pretty cold there. People are talking 3000 but I think it was a bit more than that, although I've not spoken to anyone to have that confirmed/denied. Very impressed with the Dave Lanning /Nij double act. Really worked and when he was having a go at Frank E after the Crump incident was hysterical!

You can pay on the gate swc, but, remaining tickets are limited, and once they get to the max crowd allowed, the doors will have to be shut. If you don't have a ticket, I'd recommend getting there as early as poss to guarantee yourself one. Bob's right, blue sky out there at the mo and the worst of the rain has gone. Hope everyone travelling has good trips down and enjoys the day. I'm off to the stadium shortly and the butterflies are starting already. A combination of nerves and excitement. Can't wait!

Think it's a bit late for that now Nevsy! Hector...I purposely didn't mention the Lord Wimborne. We want people to remember Poole with a positive slant

Must admit I shall be cheering on Barney, but I'm biased!! Thanks LW and also Nevsy xx . Forecast isn't that bad considering what it could have been like...think Monday! Hope that everyone who comes to the meeting enjoys it and the riders put on a great show. There's a hell of a lot of effort gone into it by Matt and a lot of other people, and I think(hope) people will enjoy everything going on, it's like a who's who of ex-riders going to be there for a start, and if all goes to plan I think the blokes at least will quite enjoy something that's arranged.

It's a favourite BFD. Not long to go now. Really can't wait. Early start for this bunny, plenty to do before the gates open. Bazaar is going to be even more unbearable now, I just hope 'Arry isn't sat on the table next to his DJ station or nothing is gonna get done!!! Think my biggest stress is going to be getting narked as the fiftieth person asks me about their table as my PC is now relocated directly under the bleedin' Restaurant Reception sign.

Plenty of places to eat quite close by. The George Pub on the roundabout just past the big Barclays building does your normal pub grub (couple of mins walk). Across the other side of the roundabout is a Chinese all you eat place and just along from that is a KFC. If you see an Asda if you come into town that way, then on the opposite side of the roundabout is the Rising Sun which does good Oriental style food - there's a car park there too. In the other direction up Wimborne Rd about 400 yds from the stadium entrance is a decent chippie and the Tatnam pub (although I can't vouch for the food in there, I've only ever had a lunchtime drink). I don't know what time you're planning on getting to the stadium but if you walk through the High Street to the quay, there are plenty of eating places all the way incl. MaccyDs and Burger King etc (it's well sign-posted from the large roundabout so you shouldn't have a problem finding anywhere). Also some snack bar type places in the Dolphin Shopping Centre although I can't guarantee they're open on a Sunday. Hope that helps.

Judging by Monday's forecast I don't think we'll get it all our own way. Call it the ying and yang of meteorology.

Weather playing ball so far - only a few showers of drizzle none of which are lasting long. Sun currently trying to break through and nothing of real note following in on the rainfall radar either. Have it on good authority that measures are being taken to protect the track today just in case. Tomorrow's forecast still seems to be mostly sunny spells with the odd shower. Today ain't 'arf dragging though!

Absolutely loads of coverage today in the local Daily Echo, so I'd recommend anyone in the area grabs a copy. For those interested outside of the area, there's plenty of the articles on the Daily Echo website, including something which I'm sure will interest Doncaster Dragon and all the Dave Lanning fans.

Of course Sandie. It's Schlerr... Shhhhlin... of yep I got it - Schline.

Don't panic too much Sue (or the other Ippo fans) - I've only been given the bare bones on why he's pulled out, so it might only be a precautionary move by Jarek.

That's a shame Sandie. Especially as I've just taken a call to tell me that Hampel has pulled out with a knee injury he's aggravated in practice and Rory is in his place...

As we're getting closer to the day, for anyone travelling, car-parking is always a contentious issue at Poole when it really doesn't need to be. The stadium car-park will fill up very quickly, and due to the development of the new emergency services control centre on the old firestation site, there are fewer spaces at the moment. So...with this is mind, I'm posting some directions for alternate car-parking of which there is plenty in the immediate vicinity - a 5 min walk or so. If coming into Poole from the north, drive past the stadium on your right and head past the big Barclays building to the George roundabout. There are about 3 or 4 large car-parks sign-posted here and being a Sunday they will be quieter. There's a map from the Streetmap site here here to help a bit - the stadium is located in the middle one of the left hand set of squares in the grid, between the railway line and Wimborne Road. Hope this helps.

That's quite a general forecast though Eastie and the rest of the South West can have totally different weather coming off the Atlantic, especially in Devon and Cornwall. . There's a more localised forecast here, but I'll still wait until Saturday before even thinking of worrying. The one good thing is the forecasts are improving bit by bit as the days go by.

Otterskin shorts? You're not going to be in some weird looking lederhosen are you?

Oh my God, you're going to be unbearable on Sunday now aren't you?

But then some people would never have anything to post about Saint Charlie

Not at all Kev. It's all been argued, debated since the event was announced and as far as I'm concerned at least, people have their own opinions and it's only going over old arguments. Those booking in advance are getting a £6 programme each so it depends on your point of view - if you're part of a party all wanting a programme you're actually a few quid in hand to pay the booking fee. Personally, I prefer now to concentrate on the actual day itself, which as a Poole fan I'm looking forward to big time and more than any other individual meeting in a long time; and despite the best efforts of a few to belittle, or poo-poo the event I refuse at this point to be swayed from that as weather permitting it is lining up to be a great day with a huge crowd.

I do remember posting back in early January that there was one rider who Matt was slightly concerned might end up pulling out. I wouldn't name him then for obvious reasons, but wahey and quelle surprise, here we are 5 days before the event and it's come to pass. Still like Steve says, much prefer to see Shieldsy back in the line-up. A local based rider and well liked with a good record around Poole so yep, pleased with that.

It's not the best is it? The only things I'd say are...with 5 days to go it can still change dramatically; there are varying forecasts depending on which sites you visit; and Poole does have it's own micro-climate and it's not unknown to rain to totally skirt around the harbour area. Clutching at straws? Wishful thinking? At this stage, you bet!

Well I'm spelling it with a 'j' so if it's wrong I'll claim it's just the Darzet spelling. Having more trouble with Zabik actually being pronounced as Zombik, know that's going to confuse me over the radio this year! Colin - feel free, but it'd mean becoming a Poole regular Great to hear the tickets are still going well. From a recent conversation, the amount sold in the last 10 days has been phenomenal. Part of me is petrified at how big this meeting is (for Poole that is), part of me can't wait!

You trying to get me shot? It might be tempting though... I'm practising spellings as we speak. There's a 'j' in there I keep forgetting when typing at speed! Too bloody right! Like me creature comforts, I don't do cold these days; far too pampered up in my new spot.

Depends Tony - a cracking view from up there in the restuarant with a better vantage point of all the lines on the track, action replays of all the action etc, plus a 3 course meal and bar to hand. If I wasn't working on the day, it's where I'd be, not sat freezing me bits off on a cold grandstand seat.

Err...hate to throw water on your fireworks here, but the BIC are charging £4 a ticket not £4.50 and TicketMaster are charging up £4.30 per ticket booking charge for their GP tickets depnding on where you sit (and possibly more for the highest price tickets but they look to be sold out). Booking charges are the norm pretty much everywhere for venues. I've even had to pay £1 a ticket booking charge to go see a small band in a venue not much bigger than a village hall in the last 48 hours. It's just the way it is.