Here we are back in 1982, towards the end of our time at Holly Bank, Yelverton. David is about 10, and we’re about 37.

In 2006, it’s the longest and lightest day – still summery, though a bit cooler. Dot has been to London for a couple of days with Nafpht friends, and the clearing up goes on. I sorted out about 500 chess magazines and miscellaneous other stuff, among which I found my certificate qualifying me to be an assessor/verifier for NVQs. Just as well: if I’d been asked to produce it in the last three or four years, I’d have been in real trouble. Now, where did I put it??!

The World Cup grinds on, with occasional scintillating moments. Today Mexico were done out of a win over Portugal by the referee and some appalling finishing. Yesterday Michael Owen managed to injure himself within a minute by simply falling over – couldn’t suppress a sigh of relief, as he’d been playing so badly. Two superb goals by  J Cole (especially) and Gerrard, but amazingly the defence collapse and conceded two. Still, we won the group. Can’t understand why anyone thinks Ashley Cole is a good player. Beckham was also very average, and Lampard below par for him. Rooney livened things up without being fully fit.

One wonders exactly what it would take for Sven to bring Walcott on. Injuries to absolutely everyone else?