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I'm afraid I've been practically dumb online during the current year. We've had a fraught lockdown .. but I'll maybe post about our own stuff separately.
Today, amongst all the dreadful news, three items grieve me especially.
Firstly, of course, it's the US election, but I'll defer ANY personal feelings about that until tomorrow.
Secondly - the Vienna attacks. Of course, we know the places where it took place; and that hurts. But what is worse - the shattering of people's safety and trust. Everywhere witnesses are saying 'things like this don't HAPPEN here!' My heart goes out to one of my most beloved places. Stay strong, Vienna.
Third.
I have very ambivalent feelings about horse racing. It's R's favourite means of recreation, and an immovable feature of our Saturdays. I love the horses and the spectacle; and have slightly mixed feelings about some of the prominent people in the sport. But worst, of course, is the price paid in terms of dead horseflesh. I remember - back in the day, when we attended the Cheltenham Festival each March - when a horse called Kenlis suffered a heart attack right after a very arduous race, right near to us. It was the first time I'd encountered horse-death; and as you see, I remember his name all the years later.
At 4.00am (UK time) the Melbourne Cup saw Derby winner Anthony van Dyck put down after breaking a fetlock. All that way across the world ... to death. I'm devastated.
And now for the good news:
AFC Wimbledon returns to (new) Plough Lane Stadium after an exile of 30 years. The new structure is essentially fan-funded. Sadly the team will inaugurate its new premises behind closed doors; but even so - a huge well done to Merton Council, to the club's authorities, and most of all to the fans. Next up .... another bash at the FA Cup, guys?
Today, amongst all the dreadful news, three items grieve me especially.
Firstly, of course, it's the US election, but I'll defer ANY personal feelings about that until tomorrow.
Secondly - the Vienna attacks. Of course, we know the places where it took place; and that hurts. But what is worse - the shattering of people's safety and trust. Everywhere witnesses are saying 'things like this don't HAPPEN here!' My heart goes out to one of my most beloved places. Stay strong, Vienna.
Third.
I have very ambivalent feelings about horse racing. It's R's favourite means of recreation, and an immovable feature of our Saturdays. I love the horses and the spectacle; and have slightly mixed feelings about some of the prominent people in the sport. But worst, of course, is the price paid in terms of dead horseflesh. I remember - back in the day, when we attended the Cheltenham Festival each March - when a horse called Kenlis suffered a heart attack right after a very arduous race, right near to us. It was the first time I'd encountered horse-death; and as you see, I remember his name all the years later.
At 4.00am (UK time) the Melbourne Cup saw Derby winner Anthony van Dyck put down after breaking a fetlock. All that way across the world ... to death. I'm devastated.
And now for the good news:
AFC Wimbledon returns to (new) Plough Lane Stadium after an exile of 30 years. The new structure is essentially fan-funded. Sadly the team will inaugurate its new premises behind closed doors; but even so - a huge well done to Merton Council, to the club's authorities, and most of all to the fans. Next up .... another bash at the FA Cup, guys?
