The week before...

This evening will be the showpiece of EURO 2008. Teutonic power versus Latin artistry? Muscle versus mind?

A classic match-up between genuine European heavyweights, Germany against perennial underachievers Spain can rightly be billed as such, given the evidence of their respective passages to the final.

So soak it up, breathe it in and drink every last drop of Euro 2008 because before you know it, your life will once more be a vast, empty, football-shaped vacuum of nothingness. I know  mine will until the new Championship season.

I'd completed all the chores in anticipation. Done the ironing, it rained so the garden needs no watering, made the sandwiches for tomorrow, vacuumed and hennaed my hair. All I need is to plonk myself in front of the telly and enjoy Torres vs Ballack.

Today we were at our favourite playground bright and early. Surprise, surprise the car park was nearly full. Huh? There were more people than birds. The water level was high so I guess my feathered mates have to find somewhere else to wade.

The highlight was when this Whitethroat was chirping merrily near the hide. Later, an Oyster Catcher and fledglings decided to check out the bank below the hide. The juvenile was very noisy when the parent flew away.

Yesterday we went to Bradgate Park in Leicestershire. The rolling hills were green and the ancient hollow oak trees were in splendid growth. We chose to walk by the River Lin instead of the road. Along the way, we spotted the odd deer among the undergrowth.

As we got nearer to Bradgate House, we spotted a flock of red and fallow deer. As we got closer, a  group of children were getting too close for comfort. Why don't the parents warn them? The animals may look timid but if they panicked...

There were Swallows, and various Martins   aerial feeding all around us. Their glossy dark blue or green plumage and plain or streaked underparts could be clearly seen as they dip in and out the tall grass. I was distracted by begging calls and spotted this. A group of Swallow adults and a fledgling being fed by its parent.

We sat on a bench and watched the world passed by. Kevin let me play with his mean machine and I was trying to get a good shot. I turned and guess who's watching us. The most handsome stag...We quickly took some photos and made a move. Look at those horns.

We continued our walk until we reached the tip of the the Cropston reservoir. We decided not to continue and decided the next trip will start from the Reservoir into the Park. We'd a long walk back to where we parked Benzy.

On Wednesday, the Operations Department held a end of year celebration to herald the end of a hectic term 3 and the start of the summer vacation. Loads of finger foods to sample and digest.

Lunchtime, I made my way to the Piazza. It was the 5th anniversary of the the Warwick Student Arts Festival. A climax of the academic year, creating a chilled-out post-exam atmosphere where students and the university community can relax in the summer sunshine and enjoy events taking place across the campus.

Today was a demonstration of the Capoeira, a dynamic Brazillian art form blending martial arts, dance, acrobatics and music. The performers really vowed the crowd.

On Thursday, was the much anticipated away day in the office.