The Record Attempt I

Imagine that. It's a bit like London buses: you wait for ages for one to come along and then 37 appear.

It's deluge time. Not only is there Euro 2008 but Wimbledon has started.

It was a strenuous weekend. There was la fête de la musique on Saturday, so after a trip to see the chateau at Vaux-le- Vicomte we came back for and strolled around the canal looking for some music to listen to.

There were bands playing but to abuse a phrase much beloved of Mr Spock in Star Trek: "It's not music as we know or understand it."

Bur the girls seemed happy. Ah happy.

As it was the longest day - already? - I thought it churlish to try and get them into bed too early. It panned out. By the time I did get them moving towards their slumbers, I had enough time to watch the embers of the Dutch assault on Euro 2008. The spry Russians were tearing into the tiring Dutch.

Ooh I never saw that one.

Sunday after a day in the country at a friend's birthday party, I returned from delivering the hire car and getting the children into bed to see the crucial bits of Italy v Spain.

Oh how we love a penalty shoot out especially if you haven't been watching the game. Drama, tension, agony. And that's just putting the children to bed.

So Spain reign. Is this a forewarning of Wimbledon glory?

Who's to say. Rafael Nadal opens his campaign on Tuesday bidding to become the first man to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back since Bjorn Borg in 1980.

Federer, going for a record sixth straight title, has stopped him twice before. Can he halt him again or will it be someone else? I can't live the anguish of ignorance.

Perhaps I exaggerate a bit. Actually quite a lot.

No football till the Turkey v Germay semi final on Wednesday. Can the tennis fill the void?