A football first

Until last Friday I had never watched BBC’s Match of the Day. That might have some of you spitting out your breakfast with shock but those who know me will understand my love rugby far exceeds my affection for football. I was keen to break the mold last week to support Exeter City in the FA Cup. I am an incredibly proud Devonian, combine that with a chance to get behind the underdog and I was happy to become a temporary armchair supporter.

This game caught the eye of thousands and gave Exeter City the opportunity they were ready to embrace. Through to the third round they were drawn against one of the top Premiership sides, Liverpool, seventy six league places above them. The FA Cup is the one opportunity the lower level clubs have to shake things up against the multimillion pound professional clubs, as Exeter’s manager Paul Tisdale put it “we have nothing to loose”, and they certainly proved it.

The Devon team hosted Liverpool at their central Exeter ground St James Park; the mud bath and nine thousand capacity stadium a million miles apart from Anfield. The Grecians used the home support to their advantage and rattled the visitors cage with an early lead. Liverpool quickly retaliated equalising just minutes later and suddenly looking the more dominant force. Minutes before half time Exeter still unfazed took the score to 2-1 with a single kick from the corner putting the pressure back on.

The game ended with a two all draw, a dream come true for the club and its supporters. The initial disappointment of not maintaining that lead will have soon washed over as the team prepare for the rematch at Anfield, in less than ten days time. Not only is this another opportunity to put Devon and Exeter City on the football map, it is a chance for the club to benefit financially. It has been suggested the club could be up to £1M better off after their trip up North.

Dry January

I sympathise with anyone born in January. Not only is it a dark and dismal time of year, it also falls directly after the party season when most of us are recovering financially and physically. A friend of mine has his birthday on New Years Eve. I used to feel sorry for him losing his special day amidst the nation wide celebrations, I now realise the benefits. There is no need for any forward planning or to even arrange an event, all of your friends will be keen for any type of party. A friend’s sister on the other hand was born only two days later and what a difference that makes. The 2^nd January has to be the most challenging date to arrange a party and entice your guests to let their hair down on the same scale. For starters the trend of a “dry January” is growing in popularity and only two days in most people’s will power should still be holding strong. This is then compounded by money-saving nights in accompanied by the various television offerings we are spoilt with this month. I am speaking from personal experience right now - I am happy to pack away my glad rags for at least a few weeks and replace them with warm pyjamas and a cup of hot chocolate.

The grey wet days we have been experiencing do not encourage you to venture out to the bars and restaurants or don your trainers and stick to those “get fit and healthy” resolutions. I must admit I am a slight fair weather fairy and most notably when it comes to riding my bike. On a serious note, cycling in some of the wind and rain we have seen recently would be irresponsible but thankfully there are still plenty of indoor options - so no excuses.

Time for a holiday

I am ready for a holiday. This Christmas at home in Devon has lived up to my expectations and even exceeded them; as a result I think I need some time to recover from all the excitement and social activity. The action packed week has helped me to realise just how many people I must have missed whilst spending last Christmas abroad. I have managed drinks, suppers, and walks with friends who are back from Dubai, Vancouver, Edinburgh, the Hague and even those in England that I rarely see. I am one of those fortunate people that has not needed to work over the festive period; instead my diary has been carefully managed to optimise every single minute with a social activity. One afternoon in Exeter would be the prime example. My friend and I perfected the art of the social butterfly as we attended three parties between 5pm and midnight - I must admit I was not the driver that evening.

Christmas day itself was no exception. My boyfriend and I strategically squeezed in three separate Christmas’ and therefore three sets of present opening and eating. The morning began at home, with my parents, opening stockings and presents over breakfast, before loading the car with more gifts to take up to my boyfriends family near Exeter. After plenty more festivities there we then drove west to Cornwall for the main event hosted by my sister. It was a fun yet incredibly full day that I would not have changed.

The next day I headed back up the road to Sandy Park for my first ever boxing day rugby match. A sell out crowd during the Christmas period was the perfect recipe for an incredible atmosphere. The Exeter Chiefs delivered the goods and put the icing on the cake for all of the home supporters as they delivered a nail biting win over visitors Sale Sharks. The Chiefs now remain second in the table as we head into what promises to be an exciting 2016.

Four times a bridesmaid

It is probably obvious from my travels over the past twelve months that I am a fan of the summer and sunshine rather than the dark winter days we are experiencing now. I always feel for any bride and groom who choose a summer wedding to then spend half of their preparation time praying for the British weather to behave; I guess one way to avoid this worry is to embrace the festive period and get married now.

My close friend Katy nee Livingston choose to do just that. She is northern and therefore used to the colder climate which could explain her decision. The two of us shared an incredibly special year in 2008 including our first Olympic experience competing alongside each other in Beijing. Katy supported me on the way to winning my silver medal so I was delighted to return that support as a bridesmaid on her big day. It was a beautiful ceremony, the subtle sparkles and warm colours fitted perfectly with the Christmas theme. I might almost be a convert - it seems to be becoming rather popular as I have a second winter wedding invitation just days after Christmas.

This time of year has become synonymous with a selection of television show finals - you know the ones I am talking about. There is also the finale to the sporting calendar, the often controversial Sports Personality Awards. The debate continues as to whether the “personality” aspect should be omitted from the title. This years results supported that argument when it was purely a performance that stole the title. Tennis and Andy Murray walked away with the team and individual trophies as a result of their historic win in the Davis Cup. The runners up were more of a surprise to me, both Kevin Sinfield and Jess Ennis-Hill seemed to go under the radar on the build up but their sporting results did the talking.

My first tree

There is no denying it, Christmas is actually around the corner. After the last few full and busy months with trips to hot sunny countries I am at last ready to unpack my bag and stow my passport away. I have been extremely fortunate to have had several foreign Christmas’s, including last year in the middle east. I always relish the chance to experience a different culture although I am not sure that the festive period was the perfect time to visit a dry country, I do enjoy the odd tipple to celebrate the holidays.


Due to my nomadic style lifestyle I have never spent long enough in my flat or lodgings to warrant investing in a Christmas tree. This year is a significant step towards my growing up, I have just bought my first ever tree. In the past it has been suggested that I make things easier and purchase a fold up reusable plastic one, that has never been an option. I have waited long enough for this moment, I am not going to cheat now, and anyway it is all about that gorgeous pine smell, it spells Christmas for me.

Whilst I have been enjoying wearing my Christmas jumper, wrtiting cards, wrapping presents and decorating my tree I have not forgotten our fellow Brits in the north of the country who have been escaping their homes as they watch their possesions being washed away by the floods. This time of year can really test communities, it is impossible to imagine the devestation those residents in Cumbria must be expereincing. I know I am not alone in dreaming of a white Christmas, yet after witnessing the result of that storm my perspective has changed. I will do my best to appreciate being at home and spending Christmas with my family, irrelevant of the weather or what presents are waiting under the tree.

Dress code

Our country will probably never attain the wealth of Qatar or its neighbour the United Arab Emirates but it does have something that money can never buy – free speech and equal rights. On my final evening in Doha I headed to the original down town to witness a snippet of local culture. The main square had a buzzing atmosphere with live arabic music blaring out and it was difficult not to be drawn into the centre to enjoy the dancing. However as I got closer I realised this would not be possible as all of the musicians and dancers were local, tourists did not seem welcome. I was impressed by the vibe and energy in the area, all generated without any alcohol, something we in the West could probably learn from.

Next stop was a short flight over to Abu Dhabi, in the UAE. This time I was visiting a friend who has lived there for a few years. We were heading out to the Grand Prix concert and afterparty so I dressed as I thought appropriate for a country in the middle east, with my shoulders and knees covered. He almost laughed at me and suggested I quickly got changed, it seems western parties are far less conservative. It is not just the dress code that is relaxed - there was certainly no difficulty purchasing and drinking alcohol, no permit or closed doors required.

For my final few days I headed the short bus ride north to the neighbouring Emirate of Dubai. This was my second time visiting my friend in the last twelve months so I was aware that Dubai is the least conservative of all the cities in the Middle East. That did not quite prepare me for the rugby sevens and its dress code. It is quite a challenge to find a modest fancy dress that is comofrtable in thirty degree heat, I soon discovered that I need not have been concerned. It was less about the rugby and more about the party.

It's all about the money

Sport was the winner this week as the chancellor’s autumn statement delivered a pleasant surprise to the sector. It sounded like it was going to be all doom and gloom for most of us as commentators suggested significant cuts to many budgets. Whether it was a last minute u-turn or the rumours were unfounded is now an irrelevance; the chancellor found some extra money and decided to spread it generously around.

The sport sector depends heavily on government funding and it has been a nail biting time for those in charge of budgeting, especially with the Olympics just nine months away. The best-case scenario was thought to be a freeze but the extra £2.3M in funding exceeded all expectations and has given a much needed boost to both sport and health. UK Sport is the direct benefactor that will distribute the budget down to our athletes and Olympic programmes. It sounds like we should be on track for plenty of silverware in Brazil next summer.

An area of the world where money is certainly not an issue when it comes to sport, or in fact any aspect of society, is the Middle East. I was in Doha, Qatar, last week working on a pentathlon competition and our sport has never seen such incredible facilities. To give just one example, the horses at the Al Shaqab Equine Centre have air-conditioned stables - all five hundred of them.

The swim and fence were held at an equally impressive facility that happened to be managed by an expatriate. After speaking to Simon, the venue manager, I soon discovered he was originally from the Westcountry. When I asked where specifically, I was surprised to discover he was originally from near Plymouth and his mother lived in Tavistock. Tavistock and Doha are worlds apart but once again it proves what a small world we live in.