The Hammers not quite hammered!

It is supposed to be getting much warmer this weekend but this morning was very wet and windy.  Thom did his paper round this morning and Mary slept in although today she is going to a swimming party in Ringwood and staying over with a friend in Fordingbridge.  Thom and I drove into Southampton to go to the Premier League match at St. Mary’s (Southampton v. West Ham United) but had much trouble in parking.  There are roadworks at the Redbridge Roundabout at the bottom of the M271 and it was reported that it was taking over an hour to traverse the M271 which can be no more than 2 miles long!  This meant that we had to drive through Maybush and Shirley Warren where we picked up heavy traffic trying to find an alternative route into the city centre.  We arrived at our usual parking spot in Rockstone Place to find it occupied by three cars and the vacant garages which we use in Brighton Road as an alternative were also fully occupied.   We eventually parked in a pay and display car park in Bedford Place which was, surprisingly, empty.  A useful tip for the future  when we find it difficult to park – although it did cost £4.20 and is a little further to walk to the football stadium.  We arrived at the chippie at 2 p.m. absolutely soaking wet as we had walked through persistent rain from the car park to St. Mary’s Stadium.  Our friend Andy was not there this afternoon and John told us that he had been very poorly and taken to hospital with a suspected appendicitis and heart problem.  I managed to get his home address from his son Euan and will send him a card.  The game was quite even today with Saints scoring the first goal in the second half which prompted an equaliser from the Hammers about eight minutes later.  The final score remained 1-1 and Southampton, tonight remain in 11^th place in the Premier League with West Ham just below them on the same number of points but having a game in hand.  I feel fairly confident now that Southampton will survive this year and can look forward to another season in the Premier League next year.  Worked on my sermon and service for tomorrow at West Dean.