A long week

Its Friday afternoon and literally the first chance to sit and write. Since Monday morning the week has consisted of completing tasks and resolving problems. Not surprisingly its been dominated by my aunt's death and the arrangements for her funeral. Inadvertently it reminds you of your own mortality and the things that are important to you, as I trailed from office to office, to collect this and register that, the past and the memories contained within take centre stage rather than the events and issues of the present.

After two days of M25 travel and undertakers, solicitors and the like, I was pleased to take a day out to watch the ODI England v Australia at the Oval. The 50 over is on its death bed, replaced by T20, it leaves you wondering why batsmen struggle to 5 an over. The crowd seem to lose concentration in the middle of each teams innings. On Wednesday Australia batting first showed how this form of the game should be played, both Ponting and Clarke (who was left stranded on 99) produced fine innings, and plundered some fairly mediocre bowling. On a warm summers day 290 should have been a manageable target, but of course it wasn't. England lost wickets whenever a partnership seemed likely. Perhaps at 3-0 up in the series, England weren't as focussed as they should have been.

Returning to work, I was presented with the news that there is going to be subject inspection next Monday. of course I won't be there because of my aunt's funeral, but once again I'm watching teachers under siege, fighting back with a mound of paper to placate an inspector.

As the week ends, Surrey record an away win at Derbyshire. The World Cup gets down to the quarter final stage. Arsenal reveal next season's shirt, a classic design of Red with White Sleeves. No argument there, and I managed to get a ticket to see Gaslight Anthem in London in October.

Politically the government refuse to stop oil companies deep sea drilling in the North Sea, why they should think a ecological disaster is any more unlikely here than it was in the Gulf of Mexico is baffling. It seems the referendum on AV will be held next May, to coincide with elections to devolved bodies and local councils.