Last weekend two cousins visited, both from South Africa. One still lives there but the other lives in London and is the husband of my Aunt’s daughter, therefore making him a cousin by marriage. They were going to the Manchester United v Leicester football match and had seats in a box! The excitement was great!
Let me explain. The cousin still living in South Africa has been a Manchester United supporter for many years. It has always surprised me how men can avidly support teams from nowhere near where they live and even in other countries! But I can’t understand their devotion to football anyway! This is a Mars trait. I’m from Venus! Although there are some women who are staunch football supporters as well so probably shouldn’t make this ‘sweeping’ statement!
The cousins arrived on Friday night. Their sheer joy was plain to see! They couldn’t have been more enthused if they had won the football pools! My husband is NOT a Manchester United fan! Being a sports fanatic and, like all sports-minded males, an expert on all things football, he was soon adding to the euphoria as the beers flowed!
I served the meal, tidied up (this time without complaining that I had cooked so husband had to tidy up!) and made myself scarce. I periodically popped in to check if they needed anything (damn I’m good!) then retired to a hot bath and bed. I agreed the time they wanted breakfast in the morning so set the alarm and snuggled down to read my book before drifting off to sleep.
If I had thought that the excitement of the previous evening was huge, Saturday dawned, clear and bright with the atmosphere at breakfast tangibly electric! I do enjoy seeing people happy and soon felt as if I was part of this magical experience! We laughed and joked as we ploughed through our full ‘English breakfast’ then cheered them on their way! Walking back into the house felt as if we were stepping into a morgue! Suddenly the bubble had burst. All I could see was a mountain of washing up, even after the dishwasher had been loaded and turned on!
The rest of the day followed at a more subdued pace. The visit to my Mother in her care home was even more depressing than usual! I had to wake her and she was not in the best of moods! I tried to cajole her by reading from a picture book but that seemed to have the opposite effect! I left early rather can cause any further distress.
But the sun had come out and our ‘teak house’ 🏠 at the bottom of the garden was warm and inviting. My husband and I treated ourselves to a gin and tonic and checked the football results. Manchester United had won on a penalty, which my husband insisted had to be ‘dodgy’ and we awaited the arrival of the two boys.
My husband was outside preparing the barbecue when I heard raucous laughter and went to the door. They both came in bearing gifts, flowers and wine and then told me about their adventurous journey home. I have not laughed so loud and so long for a very long time!
They had parked their car at the Navigation Road tram station. Getting to the grounds had been a doddle. Getting back, however, had been a challenge! When they arrived at the tram station it was heaving! My cousin rushed to get into the carriage just as the doos were closing. Cousin-in-law didn’t make it so watched helplessly as his relative, with a look of sheer panic on his face, vanished into the sunset!
Apparently a number of frantic text messages followed as my cousin had forgotten where the car had been parked. Unfortunately so had cousin-in-law although he said he would have recognised the station when he saw it! Finally, finding a map of the metro system at the far end of the coach, my cousin recognised the name ‘Navigation Road’.
Feeling calmer he sat down and relaxed. When Navigation Road was broadcast on the tannoy system he was waiting at the door, in time to alight as the tram stopped. But the door didn’t open. He banged on it, jumped up and down, stamped his feet then looked around frantically at the passengers who were staring back at him, bemused! ‘I needed to get off here’, he shouted, waving his arms wildly as the tram moved off!
‘You should have pushed the button,’ a man informed him! I can only imagine that the carriage must have been filled with Leicester fans because people up North are reknowned for being very friendly! My cousin was proudly wearing his Manchester United scarf so was obviously not one of them!
So the journey took him to the end of the line, then back to Navigation Road! He didn’t even have to push the button! The doors opened! He walked to where he knew the car had been parked. It wasn’t there! Cousin-in-law had decided to move it, maybe to confuse him even more! There must have been a logical reason but I can’t remember what it was!
I can’t give justice to this story as facial expressions and actions speak significantly louder than words! There are no trams in South Africa so not a typical mode of transport. Apparently there was a sign in the coach reminding passengers to push the button but, when panic sets in, signs are easily missed!
But, memories were made and Manchester United won. My cousin has visited the hallowed football grounds at Old Trafford! My husband, who seriously detests Manchester United and their supporters (they behave like this on Mars!) remains on good terms with my family! He shared his beers and his home so bears no visible grudge!
Laughter is definitely a good medicine! Happiness and enthusiasm is so easily shared! A good time was had by all! Thank you, cousin and cousin-in-law. You are most welcome back. Anytime! 👠
Jenny Burrell 