3605 - Climate of tears

A mixed day at work, people let you down
Sometimes, but others are OK maybe
Wore raincoat in midsummer. In this town
You have to, but I kept dry, luckily
It's bound to rain - it's Wimbledon, you see
(Not where I live, no - that is Manchester)
But it always rains on the big city
When it hosts the tennis. Pull the cover
Over each perfect lawn that's only there
Because in this land, rain's always around
It falls on each political party
Leaders struck by lightning, no-one is spared
No-one laughs at the untrustworthy clown
Theresa looks strong. Not so, Jeremy...

3604 - Don't follow the leader

Poor old Jeremy Corbyn, he seems doomed
And Cameron's goose is now fully cooked
There are even doubts about Boris, whom
Is seen as divisive and mad - his luck
May be running out now, as some now look
For another leader. Stephen Crabb and
Even Jeremy Hunt are showing pluck
By stepping into the ring. Occupant
Of Number 10 they'd be. Why would they want
This seeming poisoned chalice? I assume
It's the lure of the greasy pole attracts
Them with this shit, a veritable mount
Placate the EU and Scotland, find room
For pro-and anti-Europe, or you're fucked!

3603 - Balls afoot

Good day at work, stuff got done. Though rain fell
On way home, avoided the worst. Once back
Home, watched news, ate, washed our clothes, and a spell
Playing some fast guitar. The news ain't slack
Some think that the UK might still get back
Into the EU, but that's hard to see
Arguments in Parliaments, starts to crack
The UK fragments, independence the
Appeal from Scotland. Ireland's memory
Of division revived. Dave in Brussels
Traitorous old friend, hugs, slaps on the back
Internal wars in Labour and Tory
Parties, no trust, stocks and shares they tumble
Like pound sterling, like Raheem. England's back!

3602 - Niceland!

Was it football or was it comedy
The first of the two games was the support
Act, and Spain got beaten by Italy
But then came the main event. Who'd have thought
It, but England lost to Iceland, a sort
Of miracle, but not when you look at
How bad England were, how they were out-fought
And, as Shearer said, out-thought. They fell flat
Defeated by a tiny land that's sat
In the North Atlantic. Been recently
And they're a good bunch, it's great for their sport
Roles were reversed, England was their doormat
Hodgson took no responsibility
Resigned, yes, but he admitted to naught

3601 - Driven mad by Italians?

This morning I wrote a comedy song
And read the guidebook about Tuscany
Will have to hire a car to get along
From place to place in two whole days and see
The main sights and sites there in Italy
Driving there should be a challenge, but since
My recent stint in Iceland went okay
I've got, like I hoped I'd have, confidence
Renewed by that driving experience
The days will have to be a little long
But we can stop for ice cream or coffee
In piazzas, medieval towers, Florence
Pisa, Siena, Chianti country
Even San Marino's not too far-flung!

3600 - Back to School Lane

Went out with Jo today - heavy downpour
On the way to Piccadilly station
Mainly OK after that. Took a tour
Of Didsbury and Burnage. Had eggs on
Toast at 'Perk' Cafe, School Lane, then went in
Sifters Record Shop, of 'Shaker Maker'
Fame (Oasis fans will know!). Returning
By tram to Manchester, and bought TWO pairs
Of shoes, own brown, one black, TK Maxx wear
From WH Smith, a guidebook for
Florence and Tuscany in August when
Jo and myself (but not Pearl) will go there
At least we don't think Pearl will! Quite a bore
Today's games I missed. Hope the rest are fun

3599 - Out, brothers, out!

Incredibly I forgot my diary
On the day the results said we are out!
I woke up with the radio on. By three
It was becoming clearer that without
A miracle change in voting trends, nowt
Could be done - we were leaving the EU
I heard the Liverpool, Manchester votes
They, and London, voted Remain, and you
Knew Glasgow and Edinburgh would do too
But the provinces of England decreed
That we should Leave, and in the morning light
Farage exulted, Cameron resigned. New
Leader now needs finding by the Tories
To hurry up and carry out Brexit!

Fri 24 June

3598 - Manifest destiny

I'm heading for an early night, oh yes
Woke up at 6:40 or thereabouts
And got up soon after, watched news, got dressed
And headed for the office, full of louts
(Not really!) Tried to work legal stuff out
With partial success and partial failure!
Got tired by lunchtime, slowed down without doubt
And didn't do a real lot thereafter
Though most did likewise, often the feature
Of conversation being the manifest
Top topic of the day - whether to flout
European unity? Stay together?
I voted by mail for togetherness
Now for the results of the UK vote...

3597 - Don't kick Britain out of Europe

Excitement at the Euros, Ireland through
When it looked like they had no chance at all
So all four of the British Isles teams do
Get to stay for a few more days, play ball
England play Iceland, unbelievable
Last-minute winner for Iceland against
Austria meant we avoid Portugal
Ronaldo scares the shit out of defence
That gives us hope of progress, a good chance
But in the quarters it's no longer true
We'll face underdogs. There'll be no-one small
Left by then, probably. Further advance
Will be hard won. Attention switches to
The EU vote. Coverage is wall-to-wall

3596 - I felt no Spain

I hosted The Worst Comedy Night In
Salford tonight at the King's Arms, was fun
Went well for my first time, I'd like to think
Three acts only, but Lukas' twenty mins
Meant it lasted a reasonable time span
And there were two genuine audience members
Who enjoyed it and stayed the whole distance
Chatted afterwards with Richard, Lukas
And walked home with Lukas, I caught no bus
Interesting football scores, Croatia win
Unexpectedly against mighty Spain
This means Spain must play Italy soon as
The next round comes around, a few days on
And so to bed, armed with my book, Sapiens...

3595 - Footballs

Rain rain and more rain this morning on way
To Birmingham for a meeting, but then
The sun came out. Walked round Brum just to see
How things had changed since last time. Odeon
Is still there, just a cinema now. Seen
Some top late 70s bands there. Other
Big changes afoot up in Chamberlain
Square. New office blocks planned, saw the pictures
Train back home, read more 'Sapiens' but felt more
Sleepy and caught a few winks. Had a play
On the guitar, good, but I should have done
Exercises and didn't. Why? A draw
Was all England could manage. This display
Sees them finish behind Wales! Chris Coleman!

3594 - Rainy days and Sundays

The weather forecast for this weekend was
That it would be dry - but how wrong they were!
Went to Manchester with Josie but were cursed
With constant rainfall after we left the
Second art gallery. Yes, madam, sir -
Two art exhibitions in just one day
Both music-themed, but then it rained. Sat stir
Crazy in Pizza Express, couldn't say
When the deluge would end, so had to pay
For a dessert each, pay for two courses
I enjoyed Father's Day with my daughter
Could not enjoy it any other way
Oh my God, my present was some lagers!
I'm drinking and supporting Albania!

3593 - Four pints, a packet of pork scratchings and some milk, please

Day at home, then went to Chorlton Park for
Midsummer Night's Dream, with Vee, it was cold
Had a few things to eat, liquorice allsorts
A banana, and other things to hold
At last the play finished and we could fold
Our chairs and head off home, by tram to town
Then I met Derm, went to Fringe, where he told
Me about his Chinese adventures. Round
Midnight, switched to Gullivers, where we downed
Two more pints, then home. Pleased to say no more
Did I fall victim to buying fags or
More booze, like maybe I'd have done of old
I've kept sane and healthy, saved a few pounds
I go to bed tired, sober and unspoiled

3592 - Off the fence

Back to work, not many in, some good chat
I booked train tickets for Monday meeting
In Birmingham, and also cast my vote
In the referendum. Changed mind sitting
There next to Emma. Now I'm remaining
In the club, not flouncing off with my toys
But polls say many are not agreeing
With this tolerant view, millions are poised
To vote Leave, with the working class annoyed
At open borders and the loss of that
Sense of community and belonging
Never mind in the past. All kind of ploys
To whip up hysteria - an MP shot
In Yorkshire by a madman, so right wing

Fri 17 June

3591 - Hail, freezer

I took the day off work to watch the game
England v Wales at Vee's flat, mainly tense
But at the end there was a good outcome
A 2-1 win, enough to send us hence
Into the next round, and if we get points
Against Slovakia, top of the group, too
The sky grew grey as I left. Rain anoints
Me as I reach Sainsburys, but my new
Coat protects me well. Safely back home, you
Wouldn't believe the downpour that then came
The rain got even worse, turned to hailstones
There's nothing as comforting as the view
From inside of inclement weather. Come
Now, time to read a new book called 'Sapiens'

Thur 16 June

3590 - Here comes the fright

Hectic day at work, left for cinema
Met Louis there and we watched The Nice Guys
Ryan Gosling, Russ Crowe made a nice pair
Daft action scenes but funny script, no lies
On the way home popped into Sainsburys
Now ready for another match tonight
France v Albania, the third of three ties
Today. Tomorrow, there could be a fright
And on English football, even a blight
If they don't beat Wales. I'm on leave, can't bear
To miss it, though will watch through screwed-up eyes
If we don't win, the chances will be slight
Now Slovakia have three points off Russia
Time for tea now - I'll have fish fingers, please!

3589 - Ice versus fire

Looking forward to tonight's game - Iceland
Versus Portugal. It's only 5 days
Since I left Icelandic shores, I will lend
Attention to the northern island boys
Let's hope they put Ronaldo in his place
There's the red cross that represents the fire
Of volcanoes, the blue background the seas
And the white, snow and ice that's there
All year round on the high peak and glacier
Now it's the national anthems' stirring sound
Both fans and players an emotional daze
The countdown to the kick-off is now here
And the game's underway. It wasn't planned
But go, the Cod Army - let's make some noise!

3588 - Home but not alone

I felt energised today and I caught
Up on more than a week's emails on screen
At work, reminding myself of all sorts
Of worky things you're not interested in
After getting home, not doing shopping
Because I carried a new step-ladder
I bought at the office, Louis was in
And watching Ireland / Sweden. I saw the
Goals go in. Later I cooked my dinner
As Belgium lost to Italy, they fought
Hard but they didn't gel, so a losing
Start for Fellaini, Hazard, De Bruyne
Vertonghen and Courtois. Tomorrow, got
Two meetings, and Wednesday, two more meetings

3587 - Making our minds up

Grey Sunday, tired from broken sleep, but looked
At all my Iceland photos and described
Them. I haven't yet posted any, but
Will do so soon. The political vibe
Is very much the attempt to decide
In or out of the EU. Days to go
Before the big vote determines we hide
Or we stay and fight within the EU
I'm still torn, I must say, between the two
And later on all eyes and ears were locked
On the three Euro football games. Don't mind
Turkey losing to Croatia, although
Kind of a shame NI's chances look fucked
Losing to Poland, but they showed some fight

3586 - Stark life

A rainy day in Manchester with Jo
The aim throughout, to just somehow stay dry
Town was full of teenagers trying to go
To Heaton Park 'Parklife' - I felt sorry
For them all, weather's so bad, you could cry
But they took it in their stride, plastic macs
And welly boots and colourful brollies
We went to mine and had a good relax
Looking at house interiors, then had snacks
At Sainsburys. Dropped her off, determined to
See England v Russia. A temporary
High as Dier scored a free-kick, but collapse
Still came at the death. Equaliser - no!!!
Now looking forward to my beddy-byes!!!

3585 - Surprised by the rain

Early hours bus from the airport and walk
Home with bags, but thank God the rain had stopped
Bed at 3, woke soon after 8, now look
How tired I am, but did cleaning and mopped
The newly-finished balcony, and popped
The bins back out there. They've been in the flat
Since November. Thanks, slow workmen! I flopped
When I went shopping with no flippin' coat
I had to shelter for such a long wait
As the shower rained down, I felt a dork
Coming up, Euro football fever's gripped
Us all. First game tonight, those fast French feet -
Will they fulfil the fanfare? Hope no talk
Of bombs, hope all goes great and hands are clapped!

3584 - Iceland Day 8

Final day of the Iceland holiday
Sitting in the BSI bus station
(Reykjavik). The bus will take us away
No magical mystery tour though - on
To Keflavik airport and thenceward home
At some godforsaken hour of the night
Left Borgarnes bed and breakfast, but shorn
Of breakfast (they don't serve it!), Netto quite
Fills that gap while we're here. Bought stuff to eat
And drink, then drove to Glymur, walked some way
Up hill, over some streams, to gaze upon
The highest waterfall in Iceland. Right
Way to end our tour, I think. Landscapes they
Imagine are real here, where trolls live on!!!

Thur 9 June

3583 - Iceland Day 7

Nice guesthouse at Akureyri, met Danes
At the breakfast table who advised us
There was no time to tour the Snaefellsnes
Peninsula, over on the west coast
Mainly because of the long distances
350 kilometres
From Akureyri to old Akranes
But couldn't find a place to stay or bars
Even though it's a port, of all places!
So went back north slightly to Borgarnes
A nice town by the sea.Two waterfalls
Seen today, very picturesque, both falls
Now trying to drink beer but keep down noise
It's also raining - this book is a mess!

Wed 8 June

3582 - Iceland Day 6

The day started cold. Netto purchases
In Egilsstadir, East Iceland, then John
Drove westwards through the misty mountains. Less
Visibility than ever, but on
We drove to Dettifoss, its torrents down
Over the otherworldly edges - it
Was very Lord of the Rings, very Tolkien
Continued to Lake Myvatn, but it
Was somewhat disappointing (though not shit)
Bubbling pools, fumaroles, hot spas, places
You don't see anywhere, but in Iceland
They are quite frequent. Blue skies brightly lit
The approach to Akureyri. Some beers
It's still light at 2 - it's already dawn!!

Tue 7 June

3581 - Iceland Day 5

Began the day in South East of Iceland
At a small town called Hofn (means 'Harbour')
I was driving today, and I drove round
The Icelandic east coast, and enjoyed the
Scenery, blue water, fjords, further
We drove, reached Egilsstadir before long
Then drove through snow / cloud to Seydhisfjordur
Back over the mountains, and then along
The lakeside to Hengifoss - water slung
Violently downwards, alarming, I found
It, potentially life-threatening, however
We survived, had a meal, then Icelandair
Hotel bar was the best place remaining
In Egilsstadir to buy a few rounds

Mon 6 June

3580 - Iceland Day 4

Today, after a chat with Georgia Girl
At Menam Guesthouse, Selfoss, in South West
Iceland, John drove the 4 wheel drive near all
Along the south coast, starting from Selfoss
Then further west to Smoky Valley, rest
(For me) in a hot river, on a hike
Into the hills - then hundreds of miles east
As far as Hofn (which means Harbour), like,
Running on empty, man... Filled up, but spike
In prices at the seafood place - we've well
Overspent, 40 quid wine bottle!! Best
We forget! Loved the black sand beach at Vik
Also passed volcano Eyjafjallajokull
And Vatnajokull glacier. Most impressed!

Sun 5 June

3579 - Iceland Day 3

Not as sunny as yesterday, but still
Pleasant enough today. We hired a car
A 4 wheel drive 'Dacia Duster' - a while
Spent at Sixt, West Reykjavik, start of tour
Drove out of the capital, towards the
So-called 'Golden Circle' - first, Thingvellir
Tectonic plates, Europe, North America
Next on the tourist trail, went to Geysir
Steaming and bubbling pools, I loved Strokkur
Got caught in its outpouring - what a thrill!
Some great pix. Next Gullfoss, eye-opener
Massive waterfall... Drove to Selfoss, here
We booked a room and then had a Thai meal
Then a few pints in a late hotel bar

Sat 4 June

3578 - Iceland Day 2

The weather's great - almost unbroken sun
In Iceland! First full day in Reykjavik
I wore my coat but mainly put it in
My bag. It was quite warm, we walked quite quick
But even on the beach at Nautholsvik
I was fine. We got lucky with blue skies
Who would have thought we'd get a tan, afflict
Ourselves in that way, way up here? Surprise -
But a good one! Discovered the town's highs
And lows, and finished off with pints all drunk
The Dubliner, and Hurrah Bar, we stuck
To loyally, because of happy hour price
Tomorrow, the driving will have begun
Golden Circle, and all that's Icelandic!

Fri 3 June

3577 - Iceland Day 1

A peaceful day at home watching TV
Til the time came to head to Manchester
With bags on the train, coat too hot for me
In the afternoon sun. We drank two beers
Then train to airport, had beer and water
There, then the delayed flight to Reykjavik
Some great views of Iceland seen from the air
Of glaciers huge and white - quite fantastic
Touched down at Keflavik. Bus got us quick
To Reykjavik, soon found the small place we
Have booked for two nights, then went out for a
Midnight ramble, found bars still open. Trick
Of the mind, or is it really really
Still light at 1 am? It is, for sure!

2 June

3576 - Bags of fun

Excitement mounts, last day in work complete
Soon as I got home, I started to pack
Just as well, as I mustn't make us late
Tomorrow. John arrives at midday. Stick
My clothes in his big bag, to keep the knack
Of travelling light maintained for one more trip
A small shoulder bag sufficing to stack
In the overhead plane compartment, nip
Around Iceland easy and light of step
I also cleaned my bedroom again - neat
And tidy, more than for years now. Stuff's stashed
In the outside cupboard in bin bags. Keep
It there now the balcony's former wet
Sagging roof's replastered. Storage is back!