ONE FOOT OFF THE GROUND...

Well, here we are on another day in paradise. The news on tv, radio and in the papers is not just depressing but most of it just makes me angry.

Today, the `headlines` include the farce surrounding Tony ("I`m a straight kind of guy") Blair and the will-he-won`t-he end up, God help us, as President of Europe. We learn that Britain is still in recession, whilst most if not all the other leading western countries are not. So much for Gordon Brown telling us we`re `best placed` to come through it better than others. Then a succession of disgraced MPs standing up in Parliament to apologise for their expenses misdemeanours; half-hearted apologies delivered with just the hint of a smirk in the knowledge that they`re not being forced to pay back most of their ill-gotten gains. Then more `news` concerning the X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and other irrelevancies. And on and on it goes with my grumpy factor rising to dangerous levels.

But one thing that has evoked genuine sadness was the passing, two days ago, of `Shep.` Born in the enchanting village of Instow in Devon, which looks out across the Torridge estauary to the equally charming Appledore, David Sheppard went on to have a successful career as a batsman for Gloucestershire before becoming not only one of cricket`s very best umpires but also one of its most engaging and respected. Shep, of course, was reknowned for his ritual of standing on one leg each time the scoreboard showed 111, which represents `Nelson,` cricket`s supposed unlucky number.

The superstition is said to have originated with Admiral Lord Nelson, who supposedly had one eye, one arm and one leg - even though he had both his legs but which still adds up to bad luck in anyone`s language. It was one of cricket`s most charming moments, watching the bulky figure of Shep trying to stand on one leg until the scoreboard ticked past the fateful number. So he will be much missed and somehow it seemed fitting that he should pass away, having lost his battle with cancer, in that same Instow where he was born 68 years ago.

In a week or so, Remebrance Day will come round again and silence should fall at 11.00am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. As I respect the silence for fallen heroes, I might just raise a foot off the ground as I remember also one of the truly beautiful game`s more endearing characters, who will probably be doing the same as the Remembrance Day clock turns to eleven on the eleventh of the eleventh.