The Continental in Preston is worth a visit. It's on the north bank of the River Ribble adjacent Miller Park and the railway. Good garden and walks along the Ribble. From Penwortham cross the Ribble, turn right or from Preston railway station go down Fishergate Hill and left before crossing the Ribble, then follow signs to BAC Sports & Social Club if travelling by car, or walk along the riverbank.

I was fortunate enough to get to the the top of the East Terrace for a Rovers game before Charlton left the Valley and you could see the Thames flood barrier from there.

Every ball in the box seemed to find the head of Palace centre-half Micky Droy.

Annual concert on the car park this Sunday. One of the chefs is a Rovers fan.

Was there anything worse than the Thompson/Lowey years?

I think that the 'Champions'' League has been detrimental to top flight English football. In the past, if the English league champions did not retain their title, they fell back into the melting pot of the top flight. This is how so many different clubs (8?) won the League title in the 60's. Now they retain Champions' League income for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th finish whilst they have another tilt at the English title. So we have 6 clubs chasing a top 4 finish and 14 clubs fighting relegation until the Spring. The financial gap between the top 4 and the rest of the league gets bigger every year. THIS IS RUBBISH.

Japanese on Fishergate, Preston opposite railway station.

The Daily Star tipster usually nets me a few quid during the Cheltenham Festival. If any race fans are visiting Blackpool, check out The Brigadier Gerard, top racing pub behind Yates's South Shore.

Dr Rox. Good website at dr-rox.co.uk.

No squirrels recently. This winter's visitors are rats looking for a new residence during the recent cold spell. Tip -underneath decking and raised flower beds make excellent dwelling places. Fortunately Colin from the council's pest control department kills the blighters for free.

Vina in Great Harwood - good value and excellent service.

Mutiny On The Buses last night. Always makes me laugh.

Have you tried The Angel at Hetton?

It was the Mail that laid in to Allardyce after the Stoke victory.

This is pretty much how I remember Shane McGowan when the Pogues appeared in Birmingham and Blackburn (twice) in the mid 80's. Perhaps thats why Andrew 'The Clobberer' Ranken used to play the drums standing up!

Agreed Paul. We went in November. I thought the drinks choice was limited, the menu was limited and value for money was not good. Not keen on the current fad for serving food on boards either.

Either that or there's not enough choice. The Clog is well over rated in my opinion.

Can't agree. Taxi drivers manage to get through. If the cold snap lasted a couple of weeks, boredom would force people to return to normality regardless of 'elf and safety.

I know a primary school caretaker who says teachers are 'kicking off because they can't have a day off' because the school in Rishton hasn't been closed by the weather. It's 'elf & safety' they say. What danger to a child's health from the weather? The rule they go by is maximum class numbers. So you can't have one teacher flitting between 2 classes then. Shops are open. Factories are open. Wagons and trains moving the length of the country. A primary school usually has a small catchment area. Yet the first bit of sleet and the teachers are nowhere to be seen. What about their duty of care to the children? I bet they run a rota to get schools closed in bad weather. Let's say a primary school has 10 classes of 30. When it is closed, thats approximately 300 parents who need to book a day off or lose pay. The children lose a days education. It doesn't happen in Finland, Sweden, Norway or Switzerland. It didn't happen here 30 years ago. I'd sack the stayaway teachers and give the children their education.

The Lancashire Hotpots at KGH Windsor Suite last Friday - smashing night. they are playing 53 Degrees, Fylde Road, Preston on Saturday 20 December. GET ON IT!

I was at the Oldham game. Never got used to seeing the local boozers full of Man U fans. Also remember a Granada TV documentary about policing at football showing a GM Police chief briefing his officers before an Oldham v Rovers game in the 80's. He says 'Three things you've got to remember about Rovers fans, they come early, they come in numbers and they drink a lot'. ........spot on!

A right load of old tosh indeed from mr Toland! I have no problem with arthritis in my hands despite 30 years of synchro-clapping home and away. I suspect his condition may have more to do with the cold running water in Huncoat's houses and neglecting to wear proper clothing in Winter.

The annual fireworks festival in Blackpool is still to come. It's free and takes place over several weekends. Well worth a visit.

Which clown would this be then?

After you mum.