ENGLAND v ARGENTINA

A day that did not start or end quite as planned.

We waved goodbye to Avignon, Florian, and his lovely wife and headed south to Marseille for our 1st game of the RWC 2023 (Catering had finally recovered from the fact that I had booked a smart, non-cancellable dinner on the Friday evening, so he was unable to watch France v New Zealand – oops. It was also in a basement kitchen, so no phone reception either). About 45 minutes into the trip I looked for my phone – nowhere to be seen or heard. In a monumental fit of blondness I had left my phone and tablet behind in Avignon, I was beyond cross with myself and after a couple of minutes of me effing & blinding we about faced & returned to Avignon. We did not pass GO and we did not collect £200. Throughout this episode Catering remained calm and sanguine, not something I could have guaranteed had the boot been on the other foot. Mental note to self – remember to try and be reasonable & measured in the face of adversity – not stroppy & shouty.

Estimated travel time from Avignon to Marseille 1 hour 5 mins, actual travel time nearer 3 hours.

We had a small taste in Avignon that the Big Blue Truck (BBT) may not be an ideal method of transportation in an ancient medieval city, and the same proved to be the case in Marseille, as we climbed up the winding streets to find our apartment. Not much in the way of wriggle room and not a single parking space. The gods must have decided to reward Catering for his earlier patience, because literally as we rounded the last corner to our home for the night, there before us was a parking space, and not only that, but one we could easily fit the BBT in – it was a miracle. BBT abandoned, we made the rest of the way on foot. Building located, lock box found, key liberated & no bloody clue which flat was ours. Re-read instructions several times but still no idea – several slightly panicky text messages later (only panicky as Catering was setting about a process of elimination on the flat front, which involved ringing doorbells and if no one answered, he then tried the lock) further instructions arrived, just as Catering found the right door.

To be honest the rest of the day is a bit of a blur, largely due to what seemed like an endless supply of rosé and/or lager

Wasn’t it this time 4 years ago, we last did this

The stadium was amazing (after we dodged the crush on the steps – Health & Safety radar going off like mad), the atmosphere blew us away and we won! Result!

Mind the step – I feel an incident coming on

Perfect game watching temperature

Afterwards there followed much jubilation and celebration, before we realised we had to get back to the flat, not an Uber in sight and a mile to walk with Mr F who has recently had a new hip! We were just giving up the will to live when Gregory rescued us. He agreed (for a small fee) to drive us all back to the apartment in two trips (as we were now 5 – it’s a long story which involves a dead iPhone which holds all the details of our friends’ place for the night, including the lock box number). 3 of us went in the 1st run and paid him the full amount, we then crossed our fingers & waited for Catering & Mr C to turn up. Like 2 bad pennies they appeared 20 minutes later, just as I was beginning to worry. Gregory we love you – Catering said he knew he was a good bloke as he was wearing an Arsenal shirt. Clearly something no thief or murderer would be seen dead in.

There is an invisibility that comes with age for women – well for me anyway, which in many ways is very liberating. I can now (and for some years actually) pass a building site with no comment being made. However this seems to have been temporarily suspended in France, and much to my surprise (& if I am being completely honest delight) I have been paid way more attention by men that I am used to, and not just the over 70s! Long may it continue, in a flattering non-intrusive manner you understand.

I fear neither of the two parties above may be entirely sober