What a day

Today has been a busy day.  Last night we had gone to a party and thanks to Victoria and Adam, we had fun, but we did not get back until the early hours of the morning.  The downside was that we were meant to take my son out to play cricket this morning.  So when he sneaked into our room to say that he did not want to play cricket today, we were relieved.  To be honest, I suspect that I would have still been over the drink drive limit if I had driven this morning.  Which would have meant that I would not have been able to take him, or would have had to take a cab to get him there and hope that my wife would be able to get me back at the end of it all.  It is a shame, as he had wanted to go.  His desire to play cricket is amazing and is a change from how he started.  I had thought that today, he would not want to go, but instead would want to take advantage of the Pokémon Go community day.  We had agreed to take a friend of this out for this who had not been able to take advantage of this before.

So this morning, after breakfast, leaving my wife in bed, we went to collect Matthew before walking into town and the kids were great.  When there was a glitch with Pokémon Go which prevented them from taking part in it fully, they were okay and instead played in the playground in the park.  Things started to work later and both were glad that they had caught several Charmanders and also had evolved them into Charizard's.  For Matthew, this was a big thing as he had not been out on a day like this before and is a keen fan of Pokémon.

But going out meant that we missed the Royal Wedding, and watching the highlights on our return, it has brought a tear to my eye.  It is interesting though to see the different views on this.  And while I respect the views of those who are against the monarchy, I disagree with them.

Unarmed Palestinians have been assaulting Israeli bullets with their bodies and faces

The US has handed states the right to shoot unarmed protesters and has given up any moral authority to complain about any such abuses, at the very least, until there is a new POTUS.

Recently, along the border of Gaza, protesters have been killed or injured for approaching the border with Israel.  Over this time, not one Israeli soldier has been killed by these protesters.  I do think Israel is right to protect its borders, even if that means attacking those approaching its borders, but this use of lethal force is wrong.  

And to make matters worse, the ambassador to the UN has stated that Israel has shown restraint in these actions, ignoring the murder of the protesters, and then, when the Palestinian ambassador started to speak, walked out!  I am used to double standards existing (see how the west is okay to arm the Saudi backed forces in the Yemeni civil war but Russia is wrong to do the same in Turkey) but this is the worst example in a long time, and is one that will infuriate so many US allies.

Brightlingsea in the May Bank holiday sunshine

So far, this bank holiday has been a good one.

Yesterday involved a trip to beyond Tiptree for lunch once my wife had returned from work.  In the morning, I took my son to play cricket. He used to hate this and I was not able to take him to his first sessions as I am not the best person to encourage him in situations like this. Instead my wife took him, but as she was working this Saturday, that fell to me.  So while he played on the dry areas of the pitch, I watched him while talking to two friends, Victoria and Adam.  After this, it was a trip to the Red Dog cafe at Inworth. We have been there before and the lady who runs it recognised us from then. Eating in the sunshine was lovely and after we got home, it was time to mow the lawn which has taken advantage of the rain and sun that has fed it since it was last done.

This morning though I went to work for a few hours and when I got home, it was a trip to Brightlingsea were we borrowed a beach hut and enjoyed the sun after eating breakfast at Batemans cafe.  Later my son and I played a version of cricket which he loved.

Anyway, once again it is time for bed, so good night all!

So long and thanks for all the fish

We won on the weekend!  (I have yet to watch the highlights though.)

When it comes to Arsène Wenger, I do think that it is time for him to leave.  I am glad that it will happen at the end of the season. Arsenal and English football owes a lot as he has transformed both. The downside is that while other teams have adapted and evolved to cope with how he improved Arsenal, he was not able to do so as well.  Things would have been different if Birmingham City had not broken Eduardo's leg.  We were to win the title that season, but that injury destroyed the team and we fell apart instead.  Players left and then things spiralled downhill.

When Leicester won the title, they deserved to do so, but Arsenal, who were top of the league on New Years should have won it then.  The failure to do so, and the lucky set of results that allowed us to pip the scum to second place on the last day of the season was down to Arsène Wenger.  Do not get me wrong, he is a great manager and will probably win trophies if he takes up the job offers that will come his way, but it was time for him to leave.

Anyway, I wish him the best for the rest of the season (I think that we will win on Thursday, but lose the away leg and get knocked out), and I wish him the best after he hands Arsenal over to our next manager.

I cannot embed these videos, but take the time to watch them and enjoy them.
Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona
Inter 1-5 Arsenal
Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
Milan 0-2 Arsenal

My Moltres

Again, another post by my son...

"Today I needed to collect one more research stamp* . Me and my dad went across the road from hospital arms the pub and Pokègym I battled it and claimed my research stamp of the day. After a wild moltres appeared. I was ecstatic that I caught it."

Fun Yesterday and today's torture

Another post by my son, though as before, not one which has been keen on doing.

Yesterday my happy day. Yesterday I helped clean out mummy's car. And it using a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the water. It took about an hour and a half.

Today I help my sister clean her book out from her room. It took about an hour. She gave me about 20 books, she said she'd help me with them putting them away and getting rid of some of my books. She lied to me. She hadn't helped me at all it didn't make sense, after all I helped lots.

In the afternoon I had to have A monstrosity of a haircut. I despised it and make pleaded not to have it. My mother said I have to do it or I would never be allowed to have Pokémon cards for the rest of my entire life! After it was done to she was smiling. I was very annoyed after all it's not like I wanted it.

As you can tell, he was not in the best of moods about typing this one!  I have to give him credit for doing these though.

My baking day (a post by my son)

Today I did a lot of baking. I helped make a tart Citron. It was tiring and energy draining  but it was worth it as it was delectable and everyone enjoyed it at Isa's and Tony's. We also made a chocolate chip bread-and-butter pudding.  Afterwards I got to watch The Greatest Showman which I have been waiting to watch for ages. It was one of the best films I ever watched. I enjoyed the songs after all there was lots of them because it was a musical. I loved what I did today!