Mum and mixed loyalties

To London, after confirming with Mum that it was okay due to the extreme heat. Flitting between shadows on the uphill walk from West Hampstead Thameslink to Hampstead station where I arrived early, but just couple of minutes before Mum. We slunk down Flask Walk where Mum really likes the houses as they are beautiful, and also remind her of her grandparent's home in Folkestone. Then into The Olde White Bear, which is proving a perfect little pub there, as there's always space and friendly and covered in pictures and prints featuring white bears in vintage advertising and so on. We lapped up some cold drinks, lager shandy seemed to be the ideal drink for me today, and some food. Mum in good spirits. So lucky that we are still able to meet up in Hampstead. Among other things, she told me her miracle herbal pills seem to be really helping her knee. After a couple of hours we sun dodged back to Hampstead station. 

Trespassers on the track somewhere in south London had created train chaos and cancellations and so on so I didn't get home till 6:30pm. Stepping out of the train felt like being in a different country. A sea mist meant that it was about 10 degrees cooler than in London.  Lorraine had already made some food, so we ate this up. 

Then we made off to the Crouch, home of Seaford FC. By some twist of fate, Guernsey are in the same league (Southern Combination Football League) as Seaford this season. Slightly mixed loyalties, but of course I supported Guernsey. Lorraine and I sat down in the little seated shed to watch. Two or three times, the ball was kicked into the gardens of nearby houses, but they seemed to have half a dozen balls on hand. The game much too urgent for someone to knock on the door and ask 'can we have our ball back'. The Seaford manager no gentleman, and quite sweary and got booked by the referee for mouthing off. The Guernsey dug out conducted themselves with control and purpose.

Guernsey much the better team, especially in the second half, and scored the game's only goal after sustained pressure. An erratic referee, who sent off two Seaford players for agricultural tackles towards the end, one deserved, one not. 

I had gone to the little hut at half time to buy a beer and joined the queue. Someone called my name, and Brian and Guy were being served and got me a lager. Brian a Seaford supporter, naturally, as I would have been against any other team made slightly gloomy by Seaford's defeat. 

Lorraine quite enjoyed it, and chatted to Brian and Guy about this weekend. Although she was also playing on her switch while watching. I spoke to a couple of the guernsey lads that were there, and also a man from Jersey wearing a Jersey teeshirt, who lives nearby. Nice chat with him.

Wandered home pleased to have done something a bit different for us.