Sticking with the summer theme, this is an apt track of the week.
From the fantastic “Love” album (go on, listen to the whole thing, all the way through)
Summer in the city where the air is still
A baby being born to the overkill
Who cares what people say
We walk down love’s motorway
Ambition and love wearing boxing gloves
And singing hearts and flowers
………………………….
Somewhere in my heart
There is a star that shines for you
Silver splits the blue
Love will see it through
And somewhere in my heart
There is the will to set you free
All you’ve got to be is true
Its been the best I can remember, so much done, so much to enjoy.
Its been hot, perhaps the hottest and driest since ’76. Whilst the lawn and plants may have suffered, the weather has been brilliant.
Parched lawn
The hols began on a high note with the World Cup …
… England making it to the semi-finals and making us believe again,
… and a day out with Sam to Yeovilton Air show (but coming back in the afternoon to watch England beat Sweeden 2-0 in the World Cup Quarter final)
Yeovilton Airshow
We had a few days in Cornwall, and the sun continued to shine …
Cornwall July ’18
… and then of to Majorca for the main event. A fantastic week in Pouerto Pollensa …
Majorca July ’18
Each and every day was brilliant, it would be hard to pick out a highlight. Me and Sam climbing Puig de Maria was great, Formentor was stunningly beautiful (although overcrowded), pool time, evening meals, catching up with “Tappers” (for 10 years we lived less than 10 miles from each other but never met up, but put us on an island in the med and we’ll make the effort!), but perhaps the highlight was …
Cala Boquer
We come home to rain, but only for a day or so, and then the sun came back out.
Sam turned 16 …
Sam’s 16th
… and they both got the grades they needed and deserved in GCSE and A level …
I did plenty of exercise, regularly running 10K (as well as spinning, swimming and refereeing) …
See front run, Puerto Pollensa, July ’18
… and amongst all that, I also found time to tidy up the front drive, and add a bit of gravel …
And so tomorrow, its back to school and work. It really has been a great summer holiday. Thanks for the memories!
So this week it was Sam’s turn to collect his exam results and because of (his view) or despite (his mother’s view) his efforts he did well securing 8’s in Maths & Physics, 7’s in Chemistry & Biology, 6’s in English Lang, History & Computer Science (and being just 1 mark of a 7 in Comp Sci) and 5’s in English Lit & French.
He was pleased with that haul, as were we and he will stay at The Blue School to do Maths, Physics & Chemistry as his A levels.
First thoughts was “I say a little prayer” and this would have been a worthy entry. A song dripping with sentiment:
I run for the bus, dear
And while riding I think of us, dear (us, dear)
I say a little (prayer for you)
And at work I just take time
And all through my coffee break time (break time)
I say a little (prayer for you)
But if I’m honest, I prefer the Bomb da Bass version (possibly because this is how I first discovered the song?)
R.E.S.P.E.C.T – a belter, that would have graced the TOTW collection.
But I first “met” Aretha in the film “The Blues Brothers” and I still remember being blown away by the energy and raw power of this track. Think.
Thursday was A level results day, a day that we would discover Sophie’s destiny.
She didn’t disappoint, achieving (drum roll, please):
Maths A
Economics B
Geography B
And she got an A in her EPQ, and we mustn’t forget her B in AS Physics from last year. An excellent, and well deserved haul.
She’s off to Reading University to read Economics in late September, and already the excitement is building. She’s got a place in her first choice Hall of Residence (Bridges)
The above photo was taken on 13th July, but I’ve been very remiss in posting of late – largely because the summer has been so wonderful, weather wise: wall to wall sunshine.
Alas, after rain today and yesterday, it seems that the heatwave is over, although their are hints that the long hot summer is not quite done yet and good weather – even if not as hot – may return.
The pic above shows the lawn as a brown and dusty barren patch. What it doesn’t show is all the dead branches and leaves in the smoke tree. That can be seen in the pic below (taken today)
We’ll have to wait ’till next year to see how it turns out.
It’s been a wonderful summer, lets hope theirs still more to come.
Its been some time (since 13th April to be precise) since I’ve officiated at any level. That was the day “I did my knee” (see broken) ending my season and leaving me hobbling for weeks to come. I did begin to wonder if I’d ever take to the middle again.
But the new season has dawned and today I ran the line for Yeovil Town U16 v AFC Bournemouth U16. I really enjoyed it, not just the game itself, but the whole “experience” – turning up, being part of a team of three, interacting with players, coaches and managers, even the drive to and from the game.
For the record, Bournemouth ran out comfortable 5-0 winners, there were calls for offside for their second goal but I didn’t give it, I think the striker & two defenders were all in line, hence no flag.
Anyway, need to manage “the knee” and keep on with the whistle.
A fantastic start to England’s World Cup bid – two games, two wins.
When the tournament kicked off, I had no expectations, but ten days in and could it be different this time? Could this be another Italia ’90? Could it be coming home?
I’m getting excited, I’m getting hopeful – always a dangerous state for an England fan.
But this track – just like Three Lions – sums it up, what it is to support England.
