Oh Dear

After a quick bit of decorating (me) and a lot of baking (Mrs H) this morning, we headed off to Chatsworth to meet up with Lucie, Kate and their kids. Although a few spots of rain got in the way on occasions, it didn't dampen the children's spirits and they had a whale of a time chatting, playing, chatting, getting wet, chatting, getting lost in the maze and chatting.

Jnr Snr had her second diving lesson in the afternoon, so nipped off for that leaving the rest of us to enjoy a cuppa and a chat. After Lucie and Kate departed, I took Jnr Jnr on a short deer hunt until we were picked up. We found them pretty quick, and got quite close before we were spotted and they started to move off.

Kate/Lucy - It was great to see you both again and I have stuck up a few shots here. I didn't get my camera out as much as I had planned to - I want to get more of the kids next time


We then drove off to Sheffield to see England Under 21's take on Scotland Under 21's at Bramall Lane. The title of this Blip is in reference to the Scots who took a hammering: 6-0. A couple of the English players were outstanding and could be stars of the future for sure. It was a strange one though; although a high attendance at 27,000, the atmosphere was very different to watching the Blades play (then again, seeing six goals scored the right way at the Lane is not exactly normal for a start!). Fortunately the incredibly-annoying 'band' weren't there, but there were a few air-horns and, it took me a while to realise the main factor, no singing. I also realised that I have no emotional attachment to English football whatsoever: it was entertaining to watch, but it did not stir in me anything approaching what goes through me when United play.

The one thing that really impressed me was the way the English fans clapped after the Scottish national anthem and the Scottish fans did the same after the English national anthem - I wonder if that will happen at Wembley tomorrow? A very family-friendly match all in all, tons of kids there enjoying the game.