Sporting June

I feel really sorry for my husband during June. Unlike many households it is me, not Paul, who is the sporting fanatic. And I have control of the remote control! The one thing we have in common is a dislike of all things football, so our house is a World Cup free zone. However, when it comes to my two favourite sports, tennis and golf, this time of year is nirvana! First there is the French Open, won by the stupendous Rafa Nadal for the ninth time, followed by the grass court season, starting at Queen’s. This time it was the turn of the very talented Grigor Dimitrov. Not only is he a top level tennis player in his own right, his girlfriend is Maria Sharapova, arguably the best female tennis player in the world. What a pairing that is! By the end of the month, and still continuing (sorry Paul!) Wimbledon had started. At least another week of splendid tennis.

The golfing world last month saw the US Open golf tournament. Justin Rose was defending, but he was not proof against the genius of Germany’s Martin Kaymer! With tennis during the day and golf at night Paul got very little of a look in. This month is going to be little better. First there is the Scottish Open in Aberdeen, followed by The Open a week later.

But it hasn’t all been sport this month. Our Latin classes finally came to an end. Very sad, though the last lesson, finishing early for a trip to The Dirty Duck, was good. Sitting in the garden on a lovely evening was a splendid way to finish. We wish Neil good luck with  his new job (through gritted teeth!) But most, if not all, of the class are signing up for the replacement beginners Greek! That should be fun. Not just a new language, but a new alphabet as well! And arrangements have been on-going for the 10th birthday celebrations of the Roman Museum in Alcester. Starting on Thursday with a talk by an RSC head of wigs a makeup on the blood and gore used for the bloodier Shakespeare plays, there is a very full programme of events over four days. The  highlight for me will be a talk by Lindsey Davis about her Falco books.  I have heard her speak before, and she is splendid. Here’s hoping the weather holds as there is a parade in Alcester on Saturday.

Later this month we are going to the Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry. There is a Roman exhibition on at the moment, but we are booked in for two lectures, one by Dr Claire Rowan of Warwick Uni on coinage, and another by an ex-tutor of mine, Dr Mary Harlow, on Roman dress. Fingers crossed they will live up to their billing!