suewhistle

That's so last century (early part of). Anyway Grandad, just to keep you happy I had words with myself, and have agreed to continue drinking them if it's a decent pint.

Yep, just off out for an apperitivo shortly. Here I drink wine with a group of mainly older [safer] guys and a few gals - almost like an Austrian stammtisch, if you know what I mean. People take turns to buy a €10 bottle so occasionally you can nip out for a quick glass or two and not spend a thing.

I remember watching that Italy game and thinking how comfortable he looked with the ball in an international context, how he dummied past that defender on the sidelines. It really seemed to me that the press had an agenda and I couldn't work out what it was. When you consider some of the talentless dross that has played for England, and the fact that you need a spark of something to win at the highest level you really do have to wonder, and agree with that Romanian doctor.

Well, my bar for watching the World Cup does it for €3.50... Milan is a different world....

Ah yes, The Platform. Had three pints there before the Millwall match last season: pretty good considering it was a 12.45 KO, but you have to bear in mind that visiting from abroad means I have to get a move on... I don't remember where I ended up that evening but it may well have been The Waterloo... I was not driving! St Landrew: that's not a universal situation in Italy, I'm afraid, but I can recall going into a Macdonalds only once in my life when I was accompanying a load of french kids on a UK summer school. Here my local wood-fired pizzeria is my food of choice.

Saints, of course. Oh, and my ladies' team.

And it might improve the attitude problems that have been mentioned - a few heavy defeats and they'll realise they aren't as good as they thought they were and need to work hard to succeed at the top.

Not like any of mine, it doesn't.

You'd be better off getting an annual insurance for your excess through an independent company: I've used Insurance4carhire. The moneysaving site will probably back this idea up if you want to research it.

How about 'who is paying him'?

..and over a week's worth of fat!

You'll find 3.5 knots just as effective... PS: Small pike are very tasty, but watch out for bones...

I must admit I've been thinking on those lines, that the payback is so poor, particularly in comparison with the amounts talked about in paying players in the future, that there must be more than one creditor considering the idea. It would simplify their accounting and planning by just simply writing the pitiful amounts off, rather than drift on over a few years receiving a few pence in the pound (if they survive that long)...

Expect a Saints reserve team on your easyjet flight (or probably Flybe from Southampton I suppose) soon. It could be a reasonably cheap way of travelling, interesting for the players for the different environments and playing styles, and broaden their horizons a bit. No doubt some of us far-flung types would take the chance to go and watch and confirm that Saints fans are everywhere! Oh yes, and if we have home matches have them at SMS and don't do them behind closed doors. Continentals are well-impressed with the crowds we get in the third division (eg: here in Italy or look at Morgan's Facebook page) so why not impress them with our reserve team attendances. You never know, it might persuade a future young star to sign for us.

Ha! You aren't trying. But if by some amazing stroke of luck England got to the final I can't help thinking you'd make the effort.:-) Best way i reckon is start slowly and then just keep on a maintenance dosage on the least gassy beer you can find. Dunno Oz beers - Coopers?

It's funny, but here in Italy doctors, particularly the ones in private practice, earn less than postmen.... The Italian revenue have checks about property you own (including that little second holiday house in the mountains or by the sea), car you drive, boat you own, cleaners and gardeners you employ etc, but it obviously doesn't work that well. Either way, I have very little to worry about! Mind you, I will admit my 10 year old Fabia does have pretty low mileage!

Heh, heh. Before I moved abroad (and just about when the new tests were being brought in) I used to teach English as a second language in 'ampshire. I was asked by my boss about the level of a particular student as she wished to be naturalised and pass the language requirements. What level would you say she was? "One level under the required level" was my reply. My boss spoke to the concerned English husband, worried that his wife should be improving more in her lessons with me (under 2 hours a week): "what language do you speak at home?" she asked... "Cantonese" So, never let it be said that the English don't speak foreign languages, but also.... you can't learn a language properly on just a class a week if you don't use it and watch Cantonese (or whatever) TV all the time. Which reminds me... I shouldn't listen to so much Radio 4 via the internet... But Italian TV and radio is crap...

not sure if this has been posted - it's a difficult thread to keep up with - but UEFA are not impressed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8709871.stm

Bloody Sochaux?

I wonder if any of that money got recycled back to club personnel....

Oh, and my experience of a fishing/camping holiday in Ireland was that if it rained you went into the pub and stayed there. This was a long time ago mind, but I remember the landlord "Ah well, we're closed now [it was the old holy hour], but you'd better have a pint whilst you're waiting"

It's quite fun catching smallish/medium pike using lightish tackle and no trace and a small roach, minnow or even sprat on a large single hook but you have to strike pretty quickly and it works best in weirs and fast water, so maybe not much around the Broads. Used to be fun on the Thames though, and you'd get the odd chub and perch too. Perhaps you could hire a canoe (or rowing boat) to push your way into quiet backwaters. Artery forceps are still advisable for unhooking though...

Poor show!;-) Still, look what he's started. I must be the only one here who doesn't know how many they;ve posted here. B****r , I'm off to look....

Heh, heh, I was thinking that too!

It's even worse if you still play. We have gone down to 1 training session a week as although the season is finished the kids are playing in a junior tournament next week. After missing the previous Friday through an unfit pitch I can't believe how much better I felt for the exercise. I can go walking in the mountains in the summer, or go running, but it's not the same. I also tend to drink more not having training or games and the world cup isn't going to help!