Boris announced the removal of just about all covid restrictions in England from 19th July except foreign travel. Cases are still rising at an alarming rate but hospitalisations and deaths are well below where we last had this many infections due to vaccine roll out. In short we seem to be moving into a living with covid phase. Not sure How I feel about it. It will take some getting used to. Did a Mansfield Rd walk on Tuesday. M joined as she had finished her book launch preparation. Got a bus to Upper Basildon then walked to the West Berks Brewery then to Goring to get the train. About 10 miles in all and an excellent brisket burger for lunch. Watched Italy beat Spain on penalties in the first semi final. Took all the rubbish down the tip on Wednesday and tidied up round the new bench area.

Went round to Ralph and Sue's to watch England beat Denmark 2 1 aet in the second semi final. Really exciting game that we deserved to win. On Thursday we did the annual cycle the number of miles Reading got points ride. 70 miles this year. Me, Kelvin, Graham and Stuart did the whole thing, Andy met us for lunch at The Dundas Arms at Kintbury. We had a breakfast stop at the community cafe at Hampstead Norris and a pint on the way back at Aldermaston. Great ride.Had a Goolie zoom which ended with John wandering about with no trousers on for some reason. Felt remarkably good on Friday, thought I'd feel a bit stiff. We went swimming in the afternoon and then I gave the car its annual clean. Mark Cavendish has won another stage of the tour and equalled Eddy Merckx's record. A bit of a lazy day on Saturday. Tied back the jasmin, watched a bitbif the tour,  played guitar. M had her offical book launch for Coley Talking. It was meant to be at the school but was done by zoom because of covid restrictions. Another lazy day on Sunday. Started recording a new song. Went round to Kelvin's to watch the euros final. We lost to Italy on penalties after going ahead in under 2 minutes.