Bored? How is that possible?

More offensive than their lacklustre performance on the pitch is the news that the England players are bored. Really? No books to read? No newspapers? Surfing the net? Visiting the local area? Rustenburg is on the edge of two national parks in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. A country with a fascinating and complex history. Not actually far from Johannesburg. I was lucky enough to go there about three years ago - can I recommend, Mr Rooney, Mr Terry, a trip to Soweto or to the apartheid museum. A chance to realise what a privileged, over-indulged lifestyle you lead. A chance also to understand how monumental it is to see a sports tournament happening in South Africa when so many of us back here (booing!) can remember the boycotts.....in fact that thought is so uplifting I don't care who wins....one could say that South Africa has won already....

I am back and I am mad as hell....

Did ya miss me? Did you even notice I wasn't here. And, which one of you bastards voted tory while I was out of the room....or voted Lib Dem thinking it was actually a viable alternative? You were warned....you were bloody warned, and now look what's happened. *Frantically searches for her "I didn't vote tory" badge, last worn in 1979, pinned on school blazer*

We are family

I have mentioned my all consuming passion for genealogy on these pages before. I am always interested to find links with past generations, which are often related to health issues or, certainly in the husbands family, ability or skills. In his family there is a clear leaning towards the arts - a family of artists, scuptors and musicians. Mine.....? Drinkers, apparently!

Although it can't be definatively proved, in my family I have found links to my hereditary deafness and my double-jointedness. I also tracked down the origins of my daughter's red hair.

Sadly, I now seem to be in the position of passing on something to a future generation....my poor wee poppet has tonsillitis