Lepidoptera

Tonight, in the Euro 2016 final, Portugal beat France in an incredibly dull game of football. They managed to do it without their showboating cheat of a captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, because he’d fallen over and hurt his knee. Given the game was so dull, the most memorable thing about the game was the sight of Ronaldo sitting on the pitch with a moth flapping around his face.

The reason he was attacked by the moth was not because the moth is of the same mind as me with regards to Ronaldo’s histrionics rather the moth was part of massive invasion force. It would appear that no-one knows why the Stade de France was targeted by the flapping nocturnal plague though one theory appears to be that the lights were left on after Saturday night and, attracted to them, the moths settled in and started creating a massive colony.

This wasn’t the only case of lepidoptera induced humour today. While walking in the park, Freya became very interested in a small butterfly darting around the wildflowers. She chased it, leaping high and diving. It was very funny to watch particularly given she was constantly about 30 seconds behind it. She doesn’t quite understand the concept of movement yet. Clearly.

No moths here

Emma had expressed a desire to go and watch the cricket on our walk so we set off for the cricket pitch with frequent flika-stik action along the way. Sadly, it was all over by the time we arrived. The score board still displayed the final score and the clubhouse was firmly shut and shuttered. Emma was very, very disappointed.

Someone who wasn’t even a little bit disappointed today was Andy Murray as he won the men’s singles final at Wimbledon. It’s not often we see him smile so I couldn’t resist taking this from the TV.

Not a moth in sight

I don’t normally watch the tennis but because I was alone today (Mirinda is still in Somerset with Bob) I thought I’d treat myself to a bit of sport. Murray played very well and was extremely emotional at the end. However, I much preferred the mixed doubles that came after his match.

Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen were superb. I have never seen two players who were so obviously enjoying themselves in a major final before. I’m so glad I did. They thoroughly deserved to win. I think Heather has become my new sporting hero; a championship giggler with an infectious smile.

Which brings me back to Ronaldo.

Eventually he returned to the sidelines, leg heavily bandaged and he started exhorting the players to go to greater lengths. He was yelling and screaming from the technical box, shoving aside his manager as if he was merely an inconvenience. He shoved a player on before the referee allowed it and was generally being a complete shoving ass. There’s nothing wrong with cheering your team on and giving encouragement but Ronaldo acted like a complete and utter dick.

Is this the example that the Portuguese team want to set for their young players?

It makes me so sad for the beautiful game that it can have such ugly representatives. A remarkable contrast to Heather Watson.

Apropo of nothing…here’s a photo of the hot border I took today. I’m very happy with the floral display appearing around our accidentally disrobing lady.