Hi Richard
Thanks for your message. . I am still in wet cold Lincolnshire, but am off to Spain for a month onMonday! I have my Kindle loaded up with books for the period I am away. Just a couple of biographies, one about Simon and Garfunkel and the other a footballer I will not bore you with.
When I lived in Manchester I used to go and watch Sale with a friend and Salford Rugby League too with an ex college pal. So I do have a rugby interest too. The sport I was most proficient at ,was cricket. I played to a decent level in the leagues in the N.W. including playing with and against top class and international cricketers. I have a reminder of my time as a fast bowler...a wonky knee that has slowed me down a great deal.
I used to teach English Lit. GCEs and I always chose WW1 poets if they were on the syllabus {I taught in an all boys High School} Wilfred Owen has always been a favourite and I have a couple of biographies of him. I only once visited the WW1 graveyards in Belgium , seeing row after row of white crosses was a really emotional experience.
You may think Pompey are in trouble , but here in Lincs just think what has happened to my local teams Boston United, Lincoln City and Grimsby Town - all sunk without trace!
Best wishes for the New Year
Rod
PS If you would prefer to speak to me on the internet my Email address is rjpike@outlook.com and even if you don't it is still my address! Cheers