I was listening to a 'phone-in on local radio the other day,
the thrust of which was, "Where are you going on your holidays this
year?"
It's the kind of
public service broadcasting on which the BBC has built its reputation, and an
interesting question to have the opportunity to think about before your next
hairdressing appointment.
What struck me, before I managed to switch stations, was the
number of people 'phoning to share experiences of campsite nightmares, caravan
breakdowns - local radio listeners are fond of the mobile home - fierce
inter-marriage packing conflicts and so on, who nonetheless were happy to do it
all over again, the ultimate triumph of hope over experience on which the holiday
industry relies.
I feel much the same about the forthcoming English Premier
League season.
We've just been
through the inevitable "whither English football?" debate, following
failure at a major tournament - so, after every major tournament basically -
and agreed that something needs to be done about the structure of our national
game.
And yet, once Sky Sports
start plugging its first batch of live matches, it's hard to suppress a frisson
of excitement.
Chelsea - West Ham, Guardiola v Mourinho in Manchester,
Arsenal - Liverpool; so many fascinating sub-plots.
We more or less know it'll end in tears at Russia 2018 - if
we're all still playing international sport then - but if I'm typical at all, I
think we're putting that on hold for the time being.
Sky has been yanking our chain with their forthcoming
attractions all weekend in the knowledge that anyone with an interest in sport
and a subscription would almost certainly be tuned in.....
The rest of the piece can be read on Mon July 18 here