A Summer to Remember.
‘A Summer to Remember’ is actually a book, largely of pictures, published shortly after the 1981 Ashes test series. Patrick Eagar was the photographer and my word, what a talent. No digital images back then, this was 35mm films, manual focus cameras with a chunky device attached to the base of the camera to wind the film on at pace. He may even have had to calculate aperture and shutter speeds - automation was still in its infancy. Anyway, this piece is not about him or his book, but the quite ridiculous weather we have encountered this year alongside our annual sporting feast, as well as the World Cup footy.
The rolling Sussex fields surrounding my home are now brown. Most farmers have already completed their harvest. The sunsets are magical. The bird life and insect life at dusk, mesmerising. And the colours, once the sun has dipped below the horizon, we must long remember. Evenings in Sussex resemble those in Tuscany. Furthermore, it looks set to continue.
Royal Birkdale, host of this year’s Open Championship, looked barren. Rock hard fairways bring severe challenges and can enable Lady Luck to influence outcomes, but it must always be remembered that it is the same for each participant. My preference is for rougher weather, where the wind thoroughly challenges those ‘target golfers’ and those with a high ball flight. Nevertheless, it was still a gripping championship. Controversy in the shape of, well, cheating, in all honesty. Stamping on the grass just behind your ball doesn’t look great in a weekend friendly with a mate, so to do it at the Open, in front of a global audience, was bizarre.
Kiwi Ryan Fox prevailed with a fabulous birdie on the 18th – a worthy winner. His straightforward attitude towards his craft, his modesty and humility, not to mention his views on speed of play were thoroughly refreshing. You get the distance; its only ever going to be one of two clubs - why does it take so long? Love it. May this Major be the first of many for him.
And the Football World Cup. For me anyway, it didn’t really catch fire until well into the knockout stage. Mexico looked a good side but met an England team that dazzled for twenty minutes after half time. As for the Argentina game, it was just so frustrating. Tuchel must have been the only man in the stadium that thought it a good idea to take off all bar one of our creative talents with 35 minutes of the game remaining, and Argentina finding their stride. Had we progressed to the final, it would have taken an almighty performance to dispose of Spain, but who knows. Instead, we look back with frustration at a managerial decision that dictated the outcome. On a brighter note, the third-place play-off match against France was something else!
What left then, for this endless summer? Cowes week. Glorious Goodwood. Cricket in the form of ‘The Hundred’ – I shan’t comment at this juncture but will write a separate broadsheet at its conclusion. A test series against Pakistan – something to relish with the recent test team shenanigans. And the very underrated 50 over one day cup.
Much to look forward to.