Newspaper, coffee and flowers

A landmark day - my first match refereeing an adult rugby match. Eighteen months after this injury where I tore all the ligaments in the right knee and numerous other setbacks including other injuries, bad weather, internationals and 'flu have prevented me from getting back into the middle. I did a couple of schools games in the autumn and a 7 a-side tournament last week, but this was the first proper game since that fateful day in September 2013.

It went well, very pleased with fitness and strength of the knee. A 17-17 draw between two evenly matched teams. Three yellow cards for high tackles around the neck after I'd given a warning having had to penalise three high tackles earlier. Relly good to be back in it.

Earlier in the day we had time to walk into town for the customary coffee at Pop's which was where this shot was taken. Pop's is a really lovely cafe, with a piano at which often is being played on Saturday mornings. Good coffee, strong (even the decaff) and not filled with foam. Irresistable, well priced muffins too; we shared a large chocolate muffin on the grounds that we'd walked there and were walking back.

Nice to come home after the game and appreciate a lovely warm house that Susan had been busy on whilst I was out refereeing. The aroma of lamb curry that had been in the slow cooker since 9am was greeting you at the door.

Today was a perfect antidote to yesterdays tribulations.