Foxes, snails & beautiful Italian men

At the weekend I saw a fox, I couldn't sleep and opened the curtains at 4am and there it was, slinking into the darkness, I wanted it to come back but it had vanished into the ferns. There's a snail making its way across the landscape of the shed, I usually hate/fear them, the bastards eat holes in everything but this one is beautiful with a blue-patterned shell. I watched most of Spain/Italy, my nephews had helpfully informed me that Italy are rubbish, they are Barcelona supporters, and must be delighted at outcome. Watching Italy is just not the same since the days of Totti and Maldini, though Pirlo and Buffon are quite beautiful (as is Balotelli though I am, of course, old enough to be his mother). I was curious about the word pundit and discovered it comes from Sanskrit 'pandita' which means 'learned' (although the opposite of learned is what you feel listening to some of the commentary). It's the 2nd of July and 14 degrees, fucking appalling weather, I will need more than foxes and snails to cheer me up (though An Exploding Case of Mangoes is making me laugh out loud). ME has not been good, whenever I try and do any tasks/errands I get that creeping/clammy/adrenaline feeling, I used to get this a lot, it means things are not quite right. Still coughing like Steptoe, but not so frequently or violently.

Gorgeous

At the weekend, my nephews' village primary school won an inter-school football tournament, an unexpected victory.  I heard that one wee boy who didn't even play - too young - took his shirt off and did a lap of honour. Gorgeous. The team is  being taken to an Italian restaurant for lunch this week, what a fabulous treat (I can't recall anything remotely as sumptuous at primary school). But this is a  generation of nephews who ask for Jamie's summer salad in their packed lunches.

My older nephew, still glowing, actually glowing, from the gold cup victory, can now play 'Mull of Kintyre' on the trumpet. He wanted to skype and play to my mother, not realising she is too ill just now. I can't wait for my session.

And: 'The clouds are punctuating the ceiling': my stepdad's explanation of the crazy May sun/shower cycle we're having.

*for those not in UK, this is Jamie.