Regaining Perspective

On this final week in Cornwall we began our quest to complete the Coastal Path from St Agnes Head on the northern coast round to Helford on the southern coast. To finish this challenge we just have to fill in a stretch from Church Cove up to Coverack. On the face of it this seems very doable. However, each section we effectively do twice since we have to park the car, walk to wherever we're going and then walk back again to the car. So on Monday we went for it, not the whole lot but just another snippet! We parked up at Cadgwith, then walked south to Church Cove before returning to Cadgwith for our usual picnic lunch. Then it was off in the other direction to Kennack Sands before turning round and retracing our steps back to Cadgwith to pick up the car. I have to confess by then I was knackered!  We'd already decided to drive back to Kennack Sands where there was a fine beach and so at about 7 pm we entered the sea for a cold but truly relaxing swim! This latest j...

During this last week we enjoyed a slightly different day visiting the Stithians Country Show. It was like a smaller version of the Royal Cornwall Show we'd attended a few weeks ago (see blog 'Who do we recognise' dated 10th June). Although less grand it had a more personal feel to it although there were still thousands of folk in attendance. We wandered round viewing prize cattle including huge magnificent bulls, cows, sheep, goats, even guinea pigs, ducks, chickens etc. you name it...it was there! We watched displays on fly fishing, hawk-flying and Cornish  wrestling, visited stalls offering free tasting sessions, anything from cheese to sausages to wine, to chocolate and fancy bread. There was show jumping on offer, the chance to visit the horticultural marquee, numerous crafts stalls and loads more. There was genuine local feel of a rural community in action enjoying itself.  Naturally we continued our walking this week including a beautiful coastal stretch...

This last week was always going to be a bit strange. Why? Because it included 11th July. On 11th July last week England played Croatia in the semi-final of the World Cup... and lost 2-1 after extra time. It's the first time they'd reached this stage for 28 years and they could have won! On 11th July 1966 the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup took place in England. On that occasion the hosts went on to win the tournament, the only time England have achieved it! However, 11th July 1966 (52 years ago) is a far more significant and dark date in my own calendar. On that day my Dad died. So... whilst as a passionate football fan last Wednesday was exciting, nervous and ultimately disappointing... indeed it hurt... I'm balanced with the perspective of a tragic event which hit me like a bolt out of the blue 52 years ago and continues to impact my life. I wonder... what would have happened if England had scored a second goal and got to the final? More importantly I wonder....

Tension, distress, anxiety... and relief, excitement, passion... what's happening?! This three month Sabbatical has been amazing. It's probably the most relaxing and refreshing period I've ever experienced. However, as mentioned a couple of blogs ago this was always going to be temporarily blown apart by the dreaded World Cup. England v Tunisia was a tough watch but it had nothing on our recent encounter... England v Colombia . I was determined to remain calm and enjoy this occasion.  For a while I was just about in control, I actually laid out on the sofa rather than sitting on the edge of it. All seemed good. We controlled the game, they were rattled and then it happened...GOAL! 1-0 to my boys! Here's the bizarre bit. We're winning and yet now I started to feel that sense of anxiety... will they equalise? One minute to go and they did! NOOOOO! Despair, anger, pain...why do I get like this? It's just a game! What's wrong with me?! Worse...