Gardening and swimming

Get up at seven to a warm and humid morning, outside it's overcast with cloud but it might clear later. Hang last night's whites on the line again and then make coffee and rye toast with apricot jam for breakfast. I take this in the garden room and eat it whilst listening to the news on radio four. Wash and dress and collect the dogs from Cherry for nine and take them on the Westwood. The sun breaks through as we walk round and suddenly it's very hot, briar roses are blooming where they have grown around trees, some are white and others a beautiful delicate pink. When we get back I mow the lawns at Cherry and then head into town for coffee at the Poppy Seed with friends. Later I call in to see Sarah and ask if she wants to come for a swim, but she is busy working on her business plan, so I go on my own. Arrive at the pool just before lunch and find an empty lane, so after a 400m freestyle warm up, swim 200m in all four strokes, then 4 x 100m IM, 2 x 200m on free and backstroke and then warm down with an easy 200m IM. The anti inflammatory tablets have worked, the pain in my hip has gone and I am moving freely again. After tea in the cafe, drive home, bring in my washing and then boil some rice to accompany the vegetarian curry from the slow cooker. After lunch finish off my Ian Rankin book and then spend a couple of hours doing the gardens front and back. I finish fifteen minutes before the Spain v Portugal match and make chorizo, smoked cheese and tomato sandwiches on rye and drink my last bottle of lager as I eat them. Spain win on penalties after another nil - nil that went to extra time, but they look beatable. From what I have seen so far I think Germany are the best team at the tournament. To bed for eleven.