Something About...

There’s something about Manchester United that I just don’t like. It’s not particularly about Roy Keane and his tackles, the gloating Van Nistelroy and Giggs, the self-righteousness of the great Sir Alex. I just don’t like Manchester United.

There’s something, too, about Bernard Langer and his Ryder Cup team. This time something unbelievably positive about the teamwork and the deserved victory. A wonder to behold! Specially I enjoyed seeing Darren Clarke and Davis Love III sitting together after their enthralling match, with large cigars and obvious pleasure in each others company, watching the inevitable conclusion unfurl. A great day.

There’s something, too, about the frailty of human existence and fortune and the remarkable powers of recovery we humans can sometimes enjoy. I more or less wrote myself off at the weekend (as a capable working entity at any rate) when my back seemed to collapse as I went in search of a sherry bottle in my Mum’s flat. Bloody agony. And the indignity of lying down in the spare bedroom, only to have to rely on wifely strength to restore me to a standing position. And yet, here I am a couple of days later, more or less fully restored. Thank you Neurofen, Volterol, hot baths, the joint wisdom of my medical advisers (wife and daughter) and lots of sleep.