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Down to Gosport on Friday evening to see the parents, then along the coast to Chichester on Sunday for Lewes Women away game.
To think that a year ago, the Women's Super League was my life. Now here it was, WSL opening weekend...and I was on my way to a third-division game. For all that I love it at the Dripping Pan, and get on with Jane and Issi, that was hard.
As I stepped off the train at Chichester and headed for the exit I saw a girl also getting off, wearing a Lewes tracksuit. I was wearing my colours so said hello to her, she nodded and said hello back. Outside, in the station car park, a guy in a Southampton FC sweatshirt asked if I was going to the game and offered me a lift to the ground. It turned out he was a coach with Chichester and was there to pick up his friend, the Lewes player I'd just seen on the platform, who turned out to be Vicky Carleton. I asked her how her trip with Northern Ireland went, she'd just arrived back the morning before.
It was still early when they dropped me at the ground so I went for a mosey round the immediate area and soon came to a little pub, The Bell Inn. The place was quite busy; the pub was about to be featured on a radio quiz. As a result, Sunday roasts were off, but the normal menu was still on so I went for the chicken curry followed by ice cream. As I was having lunch the radio quiz came on. Michelle, the friendly barmaid, answered the questions with some prompting from the gathered crowd.
Went on to the ground and met Jane and Ash. Told them about my mixed emotions about the LB situation. They understood (especially Jane who's a big fan) though didn't have much to say. The Chichester team were out on the pitch preparing; I shouted out to Lauren, who'd been one of my Havant girls, and she came over to the sideline for a hug. Jenna also called out to me.
Found a seat near to Jane, Ash, and Sue and Lynda who were also there. Chichester took the lead midway through the first half, but Lewes equalised through Rebecca Carter. After the break the Rookettes stepped up a gear and Danielle Lane rounded the keeper to roll home what turned out to be the winner.
With an hour to go before my train left, I hung around in the clubhouse for a quick chat with Lauren - who on asking why I was following Lewes, said "You need to turn green" - and Jenna who had her two little boys with her.
Called in at Entertainment Exchange on the walk back through town and picked up a copy of 50 First Dates for 50p.
When the London train pulled into Chichester it was mobbed. I and several others had to stand tightly packed in the square by the doors - not ideal for drinking my coffee. Thankfully I got a seat at Barnham.
A planned power cut at the office this morning had the unplanned result of putting all our computers out of action for the day. On a couple of visits to the rest of the team I stumbled on them playing I Spy, dreaming about Lotto wins, and analysing the psychology of tyrants like Hitler and Napoleon.
To think that a year ago, the Women's Super League was my life. Now here it was, WSL opening weekend...and I was on my way to a third-division game. For all that I love it at the Dripping Pan, and get on with Jane and Issi, that was hard.
As I stepped off the train at Chichester and headed for the exit I saw a girl also getting off, wearing a Lewes tracksuit. I was wearing my colours so said hello to her, she nodded and said hello back. Outside, in the station car park, a guy in a Southampton FC sweatshirt asked if I was going to the game and offered me a lift to the ground. It turned out he was a coach with Chichester and was there to pick up his friend, the Lewes player I'd just seen on the platform, who turned out to be Vicky Carleton. I asked her how her trip with Northern Ireland went, she'd just arrived back the morning before.
It was still early when they dropped me at the ground so I went for a mosey round the immediate area and soon came to a little pub, The Bell Inn. The place was quite busy; the pub was about to be featured on a radio quiz. As a result, Sunday roasts were off, but the normal menu was still on so I went for the chicken curry followed by ice cream. As I was having lunch the radio quiz came on. Michelle, the friendly barmaid, answered the questions with some prompting from the gathered crowd.
Went on to the ground and met Jane and Ash. Told them about my mixed emotions about the LB situation. They understood (especially Jane who's a big fan) though didn't have much to say. The Chichester team were out on the pitch preparing; I shouted out to Lauren, who'd been one of my Havant girls, and she came over to the sideline for a hug. Jenna also called out to me.
Found a seat near to Jane, Ash, and Sue and Lynda who were also there. Chichester took the lead midway through the first half, but Lewes equalised through Rebecca Carter. After the break the Rookettes stepped up a gear and Danielle Lane rounded the keeper to roll home what turned out to be the winner.
With an hour to go before my train left, I hung around in the clubhouse for a quick chat with Lauren - who on asking why I was following Lewes, said "You need to turn green" - and Jenna who had her two little boys with her.
Called in at Entertainment Exchange on the walk back through town and picked up a copy of 50 First Dates for 50p.
When the London train pulled into Chichester it was mobbed. I and several others had to stand tightly packed in the square by the doors - not ideal for drinking my coffee. Thankfully I got a seat at Barnham.
A planned power cut at the office this morning had the unplanned result of putting all our computers out of action for the day. On a couple of visits to the rest of the team I stumbled on them playing I Spy, dreaming about Lotto wins, and analysing the psychology of tyrants like Hitler and Napoleon.
