Futtocks

There's some Army games on Twitch and OurLeague this afternoon, to get you in the mood for England v Fiji later.

When I cook spare ribs, there are some ever-presents in the marinade - oil, salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, smoked garlic granules, thyme, vinegar and something sweet (sugar, honey, maple syrup). What I add to that is down to the whim of the moment - or what's in the cupboard. The sauce is 2 parts fruit (ketchup, brown sauce, kicap manis etc), 2 parts sweet (sugar, honey, maple syrup) to one part savoury (soy sauce, Worcester sauce, Henderson's Relish). Mix it up 'til it's all the same colour, stick your finger in and taste, then add whatever you think it needs, which may be chilli, or vinegar, or more ketchup etc. I cook the ribs in the slow cooker for at least 3 hours, then move them to a baking tray to let them dry for about 10 minutes before covering them with the sauce and finishing them in the regular oven at 180 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then turning them over, applying the remainder of the sauce and giving them another 10 minutes. This gives them the stickiness that requires you to take a shower after eating them. Which is as it should be.

I typed in "Rugby Cod" and just got a lot of pictures of Hull FC players.

It has become a regular thing for their international games. Not just before kick-off, but after full time too.

Remember when Freddie used to tie his hair up in a rainbow of different-coloured rubber bands? That was quite a look!

I typed in "Rugby Spod" and found a lot of statistics.

And now it is.

There are a few new members trying to reach 3 figures before the RWC starts.

Former Oldham player Eddie Whitehead, aged 80. https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/23021678.tributes-paid-death-former-oldham-rugby-player-eddie-whitehead/

That's the RWC. This is a warm-up game.

Did you not read this actual thread?

Raymond Allen, the creator of Some Mothers do ’ave ’em. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/05/raymond-allen-obituary

I usually miss the programme during the NRL season, as there's a match on at the same time. But I listen every now and then, including the recent one with Sue Barker, who had a more eclectic choice of music than I expected: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001c678

I've never been lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis in real life. And on-screen, it just looks like cheap special effects. One day, hopefully.

I've missed this series, so I'll have to catch up. However, from previous shows, I like it. James is a bit of a wet blanket most of the time, but both Farnons are well-portrayed, especially Siegfried. It's a different take from Robert Hardy's famous version, but just as irrepressible and impossible to reason with.

Jim Redmond, father of the GB athlete Derek. Jim inadvertently became famous at the Barcelona Olympics. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/63128944

Country Music superstar Loretta Lynn: https://apnews.com/article/loretta-lynn-dies-5f1545e60e37e482faa42cbb25ae61e8

Former Hull KR prop Adam Walker, aged only 31. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/adam-walker-passes-away-hull-7662593

More WWII madness; a kamikaze ramjet, fuelled by... coal?

Sacheen Littlefeather: Native American activist and actor who refused Oscar for Brando dies. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63114459

David Robinson (1944-2022), player for Folly Lane, Swinton, Wigan and GB. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/10/01/in-memoriam-david-robinson/

Because fewer people switch off/over as the game goes on. The announced viewing figure for yesterday is not the peak (which would have been early on), but the average.