Lords

Day with eldest son at Lords. A fantastic day in glorious sunshine courtesy of White and Case and Marcus.

Have not been here at the Home of Cricket for 30 odd years and the place has aura. Enjoyed every minute and even allowed myself numerous day time beers. Great company around and spent most of day chatting to Richard Spring (Lord Rigsby) a member of the House of Lords who was also one of Marcus' guests - despite being high up in the Conservative party we got on famously. The MP Mark Field for the London City and Westminster was also there. Cracking day spent with Tommy A.

Nothing day

Nothing much today. Hung with the family. No excerise.

Cav won his fourth stage. Impressive.

Nice

Terrible news to wake up to with the stories from Nice. Simply horrible and it seems that every week we are faced with a global tragedy. I spent many a summer holiday in Nice on that same promenade. In fact I can even remember having pretend running races with my folks and siblings whilst eating the Karomac chewies or wherever they are called. Heartfelt thoughts go to the families who were effected. They are good people.

My floor today was similarly somber. We are an equal mix of Germans French Spainish and me being one of the few Brits. I would not have it any other way and missed that multi cultural interaction whilst in Aus. London is truly the capital of Europe and undeniably this is now at stake.

I am annoyed by Brexit and the aftermath on so many levels but now is exactly why we need a united European Union.

And this after Froome having to run up Mont Ventoux yesterday.  The world has gone stonking mad. A friend was up there and said that it was chaotic, the issue being that all the supporters up the mountain had crammed to the lower slopes given the 6k shortening.

Today was the usual insane day in the office but again forced myself away from my desk for 60 minutes of stretching and strength. It helped as it always does.

Have been invited to Lords on Sunday courtesy of one of the law firms and will surprise #1 Tommy A x. I have been meaning to take him since we have been back as we made a promise to his Manly Villiage teacher who put Lords as her #1 place she most wants to visit above anywhere else. I was about the same age when my dad took me to see Richard Hadley no less play for the Kiwis against Gatting Gower and co. I also remember that like yesterday. It's funny what moments you do remember.

Have to say I am incredibly thankful for having 4 amazing normal healthy boys and an adorable wife - I love them dearly and always set out to tell them and hug them everyday.

Breaking point

Every day I think it cannot get any worse and then more mental'ness. Work is simply out of control.

I got away from my office for 45 mins at lunch but otherwise was completely nuts.

Purposely avoiding any news so that I watch the Tour when I get home.

Officially wasted

I am completely knackered - literally crawling to the weekend. Glands are swollen and feel like crap.

Meanwhile more amazing entertainment at the Tour today with Sagan and Froome in a break away of 4 (WTF) and both green and yellow jersies (even more WTF). Looking forward to watching highlights.

Sammy B now extended to 10 minutes over Lars AT THE Bak.

* 40 mins at the gym at 2pm to de-clutter mind.

Sammy Bennet

Sammy Bennet still doing me proud in the Tour and has even opened up a 5 minute lead on Lars 'AT THE' Bak (oooooi) which I find highly amusing :)

Today was more mayhem and worked my socks off again with no break to 9pm.

Jack had his district race today and finished 9th which is no mean feet for Bromley which has lots of running pedigree. He was nonplussed as ever.

Monday manic

God I hate Mondays. Got home at 10 and felt like I worked a week only to log on for another hour or so. Seriously. I earn every single penny.

Yesterday I got some more Accupuncture but left side even more sore today. I did though manage 30 mins of strength in the gym to preserve sanity more than anything else.

The late arrival home meant I missed Sarah and kids visit from Manly Australia. As I say....every penny.

Boys annual performance

Bloody hell this sciatic thing is a bind. Not able to do much and so just taking it easy.

Morning spent with J and then the arvo with the two elder boys as the inseparable duo were at their final rehearsal ahead of tonight. So another day it was camped in front of the tele watching Hamilton breeze it in the British GP, Froome reign supreme in the Tour and finally Murray Mint take down his second Wimbledon. Britain tearing it up again. So much for cannot win anything? Take note Ireland who win sweet FA - if they stopped quipping about England for once they may actually win something one day. Then again may be not. Oh dear.

Tommy spent the latter arvo at the Langley golf club around the corner playing 9 holes. He has a massive opportunity to be quite good with the golf course all 5 mins walk from home and now with membership can play after school. I really hope he takes advantage but is down to him.
Now watching the younger two's performance which is their end of term performance from their music and arts school. There is only so much watching of dancing and singing kids I can take particularly when it's not your own.

Some core work with J but that was it.

Froomie

So no run again but had to jog to the boys' school to pick up the car and then was sore for the rest of the day. The issue is definitely my sciatic nerve. The jog to school is only 1km and so a little ominous.

The ride from Froome today was simply stunning. He bluffed on all the mountain tops that he was gunning for KOM points but on the last ahead of the long downhill to the finish and with everyone thinking what is he playing at wasting energy he zoomed off the summit and propelled himself down the mountain. It was exhilarating watching live and the 3 meter gap was all he needed and then zoom down to Bagnere de Luchon where J and I were in 2012.

The Brits are tearing it up with 5 stage wins out of 8 and now holding 3 of the 4 jerseys. But more importantly, Sammy Bennet is back to Lanterne Rouge now 1hr and 53mins back.

Perfect timing to be inspired by the bike and have earmarked a couple of hours tomorrow.

The inseparable duo post their last rehearsal ahead of tomorrow's show:

This was today's stage and had forgotten the amazing vistas of the Pyrenees. We will be one hours drive away next month and if I am still not able to run will bring the bike with and do some climbing.

More barefoot gym

With stress levels high this week and having worked my socks off (boooii) I rewarded myself with 60 mins at lunch to hit the gym. I go through periods when I absolutely love the gym and this is one of those phases.

Pretty thankful as still unable to run although I may jog Park Run in the morning.

The office was empty today with most travelling to the game last night in Maraeilles given that most are French or Germans. I joked it was a premonition 5 years into the future of post Brexit life.

Gym feeling sweet

Our gym downstairs give spare gear which is great when you have no kit so wandered down and just went bare foot. So just did 45mins of strength feeling a million bucks and stretching loads to help the glute issue.

Sprinted home to see Germany literally give it away against France. They've been unlucky with injuries and still say they are the best team but as Palace can attest to in the Prem it's not always the best team that wins. Boooii.

Lanterne Rouge: Sam Bennett

Monster day in the office which meant I missed most of the Wales game. Did not miss much.

No run or gym today. The left glute is better but still not ready to roll.

Will be following the Lanterne rouge over the next 3 weeks in honour of my dad's mate John Clarey who won it in 1968 which goes to the last placed rider in the Tour.  As of Wednesday the prize goes to Sammy Bennet.

People actually try and win this shit you know and is steeped in history - an art form trying to dodge the famous van sweeper. Jean Marie Leblanc the charismatic former director of the TdeF wrote in his memoirs how we was gutted to finish behind John in 1968, No wait 'in front'.

Zog

Lots on and left side still very sore and so was determined to get out at 4 to get to my Chinese Dr mate for accupuncture. It does feel a touch better.

Got home and read to these two herberts. I said yesterday that they are inseparable and they actually chose to sleep in same bed despite their bunk beds.

Pain

Woke up to pain in my side and lower back which was making me feel nauseous so called the Chinese doctor but crap he was away so got treated by someone else who is nowhere as good.

Pain all day but temporarily alleviated by me screaming at the TV when Cav came past Greipl for his 28th TdeF stage to level up with the badger Hinault.  It was an epic sprint with Cav just piping by a whisker.

Picture below walking our little man to school.

This is his quote from the Guardian - pure class:

The numbers game matters little compared to the simple fact of winning any stage here, Cavendish said, although he added, “when I turned pro I didn’t ever dream of being mentioned in the same sentence as Hinault or Eddy Merckx. I would never compare myself to Hinault but having a number by my name which relates to something he has done blows my mind. I won’t stop here.”

Maillot Jaune

So Cav looked splendid in yellow for the first time in his career.

Ran some ks in the middle of the day with the Fam but really hampered by my glute which is getting really painful and desperately need some accupuncture. 12ks done and 50 or so for the week going nowhere fast.

Some other great performances on the Gold Coast with Barts running sub 70 for the Half as well as Jeet running a 76 PB. Great stuff.

The inseparable younger two:

Chapeau Cavendish

Some great performances no less than Tommy H running a fantastic 31.35 10k on the Gold Coast and then Cav winning his 27th stage of the TdeF. Quite brilliant. I watched it from start to finish and was great entertainment.

Ran loops of Langley in the middle of the day with the Fam kicking balls in the middle. All up 11k with some quicker stuff in the middle. My left glute is now officially stuffed.

The real game of thrones

Normal office day although fitted in 45 mins on treadmill jogging 1k and fast 2k and so on. Had to stretch the glute beforehand which is slowly beginning to feel normal again. A touch of strength after to finish off.

Best of luck to all the Sydney crew who will be up on the Gold Coast this weekend. Always a top weekend. Some jokes flying around this morning about my robot dance (according to Timmy I taught Crouchy everything he knows).  Long story short, in 2011 I cramped so badly that I perfected the robot dance in the home straight whilst in full view of Timmy and co. As is always customary we consumed multiple beers that evening too despite me being totally dehydrated. The hangover the next day was one of my worst and I remember telling J she had to do all of the driving to Noosa (north of Brisbane) as I was in no fit state.  It took me a week to recover. Good times all the same.

PS Very pleased that Andros Townsend has joined Palace from the Toon. A good player him if he can remain fit.