The Vulkan was a highlight

and dinner with Patricia and Scotty was most enjoyable. The Hoegaarden in the Lions pub was pretty good too but it couldn't wash the sour taste from my mouth after witnessing one of the great refereeing mistakes of the modern era. I'm not saying that England would (or even should) have won the match, but had the goal been awarded things may have turned out very differently.
If I were that goalie, I would be very wary of anyone wearing three lions........


Tune of the day:  Use Me   by Holly Golightly

It's Friday evening, Switzerland are playing football and

strangely enough there are empty streets everywhere   :-)  The Swiss will need to perform well this evening to get through to the next stage and it would be nice to see that happen.
We have had a wonderful warm, sunny day and more of the same has been predicted for the weekend. Biking, bbqing and generally taking it easy seems to be the order of play.......



Tune of the day:  My Ride Is Here  by Bruce Springsteen

Adieu les Bleus

The first highly-fancied victims of South Africa 2010 were the Frogs. They are now on their way home with the camp in total disarray and their tails well and truly between their legs after being given a lesson by the hosts. There are always upsets in sporting events like this, but this one brought a smile to my face.
There is plenty more action to come and at the moment my two favourites for the crown would be Argentina and Brazil. Good luck!





Tune of the day:  Oliver's Army  by Elvis Costello

THUD!

That was the noise that the Swiss made coming back to earth this afternoon......... After a heady win against the reigning European Champions, they were made to look pretty ordinary by a talented and very committed Chilean team today. No need to get down in the dumps yet- a win against Honduras will see them progress to the next stage and that is to be seen as a success. Hopp Schwiiz!


Tune of the day:  Black Steel   by Tricky

Route One is fantastic

with Sir Roy and Lord Nelson putting on a great show from South Africa  :-)  There have been a few surprises so far in this World Cup and I am sure that there will be more to come. A difficult decision for me next week when I need to decide whether to wear my Japan or Denmark shirt for the Denmark v Japan match.....


Tune of the day: Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others    by The Smiths

There will be plenty of people who will say

that it was to do with cheese and fresh air and others will say that it was the great coach........ personally I'm still not sure how Switzerland managed to beat Spain yesterday afternoon, but I am pretty happy with the result. I don't think that I have ever seen Zürich in quite such a party mood as it was at 7:00 last evening  :-)



Tune of the day:  Old Devils  by William Elliott Whitmore

Rampaging through this sporting life pays off

with Roy and HG being recognised in the most recent Australian Honours List. They have both been admitted to the Order Of Australia for services to media and entertainment. Thinking about it now.......... Radio JJJ in the 1980s was quite a while back.  :-)
Congratulations to the guys and I only hope that this doesn't become "a handbrake on their lives" as Roy so beautifully put it.


Tune of the day: Tango 'Til They're Sore  by Holly Cole

Do the French have any fans at all?

After seeing them in a very ordinary performance last night I would understand totally if no-one at all supported them  :-) I'll happily admit that I would be pleased if they went home after the Group Stage in South Africa. I have a date this evening with Scotty, Patricia, Ken and then the England v USA football match.
Look out!


Tune of the day: Even Flow by Pearl Jam

Sadly, my new Denmark football jersey didn't arrive in the post today

which means that I won't be able to wear it out tomorrow evening  :-(  I can't possibly wear my new Japanese jersey to watch the match tomorrow night as someone might mistake me for a frog....... looks like I might have to go Italian white!


Tune of the day: Sweet Black Angel by The Rolling Stones

Only a couple of days to go

and then it will be World Cup time. I have my Japanese jersey ready and a Denmark shirt on the way in the post. Looking forward to a month of sport and a little Roy and HG to top things off.
Having a beer and a look at a match with young Mr Cassidy on Tuesday evening- had to squeeze it in before he heads off to South Africa on Wednesday.......



Tune of the day: I'm Not Sorry   by Morrissey

Be afraid............ be very afraid!!

Hellman Bellman turns 50 this coming week and he hosted a party in Sydney this evening to celebrate. Accordingly, the boys were in good form and I even had a call from Charles Colclough...... as I said  "be afraid"


Tune of the day: Ain't No Sunshine by Soul Bossa Trio

I need to go and pay a bill tomorrow

for my tickets to the Nick Cave show here in Zürich in October. Not very excited about that!
I noticed in the Zuritipp (a weekly magazine of entertainment and culture) today that the Monday evening market is on in the Rimini baths again this summer and there was a quick feature on some of the stallholders. Michelle seems to bake some of the great cupcakes of the modern era.
Getting ready for the weekend and it promises to be a busy one.

Tune of the day: The Spanish Entomologist by Leo Kottke