Opting Out.

I must be the only person who's not watching the rubgy this evening - well, maybe not the only, but in a minority. I just can't get enthusiatic about the game, whereas I just love football (OK, soccer) and will watch even the most boring game if the Spurs are involved. Or if Son is involved. I remember many winter Sundays when Son was playing in his Sunday League for the Cherry Hinton Lions and I was glued to the touchline, whatever the weather. My ex-husband used to turn up occasionally, maybe every 6 weeks, if it fitted in with his other social arrangements. On one memorable occasion, when they were playing a cup match, it was freezing and snowing (sleeting really) and my ex said "Why don't you go and watch from the clubhouse? It's freezing out here." He obviously didn't get it. My reply was "While my Son is out here in the sleet and snow, so am I." Our fortitude and stoicism were rewarded. Son scored a goal in the second half, and his team won the match. Considering the fact that it was practically nil visibility and they were sliding all over the place, it was amazing that the match wasn't cancelled. When they came off the pitch at the end of the game, they were all blue and red in patches, and shivering mightily despite having run around non-stop for 90 minutes. They were literally steaming when they came into the changing rooms, and had to peel off their soaking, half-frozen kit. It took ages to stop them shivering and thaw them out. But their faces were a picture - it was a well-deserved victory. What a team they were! Son still plays for a team in London, one that's connected to his last job, I think. They train on Tuesday evenings, and play matches in the London parks at weekends. On his birthday, I bought him a Spurs away kit (the new, blue commemorative one) to wear for training. Bless..

Today was another lovely, sunny day, but I was not at my best, having been woken early by Grandson again. He was with me all day yesterday, which was a really stunning day. After I collected him from Nursey (sorry, Pre-School), we walked down to the beach and sat on the shingle watching the waves. There was another Mum with a small boy of about 5, and Grandson and he played at climbing the groynes and jumping off. I watched from a safe distance, trying not to be too protective, and it was good to see Grandson getting braver with every jump. A couple of times he tumbled over onto the stones, but was no worse for that. Then they dodged the waves and threw a few stones into the sea. It was what you might call harmless fun, and a lovely way to spend a sunny October afternoon.

Poor Daughter is still pretty sick, despite which she came over to collect Grandson this afternoon. We all sat in our neighbour's garden with cups of tea, while the various children set up a couple of tables and held a garden sale for passers-by. Grandson was in his element, playing with two eleven year old girls who obviously adored him as much as he adored them. Daughter came inside and fell asleep on my sofa - poor love. I dropped them home later, and came back to collapse on the sofa myself. Now, revived by fish and chips and a glass of wine, I'm sitting in solitary splendour. Everyone but me, it seems, is either going out for dinner or watching the rugby. I'm wondering if I'll have the energy to go to the last Car Boot Sale of the season tomorrow - it would be a pity to miss it..