Ahhh, its Wakes Week once more, the time for… for, errrrr… for…

Well, putting on antlers and running round in silly clothes chasing a man dressed as a headless bride, obviously. As they do in Abbots Bromley. (No idea, either. I’ll guess ‘up north’ because they seem to have too much time on their hands and access to antlers which they don’t sell in Waitrose.)

Wakes week dates back to the industrial revolution and is very important for… something. Started as a religious thing and degenerated over the centuries to this tragic representation of something or other, full of symbolism and angst. I think.

But I do love bizarre traditions that seemingly have no meaning or purpose other than to dress up and look silly. Britain’s full of such folly. And all the better for it.

There is no causative link between this Horn Dance and child abuse. Just, perhaps, a mild correlation.

Meanwhile the rugby world cup starts next week, right here in London. And England beat Ireland (previously Europe’s top team) last weekend to give us hopes and dreams and memories of Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Delallylally et al. But beating the top team from Europe is way easier than playing any team not from Europe. Its in the Southern Hemisphere that the trouble starts.

Though not in football. As England qualify for the Euro 2016 finals in some style, with 3 (now meaningless) matches still to play. Switzerland tonight and I quite like ‘new look’ England. I like Jonjo Shelvey in the middle. I like a playmaker and he’s a good one. And Rooney’s is now level with Bobby Charlton on goals for the nation. Ahhh, Bobby Charlton, the gentleman’s gentleman. And Rooney. Who isn’t.

Wales need just one point now to qualify as well. And I really hope they do. For Gareth Bale. Whereas Northern Ireland look like they too may even qualify. Making 1 English speaking nation plus Wales and Northern Ireland in the finals. Amazing. Scotland may get into the qualifiers. Maybe. Doesn’t matter.

As I said: I just like people dressing up in uniforms and doing silly things. Seen the Scots play football?

Happy Tuesday

A xxxx