Regaining Perspective

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...

Finally, last Sunday the news came through! We knew it was coming but we didn't exactly know when. In early May, Tim, (our daughter's boyfriend) invited us round to his flat? Why?... We were pretty confident we knew the reason particularly as Lorna wasn't there. After some polite and slightly awkward conversation Tim finally asked our blessing to marry Lorna! Hooray! But then we had to wait, when would he propose?... We'd no idea! On Saturday, 16th June we sat enjoying a picnic overlooking the rocky coastline at Pendeen Lighthouse... the phone call we'd been waiting for finally arrived. An excited Lorna exclaimed...'guess what'? I should explain Tim had arranged for Lorna's fairtrade engagement ring to be made, hence the delay. You can imagine we were then desperate to share this wonderful news but were instructed to hold fire until Tim released the information on Facebook! Finally...

Busy doing nothing! This is now the sixth week we've been away. I've never felt so relaxed and chilled in all my life! That is until this week when suddenly tension, nervousness and anxiety flooded back. Why? What happened? What went wrong? In a word..."England"! My country of birth, more specifically its football team, came to trouble me once again! It was the same old story, the World Cup returned and my passion for football meant I was compelled to torture myself with England v Tunisia! Stroll on how can 90+ minutes be so stressful?! I realise it is totally ridiculous, after all this is just a football match but I can't seem to help myself. Since the age of nine I've been obsessed with footy. Above is a photo of my school team (under 11's), can you spot me? Even though I'm 60 in October I still play 5-a-side every Wednesday evening for an hour (unless work or holiday gets in the way). Such is my competitive nature....when I get home Rut...