5423 - Feeling tired

It seems that we’re all feeling tired today 

Me, my Mum and the carer, all of us

The carer said it’s the humidity 

That makes us sleepy, achey and listless 

My shoulders and arms have felt less and less

Normal, though it’s not painful, they don’t feel 

As strong as they should when subject to stress

Meanwhile, Mum spent the whole day in a real 

Stupor in her chair, oblivious to all

But woke if I stood up and went away 

Into the kitchen or if the carers

Knocked and came in. She was achey as well 

Last night she didn’t sleep well and she lay

Legs dangling, uncovered and cold, ah bless!

5422 - Swish Swiss, Mighty Blighty

Last night the Swiss knocked out the French - bye bye 

Au revoir mes amis et bon voyage 

Mbappe missed his penalty, oh my

That provided some joie de vivre, the stage

Set for England’s game today, it presaged

More surprises, and in a way they came 

With England winning 2-0. Took an age

For them to get going and Harry Kane 

To score his first goal. And things seemed to change 

When Grealish came on. Southgate should stand by 

The mercurial Jack G. He’ll engage 

The opposing defence with growing fame 

Germany, you are going home, but I 

Don’t think it’s coming home, not on that page

5421 - Spain insane

Spain just played in a game that was insane 

Conceding first with a crazy own goal 

Five minutes before the end of the game 

Spain had a two-goal lead but Croatia stole 

Two late goals and extra time loomed. Now full 

Of confidence, the Croats pressed forward 

But Morata managed to net the ball

At the other end, and then the Spaniard

Celebrated as well he might. Was hard

On the Croats when one more goal from Spain 

Finished the faint hope of Modric and all 

Now watching Wimbledon first round. Got bored

With Murray, turned back to football. A shame 

We missed the Swiss score against France! Swiss roll 😀

5420 - Belgium versus Ronaldo

It wasn’t Belgium versus Ronaldo 

But at times it felt like Portugal were

A one man team from the coverage, you know 

The concentration on him don’t seem fair

And Portugal played dirty, injured their 

Opponents so deliberately I got

Real angry, even quite close to despair 

That the referee didn’t really sort

It out and send off Pepe and his lot

Despite injuring De Bruyne, had a go

At crocking Hazard too. Belgium got there

In the end, and Ronaldo now must wait 

For the next tournament in a year or so

Well done the Belgians! You deserve a cheer!

Sun 27 June

5419 - Denmark derails Wales

A cataclysmic 4-0 loss for Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 

Denmark stuffed them, so back to the valleys 

For them, including a bad-tempered Bale

So no more playing of the Welsh anthem, please 

I got a bit fed up within my ears

Of it all through the day on news reports 

And even more often as each game nears

We don’t get much chance to feel proud in north

South, West or East England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 - the media’s fraught 

With paranoia about telling tales 

Of English national pride. There’s such unease 

In the liberal media. There is a sort

Of anti-white working class straight and male

Bias now, even in schools, race disease 

5418 - Fun with mum

I had a fun day off here with my mum

Although I still caught up with my emails 

Rang Citizens Advice for advice on 

Benefits and home ownership details 

Had soup for lunch. Had chicken, not oxtail

Mum had carrot and coriander and

Crackers. Delivery of wrist alarm, real

Improvement over the other wristband 

Modern technology- it’s really grand 

Flowers arrived, put them in vases down 

By the garden window- lovely petals 

Sausage and mash for tea was quickly downed

Despite no football, it’s really been fun 

Scrabble again- I won again - two nil

5417 - No football, what do we do?

No football tonight, so what do we do?

My mum’s suggested Scrabble. Normally 

She’d have done that the first night of us two 

Being sat here, but the football has saved me

However, tonight, the 2020

Tournament (held in ‘21 of course)

Is on a break after the group stage. We

Are going to play when I’ve completed this

She came out with that old yarn that I is

Too slow choosing my words, then she said, You

Always win. So that’s why she won’t play me! 😂 

So now she’s changed her mind. That game of words 

Will get us through the evening. Then I’ll do

The putting her to bed routine quickly 

5416 - Battery flattery

My battery’s flat or it soon will be flat 

Mum’s charger, newly bought, has stopped charging 

Could be the cable, yes I think it’s that 

Tried to get new chargers early morning 

Amazon delivered early evening 

But they were the wrong kind unfortunately 

And so my phone’s dying while I’m typing 

Rang Tom for advice and he did help me

Turns out I could get them from Sainsbury

So tomorrow, before work, I’ll do that 

Go there by taxi and come back walking 

A busy day work wise and wise mummy 

At least today we didn’t have a spat

Right, turning phone off, battery saving 

5415 - No charge

Mom’s charger packed in, even though it’s new 

I’m also using it, so we both need 

A replacement, and fast!  I’ll have to go 

And get one first thing so we can avoid 

Being cut off. Need to write this with speed

It’s using up my battery each minute 

At least England won, and Scotland are dead

They go home early as usual. They’re shit

Although they were better than us four nights 

Ago. It could be that England will rue

This victory when they see who they will meet 

France, Germany or Portugal. Not great 

For prospects of progression onward through 

Woke at 5 am, so really knackered!

5414 - Oh brother

One day after seeing my sister here

At my Mum’s, my brother was here today 

Robin visited with Liz. Lots of cheer 

As we all cracked jokes happily all day 

And in the evening we watched Denmark play 

Qualifying for the next round- brilliant 

They’ll face Wales, sure enough, in a few days 

Meanwhile, tomorrow, coming up, England 

Can they do better than against Scotland?

Can they do worse? They’ll be playing Czechia

The longest day meanwhile sees a blue sky

Still at 10:30, with an orange tint

Newsnight is starting. I’m on Mum’s sofa

On the walls and shelves, family on display 

5413 - Missed my walks

I’ve missed my walks, too much sitting around 

So went shopping, then rather than sit in

With mum watching tennis, covered some ground 

Claire had gone to Arrowe Park on a run

This morning, so I thought it would be fun

Finding it and walking round it. I did

And it filled in some time nicely. The sun

Came out a little, it remained humid

But not too hot. Lynn the care worker said

I should walk the Wirral Way. It goes down 

An old railway line. Join it beginning 

In West Kirby, to Thurstaston. Or tread

Your way to Irby and then just beyond - 

Royden Park, Frankby Cemetery, waiting…

5412 - Big sister

Today my sister visited mum’s house 

Has been nice to see her - it’s been a while 

It’s nice to meet when circumstance allows 

There’s been a few laughs, an occasional smile 

Went to Sainsbury’s down the road a mile 

Talking about mum while we walked down there 

And how her conversation is a trial 

And how her style can be quite hard to bear

And she’s exhausted the patience of Claire

(My sister). Games today have been quite close 

Hungary drew with France, surprised us all

Then Germany beat Portugal with flair 

Now it’s Spain against Poland, and who knows 

Who’ll win. It’s 1-1. Both teams playing with style 

5411 - England are rubbish

England were so rubbish against the Scots

In the end, well, Scotland deserved to win

Not much more to say about that, but lots

More about mum’s x ray appointment in

Arrowe Park Hospital. Some taxi-ing

Was needed, since I have no car at all

Pushed her in a wheelchair, went careering 

Down the corridors- that way she won’t fall

Both knees and hips x-rayed- should get a full 

Picture of those bones, are there any spots

That look in need of more operating?

I expect beer sales were high, the football 

Should have been better, glad didn’t spend lots

Just two bottles, not enough for smoking 

5410 - Bad luck Denmark

Bad luck Denmark, sad you lost to Belgium 

You deserved better for the way you played 

Watched that match while at work then cooked for Mum

Cocked up her pasty- three attempts were made 

It was frozen not chilled and I’m afraid 

I ain’t used to that. I’ve got no freezer

For myself, grilled smoked mackerel on my plate 

More broccoli, a carrot, peas, but there

Was no potato, there was no pasta 

Think to be honest I just forgot them 

Carers’usual three visits provided

Some chat, but proved the shower in the bathroom 

Is dangerous. Mum nearly was injured 

5409 - Wales stuff the Turkey

A very satisfactory result 

When Wales stuffed Turkey 2-0, chuffed to bits 

For Wales to go through won’t be difficult 

Turkey’s behaviour got the score that fits

And they’re rock bottom, goal difference the pits

Five conceded, none scored, oh what a shame 

Only one more game left they’ll need clean kits

For, then back to Ankara on the plane 

And let’s hope we won’t see them all again 

Russia beat Finland. Who’s pleased? A small cult

Outside of Russia itself. And the Swiss 

Lost 3-0 to Italy. The Blues gain

Momentum which may not be over-ruled 

Except maybe by France - they’re the favourites 

5408 - Germany uncertainty

The Germans lost their opening game although

Played in Munich, France won by just one goal 

They netted three times, two were offside though 

France may top their group, England theirs, the sole

Question is will Germany or Portugal 

Come second, cos that’s who England will play 

In the next round if all goes totally well

And England do top their group. Hungary 

Were unlucky to lose 3-0 today 

Been looking after Mum. Bad night’s sleep, so

Disrupted, but struggled on working all

Day and cooking and assisting her. Stay

Here how long, that’s the question. I don’t know 

Nice chat to Helen, then back to football 

5407 - Scotland Flopland

I’m afraid it’s a bad day for the Scots 

Lost their first match at home to those pesky

Czechs. Scotland will need to be at their top

Level against England, that’s this Friday 

Schick scored a wonder goal surprisingly 

From the halfway line, Marshall was caught out

He ran back in vain, 2-0 down, cruelly 

For the excited fans, no more could shout

Or sing, deflated and kicked in the gut

Yes Sir I Can Boogie a classic pop

Song was no more being sung in the same wee

Scots way. The Scottish smile turned to a pout

Meanwhile I went to Mum’s. I’ll have to stop 

Here for a while, help her recovery 

5406- Good start

England 1 Croatia 0, a good start 

And so now I’m watching the other games

Harry Kane didn’t score but a big part 

Was played by Phillips who has achieved fame 

Passing to Sterling who scored. Now the same 

Pressure is on for other teams. Scotland 

Must now try to win in their opening game 

I can relax now, it isn’t the end 

Scotland must win, they know they must defend 

Well and score too. I think they’ll find that hard 

Watching Austria now, but will they aim

To beat North Macedonia and up-end

The underdog? Each man will play his part 

But who knows what will happen? Who’s to blame?

5405 - Sunny walk

Sunday was meant to be the sunny day 

But the sun seems to have arrived early 

Josephine caught the train, arrived half way 

Through the Wales game, so inevitably 

I missed the second half, and also the

Incident in the Denmark game later

When Eriksen collapsed and he nearly 

Died on the pitch, but was revived, stretchered

Off and taken to the hospital where

He seems to be ok. So anyway 

We walked to the Etihad- Man City

Ground, deserted on Saturday. So where

Was everybody? Champions of UK

Yet not the place the people want to be!

Sat 12 June 

5404 - I-Day

I-Day, that’s interview day, it has come 

Thank goodness, slept well, and felt in control 

So then at 11:30pm

I panicked, couldn’t find that one email 

With the link to the interview. Big fail!

Found it thirty seconds late. Video 

Turned on, after that horrible close call

Let the questions begin, and here we go!

How did I do? It’s guesswork - I don’t know 

They’re interviewing til the end of June 

Ten vacancies that the team has to fill

My enthusiasm came through, I’m sure

Now let’s hope there’s more vacancies and soon

I need promotion, that’s my right, my will 

Fri 11 June

5403 - The day before

The day before the interview’s nearly

Gone. Read through old work papers from the days

When everything was printed out. Memory 

Of old achievements and details, it pays

To revive them so I don’t get too fazed

If they ask follow-up questions about 

My behavioural examples. A taste

Of fish and chips, my reward, and walk out

To get fresh air, and help me do without 

Alcohol sat out on the balcony 

Which wouldn’t help me tomorrow. Bad ways

Delayed for just a few more hours must be

The strategy to get the job at BEIS

5402 - Last full day’s work before

Last full day’s work before my interview 

Today’s Wednesday, the interview’s Friday 

Tomorrow’s a half day when I will do 

Some prep for the interview the next day 

Last night felt good, it still felt far away 

When I finished my podcast listening 

Now it’s getting closer I have to say 

The nerves are slowly gathering and building 

I’m really tired today but hard working 

So much so, no time for lunch’cept a few 

Nuts and a banana. Was so hungry 

After I finished work and went shopping 

Immediately cooked tea. Now just want to 

Do some reading and not much else but lay

5401 - Sun and beer

Sun and beer, oh what a combination!

The only thing lacking was company 

Though did chat briefly to Gerard. The sun

Shone all day. After four, the balcony 

Was my location until ten! Happy 

As I listened to several more podcasts 

Research for my interview on Friday 

Enjoying sun and beer, jotting down facts

When has interview prep been so relaxed?

When has what should be tense been so much fun?

After about seven podcasts, quickly 

Switched to music, a playlist of fave tracks

After several hours of virtual discs were spun

Went inside at last, moderately tipsy 🥴 

Tue 8 June 

5400 - Getting an itchy head again

Yes I’m getting an itchy head again 

It’s the hot weather or rubbish shampoo

Or both. That word shampoo - its origin?

Strange word, I’ll look it up when I am through 

And then got some podcasts to listen to

Yes, about net bleedin’ zero - of course

On the news today I have seen a few

Mentions, and even some longer reports 

About net zero transport in the North 

And in parts of London. It’s the new thing

It’s a big thing, and growing so fast, you

Will soon see it eclipse virus and sports

E- scooters! Well, to tell truth, they’re a pain

On the pavement they zoom past, never slow... 😖

5399 - Brain mush

My brain has pretty much turned into mush

Done quite a lot today, like yesterday 

One thing after another, one long rush

A race against time while Gerard’s away 

Or just against time. The weekend won’t stay 

Managed to film two more videos. One is

Uploaded. Travel arrangements ok

For late August in London. Josephine’s 

Coming too for a few days before she’s 

Off to uni and I won’t see her much

Listened to more net zero podcasts- they 

Will build my confidence. Interviewers 

May ask about it on Friday. A plush

New synth for when I stay at Mum’s. Wa-hey!

5398 - Get things done weekend

Yes, this will be a get things done weekend 

Felt guilty about getting pissed last night 

No one else here, I can do what I want 

And more comedy 🎭 videos need the lights 

Camera action. The Abba one went right 

First time - so pleased! If I’ve the backing track 

Already recorded, it’s only slight

Work singing over it. When filmed, was back 

Doing the Bat 🦇 Boy rapper film. Great craic!

Since then, shopped, cleaned, eaten, gone on the hunt 

For net zero podcasts. Becoming quite 

The expert, should the interviewers ask 

About the subject next Friday. Intend

To impress them with one or two insights!!

5397 - A lovely hot Friday

A lovely hot Friday. When work was done

And you can be sure I finished early 

But took a break for soup at half past one

And mat exercises too. Balcony 

Was my destination, shorts on, with the

Exposure of leg skin thus maximised 

And t shirt off, despite my tanned body 

Not really needing more tan yet, surmised 

From the weatherman that the recent highs

Were almost at an end, and the return 

Of cooler temperatures highly likely 

Four bottles of beer, two cans internalised 

Had two cans left but ate tea and put on

A couple of films. Forgot Alan P

Fri 4 June

5396 - Recovering from sunshine

I’m recovering from the sunshine at last 

Felt well enough to do exercises

 And go for a walk after work. A blast 

To feel energetic enough to whizz 

Using my own feet almost to town. Here’s 

What happened in Tesco, I overpaid 

In that quite small one just by the office 

I chose a reduced curry, was displayed 

Near the ice cream section. Firstly I paid

Walked out, then I thought, hang on, 8 pounds cost

Is too much for what’s in the bag. That Miss

With the eyebrows in totting up has made

A mistake, charged full price, that’s what she must

Have done, but I knew the curry was reduced!

5395 - Zombie A-hot-alypse

I’m lying on my bed, just wanna rest 

Might even listen to the England match

Here in complete relaxation, the best 

Option for the first half, rather than watch 

It on the tv 📺 - I might even snatch 

Forty winks, with no drinks to get me through 

Anyway, had a can of Bud, relaxed 

On the balcony while I listened to 

Mahler and Mozart and birds as they flew 

And chirped in the sunshine 🌞 around their nest 

Sticking to one is possible if that’s 

All you’ve got! Well, it’s time to tune in to 

Radio 5 Live, a commentary test-

Can they keep me awake? It’s quite a task!

5394 - Trying to make the most of it

Temperature in the mid twenties- although 

I’m somewhat sunburned, still hard to resist 

It, since we’ve had to wait so long. And so

I finished work early so I could sit

On the balcony, excuse to get pissed 

Can I behave tomorrow sensibly?

I hope so cos I can’t go on like this 

The hot weather’s tiring me out each day 

But I exercised on the mat today 

And after beers went for a walk below 

The still hot sky in my US t shirt

A very thin one, and shorts. How lovely 

First day of summer, it was nice to know 

You, but I’m worn out now, I am, honest!

5393 - Day of sleep

I went to sleep four times today in all

Once on Helen’s sofa from 2 til 8

Then in the afternoon back home I fell 

Victim from sunstroke tiredness, couldn’t wait 

Dozed for an hour or two, then maybe ate 

Then again to bed, put on a podcast 

About Netanyahu not being so great 

But missed much of it because I fell fast 

Asleep after part two began. I just 

Couldn’t stay awake and enjoyed the lull

In activity. Unconsciousness bit

And I was happily completely lost

Woke up in time for Fawlty Towers until 

Motherland and Inside Number 9. Fate!

Mon 31 May