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eiffel_71
Wembley yesterday for the Lionesses’ match with Spain. Made sure to pick up an Inside Soap at Waterloo, with its feature with Jodie Prenger talking about her Corrie alter ego, the love of my life Glenda Shuttleworth. Her saying she and the others love making the scenes with the ladies’ friendship circle came as no surprise, they’re such a joy to watch.
Arrived on Olympic Way just before two, called at the Greek food van for a late lunch. Was mooching around waiting for the Premier Inn to open when Jules and Crystal messaged to say they’d be heading to Blue Check for a quick snifter before their dinner plans. So I headed over there.
The lovely Deb from Free Lionesses was there, with a hug, a kiss and a wristband for a discount at the bar for me. Ash was there wanting to chat about QPR and Wales as normal. A quick hello with Rachel, Leanne and Lindsey. Maisie, a fellow Ipswich fan, arrived so I led her toasting the Tractor Boys’ win over the arch enemy Norwich at the weekend.
Jules and Crystal arrived and we found a table. It being the first time we’d met since last summer, we had a lot to catch up on. We talked our lives in and out of work and mutual friends, and Jules shared anecdotes on her and people she knew. They went off to the Italian restaurant they’d agreed to meet Jill, Steph and Kathy in and I wandered over to the Premier Inn to check in.
Amanda commented on my Facebook to say she’d be in Blue Check at 5 so I headed back there. Met her for a chat in the beer garden with Gary, whom we told about our upcoming Reykjavik trip. Got a message from Crystal to say they were all in a bar called Sixty Six. I walked over there and it was a lovely, quiet little place.
Jill, Steph and Kathy were all there with Jules and Crystal. Steph sprung up to meet me at the bar and bought me a cider and a packet of nuts. I joined the gang at their table. Steph told me about the travails of Leicester City’s men’s and women’s teams and she, Jules and I talked about sporting crushes. Talk turned to the Lionesses, and Jill and Steph dropped a most welcome surprise - they’re coming to Reykjavik.
We went on to the stadium, where our seats were separated so we agreed to meet in Boxpark after the game, since Rachel was going there, and said farewells with hugs. I was in a section in the middle tier with padded seats, with a great central view overlooking the pitch.
England got off to a dream start when Alessia Russo, on the ground, provided a wicked ball for Lauren Hemp to just bundle over the line, and the goal line technology showed the whole of the ball had gone over before it was cleared. Goal.
Both sides were well matched from there on. Esme Morgan and Lotte Wubben-Moy were fantastic in central defence. Hannah Hampton came to the rescue more than once with some fine saves, topped off with an incredible one in time added on to preserve the win for England.
I walked over to Boxpark where Rachel and Leanne were. Got a quick drink with them. Jules and the posse arrived, and we got a round of drinks in and found a quiet spot. When the men’s results came in Steph and I weren’t best pleased that Ipswich had lost 2-0 at Portsmouth, denting the Tractor Boys’ promotion challenge and nudging Steph and Jill’s favourites Leicester closer to relegation to League One. So we turned our attention to the Lionesses’ triumph, with acclaim for Hemp, Hampton, Morgan and Wubben-Moy. Steph and I talked prospects for getting legless in Reykjavik. While Crystal was off talking to Rachel and a couple of other friends Jules talked to us about how everyone who meets Crystal loves her. No surprise as she is a lovely, warm and friendly lady. I confessed that I’ve loved her since France.
Just after 11 the Boxpark staff told us it was time to go. We followed Rachel down to The Parish Bar, where we’d gone last time, and settled down at a corner table for another round. Keira Walsh’s mum was also in there; Crystal pointed her out to me.
At chucking-out time we all said fond farewells outside the pub. Jill, Steph and I walked on together as their hotel was on the way to mine. Heading up the last stretch to the Premier Inn I reflected how the women’s football world really is my home. This month’s being an expensive one and my card’s taking a bit of a battering, but : time with friends? Priceless.
Arrived on Olympic Way just before two, called at the Greek food van for a late lunch. Was mooching around waiting for the Premier Inn to open when Jules and Crystal messaged to say they’d be heading to Blue Check for a quick snifter before their dinner plans. So I headed over there.
The lovely Deb from Free Lionesses was there, with a hug, a kiss and a wristband for a discount at the bar for me. Ash was there wanting to chat about QPR and Wales as normal. A quick hello with Rachel, Leanne and Lindsey. Maisie, a fellow Ipswich fan, arrived so I led her toasting the Tractor Boys’ win over the arch enemy Norwich at the weekend.
Jules and Crystal arrived and we found a table. It being the first time we’d met since last summer, we had a lot to catch up on. We talked our lives in and out of work and mutual friends, and Jules shared anecdotes on her and people she knew. They went off to the Italian restaurant they’d agreed to meet Jill, Steph and Kathy in and I wandered over to the Premier Inn to check in.
Amanda commented on my Facebook to say she’d be in Blue Check at 5 so I headed back there. Met her for a chat in the beer garden with Gary, whom we told about our upcoming Reykjavik trip. Got a message from Crystal to say they were all in a bar called Sixty Six. I walked over there and it was a lovely, quiet little place.
Jill, Steph and Kathy were all there with Jules and Crystal. Steph sprung up to meet me at the bar and bought me a cider and a packet of nuts. I joined the gang at their table. Steph told me about the travails of Leicester City’s men’s and women’s teams and she, Jules and I talked about sporting crushes. Talk turned to the Lionesses, and Jill and Steph dropped a most welcome surprise - they’re coming to Reykjavik.
We went on to the stadium, where our seats were separated so we agreed to meet in Boxpark after the game, since Rachel was going there, and said farewells with hugs. I was in a section in the middle tier with padded seats, with a great central view overlooking the pitch.
England got off to a dream start when Alessia Russo, on the ground, provided a wicked ball for Lauren Hemp to just bundle over the line, and the goal line technology showed the whole of the ball had gone over before it was cleared. Goal.
Both sides were well matched from there on. Esme Morgan and Lotte Wubben-Moy were fantastic in central defence. Hannah Hampton came to the rescue more than once with some fine saves, topped off with an incredible one in time added on to preserve the win for England.
I walked over to Boxpark where Rachel and Leanne were. Got a quick drink with them. Jules and the posse arrived, and we got a round of drinks in and found a quiet spot. When the men’s results came in Steph and I weren’t best pleased that Ipswich had lost 2-0 at Portsmouth, denting the Tractor Boys’ promotion challenge and nudging Steph and Jill’s favourites Leicester closer to relegation to League One. So we turned our attention to the Lionesses’ triumph, with acclaim for Hemp, Hampton, Morgan and Wubben-Moy. Steph and I talked prospects for getting legless in Reykjavik. While Crystal was off talking to Rachel and a couple of other friends Jules talked to us about how everyone who meets Crystal loves her. No surprise as she is a lovely, warm and friendly lady. I confessed that I’ve loved her since France.
Just after 11 the Boxpark staff told us it was time to go. We followed Rachel down to The Parish Bar, where we’d gone last time, and settled down at a corner table for another round. Keira Walsh’s mum was also in there; Crystal pointed her out to me.
At chucking-out time we all said fond farewells outside the pub. Jill, Steph and I walked on together as their hotel was on the way to mine. Heading up the last stretch to the Premier Inn I reflected how the women’s football world really is my home. This month’s being an expensive one and my card’s taking a bit of a battering, but : time with friends? Priceless.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-16 03:11 pm (UTC)A women's friends group sounds lovely.
You're right about time with friends being priceless.
I need to hear more about your upcoming trip to Iceland!
no subject
Date: 2026-04-16 04:52 pm (UTC)Flying to Reykjavik tomorrow! Game on Saturday. *x*