Sunday News

This photo from several years ago at Bournemouth in Dorset. In the far distance, at the top of the image, is the Isle of Weight.

Travel chaos continues and the British airports remain shut until tomorrow morning and perhaps the end of next week. The volcano has worsened while wind-flows fail to remove the ash cloud. There are 1 million Brits stranded somewhere unable to get home. Us, we take advantage of the warm weather to go to Richmond Park for a picnic. I read the Sunday papers while Sonnet plays Frisbee with the kids. Eitan's KPR seals their division title by defeating the Isleworthians 1-nil in a game notable for blood: one of theirs has his front tooth knocked out in a mid-field collision. Poor lad. The physical game sees all sorts of tackles (in European football, this means a slide tackle) and Eitan earns side-line whistles when he connects with 'studs up.' This the sort of thing that gets a Yellow Card in the professional leagues (later he tells me: "I was feeling a bit frustrated which is why I did that"). Whoever thinks soccer not a physical game sorely mistaken. Next year, KPR will move into Division One.

Driving in Richmond Park: "Dad! There's Joe! Stop the car"

Me: "There is no parking"

Eitan: "Aw, I would have loved to see Joe."

Madeleine, whispers: "Are you g-a-e?"

Sonnet: "There is nothing wrong with being G-A-Y."

Me: "Madeleine, do you like gals or guys?"

Madeleine: "Neither, dad!"

Me: "What about that boy in year 6? You said you were in love with him."

Madeleine: "Did not!" (Eitan sniggers)

Me: "Or how about Kenny? You were definitely in love with Kenny."

Madeleine: "I am no longer listening to you, Dad."