WORLD CUP DEFINING IMAGES....

As the World Cup in Russia rolls on to England`s semi-final I`ve been on the lookout for images that have defined the competition so far.   We`ve seen spectacular goals, intriguing games, high drama, crushing disappointment, outrageous antics and, inevitably, Kipling`s twin impostors in various guises.  We`ve seen images of fans over the moon and as sick as parrots; we`ve seen Engerland progress to the semi-final stage for the first time since 1990 (what a mercy it has been that `Big` Sam Allardyce`s short reign as manager ended so fortunately.)

But for me at least, the images I have taken so far as being the most satisfying were those following Japan`s heroic exit losing 3-2 to Belgium.   I don`t know, but I would imagine that, after any defeat, most football teams would simply trudge back to the dressing room, have a shower, get dressed and go. Not so Japan whose culture and innate sense of courtesy meant that they left the dressing room in the same pristine state they found it in when they arrived.  They also left a note, in Russian, to thank their hosts:-

And this seemingly natural way of behaving towards their hosts as visitors was mirrored by the Japanese fans who stayed behind in the stadium to clean up the seating areas where they had watched the game.

Japan may have left the World Cup stage but the respectful attitude of their players and supporters confirmed their reputation as probably the best ambassadors seen at the World Cup.   We could all learn a lot from them.  Maybe there will be some more memorable images before the tournament ends next weekend but for now, well done to Saints very own Maya Yoshida and his band of brothers.

A RARE NOTE OF SYMPATHY..

It is indeed most unusual for me to have any sympathy for politicians but today I must make an exception in the case of Ben Wallace, MP, who happens to be the Minister of State for Security and Economic Crime.   And it was he who was put up in front of the television cameras this morning in response to the news coming out of Salisbury that, yet again, two people have been taken critically ill as a result of supposed contact with the nerve agent Novichok.

He appeared on the BBC Breakfast programme around 7.30 this morning and was `interviewed` by Middlesbrough`s answer to Gracie Fields, one Steph McGovern, whilst being looked on by the insufferably smug Naga Munchetty.   The `interview` didn`t go well - the questions were all the usual BBC aggressive assumptions and Ben Wallace was hardly given time to answer before being interrupted but to be fair he managed to keep his composure and deliver what appeared to be a measured, considered response to the event in Wiltshire.

Then on to Sky News, coming from outside the police cordon around the house of the couple who had been the victims of this dreadful happening.   Sky`s Sarah Jane Mee conducted yet another assumptive, almost accusative rant along the lines of "How could the Government allow this to happen again?"  Once again, Mr. Wallace responded with the quiet dignity that his position demands and put the Government`s position as clearly as he was allowed.

Now it`s not often I feel sympathy for politicians but I did on this occasion when once again the broadcast media take to hectoring rather than attempting to extract whatever truth may be there to be extracted, never mind any pretence of balance, all of which would have left viewers with perhaps a clear understanding of what is a deeply disturbing situation.

IT`S NOT THAT FAR...

One of our New Forest visits reminded me - and I`m not quite sure why because the contrast could not have been greater - of one of the lyrics from the wonderful but sorely missed Kirsty McColl.   "From an uptown apartment to a knife on the A-train, it`s not that far.......from the sharks in the penthouse to the rats in the basement it`s not that far"....and so on.

And our visit to Boldrewood on a mid summer weekend afternoon was perhaps not the best time to go - car park full, all those people determined to get away from it all only to find themselves surrounded by all those people.   And on our way back to our probably illegally parked car, I spotted some rising smoke from the inevitable barbecue.  This photo I took gives a flavour of what a summer barbie in the New Forest might look like.......

But if you take the trouble to walk away from all that you can find an area set aside for deer watching. It`s not that far. The silence is deafening, the mayhem left behind and if you`re patient and lucky, as I was, you might just catch a glimpse of what the Forest is really all about.  Here`s a photo I took of that quiet moment.......

Oh yes - and on the subject of Kirsty McColl`s lyrical song writing, one of her most sad but hopefully predictive lyrics included the line, "Now it`s England 2 Colombia 0 and I know just how those Colombians feel......"    Another reminder of her remarkable genius?  We might find out tomorrow evening.