MORE PANORAMAS from LONDON and ENGLAND

The Parthenon Marbles at the British Museum.
Greece wants them back, but the Brits are not budging.
Given the Greek economy, tis probably better to stay put.

Here are more panoramas from our short holiday to London. Besides the usual sightseeing, there was enough time to see a little bit of the country and visit old friends in Essex.

More marbles at the British Museum.

Not everything is there, but one gets the idea.

The Great Hall in the Tudor wing of
Hampton Court Palace.

Beautiful gardens outside the Georgian wing
of Hampton Court Palace.

The "Secret Garden".

Rapeseed fields in Essex.

Little country town of Hatfield Heath, Essex.

A most British of institutions,
a vintage car show at Hatfield Heath.

The green of Matching Green.
This little hamlet was home to painter Augustus John
and oilman/athlete/pianist Neil Franks Esq. 

The lovely 15th century home Lascelles, Matching Green,
now on sale at around GBP 2.5 million.
That's cheap by Singapore standards.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 17 (27 June 2010)

Second Round:

GERMANY 4 - ENGLAND 1

So-called pre-tournament favourites England, with its "golden generation", returned with their tails between their legs, trounced by its bitter traditional rivals Germany. The score may not reflect how close the match might have been had Frank Lampard's "Geoff Hurst 1966" goal been spotted by the officials. At 2-2, who know what would have happened next? A highly anticipated second half fizzled out as England collapsed. Gerrard and Co. sought for the equaliser but were felled by two superb counter-attack goals, both scored by the rising Thomas Muller. Germany were clearly superior in all areas and deserved to win. As for goal-line technology and video replays, its up to "Sap Bladder" and his ilk now. Rating: 4.5/5 (1st half), 3/5 (2nd half).

ARGENTINA 3 - MEXICO 1

A replay of the corresponding fixture from 2006, with almost the same outcome. Argentina did not need extra time this time around, with two goals from Tevez (the first offiside, and the second a scorcher) and Higuain, soon to be the Golden Boot. Irresistible Argentina look unstoppable now. Another penalty contest with Germany in the quarter-finals might just happen again. Lightning does sometimes strike twice. Rating: 3.5/5

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 13 (23 June 2010)

ENGLAND 1 - SLOVENIA 0

USA 1 - ALGERIA 0

GROUP C:

England eventually come out of their slovenly start to down Slovenia by a single Jermain Defoe goal. The Slovs were just willing to go along with that scoreline, knowing that their 4 points would be just enough to exit the group stage. Valter Birsa's finishing was hopeless, aiming all his shots to David James but hoping for a Robert Green. Cue Landon Donovan for an injury time winner, which lifted USA to the top of the group, and dump Slovenia out. England's reward is to meet... (gulp) Germany in the Second Round, and possibly Argentina in the quarter finals. Better start practising taking those penalties soon... Rating: 3/5

GERMANY 1 - GHANA 0

AUSTRALIA 2 - SERBIA 1

GROUP D:

A very keenly contested group with any of the 4 teams capable of emerging from the First Round. Germany's excellent Mesut Ozil was justly rewarded with a scorcher of a goal. Germany top the group with 6 points. At this stage, Tim Cahill (above) and Brett Holman gave faint hopes for an unlikely Ozzie revival. A Serbian equaliser would have ruled Ghana out but that never came. Ghana is the first African team (and likely to be the last) to qualify for the Second Round, and the Americans await. Rating: 4/5

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 8 (18 June 2010)

SERBIA 1 - GERMANY 0

Another shock in a World Cup of shocks. With Miroslav Klose sent off, the Germans succumbed to the sucker punch, courtesy of Jovanovic. Lukas Podolski was simply awful, capped with a missed penalty. Pride comes before a fall, as they say. Rating: 3.5/5

USA 2 - SLOVENIA 2

One of the greatest matches thus far, a titanic struggle embodying the universal values of football, whatever they may be. With Slovenia cruising 2-0 (to 6 points and entry into the Second Round), the Americans staged an almighty comeback and should have won if not for a questionable refereeing call. Why is football the world's greatest game? Here is the evidence! Rating: 4.5/5

ENGLAND 0 - ALGERIA 0

A terrible showing from the so-called favourites. They huffed and puffed, and achieved close to nought. Even the Desert Foxes looked more fluid in their attacks. No finishing power, alas. England have it coming if it cannot beat Slovenia next. Rating: 1.5/5

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 2 (12 June 2010)

SOUTH KOREA 2 - GREECE 0

Missed this match completely, thanks to Joshua Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Two uncharacteristic Greek defence lapses were punished by the Koreans, who took those chances well. Although I don't care much for Man U players, I have something for Koreans in general. Good to see Jisung Park score in another World Cup. One more point, and they're as good as through to the next round. Rating: N.A.

ARGENTINA 1 - NIGERIA 0

One thought the floodgates would open after Gabriel Heinze's unstoppable header in the 6th minute. Nigerian goalie Vincent Enyeama kept the score respectable by negating the silky skills of one Lionel Messi. Maradona's charges were good for 3 points, but Nigeria are not out of it. Rating: 3.5/5

ENGLAND 1 - USA 1

If you're an Arsenal fan, you can't possibly support England, a team peopled by thugs, chavs and yobs like Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and a gaggle of Spurs players. So it is a massive dose of Schadenfreude that Ingerland blow a 3-minute lead with a Fabianskian howler from goalie Robert Green. Men of the match: Clint Dempsey (scorer) or Giant Onyewu (Wenger should buy him). England flattered to deceive, as usual. Rating: 4/5