Windsor and Eton

I'm writing this before the football, so nothing to say about that.  Not much I want to say about the Trump assassination attempt either, apart from (a) if it wasn't orchestrated by the Trump campaign (not beyond the realm of possibility), then this guarantees Trump is going to win the election that he was probably going to win anyway, and (b) if you're going to attempt to assassinate ex-President Trump, then the least you could do is actually succeed, and (c) perhaps the most tragic aspect about the whole thing is no mention of addressing gun violence by changing the gun laws.  Nope, nothing will change.

Made the most of the nice weather today, and did another walk from my book of London walks - which actually involved braving the tourist hordes yet again, but this time around Windsor and Eton rather than London itself.  It was busy almost throughout the entire route, so I think doing this walk on a (relatively) sunny summer weekend day is probably not the best plan!  You could easily make a day trip of this e.g. I never went inside the palace (the queues looked horrendous).  But it was a good walk - even if the main highlights are representative of 2 parts of British society that I don't care for: the Royal Family (Windsor Castle) and toffs (Eton College).  Through a combination of outdated directions and construction work closing my desired route, got horribly lost around Eton College so probably ended up walking a lot more than the planned 4 miles.  And, if I'm going to be honest, a little bit disappointed with the quality of my photos - must do better.

Casualty

Crikey - so they're still airing Casualty.  That show has been on for years.  I'm guessing it's more of a soap opera now rather than an actual medical drama.  But I'm disappointed that Charlie Fairhead is apparently no longer on the show - the only character I remember from way back when.  Next you'll be telling me that Ian Beale is no longer on EastEnders (I have no idea if he still is or not). 

Ageing

A serious post, because I accompanied my Mum to see my Dad in his care home today.  And it might be the last time I see him alive.  I've got to be honest, and say that I don't like going to the care home.  It smells, it's depressing and it makes you reflect a lot on mortality - not just your loved ones but your own.  And it makes you feel guilty that you'd rather be anywhere else.  But for me the saddest thing is that I don't want to remember my Dad how he is now, and would rather remember him how we was.  It's an unfortunate, but very real, view on how devastating and traumatic the process of ag(e)ing and dementia/depression can be.  My respect has exponentially increased for the people that work at places like this, and the caregivers (like my Mum) who regularly and frequently go to visit despite how tough it must be to see their loved one's mental and physical faculties deteriorate.  

Inns of Court

I've been very lax with posting photos on this blog - but here are a few from a walk I took in London yesterday.  This was a shortish route through the heart of legal London - featuring an alien world to me of old Inns of Court where barristers train and practice.  This is the kind of walk I like - lots of history, relatively quiet considering you're in the heart of the city, and great architecture.        

England vs Netherlands

Half-time entry (1-1): a good half, by far the most watchable half that England had played so far.  Which means we'll probably lose!  It's a good open game - we have more of the possession but they look dangerous on the break.  But there is NO way that was a penalty - England were lucky.  We've had good chances - and I'll think we'll have more (as will the Dutch).  Though I fear England could get conservative in the second half and make the game a lot less enjoyable.   

Full-time entry (2-1): a terrible half - or more accurately, a typical England half.  Ponderous, labored, dull.  Yes, blame the Dutch for changing formation and stifling England.  But we are capable of breaking them down - but we didn't or couldn't.  But, fortuitously, for one significant exception.  And it was the difference.  At the very least, you cannot say England are not resilient.  Another game they had to come from behind.  But have we used up all our luck - last minute equalizer, penalties win, and now a very dodgy penalty.  Do we have anything left for Spain?  

Peaky Blinders

I'm only about 10 years late to the party, but I've been using the BBC iPlayer to catch up on a show I've never seen before - Peaky Blinders.  I've just finished the first season (in quick time, thanks to having nothing better to do due to the wet weather), and it's terrific.  Can I finish the remaining 5 series in a week?  Unlikely.  But when I inevitably finally (re-)subscribe to Netflix in the US, I can look forward to streaming the remaining episodes then.  

Haircut

Before

After