Poor Paddy

Heard today about the rail strike due the week after next. That's knocked out my chances of getting to the England v Netherlands women's international at Leeds. To go by National Express (which from Portsmouth to Leeds would be a grueller), I wouldn't make it in time on the day of the game so would have to travel up the day before; but I don't have any holidays spare and anyway I can't afford a second night in the hotel. And I can't even contemplate driving that distance all in one hit, twice in two days.

Worse, I logged on to thetrainline and Premier Inn and found both my train ticket and my hotel room are non-refundable. Not only will I not see the game, I've lost over £200.

Hello black cloud, my old acquaintance.