I cried off the trip to Stoke-by-Nayland some weeks ago, and even abandoned my deposit (the organiser got it back from the hotel and put it in the kitty, where it lasted about ten minutes). Two nights away with some extreme pissheads, with three rounds of golf on a longish modern course - the magic has faded somewhat. Though I would have gone if we had returned to Le Touquet. The cost in France became too high with the strong euro. People were muttering about having to pay a fiver for a pint, so we stayed at home.
Another gruesome round on Thursday, still starting OK then hitting horrible scuffs, which none of my playing partners can diagnose. I couldn't face Friday's date at Sweetwoods - we had planned two rounds, mechanically assisted (buggies), but I wouldn't have got home until nine. A 13-hour day, with driving at each end, seemed too much, especially in view of my dire form. So I cried off that as well.
As it happens, I played fairly decently at my club on Friday, so I don't feel too anxious about my Italy trip. Where it seems that the temperature is in the 30s. What did the man say? DON'T PANIC!
There is lots of cricket on. The players are getting the hang of this 20/20 game, and it isn't really a "close your eyes and bash it" approach. And of course it's all over in three hours rather than five days (sorry, John).
The Lions have been showing some form in South Africa, where the hosts are resting their Test players. Cotton wool was never a good idea for preparing rugby players for the heat of the arena. And France won in New Zealand, which is good news for the European countries.
I don't leave until Wednesday, so there will be a couple of rounds before then to fine-tune my play. It is supposed to get hot later in the week, which may scorch my pots of flowers while I'm away. That's their problem.
Creature of habit that I am, I will shortly eat my usual Saturday night supper of fish cakes, chips and salad. I harvested four strawberries today. Fortunately I had bought a big load of them for £1.99, so I don't have to rely on home-grown produce.
