Saints hold City to a draw

Up very early this morning to a grey drizzly day and a drive to take Thom to the village shop to pick up his newspapers for his round.  I must confess to driving in my pyjamas being fully sure that in the darkness nobody would spot this!  Breakfast consisted of bacon and sausage rolls and I spent the morning on some Complex work before Thom and I left home for Southampton  at the Saints match against Manchester City.  We arrived in Southampton to find our usual free parking space taken so had to drive to Brighton Road and park in the deserted garages which we have been told we can use.  We walked briskly from Brighton Road to our normal chippy where we were greeted as the regular customers we are.  The proprietor was wearing a Saints shirt and now has a season ticket.  Over the years he must have made thousands of pounds from Southampton football matches so I guess the least he can do is support the club.  We enjoyed a great match.  although Saints went down in the 10th minute a wonderful goal from Osvaldo just before the end of the first half secured Saints going in at half time on equal terms with the "mighty" City.  Southampton had a much weakened team thanks to several injuries and especially an inexperienced goalkeeper.  However, they managed to keep the ball out of their own net but equally, despite many close shaves, couldn't get in in City's net. Full time 1-1.  For most of us that was nearly as good as a win - to hold the team in third place to a draw was quite an achievement.  Tonight Saints remain eighth in the table.  Due to our longer walk back to Brighton Road, much of the traffic had dissipated by the time we regained the car and we drove out of Southampton fairly traffic free.  We stopped briefly at Romsey for some cat food and were home by 6.30 p.m.  I showered and changed and drove into Salisbury for the festive dinner at the New Inn for staff and volunteers at Alabare Place.  I met Cliff Topping a famous artist who gives at lessons at the Centre as well as another art teacher who is also an LPA at St. Thomas's.  As Alabare Place  is within the parish where he ministers he and I, as the chaplain, need to meet to discuss roles and responsibilities.  A really enjoyable evening which included good talk and a three course meal - prawn cocktail, roast beef etc. and lemon cheesecake.  I am coming down with a terrible cold and felt really grotty as I went to bed tonight.  I've got a long journey up to Lincolnshire tomorrow where I am staying with Mum for a couple of days - back down to Wiltshire on Tuesday afternoon when I am leading the carol service at Alabare Place.