So hello and welcome back me to the real world after two weeks of strawberries and cream, the occasional Pimms and the perennial disappointment of seeing another British player fail to reach a Wimbledon Men’s Final. Six times now I have travelled to Wimbledon on men’s semi-finals day, more in hope than expectation, to witness at first hand Tiger Tim (4 times) and now Andy Murray (twice) strive yet fail to reach the final. So the wonderfully named Bunny Austin in 1938 remains Britain’s last men’s singles finalist. That is a pretty shameful record.

Tim and Andy have done nothing wrong. They are marvellously talented individuals who should be applauded for their journey to the higher echelons of the game. But getting over the finishing line is something entirely different and an issue I have often discussed in this blog. I have no answers sadly. I don’t know what it is, but there is always a better player, a better team, a better something else. But I do know that if just one percent of Rafa Nadal’s energy, enthusiasm and effort could rub off on some of Britain’s up and coming juniors, they could achieve big things. And how on earth did he have the strength to perform that Centre Court roly poly after he’d won and then bounce straight back onto his feet afterwards? The man is a legend. Ho hum.

Still back to the land of the mere mortal and the cat is still eating grass and vomiting it on our bedroom floor. Honestly does anyone else have this problem, or do we simply have a peculiar cat? In spite of this, I have remained a devotee of my fitness regime despite the long hours down at the tennis. I ran 4 miles on Saturday morning ahead of the ladies’ singles final and then realized later that Serena only took 20 minutes or so longer to win the title. Blimey. She doesn’t hang around. You will also be thrilled to hear that I have asked my husband to buy me a bike for my birthday (September). I hasten to add it is not the sight of the peloton in the Tour de France that has inspired me. No. Simply the fact that my daughter has mastered no stabilizers and my son is also mighty near, so I can feel a few family bike outings coming on. I think I would like something slightly sporty with a pannier basket on the front. What do you think?

And I shall be pumping away on my stepper this evening as Holland take on Uruguay in the World Cup semis. I had a little flutter on the Dutch before the tournament started, as I really did think they could take out Brazil in the quarters. So £10 of my hard-earned money is riding on this. If they get to the final I can put my winnings towards that bike. Oh and incidentally remember my pledge to weigh myself and then keep track of my couch potato potential during the World Cup? Well so far so good. I have actually lost 1lb. Happy days. I may celebrate with a cake....