West Norfolk Autism Group

It is Never Over Until the Fat Lady Sings

A look back at an extraordinary match that took place today at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between England and Pakistan, a mention of a quiz night on Thursday and a photo gallery.

Today saw England and Pakistan face off at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore in the latest instalment of an ODI tri-series involving these two sides and Sri Lanka. England were badly in need of a win after losing each of their first two matches, and after failing to defend a score of 429 in their previous outing against Sri Lanka (a match I missed since I a combination of commitments kept me out and about for 14 hours that day) they had opted to strengthen their bowling, meaning that Sam Curran was scheduled to bat at number six. The stage was set for a crucial contest…

THE ENGLAND INNINGS

England started atrociously, losing three wickets in five overs. Just as they seemed to be mounting a recovery Jordan Cox suffered a truly horrendous dismissal, walking straight into a glaringly obvious trap set by Haris Rauf to present Babar Azam with a catch and make it 52-4. Sam Curran joined Ben Duckett in a fifth wicket stand that raised 90, and Duckett went on to a fine century. However, he and Liam Dawson were both out with the score at 187. When Overton was ninth out at 201, bringing debutant Henry Crocombe in to join Gus Atkinson it looked poor for England. The last wicket pair scored a further 40 between them, Atkinson ending unbeaten on 36. The task facing Pakistan did not look overly daunting….

THE PAKISTAN RESPONSE

The required run rate was not a problem for Pakistan, but wickets soon did become one, and when Babar Azam was bowled by Atkinson to make it 31-3 things looked interesting. A combination of good England bowling and Pakistan freezing under the pressure being applied saw more than 15 overs pass without a single boundary at one stage of the innings. Some of the Pakistanis got themselves out through being unable to cope with the fact that they weren’t hitting boundaries. At 103-6 Pakistan looked in deep trouble, and 154-9, with Haris Rauf joining Shadab Khan and 88 still needed it appeared that the fat lady was having a last gargle before taking to the stage.

Then things took a dramatic turn, as Shadab Khan started to bat very well indeed, Haris Rauf, who Shadab was doing a good job of shielding, did all that was asked of him and England found that last wicket hard to come by. As the target came down and down impossible moved to improbable. With Pakistan 20 adrift it looked like the fat lady was finally getting her moment, as Atkinson had Shadab Khan given LBW for 97 (already 11 more than his previous ODI career best), but a review taken simply because it was there to be taken (hands were being shaken and Shadab was walking past the umpire when he made the T sign) led to a tiny edge on to the pad being detected on the replay and the action resumed. Then came a near run out during which Rauf suffered a groin strain, which fortunately cleared up very quickly. Shadab Khan moved from 99 to 103 with a four off the second ball of the 47th over. He celebrated by hitting the next ball for four more, and the ask was down to nine. The next two balls were tight and accurate and dots went into the scorebook. The sixth ball of the over was full and straight, and foregoing any attempt to secure the strike, Shadab Khan launched it down the ground for the fifth six of his innings to reduce the target to a mere three. At this point, even though the far more experienced Curran was still available to bowl, Brook decided to hand the ball to the debutant Crocombe for the 48th over of the innings. Haris Rauf, at that point on 3 not out in a partnership worth 85, drilled the first ball of the over straight down the ground for four and Pakistan’s great escape was complete. There is almost certainly some bizarre mathematical scenario by which England can still qualify for Saturday’s final, but in practice, especially given what a massive body blow losing from the position they were in when the ninth Pakistan wicket fell is, their tournament is over and they have only themselves to blame. For the record Shadab Khan scored 113 not out from 96 balls with 13 fours and five sixes. As damaging a result as it was for England, it was an unforgettable finish, and one I am very glad to have followed live, albeit from afar, and a classic proof of the appositeness of the title line “It is Never Over Until the Fat Lady Sings” to cricket in particular – the many spectators who left the Gaddafi when the ninth Pakistan wicket fell must be feeling right Charlies at seeing what they missed by doing so. Scorecard here.

A QUIZ NIGHT AT THE TOWN HALL

Fraser Dawbarns hosted a charity quiz night at King’s Lynn Town Hall on Thursday, and since WNAG were one of the charities benefitting from this I was there as part of the WNAG team (the categories were not very suitable for me, which is one reason why we had a midtable finish).

The frontage of King’s Lynn town hall, taken in daylight the morning after the quiz night

Here is my quiz night gallery…

The big front window of the Town Hall from inside.

PHOTOGRAPHS

I also have one of my regular photo galleries (reminder, to view pictures at larger size click on one)…

Two gulls were fighting over this crab, and dropped it, and then flew their separate ways. It was still alive, and deeming it the best chance of keeping it so, I picked it up and deposited it into the Great Ouse – I did not think it climb the concrete unaided or that it would survive in the road.

Describing and Imaging Ephemera

A brief look at some of my recent work at James and Sons, including photos, and a regular photo gallery.

One of the things I have been doing recently at James and Sons is describing an imaging a large collection of old newspapers and magazines. This post looks at that process.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The condition has to be assessed – even if the item is very old one cannot expect imperfections to be overlooked. In the oldest stuff (1850s-1870s in this context) there are rarely any adverts, so it is purely about general content. From the tail-end of the Victorian era onwards ads play a much bigger role, and while genuinely interesting content should be noted it is often the ads that are the main selling point. Once the descriptions have been typed in the image gallery then has to back them up. I have some sample images to show to end this section.

We start with three full page ads from different lots.

PHOTOGRAPHS

I end with one of my regular galleries…

Not a perfect V – the two birds on the bottom left are out of true – but not that far off.

WNAG Pensthorpe Trip 2026 7: The Waders Aviary

The final instalment in my series about the WNAG excursion to Pensthorpe, featuring the Waders Aviary.

Welcome to the final instalment in my little series of posts about the annual WNAG excursion to Pensthorpe which took place a week ago yesterday.

A PLACE TO DIP IN AND OUT OF

The Waders Aviary at Pensthorpe is well placed for starting your explorations, or for ending them, or for filling in a few minutes, or for many other purposes. It does not have space for a vast number of people, so it is best not to spend too long in there on any one visit, but there is nothing to stop one from visiting several times in the course of the day, as indeed I did. There are a number of bird species to be observed there, not all of them waders, and a visit never disappoints.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Before I do the full gallery, here are a couple of pictures to help you identify the rest:

Now for the gallery proper…

Two avocet chicks – even at this stage the slight curvature of the beak is noticeable.

WNAG Pensthorpe Trip 2026 6: Artwork and Insects

Continuing my series about The WNAG outing to Pensthorpe last weekend. This one deals with artworks and insects.

Welcome to the sixth post in my little series about the annual WNAG excursion to Pensthorpe which took place a week ago today. Still to come after today are a post about the Waders Aviary and a page linking to each article in the series.

ARTWORK AT PENSTHORPE

There are many pieces of art dotted around Pensthorpe, and there is also a bridge inspired by a very famous artist. Flowers, birds and insects all feature, as does a fairy standing on a feather, and a heron sculpture in a stream. I also deemed one of the pieces worthy of a very short video:

GALLERY 1: ARTWORK

INSECTS

Pensthorpe do not particularly emphasize the insect species that can be seen there, but it is no surprise that there are some fine specimens. I actually saw a damselfly flutter past while on the trailer ride, but not even I could attempt to photograph that one – a small moving target when one is oneself on the move is simply not doable. However I did get some remarkable sightings.

INSECT PHOTOGRAPHS

Two damselflies in one shot – which at that time was a first for me…

WNAG Pensthorpe Trip 2026 5: More General Pictures

Some general pictures from around Pensthorpe, as I continue my series about the WNAG trip there on Saturday.

Welcome to the fifth post in my series about the West Norfolk Autism Group annual excursion to Pensthorpe which took place on Saturday.

GENERAL PENSTHORPE PICTURES

This is the second post I have devoted to the general Pensthorpe experience rather than specific elements of the site, and it is the pictures that will do all the work today…

WNAG Pensthorpe Trip 2026 4: Cranes and Flamingoes

The fourth post in my series about Pensthorpe, giving the cranes and flamingoes (plus a few other species who were in the same area) their time in the sun.

Welcome to part four of my series about the annual WNAG excursion to Pensthorpe which took place on Saturday

THE CRANE AND FLAMINGO AREA

The Crane and Flamingo enclosure at Pensthorpe is close to the Monet inspired bridge, and can be approached initially by way of the Millennium Garden. Once inside the enclosure there is then a split, with Crane Hide one way and the Flamingo pond the other way. These giants of the bird world are not the only species to be seen here – I also observed a pair of shelducks, a pair of Egyptian geese, a pair of oystercatchers, and in the Crane Hide swallows had built nests in the roof and were visiting periodically. I made several visits at different times hoping to ensure that I did not miss anything.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Here is the photo gallery for this area, including every species mentioned above…

An adult swallow visits one of the nests.

WNAG Pensthorpe Trip 2026 3: The Trailer Ride

Covering the trailer ride at Pensthorpe, my third post in this series about the annual WNAG outing there.

Welcome to the third post in my series about this year’s annual WNAG outing to Pensthorpe which took place on Saturday.

THE NEW TRAILER RIDE

This year the old set up of a converted Landrover and trailer was out of action, and instead we had tractor-drawn trailer, which meant less capacity, and three trailer slots instead of two. The route was slightly different as well, being a bit shorter. The experience was as enjoyable as ever.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Here are the pictures…

WNAG Pensthorpe Trip 2026 2: Around and About

A general post about Pensthorpe, with photographs from around the site that do not fit into any particular category, the second post in my mini-series about the WNAG excursion there on Saturday.

This is the second post in my mini-series about the West Norfolk Autism Group trip to Pensthorpe on Saturday.

EXPLORING PENSTHORPE

The main parts of Pensthorpe are accessed by way of the gift shop, and you have to be wearing a wristband of that day’s colour to prove that you are entitled to be there. Once through the gift shop there are three distinct options:

The Waders Aviary which I will say no more about for now since I am giving it a post to itself.
An exit towards the Millennium Garden and other stuff which is right near the door to the aviary…
A viewing gallery at the far end of which is an exit that takes you out at the edge of a large lake with a wooden bridge across part of it. This is the way that leads ultimately to most of the really interesting stuff in the site, most of which is accessed from the far side of the wooden bridge.

There are several marked walks that one can take, and the site is generally very well signed (there are a couple of exceptions when you get to the further reaches of it) so you can simply follow your own instincts if you so choose, which is generally my approach.

The lake is full of water birds of various types. There is further water beyond, including of course the river Wensum without which Pensthorpe could not exist.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Here are the photographs for this post…

Surrey in Complete Control

A look at developments in Surrey v Sussex, where the home side have taken a firm grip on proceedings, and a photo gallery.

The current round of Championship fixtures is now deep in to day three of a scheduled four. I have been following Surrey v Sussex.

WEATHER INTERVENES

Play ended early yesterday due to bad light and rain, with Surrey having reached 292-2 in reply to Sussex’s 358-9 declared. Due to yesterday’s interruption extra overs were scheduled for today. Today has been dominated by two players at opposite ends of the spectrum. The veteran Dom Sibley, as so often a near immovable object at the top of the Surrey order, was finally sixth out after 518 minutes and 377 balls, for 187. Surrey at that point had 446 on the board, an advantage of 88. Jordan Clark managed a mere 5, which made it 461-7. That brought Sean Abbott in to join first class debutant Adam Thomas. The pair are still in residence as I write, and have boosted the Surrey score to 600-7, with Thomas topping three figures on his first class debut, and Abbott, better with the bat than most number nines, well past the 50 mark. I suspect that if Sussex do not capture the last three wickets (and there is little sign of them being capable of doing so) Surrey will declare at some point at this evening to have a shot at Sussex tonight. In an otherwise sorry looking list of Sussex bowling figures one name stands out: Jack Carson, already with a ton to his name, has figures of 34-4-128-4, which is very respectable in such a massive score. Henry Crocombe has had occasional moments of looking threatening, but has a modest 27-4-89-1. Tea is now being taken with Surrey 615-7, a lead of 257 so far. I would expect Surrey to bat on a bit after tea before declaring (a new ball, due in another four overs, does not seem quite so threatening when it will be the third such of the innings).

PHOTOGRAPHS

My usual sign off…

The three runners raising money for WNAG in this year’s GEAR (right foreground), with the crowds of other runners plus three big buildings, Fraser Dawbarns, The Corn Exchange and Bishop’s Lynn House providing the back drop.

Round Four of the County Championship

A look at goings on in the fourth round of the 2026 county championship and a large photo gallery.

Between the games that ended early in definite results and the ones that ended with handshakes on the inevitable draw about 10 minutes ago another round of county championship fixtures is at an end. There is only one place to start, though I caught only the last few minutes of it…

DURHAM’S GREAT CHASE

Chester-le-Street has just borne witness to a remarkable turnaround. At one point Durham were 217-9 in reply to Lancashire’s 370, and in danger of not avoiding the follow-on (though Lancashire may well have chosen not to enforce in any case). Their last pair Matthew Potts and Callum Parkinson added 78 together for the tenth wicket, so Lancashire led by a mere 75 on first innings. Then, hoping to have a bowl at Durham in murky evening light, Lancashire declared on 260-9, a lead of 335. Unfortunately the light was too murky for their strategy to take effect. Even so, when Durham openers Lees and McKinney both fell cheaply and the score read 46-2 it looked dicey for Durham. However that was the end of success for the Lancashire bowlers, as Emilio Gay (159 not out) and David Bedingham (129 not out) put on an unbroken 290 together carrying their side to a remarkable eight wicket win.

SURREY v ESSEX

This game has been my main focus in this round, and at the start of today quick wickets were needed to breathe life into it. When Gus Atkinson struck in the first over it looked possible, but only one further wicket fell all day, though Surrey’s fielders let a couple of chances go begging. One quirk of this day, as Surrey realized there was no point tiring out the regular bowlers was that Ben Foakes bowled two overs near the end, with Jordan Clark standing in behind the stumps. The only Surrey players not asked to bowl were Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith.

ELSEWHERE

The only two definite results other than at Durham were both in division two, Worcestershire beating Kent by an innings and two runs in a match that did make it to the final day, and Gloucestershire beating Derbyshire by 10 wickets in a successful enforcement of the follow-on – Gloucestershire 498, Derbyshire 281 and 252, Gloucestershire 39-0. Warwickshire fared less well with the same tactic in the first division, Nottinghamshire batting through for 537-7 in their second innings to secure the draw, having built a lead of 357, but never being in a position, especially with the inflated award of eight points for a drawn match, to declare in an attempt to force victory.

PHOTOGRAPHS

	Thomas on Describing and Imaging Ep…
	cindy knoke on Describing and Imaging Ep…
	Thomas on A New Find
	amsutcliffebtinterne… on A New Find
	Derek Li on About Autism