Saturday 19th July 2025

The storm arrived just before midnight on Friday evening. I heard no more than five rumbles of thunder, Jools tells me there was more. But there was plenty of rain, so that by dawn the water butts were full to overflowing again.

Storms and rain were expected through the day, at least till mid-afternoon, and with traffic to the port, not much to go out for.

Except, we had an appointment to see the kitchen designer, so we did have to go to Combe Valley to sit in their presentation room to see what they came up with.

So, after coffee and breakfast, we drive out through Pineham to miss the worse of the traffic, as Jubilee Way and Townwall Street were jammed with port traffic with the school holidays just having begun.

It all looks pretty good. We re-arrange a few things and choose the worktop.

We now have to find a builder to do the preparation and decoration as well as the installation.

But exciting stuff.

Back home to watch raindrops run down the windows, and also watch the storm radar to track storms heading north from central France.

And Le Tour.

Which for Saturday and the huge stage in the Pyrenees, with two out of category climbs and two others, was going to be a good day for it to rain, so I could sit on the sofa.

At midday, the first of the builders came round to size up the job, so an estimate could be produced. Its the guy who did the painting upstairs, and he was happy with what we need, including decorating.

But back to Le Tour: filled with breakaways, climbs, descents in mist and rain, riders bailing, and huge crowds cheering the riders as they pass through the dramatic landscape.

I made a batch of short cakes during the ad breaks, and we ate two of them each, fresh from the oven with huge brews.

It was soon evening, so we dined on anti-pasto, pasta salad which Crain spun the tunes on the wireless.

The last quarter final in the evening, France v Germany. Germany had a player sent off after 13 minutes, and France scored from the penalty spot.

All over.

But no. Germany levelled just before half time, and hung on to take the tie to extra time. Right at the end, the German keeper saved amazingly just before the ball crossed the line. Then saved two shots in the shoot out, sending ten player Germany into the semis, where they will meet Spain.

Phew.