that I like Catterick, having watched the 3rd episode.

Still very strange but worth viewing. Sure it will get shown on terrestrial channels eventually.

Passed my exam on Saturday. Got 65% which I was relatively happy with.

Finished early and had ages to wait for my train to go Oop North so went to a bookshop. Bought some books, which is what one usually does in bookshops. Got one on the Vietnam war which I'm working my way through. Finding it very interesting. Also got Geoff Hurst's autobiography and Gridlock by Ben Elton. Not sure if the last one will be much cop but figured I'd give it a go.

Went to Frankie and Benny's at the Trafford Centre for a meal on Saturday night with the missus and a load of her mates. Food was good, drinks were a bit pricey.

Ended up going down the M6 Toll road on the way back. So few cars on it. Managed to avoid the M25 with all its roadworks as well.

Back at work today. Spent a fair amount of time reading emails and trying to catch up on last week's happenings. Think this week could be fairly hectic cos we're getting towards the end of the financial year and the management are stressing about meeting targets. Managed to get out on time today though.

The reason I ask is today I went to give blood.

One of the questions they ask before you donate is "Are you planning to do any strenuous activity for the rest of the day?" I answered no, but then asked the nurse type person to prick a finger on my right hand for the iron levels test - I'm a leftie, you see. Explaining that I'm going bowling tonight, she replied "Oh, so you are doing something strenuous today then?"

Nope, just going bowling - which as far as I'm concerned involves more sitting around waiting than anything else. Not as if I'm planning to play football or climb Everest.

They leaked my left arm which still has a plaster on the inside of my elbow. Hopefully it won't gush blood every time I hurl a ball down the lane.

Having a quick microwave chicken curry before going round to the station for a lift off someone from work. Leaving the other half to do all the ironing she's been putting off since time began.

Not cos I've been a naughty boy though.

The network drive died about 4 o'clock so the big boss said everyone could go early.

Had a review of my appraisal today by my boss's boss. Said he was happy with my progress and they want me to be a manger in 2-3 years. Not looking too far ahead!

Off to Camberley tonight for beers in the Wetherspoons. Not intending to go to a club afterwards but I've said that before....

Bowling went OK on Tuesday. Finished 5th and joint 2nd. My performance picked up when I finally found a ball I could fit my fingers in - about 5 frames before the end, unfortunately.

Got to make some dinner now.

Best demonstrated by the fact I have only just had a shower even though I made it out of bed about 7:30 - when the missus went off to work.

Decided to watch TV and check emails. One SoccerAM later I was still here. Watched the first half of the Man U game seeing as Spurs don't get to play until Tuesday.

Has not been a completely wasted morning as I've ordered my birthday present from my parents. The new England away shirt that comes out at the end of the month.  Also need to order Red Dwarf IV as that's what I'm getting from the missus's parents. Simplest way to get what I want.

Will make lunch at some point.

Had the missus's mate and her boyfriend round last night. First time I'd met either of them. Got on well. Had an ample Chinese takeaway - the remnants of which are still sat in the kitchen. Must tidy that up at some point.

Might venture out later but it's unlikely. Got my family coming round tomorrow. For some unknown reason I've agreed to cook for them. Doing a tikka masala with assorted meats - whatever is in the freezer! Need to go to Tesco's to get a pud. Going to buy a huge one this time to avoid having to resort to the small bowls trick again.

Back to studying in the evenings next week. Starting to revise for my next exam. Need to get this one nailed as it's a lot more practical than the last one which mainly needed facts remembering.

Rugby this afternoon. Finally going to find the time to watch some of the 6 Nations. Should catch the end of Italy vs Scotland and then will settle down for the England game.

My boss told me he'd handed in his notice and is leaving on April 2nd. Which is slightly inconvenient seeing as the following Monday is the start of the busiest time of the year as the financial year will have just ended.

He's got a new job and fair play to him for wanting to keep moving up the ladder but kind of leaves me in limbo. I've been told who my temporary boss will be and it's someone I know and get on with quite well. My boss's boss has assured me the change shouldn't affect me too much.

Everyone is saying it's a chance for me to show what I can do - "Sink or swim," as my boss put it.

Just means I'm likely to be über-busy at the start of April. As long as I can get my bank holidays off for a quick bit of relative visiting and a Spurs game, I'm not too fussed.

Booked a holiday to Malta for the start of September on Saturday. The missus's mate is getting hitched out there so making a week out of it. Got the tickets through. Luckily only the hotel and insurance has gone on the credit card so far so we'll have an extra month to pay for the flights

A good defensive performance gave Spurs a clean sheet and eventually all 3 points when Andy O'Brien turned in sub Stephane Dalmat's cross with 5 minutes to go.

Newcastle will claim they should have been given a 1st half penalty when Taricco brought down Hughes in the box. Certainly Shearer and Bellamy spent the rest of the game berating the ref, who generally had a good game but failed to produce any cards despite persistent fouling from players on both teams.

Spurs went into the game with 3 strikers although Keane was employed in a deeper role. Ziege played on the left side of midfield and Brown was forced to play on the right as Davies was injured. The first effort of the game came from Ziege as Kanoute was brought down on the edge of the box but the German's free kick was caught under his crossbar by Given.

King drilled an effort wide before Doherty threw himself at Robert's free-kick. Given saved comfortably from Ziege before Keller pulled off a great save from Bernard as the ball was drilled through a crowd of players. Seconds later came the penalty claim which infuriated Sir Bobby.

5 minutes before the break Keller hesitated in coming for a long ball. By the time he reached the edge of the box Newcastle had men up with play. Keller grabbed the ball but spilled it. He tried to paw it away from Shearer's feet - luckily he missed both man and ball as he was outside of his box so contact with either could have seen him off. Doherty  came to his rescue as Shearer opted to take a touch before shooting at the unguarded net. A great block from the Ginger Pele meant it was goalless at half time once Given had saved from Ziege again.

On the hour mark Keller beat Bellamy to a through ball. Defoe then chased an overhit corner and hit it back across goal. Woodgate managed to clear the ball as Keane waited to pounce.

With 20 minutes to go Redknapp made his long awaited return to the 1st team replacing Kanoute and immediately taking the captain's armband as he sought to steady the midfield. King shot wide again and Keller did well to direct Bellamy's cross away from the waiting Bowyer.

The next player to enter the fray was Dalmat, on for Ziege. After immediately losing possession he started to shine.

Gardner headed well clear under pressure from Shearer before Spurs stepped up the pace with a final push for the the winner. Dalmat had his shot saved then fired over from  25 yards. Given blocked Keane's attempt.

Finally Newcastle cracked. Dalmat stole possession from Woodgate and went past him. His cross from the byline went past Given and as O'Brien tried to clear, he only managed to slice it in. The Toon threw on Ameobi to try and snatch a point but Spurs held out.

A much needed victory to keep us in mid table although a push for Europe looks unlikely due to some tricky games coming up and the UEFA places from the Cup competitions going to Boro and a Nationwide club.

MOTM: Gardner - after recent defensive displays Spurs seemed a lot more assured at the back and standing head and shoulders above was Tony. Doherty also recovered well from his display against Leicester.

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
10	Tottenham	28	11	4	13	40	43	37

for me at least.

Got tomorrow and Friday off work. Going to Stratford-upon-Avon tomorrow. Staying in a B&B tomorrow night. Then same thing in Telford on Friday - which just happens to be my birthday.

Due to be going to Old Trafford on Saturday for the Spurs game but my tickets still haven't arrived. They've been sent out (apparently) to a mate's house as we applied together but not arrived yet. As I'm away he's going to chase them up. Should be able to sort something out hopefully even if we end up getting duplicates from Man U.

Managed to get away from work on time and didn't have to leave a heap of stuff still to do but no doubt there'll be plenty of things waiting for me on Monday.

Only in for 3 days next week and 2 the week after due to studying for my next exam. Need to put in more effort for this one - once I finally get round to starting revision. Monday will do.

Had a meeting with my boss and the bloke who's taking over temporarily from him. At the end, the new bloke pointed out that I seem to do all the work. Totally valid point.