I don’t mind the cold so much - it’s the rain that gets me - but there is no place I’d rather be on a Friday night than watching live rugby.

I know it’s a bit premature too, but it is what I’ve been thinking about lately, therefore, I thought I’d share it with you!

I sulk terribly in the summer, listless, grumpy, and mainly bored, when there is no Guinness Premiership in sight. In fact, I got a bit maudlin last week at the thought that we have only a number of weeks before we are done for this season.  (Hopefully after our last away trip to Twickenham, and returning with the Premiership trophy of course)!  June, July, August and most of the month of September, always seems to be the longest months in history. I don’t care for the summer any more. I have to fill my time with things like going on holiday, gardening, sitting in the sun, reading books, doing odd jobs around the house, and general house work – how dull and boring!

I spend my time day dreaming of the colder months, last year's away trips This year I will have many good memories of the Heineken Cup away trips at least. What a time we had in Clermont Ferrand for the Clermont Auvergne match, Toulouse for the Montauban game and of course in Limerick once again for Munster.  Fantastic!  (For anyone reading this, that didn’t manage to make any of them this time, I can thoroughly recommend them, they are such good fun – even if we don’t manage a win, and you meet so many more friends to boot!)

I am hoping that we can spread our wings a bit further next time, perhaps a trip to Italy? That would be nice? South of France, whilst the weather is still warm, that would be good too. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we can make it again, and get picked against some different teams this time, not because have been every where more than once, just for the different experience?

Of course, there is a bit of light relief during these tedious months .This year, in particular as the Lions will be touring in South Africa. Who couldn’t look forward to that? When 4 out of the 6 nations come together as one, the best of the best, to play the World Cup holders, it is going to be good. I am only sorry that I can’t be there in person. Thank goodness for Sky Sports is all I can say to that!

So that is definitely something to help pass the time. Of course, the Super 14 is always good for a watch on Friday nights or early on Saturday mornings, or later if I’ve remembered to record the matches. The speed and power of those guys in the Southern Hemisphere always seems far in advance of our clubs, but, perhaps that is because we are not as close to them as we are to the English clubs – they perhaps think the same of the Guinness Premiership – who knows?

Then of course there is, in no particular order, the Tri Nations, What a competition that is! I don’t know how they do it, flying the great distances between their games, and then competing. Brilliant!

The Currie Cup, another admirable competition, much different to the Super 14?, you get to see some of the smaller clubs in South Africa, less well known players, and what they can do.

The Air New Zealand Cup always keeps me entertained if for nothing else than admiring the tattoos that some of those guys have, and the unusual hair styles of some of the South Islanders, it is almost like going back to the eighties! Highly amusing!

The commentators on these games are the best though, some of the comments that they express are outrageous! The Kiwi’s are the best in my opinion, they never miss a trick, and there always seems to be a bit of friendly banter between them and the Aussies. The South African guys are much more business like though, they concentrate on the playing of the game, and that’s virtually it. You may get the odd comment about the cheerleaders, and what clothes they are almost wearing (come on now guys, those of you, whom haven’t watched any of these matches before, are going to take a peak now aren’t you – I know it), Mr Shifter, my other half, is always highly entertained by this portion of the match I can tell you! Virtually always adding in the commentary on this matter too!

A summer without rugby then, well, not quite? A summer without live rugby matches. That is the crux of it? Being forced to do things at the weekend that you don’t want to do, always thinking to myself, I wish I was watching Sale now? My mind wanders to what everyone at the club is up to? Whether they are enjoying themselves, or missing the game as much as me? I like to think so, but, maybe I am deluding myself?

So, perhaps it’s not all doom and gloom is it? Even if I say so myself!
I shall try to be less depressed this year, at the thought of the long summer months without my regular fix of live rugby.
If there are any other addicts out there, perhaps we could form a support group!

Summer is still rubbish? Bring on the autumn once again!
I can’t wait!

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