It’s been a grotty end to the week. I’ve been coping with some sort of summer cold which, coupled with the heat has led to some very uncomfortable days and nights. I took a lateral flow but no evidence of the lurgy, just a summer cold. Yuk.
The worst part, amongst a number of worst parts have been the nights. Even if I get off to sleep, I’ll only manage two to three hours before I wake. With this bug, I’ve had everything. Burning heat so all the sheets feel like I’ve ironed them, the shivers that knot my shoulders and set off a headache and sweats the require me to sleep on a towel. At the moment I’m averaging five hours over the last three days. Yawn…
I’m hoping that I’m recovering: the temperatures are due to be a little lower tomorrow and ten degrees lower on Monday and I should be enjoying a full week, if we ignore the thrill of the fitting of a new gas boiler on Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday evening sees the Textiliste and me at Wembley to see Coldplay. You may not be fans, but we are. Dog’s real name comes from a Coldplay album; if nothing else that will tell you what we think about them.
Then from Wednesday to the week end it’s 5 days at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s to watch England take on South Africa. Again it may not be your bag… you really are missing out. I’ve even persuaded the Textiliste to come on Friday, not because of my company nor the potential excitement but because her old flat mate and close friend of us both is coming.
Seeing South Africa brings back a memory from 1998 with the South Africans also toured. That year the Grandstand which previously had been a rickety structure that must have been close to being condemned and had been rebuilt, was opened. To part fund it the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) issued debentures that guaranteed you a seat and I indulged. So excited was I (like an over-sugared toddler) I planned on doing something I’d never done before: watching every single ball of a test match. Some of you are already wincing but for those unaware of the vagaries of this beautiful game that’s potentially 5 days of six hours (plus one hour of meal breaks). I arrived early because Her Maj had been inveigled by her Hubs to open the stand and I thought it might be nice to watch. Everything was new and even the staff and marshalls were a bit unclear where everything was. So when a friendly cove in a green jacket offered to ferry me to my seat on the top floor via a lift, who was I to refuse?
We reached the second level of three before the power outted on the whole stand. we could hear the officials and Her Maj over the PA. We could hear the captains toss. We could hear the teams come out. And we damn sure heard the wooooooOOOO as the first ball was bowled. Meanwhile I and my equally perturbed guardian remained trapped in the lift for another thirty minutes or so.
I’d failed before I began. Given the challenges below I hope this week isn’t going to be a repeat…
The only potential blot on that horizon will be the train/tube/train strikes on Thursday/Friday/Saturday. Of course everything will be fine….
I listened to a gardening expert today, on the subject of which trees to plant given that they will be maturing in 50 years and our climate will be more like central France is now, or so they say (I can hear the Textiliste whispering ‘vineyards/vineyards) and she said she likes a cork oak. New to me and no doubt non native for obvs reasons, but since I will be replacing a mature silver birch soon as its most likely dead, it’s something to consider.
TanGental 
The irony of a “cold” in the middle of a heatwave must only add insult to injury. Hope you’re fully recovered in time for Coldplay and the Test match, but perhaps use the stairs.
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Coldplay with a cold? Even you couldn’t have invented that. Just you be well enough for the Test match, or else…
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I was thinking similar thoughts regarding Coldplay – funny. Even with a cold the concert would be fabulous. The cricket – no comment.
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I will accept that some may not enjoy cricket. I find most sports fascinating as long as horses aren’t involved
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Each to their own and thank goodness we’re not all the same. I am also not a fan of sports involving horses and boxing would go in the same category. Enjoy the cricket.
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I am much Improved… which I think were someone famous’ last words…
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I hope you feel better soon His Geoffleship!
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today a corner has been turned…!
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Fabulous 🤗
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Wow, a lot to comment on here but I’ll go with the three main points: 1) goldenseal in a tincture taken up to 5xs/day will clear that cold right out; 2) I love Coldplay and what is dog’s real name?; and 3) skip the elevator and take the stairs. 😂
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1) it sounds like a woodstain but I’ll look it up 2) Mylo after Mylo Xyloto and 3) I’ve never been near the bloody lifts since
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1) 😂; 2) 👏👏👏 3) 😔
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Cock up tours on a short lift journey, only you could manage that bruv.
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I didn’t like to mention that man’s weapons grade BO, but it took years for my nostrils to fully open again…
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Hope you are feeling better, Geoff. Don’t know how I managed to get the same thing here in NC – but I did. Sweats and chills and aches. No congestion, though. Sleeping a lot helped (but not a night, so with you).
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no congestion here, either; most of my colds are accompanied by goo, so this was a small win. Hope your perking up too..
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I hope you are feeling much better soon. Right now, we have a thunderstorm going outside. Well-needed water!
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until four hours ago, I would have unfollowed you for telling me that be we too have rain; almost as exciting as becoming a father…
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Wow, I am glad to hear, Geoff! I mean the rain, not the possible unfollow… lol. What a relief!
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Coldplay is a favorite of mine as well. In fact, they will be featured on my Sunday Views post. Sorry about your cold. Nothing worse in the heat than having a cold. Hope it improves soon.
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today, the bodily clouds have parted and the metrological ones replaced them so we are officially much pleased. Looking forward to your post. PS I’ve you’re a Chris Martin fan, have a look on the interwebby for Chris Martin in a pub singing to a bride to be; it might warrant a PS on your good news post.. it’s rather sweet
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I’ll Look. The Coldplay video I’m going to use was from the Wembley concert on 8-13-2022. I assume you were there.
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tonight…
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Ah. Super concert for sure.
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I hate cold in very hot weather, Geoff, you feel as if you can’t breath. I hope you feel better and enjoy your exciting week.
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yep, the man-dog is back in business, ears alert and tail set to stun!
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Summer is a miserable time to have a cold particularly if it’s hot. We’re expecting a heat wave this week and I’m not looking forward to it.
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hope you dodge it; first rain today, after a biblically long forty days
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Sounds like you have a great week ahead, Cold play and cricket.. I live cold play!
Me? Highlight of my week picking up my new glasses tomorrow!! 💜💜💜
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at least you can see what your missing?!
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That’s true let’s not lose sight of the positive!
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Hope you are fully recovered for Coldplay but, more importantly, for the cricket!
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I’ll manage Coldplay and damn sure make the cricket…
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Sorry to hear you’re not feeling your best. I was on a trip for four days, and now I’m trying to play catch-up on the blogs and feeling a bit run down myself.
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Thanls, Pete. A friend in Maine says she has exactly the same symptoms; are blogs contagious perchance?
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Awww 😊
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Vineyards … and hops. 🙂
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Yep there’s always hope
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