Escape

Denied!

And in the worst possible way!

Dreaded penalties. lf there's a more terrible form of (sport related) mental torture than these, then l've not heard of it.

They make me shriek, and dig my fingernails into the furniture, or the nearest available leg - l don't care whose.

But what a shambles. No Beckham, no Rooney ...

ln a way, l'm surprised we made it this far as England's play has been sub-standard and hesitant throughout the entire tournament, apart from when we actually scored.

lt's just not good enough.

Ah well, only another four years before we have to suffer the agony again.

ln contrast, l spent the earlier part of yesterday at an arts and crafts centre in the countryside, and in sizzling temperatures.

l browsed, l mooched and l stuffed myself with a big lunch including a plateful of home made apple crumble and custard and a vat of tea. Not exactly hot weather food, but excellent all the same.

The stained glass items - made on the premises as are most of the things you can buy there were very attractive. For lovers of tapestry etc, the range of fabrics and threads was comprehensive. New additions were 'The Garden Shop' with plant and rose sales, as well as old favourites such as the Junior Farm and the Funfair.

See it at : www.wroxham-barns.co.uk  

Didn't he do well!

Considering David Beckham was feeling ill during the second half of the game, the fact he scored so brilliantly with a free kick was nothing short of a miracle! Becoming the first England player to score in three World Cups. Quite an achievement.

Then he celebrated a few moments later by being physically sick and having to be substituted. But by then the job was done and Equador weren't able to equalize although they had their chances. We're one step closer to that glittering prize ...

After eight long days the corner shop STILL hasn't reopened! Rats!

This means another long trek to buy provisions today.

For June, the weather is dreary. Grey skies ... storm clouds ...

The only ray of sunshine is my Hypericum shrub outside the front window of the house which is smothered in dazzling yellow blooms.

Poor Michael Owen!

He'd barely struck his first ball of the match when his knee buckled, he crumpled in an untidy heap on the pitch and had to be stretchered off in agony. 

It signalled the end of this years world cup tornament for him and the likelihood of months out of action.

Despite two superb goals - by Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard - we were only able to equalize with Sweden, and  were lucky it didn't end in defeat for England as there was some very shabby defending around the goal area. We need to play alot better than this if we make it through to the final rounds.

After the recent spate of arson attacks in the area, my corner shop has closed while an extensive CCTV system is being installed, both outside and in, and they are completely redecorating. lt has caused alot of inconvenience to local residents who have to travel further afield for those items which you suddenly run out of. l use it on an almost daily basis so will breathe a sigh of relief when it finally reopens. Having to walk almost a mile each way just a buy a packet of crisps or a newspaper is nearly killing me, but l'll be alot fitter! 

England v Trinidad and Tobago.

And wasn't it nice to see team captains David Beckham and Dwight Yorke chatting so amiably before the match.

After a patchy first half where we had a few chances but were unable to convert them into something concrete, the last twenty minutes of the game livened up considerably. lt culminated in a couple of fantastic goals . The first was a terrific header from Peter Crouch - without the robotic victory dance, although  Sven looked quite animated. Goal no.2 came from Steven Gerrard who booted it into the top left hand corner of the net ... and victory was ours!  Yaaaaay!!

Keeping on the football theme, there was an article in The Sun newspaper featuring the wives/girlfriends of the England team, and their handbags of choice.

They ranged from Coleen McLoughlin ( Wayne Rooney's fiancee) and her £3,500 Hermes bag, to Mel Slade (Theo Walcott's girl) and her £40 pink Dunlop - accompanied by the pithy caption, 'She'll learn.'

l hope not.

Anyone who is prepared to pay three and a half thousand quid, just for somewhere to keep their lipgloss, must - with respect - have a screw loose.

Mel's got the right idea. Keep your money in the bank, love. Unlike handbags, it'll never go out of fashion!

C' mon England!

 Well that's my contribution to the World Cup over with!

Still, so far, so good. We've won our first game 1-0 with the help of an own goal by Paraguay early in the first half which must give England's confidence a boost as we usually struggle in the opening rounds.

But l have to say, the bizarre shadows across the pitch really distracted me and l'm sure it didn't make the players' job's any easier - one minute in deep gloom, the next in blinding sunshine.

l don't regard myself as a huge football fan, but l like to see England do well and l try to watch at least some of their important games.

l'm just not into the flag-waving, beer-drinking culture that surrounds the World Cup experience.

l did think Becks' bright blue football boots were quite striking though!

Good websites with all the latest updates are:   http://www.englandfootballonline.com/  and  http://www.thefa.com/