World Cup Semi Final

I finally get to a Monday night dog training session up at Codnor and it goes well for the Lad, who has a blast. Less so for MD, who doesn’t seem that bothered, but it’s really good for the Lad up there, loads of space to run around in and for me to do some training with him. It will be good for him.

I then train at Hilton on Tuesday rather than Wednesday, as Wednesday is the England v Croatia World Cup Semi Final. I meet L in the Nags Head after training.

Come the day of the big game, L and Daughter claim not to be interested but then appear to sneak off to secretly watch it at the gym. Daughter then comes round for tea which I warn her might not be served until after the conclusion of penalties but it seems she’s up for the whole thing anyway. Sadly, it doesn’t come to penalties. England take the lead but Croatia hit back to take it to Extra Time, where they sneak the winner.

I bike on Tuesday and Wednesday but I don’t play tennis on Thursday, in a bid to be fighting fit for next weekend’s Thunder Run. Instead the Lad and I go stalk L who is on a night out in Derby at the Exeter where there is talk of Ice Cream Porter. Although I’m not sure if that is on the dessert menu or the drinks menu. Still we drown our respective sorrows having not got (as expected) London Landmarks places.

On Friday, I’m in London for work again and then Saturday it’s two days at Rugby’s Agility Show, which isn’t in Rugby. Saturday we’re running a ring and Sunday it’s the Crufts Team Qualifier.

It is unbearably hot both days. In fact it’s so hot the agility equipment starts melting. It’s too much for MD but the Lad has a great time.

On Sunday, the equipment problem delay the team runs so much that our run arrives about 5:30pm by which time some of our team members have thrown the towel in and gone home. Meaning our three teams are amalgamated down to two and the two that do run don’t pull up any trees.

Saturday is also England’s 3rd Place Play Off against Belgium which, sadly, they also lose. 

(Sunday 15^th July)

Those That Can Run, Run

Back at work on Wednesday and I’ve gone in the car, only to realise that I’m out in Derby tonight. So I bring the car back home at lunchtime and go back to work on the bus. The boys were pleased to see me and to get a quick romp.

I was a bit bemused why there were bits of white plastic everywhere. Turns out someone had pinched a plastic food tray out of the sink and destroyed it. So the puppy is clearly now capable of getting his beak in the sink.

Those that can run, run. L and Daughter do Colwick on Thursday, the Sunrise City 5K on Friday and then Notfast on Sunday. Meanwhile I’m think about taking up something safer, like golf. Although I’m sure I could injure myself playing golf.

I’m also in London for work on Friday but for once I don't have to get up early because I was already up, for the Sunrise City 5K which started at 5:30am. The meeting in London was at least surprisingly pleasant and constructive.

Saturday brings England’s Quarter Final with Sweden and a remarkably straightforward 2-0 win. Onwards to the Semi Finals. 

(Sunday 8^th July)

Too Good To Turn Down

I’m on the bus as its cold and icy again. In fact the pavements are so icy it could be hard work for Doggo on his walk. L is off work today and she delays their trip out to give things time to thaw out.

After work L comes over to join me in Derby Arena’s gym.

It’s the World Cup draw tonight and England find out that they will face Belgium, Panama and Tunisia. That’s us out then, although it couldn’t really be any easier. Not that it matters, it’s in Russia so you know who’s going to win.

One of FIFA's greatest critics, Gary Lineker, is in Moscow helping with the draw. Presumably the money was just too good to turn down. Come to think of it, why is anyone in the land of state sponsored doping working for an organisation that is on trial in New York on corruption charges. As yes, the money was just too good to turn down. 

(Friday 1^st December)

Out Of The Closet

After another quiet relaxed weekend it’s back to work. I’ve had cheaper weekends, it’s not every weekend you shell out for a new bathroom but it was probably best to get on with it while the pound is still worth something.

Dogging is off as everyone wants to watch the football, which also enables me to finally get the lawn done and before kick-off.

I bet my fellow doggers all soon regretted cancelling training once the game got started. The England football team quickly show us all how it's done as they manage to do in ninety minutes what the nation has failed to do in four whole days since the referendum and extract themselves effortlessly from Europe. With this exit there really is no going back.

L is secretly pleased as she's a closet Iceland fan.

(Monday 27^th June)