I had a fantastic evening yesterday at the powerchair football Christmas party. While I’m not an official player, I’m now considered a member of the team, so they invited me along. We had a great time: it started at about four, and we all tucked into either fish and chips or pizza while chatting merrily. I sat next to Dan, an old school friend; he told me that he was going up to visit Hebden today. I asked him to give the old place my regards. Personally I doubt I could ever go to our old school again, as it holds too many memories for me, too many ghosts.

After we had eaten we were divided into small teams to do a quiz. It was fairly basic, but there was a round where we had to match pictures of Mr. Men to their names. Instinctively I started to google it on my Ipad, only to be told sternly that that was cheating. Nonetheless, at the end of the quiz, it turned out the team I was on won. Yay!

It was a great evening. Those guys are fast becoming good friends. My plan to do a film about powerchair football is slowly materialising, and I’m gradually getting better at playing, too. The players are cool guys, and the staff are friendly and warm. I drove home from Shooters Hill having had a wonderful time, feeling like I was now definitely a member of the team.