NOT a World Cup pic

When the alarm went off at 7 a.m. in our cold, unheated house, I bitterly regretted the 8 a.m. shotgun tee time intended to get us back in the clubhouse for the Brazil-Chile match. Things improved a few layers of clothes later and the course looked so beautiful once we got there that it was all worth it. After a slow, inglorious but pleasant game, we staggered in just after the start, and then suffered through a dismal performance by Brazil, extra time and the cruelty of a penalty shoot-out – at which point, the pent-up jubilation took over and there was much merriment. I’ve already posted too many World Cup shots, and Brazil doesn’t really deserve one this time – but they will if they get through against Colombia.

I couldn’t take the tension (and I’m a Brit), so went off to have a shower half-way through the game, and then outside to point my camera at just about anything, mobile or otherwise. Couldn’t get close enough to the birds, so here’s a hibiscus.

We decided to come back down to Rio today, largely to see whether our guests had made it back from Foz de Iguaçu in one piece (having been unable to contact them and vice-versa). To our relief, their car was outside and one of them came down to see us – the other was already asleep, after their mammoth journey. Rio to Belo Horizonte , on to Foz de Iguaçu via São Paulo, and then back to Rio is a Very Long Way. I don’t think they’ll be making any similar journeys in the future, but they’ve certainly seen more of Brazil than we have and survived some interesting experiences. Let’s hope Rio will now treat them kindly for the rest of their stay.

Dragged a tired HH down to the beach because I don’t want to miss out on a day of this excitement. The Chileans, who were so simpatico and so much in evidence, have made way for the Colombians, ecstatic with their victory over Uruguay. It’s so sad that the South American teams are having to knock each other out – I would love the Cup to stay in Latin America, at this stage. And now Brazil has to face Colombia on Friday. I'd like both sides to win.... (we met such a friendly Colombian and his family on one of the early nights of the Cup – he was saying how their best player would probably not be able to play, due to injuries, and that the team without him wasn’t likely to do too well. Wish I could meet him again – he must be so happy).

Back for some smoked salmon sandwiches (Chilean salmon), a beer and bed.