Just in

Life

Toulon 19 Toulouse 15

Yesterday I joined the Rusters in Nice as I had a ticket for Toulon v Toulouse, two of the powerhouses of French rugby. So much so that the match is played in the Orange Velodrome Stadium of Olympique Marseilles and attracted a sell out crowd of 64,580. I was saddened that Toulouse chose to rest [...]

April 24, 2022 // 0 Comments

A sporting afternoon in front of the television

Yesterday, upon something of a whim, I chose to tune into BT Sport’s “live” television coverage of the English rugby Premiership clash between third-placed Harlequins and “long-time top of the league table” Leicester Tigers at the Stoop in West London (kick off 3.00pm). The Rust’s [...]

April 24, 2022 // 0 Comments

Bienvenu aux Rusteurs

I was so delighted after 3 years absence to see the Rust Team back in my city. We had an awful lockdown with restaurants and the market closed. Older Nicois said it was worse than the German occupation. The city is now its old vibrant self with almost all restrictions lifted. We now have new [...]

April 23, 2022 // 0 Comments

The Trailfinders won’t be trailblazers next season

Yesterday brought the news that Ealing Trailfinders – who came top of rugby union’s Championship 2021/2022 league table, thereby becoming entitled to be promoted to the Premiership but then were judged by the RFU to have failed to meet the set criteria required, specifically including a minimum [...]

April 23, 2022 // 0 Comments

Two novels set in Florence: Angels of Mud & Still Life

As Venice is for painters so Florence has attracted writers: E. M Forster’s Room With a View and Alex Preston’s In Love and War to name but two. By happenstance the last two novels I have read were both set in post war Florence. Curious too with half the Rust team in Nice. The first – [...]

April 22, 2022 // 0 Comments

The Tanner Report: promotion achieved

Last Tuesday, after a 3-0 victory over Preston, Fulham’s promotion was confirmed. There were scenes of jubilation by fans and players alike. Now we need a cooler, analytical assessment of Fulham’s prospects in the Premier. In the last 5 seasons we have had 3 promotions and 2 relegations. [...]

April 21, 2022 // 0 Comments

Appointing and anointing

The last few weeks have seen some interesting appointments with more to come. In cricket, Rob Key has been appointed Director of Cricket in place of Ashley Giles. Key made fifteen appearances for England but was never really Test class. He was an above average pundit at Sky: insightful, [...]

April 21, 2022 // 0 Comments

Back in training – yet another first report

In my more self-centred moments I’ve been happy to admit to myself that I’ve enjoyed a fairly active and sporty life. I wouldn’t try to kid Rusters. Although I loved watching and taking part in sports and spent most of my misspent youth and later life playing games and and/or competing in [...]

April 19, 2022 // 0 Comments

Nice considered

Over rose on the balcony, the virtues of Nice were considered by the group. I offered the traditional view of the blueness of the Bay. Bob observed that there was a pleasing contrast between the quaintness of the Old Town and the commercial centre of high-end shopping. Polly offered the view that [...]

April 19, 2022 // 0 Comments

a la Colthard/la Colombe d’Or

If you did a poll of ‘favourite restaurants in the world’ I am sure the Colombe d’Or would feature high in it. It ticks every box of good food, location, ambience, fair pricing and service. Yesterday I went there with Bob’s p/a Polly who is staying with us for the Easter weekend. [...]

April 18, 2022 // 0 Comments

1 … 84 85 86 87 88 … 342

Copyright © 2026 The National Rust | Design by Premonition