Getting Close to Victory

A Big Week in Sports and for the Mrs. Kelce

Let’s take a walk around the world and see what is happening.

Quotes to Guide the Walk: “Hope is not a strategy, but without hope there is no strategy worth pursuing” (standard leadership theory thinking); and “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” - Martin Luther.

Russia launched a massive attack using both drones and missiles on Kyiv, Ukraine, killing at least 18. The war seems unending, devastation continues

, and no one is willing to sit down and talk. This is also the case in Gaza – Israel continues to bomb, maim and kill, as it is doing in Lebanon.

Remarkably, eight days after the double earthquake in Venezuela, which has killed over 3,342, left 35,000 missing, and left thousands homeless, a man was rescued from the rubble of a car park. Hospitals and morgues are overflowing; doctors fear large-scale disease outbreaks as bodies rot inside collapsed buildings. Food, water and shelter are scarce.

The Vatican acted quickly when faced with the unsanctioned consecration of four bishops by the Society of St Pius X (SSPX). The SSPX and those who participated in the ceremony have all been excommunicated, and SSPX priests (1,500 of them) around the world have been advised that they are at risk. This schism goes back a while – SSPX rejects the work and consequences of the Vatican Council in the 1960s, which changed the way the church functions in the world. They are “traditionalists”, whatever that now means. One consequence: the Vatican makes clear that baptisms and marriages conducted by any of the 1,500 priests attached to SSPX are no longer considered legitimate.

In Iran, the six-day funeral of the former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, began. Thousands attended, including three of his children. Missing was his son and successor – he has not been seen in public since his appointment.

Donald Trump had a long chat about the Panama Canal with Abraham Lincoln (well, an AI-enabled hologram). Most observers are pretty sure he thought he was talking to a real person. After all, he’s been talking to fantasy Iranians for weeks. He has also visited Mount Rushmore, posing for a stone mason to see what his image would like carved into the mountain. Someone is going to have to move mountains to make this happen.

Taylor Swift (now aka as Mrs. Kelce) is now married to Travis Kelce – they took their vows at Maddison Square Garden, a well-known venue for weddings, Bar Mitzva’s and the odd sporting event. Adam Sandler officiated – probably his best role in recent years, certainly better than his role in A Day with the Meatball (2002). News coverage of what Taylor wore, what the couple said and who was there was more extensive than the coverage of any wedding since the then Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 (let’s hope Travis and Taylor’s lasts longer than the 11 years of that royal couple’s [strange] marriage!).

Many US 4th of July celebrations were curtailed or cancelled due to extreme heat. The 250th Year State Fair in Washington was closed due to heat (and the fact that hardly anyone showed up). Sad really. 1,000 people listened to Trump’s speech (he said it was 45,000, maybe 70,000) and found it nowhere near as exciting as a bucket of lard.

Canadian legend and country singer Tommy Hunter has died aged 89. I have always said he was responsible for the late 1960s Canadian baby boom. He has his own TV show in prime time, and as couples began to watch, they realized they could be doing better things. So the baby boom happened. RIP Tommy Hunter and thanks for the song Mary in the Morning.

Sports: With just minutes to go in its World Cup round of 32 match, England managed to score the two winning goals against the DRC (in the end, they won 2-1) to advance to the round of 16. It was a close thing. Next, they play (at altitude) against Mexico on Monday. Canada went up against Morocco in Mexico and lost 3-0, despite a valiant effort. Norway shocks the world and beats Brazil to reach the quarter finals. France moves on to the final 8 and is tipped to win the competition. England, much to the surprise of many, beat soccer legends Mexico 3-2 and also move on to the final eight – amazing game.

At Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic gave a tennis masterclass in his game against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic, who was simply outstanding, won 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. A well-deserved win. Also well-deserved was the success of Frances Tiafoe, who also showed valiant play in his match against Brit Jan Choinski (ranked 100th in the world). Sadly, Tiafoe was beaten in his next match after five gruelling and challenging sets by Bublik.

Daniil Medvedev showed his usual anger and bitterness in defeat – he lost after three tie-break sets to Jan-Lennard Struff. Daniil smashed his racket on the ground several times. Not a good role model. Case in point: the German teen sensation Ida Wobker (15) was competing in the women’s junior match at Wimbledon not long after the Daniil incident. In her frustration at a bad shot, she hurled her racket on the ground, which bounced and went into the crowd. She was disqualified and forced to forfeit the match.

A terrific game from a young Filipina – Alexandra Eala (ranked 29th) – she beat Iga Swiatek (ranked 3rd) 7-6, 6-2. She is the first Filipina to reach this stage at Wimbledon, despite a leg strain. In this same spirit, Elsie Matens (ranked 25th) beat Elena Rybakina (ranked 2nd) 7-6, 6-1. Neither made much progress after these big wins.

We’re now getting down to the last eight (and have opened a second bottle of Pimm’s #1). Good to see the following in the quarterfinals so far: Pegula, Osaka, Muchova and Gauff and in the men’s, Djokovic, Auger-Aliassime, Sinner and Struff.

The much-awaited Venus (46) and Serena (44) doubles return was cancelled due to Serena’s knee injury. They were meant to play Camila Osorio and Argentina’s Solana Sierra. The Williams sisters hold 6 doubles titles.

In Formula 1 at Silverstone (UK), Kimi Antonelli secured pole position and Sir Lewis Hamilton started at number 3 on his favourite track (he has won at Silverstone nine times). App 180,000 attended. The race was won by Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), followed by Russell (Mercedes) and Hamilton (Ferrari).

In the rugby Nations matches (always terrific to watch), Japan beat Italy, Ireland beat Australia – a very close game - New Zealand beat France in a tense and close match, Wales beat Fiji, and South Africa easily beat England. England and Italy are at the bottom of the Northern Hemisphere international league table.

Soundtrack for the Walk: The Ubuntu Ensemble brings together technical brilliance and profound humanity. Named after the South African philosophy of ubuntu—”I am because we are”- the ensemble’s performances embody the idea that music is fundamentally an act of shared experience. Led by double bassist Leon Bosch, its musicians combine impeccable ensemble playing with an unmistakable warmth of tone and expressive generosity. Rather than treating chamber music as an exercise in precision alone, they infuse it with a deep sense of cultural identity, drawing connections between the European classical tradition and the rich musical heritage of South Africa. Their performances are distinguished by rhythmic vitality, lyrical sensitivity, and an emotional honesty that lingers long after the final note. The Ubuntu Ensemble reminds us that great music is not simply performed - it is shared, and in that sharing lies its greatest power. See and hear them: ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntu5VuA1Y9o

A Book and a Drink at the End of the Walk: On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear is one of the timeliest books on democracy and civic responsibility to appear in recent years. Rather than offering a polemic, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Julia Angwin and co-author Ami Fields-Meyer ask a more practical question: how do ordinary people find the courage to resist intimidation, defend democratic institutions, and act with integrity when fear becomes a political tool? Drawing on interviews with more than 100 dissidents, activists and scholars from around the world, they distil lessons from countries that have already confronted democratic backsliding into a thoughtful guide for citizens rather than professional activists. What makes the book distinctive is its insistence that courage is not an innate quality possessed by heroes but a habit that can be cultivated through community, preparation and small acts of principled resistance. At times its focus is unmistakably American, but its central message travels well: democracies are sustained less by constitutions than by citizens willing to defend them. For readers concerned about the future of liberal democracy, this is an important, hopeful and highly practical contribution.

TV & Film: Holy Days is an unabashedly old-fashioned feel-good film, but one with enough heart, humour and emotional honesty to win over all but the most cynical viewers. Set against the spectacular landscapes of 1970s New Zealand, it follows three elderly nuns and a grieving Māori boy on a road trip that becomes a meditation on loss, friendship, forgiveness and belonging. Miriam Margolyes is, as ever, gloriously irrepressible, stealing scenes with impeccable comic timing while revealing surprising tenderness beneath the eccentricity. Alongside Judy Davis and Jacki Weaver, she anchors a cast whose chemistry carries the film through its very predictable moments. Although the plot occasionally leans too heavily into sentimentality and familiar road-movie conventions, Holy Days succeeds because it never loses sight of its central message: hope and human connection are often found in the most unlikely companions (something Andy Burnham may want to keep in mind). It is a warm, life-affirming film that leaves audiences smiling rather than challenged - and sometimes that is exactly what a movie should do, especially on yet another wet afternoon.

On the TV front (apart from World Cup and Wimbledon coverage), it’s the summer season, so somewhat light. However, Amanda Owen (The Yorkshire Shepherdess) will soon be back with Our Farm Next Door (UK C4) and on 12th July, we can watch the new series of The Piano, when ordinary folk play a piano in a UK railway station, and some get selected to perform in a major concert at the Albert Hall. Also, on 16th September, we welcome a JACK REACHER spin-off – Negley with Maria Sten in the lead role. This was filmed almost entirely in Toronto.

Food: Corned beef is one of those ingredients that rewards simplicity, but it can also anchor surprisingly satisfying meals. The first option is a classic corned beef hash. Dice potatoes and roast them in the oven, chop a red pepper and onions, fry, then fold in chopped corned beef from a tin or the deli together with the roast potatoes. Season with thyme, black pepper, paprika, and a little mustard. Top with a poached egg, allowing the yolk to enrich the hash. A second meal is a warm Reuben-inspired sandwich. Layer thinly sliced deli corned beef (or flaked tinned corned beef), Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on rye bread. Butter the outside and grill until golden and the cheese has melted. Serve with dill pickles and a green salad. For something lighter, make a corned beef and vegetable pasta skillet. Sauté garlic, mushrooms, peas, and cherry tomatoes in olive oil, toss with cooked penne or fusilli, then stir through chunks of corned beef. Finish with a squeeze of lemon, chopped parsley, cracked black pepper, and a scattering of grated Parmesan. Finally, a school favourite – mix mashed potato with mashed corned beef from a tin and pop into a pie crust. Serve with peas. This needs good-quality gravy. The result is a quick, economical meal that balances the richness of the beef with fresh vegetables and bright flavours. I grew up loving corned beef and haven’t lost my taste for it.

Quick Thoughts

· The crowd at the 250^th US Celebration was so large that they had to bring in a second porta potty.

· The two winning goals in the US match against Bosnia-Herzegovina were scored by players who were born in the US and therefore held US citizenship by birthright.

· The UAE owns 50% of the Trump family’s crypto business. No conflicts of interest here!

· I am thinking of forming a society of meek people, if this is OK with everyone else?

· My new book Basements of the Rich is on the best cellars list.

· New Trump biopic to be called The Devil Wears Depends!

· JD Vance’s Catholicism is about as deep as a half-full thimble.

· Bad grammar can kill. Sign by a river in Florida: Crocodiles Do Not Swin Here.

· Since the Gaza ceasefire began, Israel has killed over 1,000 Palestinians.

· Hunter Biden has nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Prize using his claim that he has secured peace with Iran 38 times so far. No one has ever ended the same war so many times, especially in such a short time.

· Just one black man – Arthur Ashe in 1975 – has won the Men’s Championship at Wimbledon.

I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – the antidote to panel games (on BBC Radio 4 for 50 years and still going). Films with a farming angle:

· Sheepless in Seattle

· Flock, Stock and Two Smoking Barn owls

· 50 Shades of Hay

· Die Herd

· Slurry with a Fringe on Top

· A Tractor Named Desire

· No Country for Old Ewes

· Beverly Hills Crop

· A Few Good Hens

· The Maize Runner

· That’ll Be the Hay

· Planet of the Grapes

· How the Wheat was Won

New Definitions:

· Allege – slightly bigger than a windowsill

· Surfer – what you sit on in Hull

· Turtle – the size of your final restaurant bill in Hull

· Caustic – my goodness: a Twig!

· Discreet – a man from Hull pointing to the largest Greek Island

· Blurted – having a full stomach in Hull

· Latex – sleeping with a former partner in Yorkshire

· Hedonistic – a very basic scarecrow

· Arbitrator – a very argumentative potato

· Pessimist – a very unhappy fog

· Therapist – 1,024 gigabytes of counselling

· Lighthouse – not very heavy dwelling

· Windowpane – what you feel after headbutting the patio doors