Missing persons

Woss happened to all the folks who used to say hello here?

One of life’s little paradoxes. The people you want to see are so popular they don’t have enough to go round.

I think the summer can also be classified as missing. If you see it could you report it to the Met.

Ah well, all relationships are temporary. They come and go on the breeze.

Stop press: Shame about another missing person. He was the real deal.

Memories here

Sell, sell, sell

Liverpool and Arsenal are shedding players. Man United and Chelsea are sticking with what they’ve got. It’ll be interesting to see how they get on, especially in Europe. Cash versus prudence this season.

Hey, I’m on sport again but it’s hard to ignore. The next few years are going to be a crisp-fest for UK-based couch potatoes. Ryder Cup next year, Champions League final at Wembley in 2011, Olympics in 2012, Rugby League World Cup in 2013, Commonwealth Games in 2014, the Rugby Union World Cup in 2015 and the Cricket World Cup in 10 years’ time. What chance the football World Cup in 2018 to complete the set?

And then Gemma Spofforth broke the back-stroke record and the all-comers silliest name title.

PS. Headline of the week goes to the Guardian on a story about William Shatner berating Hewlett Packard over it’s eco-polices. He left a voice mail criticising staff for failing to deliver a toxic-free computer on time. “Green me up Scotty.” Nice.

Second prize goes to the prime minister-in-waiting who was commenting on the perils of Twitter. “Too many twits might make a twat,” he told Radio 4 listeners. Quite.

Well done Wiggo

Fourth place in the Tour is awesome. I admire the way he’s been so low-key about it too – if he doesn’t have the legs/heart/lungs/liver to attack Contador and the Schleck brothers in the mountains then there’s no way he can ever win the thing. Might as well keep a lid on the hype. Hope he gets something in the sports personality award though. Gets my vote … though I’m also saving one for Frederica Pellegrini

Just seen a news item which suggests that we will have to take out private insurance to get state benefits. “People have to take more responsibility for their welfare,” said the salesman. It kinda begs the question why me and you have been paying tax and national insurance contributions for the last 25 years. You can see where this is heading can’t you.

KP KO’d

Well maybe the boys will be more relaxed without the brooding presence of an ex-captain who is perhaps not as good as he thinks he is. Can’t say I’m that bothered.

More worrying is Wiggo falling off the back of the leading group on the final climb of the alpine stages. Such a shame after holding on to third place for so long. Maybe he will be able to eat into the deficit in the time trial and again on Saturday’s mountain. Those Tour guys are awesome. I would have a heart attack inside the first five minutes. It’s painful just watching them.

Things must be slack – I’m drivelling on about sport again. Anyone got any real news?

Cultural gems

The delights of being on holiday include the chance to listen to Test Match Special.

I had to chuckle at Blowers and Boycott – strange bedfellows indeed. Two that stand out from yesterday’s offering were: “He’s batting with a stick of celery!” and “Flock of pigeons looking for something to eat. Haven’t seen many pigeons here at Cardiff.” Then they asked some poor devil to look up the last team to get to 400 without anyone scoring more than 70. (For the record, I think they discovered it was New Zealand in 1992).

I went to Chedworth Roman villa the other day. It has special resonance for me because as some of you know, one of my ancestors discovered the site while he was out rabbiting (he was a gamekeeper in the service of Lord Muck of somewhere). They’ve built a mini theatre with one of those wobbly films on a loop to detail the history, and the old boy appears as a Victorian cartoon figure in a deer stalker and handlebar moustache. It was very hard to resist to temptation to turn round to the assembled school kids, point and say: “That’s my great, great grandad that is.”

I’m pleased to say that it belongs to the National Trust… and well worth a visit. Of course, with all those mosaics on show, er, I found the flora more photogenic. What intrigued me most was a swallow’s nest on the floor of a Roman bath but there wasn’t enough light to get a good shot. Snaps in the usual place.

Busy bee

Finally getting some time off so I’m hoping to see a few more of you on the trail or on the beach. Bring it on.

Ian very kindly took me to a secret location (OK, his office lawn) to see the bee orchids. They are uncanny plants – something quite special. Snaps next door. Those of you who who like the technical stuff might be interested to know that I had to whack the ISO setting way up to 1600. The evening sun had almost gone but I wanted to avoid a harsh flash – a grainy picture is the price you pay (bloody physics, it’s so uncompromising).

Off in search of dyer’s greenweed next week (unless I get a better offer).

Take it easy.