Not wanting to be responsible for another City disaster (my failure to raise the Lucky Flag being one of the reasons for our midweek defeat against Birmingham), I got the flag up good and early yesterday.  And we cruised to a comfortable win, so I think that proves it works.  Doesn’t it?

A rather tense first half yielded few chances, and City looked rather lacklustre.  But at half time, Sir Gary put something in the boys’ tea, and before we knew it we were 3-0 up.  Much to the relief of the crowd, new boy Nicky Maynard was responsible for both of the first two goals, winning a penalty with a flamboyant dive (which, away from home and with a different referee, might have been rewarded with a yellow card instead of a penalty), and slotting away a cool second from a well-worked move.  Happy Days are here again, and the pleasure of watching one’s team defend a comfortable lead (for once) cannot be underestimated.

A pleasant game of golf in the morning (albeit one littered with disastrous shots), and an evening spent watching the Ryder Cup (featuring an incredible array of outstanding shots) completed a thoroughly enjoyable day.  The weather this weekend has been stunning – almost too hot at times, but I’ll be lynched if I grumble – and this morning I helped Stephen erect his new shed, which turned out to be a most pleasant thing to do.  It was one of those jobs which, on a bad day, could have been a nightmare (bits missing, parts not fitting together, hammers striking thumbs, etc.) but which, on this occasion, was plain-sailing, and very satisfying.  I think there’s something very special about sheds.  And there was also something very special indeed about the warm flapjack that Helen produced to encourage the workers.  Trust me, there’s flapjack, there’s good flapjack, and there’s Helen’s flapjack.  Yes siree.