It’s been a great(ish) week. We’ve just about recovered from the exertions of preparing for the Summer Garden Competition. Sadly, ever since, it seems the weather has conspired to keep us from enjoying our wonderfully manicured garden – just a spot more rain just in case we think we’ve not had enough.
The baseball last Sunday was great in spite of the day starting somewhat ominously. Because of replacement bus services on the train we would have taken, Nick very kindly offered to drive us all to the Olympic Stadium. He had to collect Annabelle from a sleep-over and, on the way back toward home his car starting misbehaving. He limped home, collected Lucy’s car, collected us and off we went, leaving Penny to look after Jessie and Julieta (with some help from Matt and Jenny, two friends of Adam’s who had been visiting for the weekend and very kindly offered to provide support in the child-minding game). Although we were a bit late and had significant difficulty finding the parking space we had booked – the Sat Nav took us down a very narrow cul-de-sac and instructed us to turn right down an even smaller alley which was completely barricaded off, we still had plenty of time. We eventually found it, parked the car and made our way toward the stadium and lunch.
Before the game we had lunch booked at Figo, an Italian restaurant just near the Stadium. It was absolutely rammed but the service was excellent and the food was terrific. We’ll come again!
After lunch we wandered across to the stadium and found our seats about ten minutes before first pitch. And it was a great game!
Annabelle was thoroughly engaged throughout the day and loved the whole event. Now it seems she wants to go to as many large sporting events as possible.
I can’t say I blame her! I remember the first time my father took me to a major stadium to see a baseball game – I was eight, I think. I remember very distinctly the stunning, jaw-dropping sight of the field as we emerged from the tunnel under the stands, out of the darkness and into the light. Obviously, I had watched sports on television but I don’t think anything prepares you for that first sight of a glorious, beautifully manicured field of grass in the sunshine. And, the Dodgers won so it made a suitably pleasant impression on me.
We survived the Summer Garden competition last Saturday – as I wrote, Penelope’s front garden won first prize in that category. I am pretty sure there was more than one entry. The walk around the other gardens which had entered was lovely – the weather stayed dry and there are some lovely gardens in the village. A few of the least bad photos below.
In somewhat less than great news, Lady Penelope has been poorly for much of the week. It seems that her supervision of Jessie and Julieta on Sunday (as we all attended the baseball) exposed her to some wicked germs – Jessie was off school for a few days early in the week with a high temperture. Lo and behold, Penelope came down with a temperature and flu-like symptoms and has spent much of the week in bed. Which means, what? I’ve had to do everything, as always! Thankfully, she’s up this morning feeling better so hopefully I can revert to my usual slothful, lethargic and unhelpful nature.
We’re now in our third (?) week of the General Election campaign. OMG, is it tedious and dull! Just about everyone is already fed up yet we still have another three weeks to go. Wouldn’t it be grand if one could hibernate for a short period of time on demand?
Those of you outside the UK may not be aware of the slew of gaffes which have plagued poor Rishi. Firstly, he announced the General Election outside Downing Street. In the pouring rain. His advisers didn’t think to provide him with an umbrella or, alternatively, to hold the announcement in the multi-million-pound studio they have inside Downing Street, literally a minute’s walk away. Nope, let him look like a drowned rat.
One of his first campaign stops was to a brewery in South Wales where Rishi asked staff whether they were looking forward to the European Soccer championships. Oops! The workers were not too pleased to be reminded that Wales did not qualify for the tournament.
Then he flew to Northern Ireland to visit Belfast. Shame about positioning himself beneath an Exit sign. And then, the venue chosen for his photo opportunity was the Titanic Quarter where the Titanic had been built. Queue the obvious jokes about him piloting a sinking ship. He then took part in a “meet & greet” with some workers wearing hi-viz jackets. Interestingly, it turns out that those called upon to ask him a question were, in fact, local Conservative councillors, not workers at all.
He then left the D-Day commemorations early because he had to get back to the UK to record an interview for later transmission on the television. Not surprisingly, he got a lot of flak for that. Then, in the interview he was asked what sorts of things he had to do without as a boy. His response was, “Oh, lots of things” but when pressed to name just one he said that his family did not have Sky TV when he was growing up. Nor did we. Nor did tens of thousands of households. Sorry Rishi, you may have more money than the King but you certainly aren’t able to relate to the lives and ambitions of “ordinary” people.
You really could not make it up.
Finally, Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there and especially to our three sons, all of whom are marvellous fathers. And to my own father, of course, who we miss every day.
Meanwhile, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And be gentle to wasps and bees.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg