Everytime a major football tournament comes along, I somehow get swept along with the hype, and start to believe that we may have a chance etc. Yet every time we seem to flatter to deceive, and fall flat on our face. And so, in time honoured tradition, England failed to deliver today. In fact they were taken apart. Sure there was the goal that wasn’t – but should have been, and sure it may have changed the match in some way if it had been given, but we were still hopelessly disjointed for the main part. We have now had two highly touted foreign coaches, in Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello… but they have made little difference. I would rather have an Englishman like Harry Redknapp, or Roy Hodgson in charge. In the words of the West Ham song, ‘bubbles’, ‘like my dreams they fade and die’. Oh well… even my lucky Bobby Moore t-shirt could not help.

As always it has been a busy weekend. Tricia was off competing for Aylesbury AC in Swindon on Sat, Nikki was in London competing for Milton Keynes AC. Nikki is back in Hatfield working today and for the next few days. Robbie was working yesterday, played cricket for the village today (and got a wicket). Rob had has final exam on Friday, so all his A Levels are done and dusted. Ellie was at the orthodontist earlier this week, and she has been told she will need 4 teeth taken out and braces.. so she is not best pleased. Yesterday Ellie and I went along to the MADS (the local acting group) midsummer social. This was something I organised for the group, where all those who act in the group came along with their families for a picnic, and we entertained each other – performing parts of plays, singing, etc… Ellie read a Pam Ayres poem called ‘The Dentist’, and played the clarinet. 4 of us did the part of Midsummer Nights Dream we performed recently, and I re-wrote the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet for Rene and Edith from ‘allo ‘allo which we performed. It was all geat fun and very well received. Today, Ellie was in the school choir performing at Waddesdon manor. During the week Ellie also had her school sports day. I think we could all do with a rest… Couple of pictures of Ellie, one at her sports day, and one in the school choir today at Waddesdon.