— 21 Jul 2013, 12:05 by Maison Claire Fontaine
7.35 am Oh, my poor stomach. No breakfast today, no lunch, just a light salad for supper.
11.40 am, I am avidly awaiting the start of the cricket, surely the game is in the bag now. Perhaps a small Twix and can of Coke to still my jangling nerves. Who can forget the ghastly summer of 1989 when the Aussies just flayed us alive, Taylor and Marsh's 329 for the first wicket, S Waugh averaging 126, G Gooch LBW to Alderman about a hundred times. We all suffered that year. I am sure you all remember.
Boys have two activities this morning. Archery; always a hoot. Like every year, one wonders how we ever won the Battle of Crecy. But we did, that's the main thing, and it is important to remind the French of this. We wouldn't win it now though; health and safety would dictate that the arrows be nice and blunt, only fire one at a time, no running, no being silly, no bludgeoning to death with a battle-ax, all the fun has been sucked out. When not playing bow and arrows, the boys have been enjoying a new activity, song writing, with the talented MCF staff. I can't comment yet on the results, as I haven't heard the fruits of their labour. Trust me, you will be receiving a full commentary when the time comes,with my usual tact and understatement.
No mention of our resident bombshells, you notice. They are off with Malcolm. I didn't ask where they were going. I hope they go easy on him.
6.40 pm What an afternoon, surely the best kayak ever. The sun shone down, the sluice gates had been opened so we could take the 'long' route, boys were allowed to swim down the 'rapids' (more 'slowids' but fun nonetheless), games were played and the history books will record the fact that Mrs Edmunds did not so much as dip her oar into the water, insisting on being chauffeur rowed down the river by the virile post-graduate the MCF have on their books. Miss Gallagher, on the other hand, was the driving force in her boat, with a young Year 4 boy to jolly along. When some low-hanging branches approached, Daisy shouted 'Duck'! The boy replied 'Where?' You get the picture. It must be said that Mrs Edmunds thought that kayaking took place on yachts and then sulked when she wasn't given a pink oar. I was strangely unsurprised by this stage.
Home to a delicious supper of bread, pâté, quiche lorraine, rice, spinach, salad, cheese, apple dessert and chocolate. Feeling quite full. Tomorrow I must diet.
6.55 pm England have won the second test!!! Always knew they would. Great decision to put Root on to bowl, got rid of the pesky Clarke in no time.
Boys having a relaxing evening, either playing bingo or rehearsing their songs for a performance tomorrow. I will sign off for now.
Still peckish. Maybe some cheese for lunch.
