What do you do on your days off? I ask, because I was having this discussion with a customer on the phone, who had taken the day off to deal with all the problems with her computer. In the course of the conversation, I admitted that my days off are preplanned with so many things to do. This Saturday was another case in point. Usually, my weekend is spent resting and cleaning the car. Having done this already yesterday, I had other things to do. First was a trip over to the Peugeot dealership. Then, while in the area, I was hoping to head over to a local Honda garage but couldn’t remember exactly where it was. The place I thought it was, had been converted to an Alfa Romeo sales showroom. Conscience of the time, but not wanting to head home straight away, I took a detour around the countryside, taking in some of the pleasant views of our green land, around Berkshire. The sun was shining, and for the first time, I put the air conditioning on in the car, while cruising around, admiring the view. My daydream could not last forever, so I headed back into Wycombe town centre, there were a few jobs to do. Plus, I was working to a strict deadline, even if my actions and demeanor did little to reflect this. My shopping trip into town was not the standard browsing affair. I knew what I wanted and made the two purchases, in quick succession. No games, no sales pitch. I knew what I was looking for, asked the sales assistant and paid for my goods and left the store. Returning home, I had a few hours to kill before the action began.

There is something that stirs inside, with the prospect of an England game. Even the meaningless friendly, brings a sense of great pride, deep passion for me. I suppose, this feeling, is built into the anticipation. Hope that over the next ninety minutes, heroes will be cemented and reputations forged forever. I expected a solid performance from England and a demolish of the Irish. The first half proved to be entertaining, with the English frontline, just could not produce the end product. Attack after attack, was either cleared or magnificently saved by Taylor. Goalless at half time, the air of anticipation was heighten, knowing full well that World Cup Qualification was hanging in the balance, particularly with Wales holding Austria to the same half time score up the road in Cardiff. The second half was either going to be more of the same, potentially Northern Ireland holding on and perhaps nicking a goal on a brief counter attack. Instead, to the delight of the sell out crowd at Old Trafford and the rest of the country, the script was different. For a change, Sven’s chosen squad delivered the goods and in true style, with a young Joe Cole, particularly turning in a fine commanding performance. My hope is that this result can lead us to bigger and better things, as an air of confidence instills itself in the team and promise of Germany 2006. Wow, this is such a mouthwatering prospect.

Now, to the highlight of my weekend (so far). The return of the great Doctor. I’ve been waiting all my life for this moment in time, my whole childhood has been standing still waiting since 1989. Luckily I only watched a handful of episodes (to my knowledge) in the late Eighties, therefore did not get pulled in (perhaps that is impossible, when you are aged seven). So, maybe that statement is a slight over exaggeration. Nevertheless, I had been waiting for tonight, 7pm for many years. I want to be careful of what I say here. I am not some obsessive fan of the sci-fi series, as some may believe. I watch the shows, enjoy the movies and read some of the great fan sites. The whole concept of the show is highly appealing because of all the possibilities and always has been. Glad to see it back were it belongs, on the BBC and on a Saturday night. I did expect to be disappointed but at 7.45pm, I was instead, looking forward to the next installment. The most striking aspect of the show, was the pace. Previous series had too much time devoted to the Time Lord pondering what to do next, or conjuring up some plan to defeat the Darleks. Chris Ecceleston breaks the conventional mould of the previous doctors but playing the role, with a quick wit, raw urgency for action and an eye for danger. I think it is important to put this episode into context. It is the return of our beloved hero, so therefore an introduction of what is yet to come. The BBC would be foolish to play all their trump cards in their first hand, for our expectations would be too high for the whole series. Instead, they have kept it simple, to bring us in and of course the great band of new fans and hook us in for next Saturday night. Perhaps the only person to truly give an accurate verdict, is the last incarnation of the television Doctor.