The demise of Spain and another wonder goal from the boys from Down Under.

Australia 2- The Netherlands 3

Tim Cahill's goal is on par with Robin Van Persie's wonder goal against Spain.

Personally, I really can not decide which goal is the best as they were both total class and worthy of this amazing World Cup in Brazil.

Belgium 2 - Algeria 1

I thought for a fleeting moment that Algeria might upset one of the dark horses of the competition, but Belgium showed their class and came through to win.

Brazil 0-Mexico 0

Ochoa made saves to be compared with Gordon Bank's miracle save from Pele for England against Brazil back in 1970. Neymar and the gang are still there and I can only see them getting stronger.

Russia 1- South Korea 1

Bit of a mystery still this game, it was on late and I have not seen much of the highlights yet. This group has to be the most open of all of the groups, any two teams could qualify!

Spain 0- Chile 2 

Who would have thought that Spain would be the first team to leave the competition? Well played Chile! I imagined watching the later stages in Spain in a great atmosphere, drinking 'Cerveza' with the Spanish fans, maybe they will support England? 

You can only hope!!

So all of the teams have now made an appearance, what a competition!

Finger biting already for us English fans, nothing changes really does it!!

The Bell Jar- Sylvia Plath

Every time that I look at 'greatest books' lists, I seem to come across this book. Therefore I decided to give it a go and see what it was all about. I have to be honest that I went into it totally convinced it was a feminist work that men were not allowed to read.
I almost felt like a bit of a voyeur, thinking that I was not allowed to be present.

Well I should say that all men should read this book. It is clearly a book about relationships and how men treat women, but it is above all a book about mental illness.

The allergy of the fig tree, where life's choices are related to the fruit of the fig tree is quite an experience.

“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn't quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.”

Sadly, I would think that each and everyone of us can relate to someone we know or indeed are, after reading this book.

It is totally thought provoking, sad and true to life.

Reading my secret passion!

Over the years I have tried to make a list of my favourite books.

The last time I mentioned this project was April 2013.

 50 Books to read before you die.

Over the next couple of weeks, I may have a little 'waiting time' on my hands as I am summoned for Jury service for the second time!

That will be another post or more I am sure!

Yesterday I had chance to visit what is probably the most important place of my childhood.

It is a place that I constantly revisit and a place that I can, or could certainly in the past, reflect, ponder and maybe dream?

This place in the Reference Library in Middlesbrough.

Reluctantly! I heard a couple of guys in raised voices announce as they entered my Cathedral of Literature.

They were clearly discussing the fact that they had to attend some course or other, mandated as the Job Centre describes the process.

If I had to chose two words that were the complete opposite of my experience with my wonderful library it would be these two words, reluctantly and mandated.

This pair of complete morons actually got under my skin the way they treat the place with such disrespect, they don't have a clue what magic there is in this wonderful building.

My most recent read was Gulliver's Travels by Johnathon Swift, if only I could write such a modern day satire on today's society, the characters would be as bizarre as those in Lilliput!

German Power unleashed! Messi arrives for Argentina!

Mr Smug! has his smile taken off his face!

Germany 4- Portugal 0

Awesome! simples.

Germany have arrived in Brazil!! Like a Zeppelin, huge, massive and powerful!

Iran 0 Nigeria 0

This game reminded me that Middlesbrough have a couple of players in Brazil, Kenneth Omeruo for Nigeria and my favourite Boro player Albert Adomah for Ghana.

Argentina 2 Bosnia 1

I couldn't watch this game, but the outcome was clear, however I wonder how Messi will cope with the expectations of Argentina.

France 3 Honduras 0

The French showed that they mean business this World Cup, they were very strong and physical. clearly a team to watch!

110 players from the English Premier league are represented in Brazil.

this confirms the strength of our football in England.

It's a hard life!

This is Tinka the cat.

He has a hard life!

Especially in the summer, and he snores!

Here we go again

Well beaten!

England 1 v Italy 2

However there seems to be a bit of optimism around, especially due to the performances of the young English players.

 But! we now have two South American teams to play. Who knows which Uruguay will turn up for the match on Thursday.

France 3 v Honduras 0

A strong French team put up with the cynical Central Americans. If the French continue in this form, they will be a team to watch.

Ivory Coast 2 Japan 1

Any team with Yaya Tore and Didier Drogba need to be watched, but I don't think that the Japanese are finished yet.

Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1

The Swiss are looking good, quite an interesting option? 

And now Argentina enter into battle, how will Messi cope with the pressure?

Magnificent World Cup 2014

PURE CLASS!

Robin van Persie confirms the statement that 'Class is permanent'

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What a start to the greatest sporting event on Earth!

The Brazilians won, but how much did the home crowd influence the referee?

Croatia must feel that they were unlucky!

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And Holland 5 v Spain 1!

What a match! It was worthy of the final, just as it was 4 years ago.

It was a fantastic match and will take some beating, until.....

Costa Rica 3 v Uruguay 1.

This is the real shock of the competition , a wonderful game, it gives the other two teams in the group a real chance!

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Mexico 1 v Cameroon 0

No real surprise there, but I expect Mexico to play better. Another South American side Columbia look good after trouncing Greece 3-0

Another South American giant Chile look strong against a poor Australian team, beating them 3-1.

As I write this, I am waiting for England v Italy.

COME ON ENGLAND!

English culture training!

REAL ENGLISH BEER IN A TRADITIONAL ENGLISH PUB

The White Swan in Stokesley

Here we are in Stokesley with a real pint of beer.

Arnau and Andreu are from Barcelona and I took them for some cultural training.

A game of darts a couple of pints.

Lovely!!

It's coming home , it's coming home, Football's coming home!

I had to take this photo of the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. We were there last week at a conference. Impressive!

All Boro fans will think, why would you want your photo outside the Stadium of Light?

Well, as far as I am concerned Sunderland are a local team in the Premiership with a great manager.

Subbuteo

A game all boys of my age played!

this looks like the Dutch kit, they will do well in the World Cup.

My predictions; read the next post.

First fish 2014

Can you believe it!

This is my first fish of 2014.

I normally go fishing very early in May, yet I don't seem to have had the time this year.

However, the summer is coming and I will be able to go soon.

Going fishing is very special to me, especially where I live.

I can be at the lake in less than 15 minutes and I have a choice of at least 4 different venues within 15 minutes drive from home.