ExiledAjax

Funny how everyone seems to know the score on here, almost as though they've seen it all before. Apparently they just know,. I wonder why they're so sure that England's gonna throw it away? Or maybe it's that we're gonna blow it away? But I know they can play because I remember three lions on a shirt. That trophy from 1966 - the Jules Rimet - it's still gleaming. These last thirty years of hurt have never stopped me dreaming. I reckon football''s coming home.

Glad you managed to get your wife off the island. To be honest it's not been too bad here really. I've been fairly impressed with McLaughlin's leadership (for probably the first time sine moving here) - and he seemed embarrassed and exasperated at the number of "essential" applications the other day. Have to say I am glad I don't have a pet right now.

Well we are now 14 hours into a full 58 hour curfew in the Cayman Islands. (7pm Wednesday night until 5am Saturday) No one is allowed out of their house (except into your private garden/balcony). all shops closed, only people on the streets are emergency services and medical/government staff. All because when the Gov announced a partial closedown of all non-essential business they were inundated by 20,000 applications form people/business who believed themselves to be "essential". This full curfew is to buy the Gov some time to sort out how the island will functional under a "new normal". We also, as a British Overseas Territory, need to keep a lid on our own infection (8 cases, 1 death) until such time as the UK has it's own house in order and can start supporting the vestiges of the Empire.

Luke Ayling reading The Lord of the Flies.

Introduced the Mrs to Starship Troopers last night. Tonight is Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Don't say I don't have good taste.

My favourite one from recent listening was about Alcuin of York. I had never heard of the guy but he was essentially the greatest scholar of the 8th century. Was tutor/librarian (although those titles don't do him justice) to Charlemagne and was really the driving force in spreading the idea that learning and knowledge were important for their own sake rather than simply as a way to get closer to god. In a world where all learning was basically trying to figure out how god created the world he really laid the foundations for the critical science and thought that dominated the 2nd millennium. Absolutely fascinating. He also wrote some very bad poetry. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000dqy8

Just trying to help out the local businesses as much as we can. I've got a crate of beer coming from the local brewery, have the car wash man coming later on (mobile car washes are a big thing here) and will be ordering lunch from my normal spot. My job is pretty much unaffected as we can all work remotely anyway - whether clients keep doing stuff though is yet to be seen.

Two more from me, both history themed. "You're Dead To Me" is a fairly new podcast (there's about 20 episodes atm) from the BBC. It's history aimed at those that don't like history. It is presented by one of the guys behind the Horrible Histories TV show. He is joined by one expert and one comedian to chat about anything from Neanderthals through to Harriet Tubman. Personally I'd suggest starting with the episode on the Spartans - available to stream through your browser here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07n8p9m "In Our Time: History" is a long-established Radio 4 offering where Melvyn Bragg and three experts discuss historical events, people and themes. It's far more sober and serious in tone than You're Dead To Me" and generally at least some prior knowledge of the theme discussed is useful.

The bit about Paschendale is harrowing. I think my favourite is the series "Kings of Kings" on the Persian Mepire. Was a topic I did not know much about if I am honest. Also try the "Hardcore History: Addendum" feed for some one-off episodes (still 2 hours + mind) on slightly more esoteric or random topics.

Everton did as well. Orient seem to have realised though...but the reply is ambiguous as to whether they're still taking the sponsorship.

I've not played FIFA since van Nistelrooy was in it. think the last football game (other than FM) I had was PES6 where Adriano was king. Assume they'll be doing play as your own club rather than our old rule of "3 attempts at hitting Random Team - stick or twist each time".

Seems like many are nominating players. Some asking fans to volunteer.

I was. It was fine yesterday. My boss' wife has been saying she's heard that today's flight may be the last one. But honestly that is just hearsay. Give BA a call if you're thinking of booking it.

These are pretty selective photos. I just spent a week in London for work. Tubes were busy as usual, Paddington was busy. Heathrow T5 yesterday wasn't packed to the rafters but was pretty busy. Plane was full. Could have taken half a dozen photos myself that showed a totally different outlook than what you've put here from the papers.