Cough Fee

Seeing the dawn two days in a row makes it more difficult to rise for the slog on the third.

The bones in my ears have stopped vibrating, finally. There was every chance that they wouldn't and that I'd be left with a medium-pitched hum in there for all eternity. It was, however, on a pleasant note, so it may have served to keep me in key.

Such control, such good management under pressure: is that what was missing? It was a one-point thumping to be fair, and their score at the end was a reflection of their impressive psychology in the face of our team, who believed us to be home. Dangerous, but the Kid will stop that next time around. Another two weeks until the next outing, which is a pity, back-to-back makes it more exciting.

We were abject. Disinterested. Well no, we weren't. Not at first, although to read the reports you would think it. We were on top, creating at will but not finishing - a common complaint this time around - and when they got their bit of luck it was always going to be more difficult. We felt as if the tide had turned against us, and they had new belief. Little wonder that we could not claw it back. Still, it's only the second time we have tasted defeat this year. A fact that augers well for us.

It's lonely enough with you gone, at least one of us is having fun I suppose, although vicarious vacations just don't have the same effect.

Happy Birthday Dad.