Saturday 8th January 2025
Up early this morning as we have to Pack and Christine wants to wash the sheets and give the cottage a quick clean through. We have been told we can stay as long as we want, but today is a big-day in the 6-Nations; “Le Crunch”, England V France at Twickenham and we’ve arranged to watch it at Cloggys Bar after which point, we have to “hot-foot it” to the airport.
Our intention is to head to Cloggy’s in holiday “gear” and change into U.K. gear at the airport so finished packing with this in mind.
We had a brief breakfast early, then cleared everything, washed sheets and cleaned etc., and then enjoyed Baked beans on a toasted roll; everything now completely gone: result.
We left for the last time after returning the keys and saying our good-byes in time to “hopefully” get good seats for the game.
Arriving at Cloggy’s with 30-minutes to spare, Christine went in and did her normal muscling in, and there we were, right in front of the TV, purrrrfect. Just got to hope the result will also be purrrrfect🤞🤞 Nicely installed with a bucket of beers to hand, and a table booked for after the match, we were ready and waiting as the bar filled up, mostly with England supporters all hoping for a miracle.
From kick-off to the final whistle we were on the edge of our seats, the lead changed several times, it was so exciting we didn’t have time to drink all the beers in the bucket!!! I’d like to think the English played well but the truth is, the French weren’t at their best on the day, and add in the joker, a wet slippery ball all added to the excitement. When the clock went red at 80-minutes, France we’re leading by 6-points but they didn’t have possession, and England by sharp passing, last minute determination scored a try; 5-points, so it was all on the conversion. Earlier in the match Marcus Smith missed two kicks, so this time Finn Smith stepped up, all eyes were fixed on him, the stadium and our bar fell silent, the pressure on Finn was palpable and everybody held their breath as the kicked ball slowly flew through the air until it went between the posts, then the cheering all started both in the stadium and Cloggy’s. The final result England 26 : 25 France. We won the game by just the one point but it was the win, Borthwick needed this win to head-off the calls for his resignation.
Following the euphoria we went to our table and ordered lunch, unfortunately our last meal on the island couldn’t be a long affair, we had a plane to catch.
We arrived at the airport and parked in the short term carpark as agreed with the rental company, then headed to the restrooms to change before checking in. The procedures went well and we were through and waited. Our flight was due to leave at 7.10 pm but the incoming flight was late so we boarded around 7.30pm. All loaded then we hear there is a “technical Fault” relating to the fuel system and take-off won’t happen ‘till it’s fixed so, we all had sit and wait. The stewardess’ brought nibbles and water out but we were beginning to think we were going to be taken off and sent to a hotel!!! Anyway after sitting on the ‘plane for three hours we got the good news, it was fixed and we were off.
As good as any overnight can be, we arrived at Heathrow, not as planned around 6.00am but nearer 10.00am. We were fine as we walked off the airplane and given a “claim” form, but those passengers with an onward flight, not with Virgin were in a spot of bother!!!
We collected our car from the long term parking, hit the M4-M5 and arrived safely back at Hope Farm early afternoon.
The 5-weeks we were in Antigua were great, relaxing whilst soaking up the heat and sunshine and having visitors for two of them, but on our own, enjoyed doing nothing. Where next????????