The England-South Africa rugby match isn’t the only important 
game being played this weekend. My youngest lad James will be playing football in The Netherlands with his team, Soham Town Colts FC U15s.
They are heading for Heemskerk on a four day trip and have two games planned against Zwaluwen Vooruit U15s and RAVA Houtwijk U15s. They will also have a tour of Amsterdam Arena – pity they can’t play there, wouldn’t that be thrilling!
This is James’ second trip to The Netherlands. I took him there three years ago on a surprise visit after he completed his Key Stage 2 SATS exams at primary school, aged 11.
A couple of years before, I had taken his brother David on a surprise trip to Barcelona to celebrate the end of his exams, and to mark a new era at secondary school, the beckoning of young adulthood.
I remember asking James where he wanted to go when it was his turn, he told me Amsterdam, that he wanted to visit the Anne Frank Museum as they had been studying her very moving diary at school.
So I made a mental note of this and, without any warning, arrived at his school one Friday lunchtime to pick him up for the afternoon flight. He was stunned to see me there unexpectedly. And I was not prepared for his adverse reaction when I told him where we were going. He had since forgotten all about Anne Frank, he had made plans to meet up with friends after school that day and, most importantly, was looking forward to wearing his team’s new football strip for the first time that weekend.
Meanwhile, I had his bag packed at home, and eventually persuaded him to come back with me for a quick change of clothes. Once inside the house, he told me to wait in the car and promised to join me shortly.
Instead, he swiftly locked the front door and refused to come out. It took much cajoling through the letter box to finally persuade him. Phew.
James told me it was too big a surprise, he only likes small ones. I’ve had to tread carefully with his surprises ever since.
I doubt he will take any persuading to join his team mates on the coach early tomorrow morning as they head for the ferry. I’m confident that James’ team – as well as our great rugby players – will do us proud, that there will be two winning teams returning home jubilant.
Do you think James looks like a junior Johnny Wilkinson? The thought has crossed my mind a few times. Although James plays rugby for his school team, it’s a game I watch him play nervously. I remember him being carried off the pitch with stud marks on his face, I’m a very anxious spectator when my lad plays this sport.
*James’ school friend Joe and his dad have red hot tickets for the rugby final and have booked a ferry crossing this evening, and will then drive to Paris. Joe admits they might be tempted to sell if they get offered a good price, especially as they are not hardened rugby supporters. Well, they say every man has his price. I must admit I would be tempted if I could get £4,000 a piece.
Ellee, what a wonderful child you have there. Imagine locking himself inside. His own man, may he always be so. I’ll bet you could have killed him.
I’m sure he’ll have a great time with his pals.
JMB, I must admit I am lucky. James is certainly very much his own man. He is also very charming and knows how to say the right thing to get his own way. He is an endless source of amusement and I really enjoy his company. I wish he didn’t have to grow up and leave home. Or David. I wish I could keep them both the age they are and always have them by my side. But I know I will one day have to let go. I can imagine how my tears will flow.
From one James to another – the best of British!
Lovely story about the first trip to Amsterdam, Ellee! Poor you… Oh, yes, he definitely looks like Johnny Wilkinson! Good luck to James this weekend.
Oh, God was I laughing! I can see you “negotiating” through the letter box! It made me remember what I had put my own mother through!!!:D
Well Ellee my own lad was fairly small and therefore ” hooker ” at rugby .
I was always sure he was going to end up fatally injured at the school rugby matches .
Luckily it didnt happen , Im now doing this whilst the final is on .I cant watch.
It wont be so bad to miss out to a load of Boers , after all we owe them something for the first concentration camps . So much worse if we had lost to the old enemy France .
Remember the English long bows and the two fingers therein !
Also remember Rugby is a hooligans game played by gentlemen whilst soccer is a gentlemans game played by hooligans .
By the way , I like the fact that you named one of your boys David .
Its not in ,nor particularly trendy , but its a lovely strong old English gentleman type name and needs people to keep using it ( of course I suppose its also very Jewish , Ive no problem with that as I think they too are a fine race much to be admired )
I happen to have a brother called David .
Georgegirl, I watched the finals too. It was disappointing that the score was based entirely around penalties. I don’t understand the rules, why did we give away so many points? SA were totally dominant from the start?
And what about Percy Montgomerie with his bleached blonde highlights? He was awesome – and just too perfect looking?
I have a brother called David too, btw. It’s not a popular name today, but one that I hope will serve him well throughout him life.
James used to play hooker for Ely City rugby club, not sure which position he plays now. David was a fullback.
Rugby is a tough game, but a man’s game. Like you, Ellee, I don’t understand all the rules either!
My 500th post is up now!
Yes Ellee Percy does look like a tart with the highlights , theres one in every group !
It was SA from the start Im afraid , never mind we were after all second a place we didnt really ever expect to get to after previous showings.
As for names , your quite right names like David will see people throughout their lives .
I dont think the same will be said for the Kylies , Waynes , Darrens and Sharons that will never be considered as 1st grade.
What are these parents thinking of to lumber their ofspring with such horrible titles .
I gave my two good old fashioned solid names that do not go in and out of fashion with the tide .
Lewis Hamilton’s disappointing Grand Prix defeat yesterday completed a miserable week for England.
Well James’ team at least has had some success at least, his first match was a 2-2 draw. He has another match today, let’s hope it is a victory.
Just had a text from James to say his team won their second game 6-0, so we do have at least one winning British team!