Sunday 30 August
Today was the last Sunday before returning to work for a new term. Although it’s a bank holiday tomorrow, I have had a twinge of ‘that Sunday feeling’. Finishing some work for the training days and checking email.
I refereed another game this morning. An under 12’s friendly. It’s good practice for the kids and equally good for me too. I’ve put on a bit of extra baggage over the past few months, despite all of the walking. And that’s partly why I love being a referee. I get to run around for at least an hour, I’m in the fresh air of outdoors, keep fit, lose weight, focus on something different, support the game I love. And at the end if all that, the match fee pays for the cleaner each week.
When delivering the pre-match chat to the two teams it was genuinely great to ask them how they felt to be back out on a football pitch again. It was wonderful to see their joyous responses, which matched mine and the coaches. We are all really looking forward to the season starting for real.
Ahead of each game, there are some minor changes to routine and practice. For example, we can only tap elbows together instead of handshakes, we have to scan ourselves in just in case track-and – trace need to get in touch with me. And the one way systems into the stands and around the spectators spaces. But, once the whistle blows, it’s really business as normal. And that’s good for everyone, especially at this grassroots level.
I didn’t do the dog walk today. Yesterday, I noticed the significant numbers of swallows are out in force at the moment. Sweeping up insects on the wing just feet (occasionally inches) from the ground. Some are adult birds, some are newbies. But all are fattening themselves up ready for their epic journey back south to winter in the milder climates. More on that in a few weeks when they start to set off.
The Bald Birder 