Monday
Despite the appalling weather (and the fact I was still VERY tired from the weekend) it was much easier to get out of bed this morning!
I was up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, my stomach was in knots and I was just willing the hands of the clock to move faster. Don’t ask me what everyone in the pub was talking to me about just before kick off – the lights were on but there was most definitely no-one at home! Apologies to anyone I may have ignored. I was sick just before kick-off, sick at half time and sick with 5 minutes to go – and at final whistle – after jumping up and down and screaming like the rest of the pub – I started to cry!
Now call me sad, but I’ve watched the game three times since Saturday and cried each time! Get a grip woman! Of course I took full credit in the pub for the result – it was obviously all down to me!
Mood is surprisingly very quiet which is I believe a good thing. Everyone knows what a massive game is on Saturday when the hopes of the 
nation are on everyone’s shoulders. I’ve had loads of congratulations emails which will all be pinned on the wall -along with any good luck ones – and yep, still getting ones about singing of the anthem!
There’s a few walking wounded and our physio room is the busiest room of the lot today – fingers crossed they work their magic for Saturday.
A very welcome visitor this morning was Alfie -who came in to congratulate Shane on equalling his try scoring record which shows the measure of the man. You certainly know when he’s around – he has a bell in every tooth (thank goodness he hasn’t got that many!)
The Six Nations trophy is sitting proudly opposite my desk – and I just HAD to have my picture taken with it. Bit too many teeth for my liking but it really was a genuine smile!
Tuesday
I’m beginning to know how Jesus felt in the feeding of the five thousand – how do I divide the small amount of tickets I have for the players into the amount of requests I have from them!
It’s team announcement day today, prepare for a few disappointed players here. You have to feel for them, especially those who have taken no part in the games. They are just as important as any of the other players but their disappointment is obvious for all to see.
Yesterday was all about putting the Ireland game to bed – today its kicking in for the France game. For me this is making sure everything is in place for Saturday not only for the players but also for their partners and families. I can only imagine how they are feeling in the build up to the game.
Huw Bennett is back in training having recovered from his man-flu – if he didn’t want to play in the wind in Croke Park he should have said!
Wednesday
ARRRRGHHHHHH! Too busy to blog: half day as I wanted to get my hair cut in readiness for Alfie’s 100th cap celebration dinner tonight – my phone didn’t stop ringing when I was in the chair – got burned with the straighteners at one point – and I couldn’t blame my hairdresser if it’s longer the one side than the other!
Thursday
Certainly gone up a gear today – the world and his wife wants tickets and memorabilia! I can officially fill the stadium with my new best friends ringing for tickets – my one comp isn’t going to go very far I fear!
Loads of emails coming in which I’ve pinned up on the wall of our corridor for the players to see. Already taken a pic for a rugby website (see last week’s blog for reasoning behind this!)Three years ago I lost half a stone in the week before the Ireland game through A) nerves and B) being too busy to eat. So to be honest I was quite looking forward to the same happening this time around.
Today A) still applies but a well wisher brought me Swiss Praline Mini Eggs so although B) also applies, it doesn’t apply to the stash on my desk which are so quick and easy to eat – I defy anyone to tell me that grapes are just as easy!
Alfie’s bash was brilliant – although there’s only so much water one can drink of an eve!
Ryan is 27 today and is taking some stick. I usually buy a cake if it’s a player’s birthday but unfortunately one slipped through the net at the start of the campaign. So of course when it was another player’s birthday the following week I didn’t like to get a cake for fear of upsetting the first player – but I’ve decided I’m off out to buy four small cakes for Shane, Adam, Gavin and Ryan so everyone is happy! Of course being the athletes they are, it will be a low fat, high carb cake which they will share with everyone – they do those in the supermarket don’t they?
Just picked a parcel up from the hotel for one of the players, the courier company had written on the box “Win the Grand Slam 2008 – come on boys”. Made me feel quite emotional. I put my answerphone on earlier as I had some urgent things to do and didn’t want to get interrupted – came back to 10 messages so it actually took me longer to listen to the messages and have to return the calls – let that be a lesson to me.
I knew I had forgotten something whilst shopping – the grapes! Now where’s the rest of those chocolate eggs!
Friday
So, here we are – the day before the Big One! Everyone upbeat (on the outside)! Who knows what’s bubbling under the surface? I watched Grand Slam 2005 on the beeb last night – gave me goosepimples.
My phone hasn’t stopped ringing and I’m being inundated by good luck messages which I am happy to print out and pin on the wall. Still getting odd queries about absolutely nothing to do with tomorrow’s game which I’m sure could wait until next week! I’m considering asking Mark Bennett (Fitness Coach) for one of his heart monitors today and tomorrow – would be interesting to see my heart rate and stress levels!
I have a huge dilemma though – those of you who have been following my blogs know all about my comfy shoes – I checked them over and for the sake of my street cred I really can’t be wearing them on Saturday. So this week I thought I would wear my newer (smarter) boots to work to break them in – big mistake – it’s now left me with a prominent boot mark on my left leg – which means that I can’t wear the dress I was planning on wearing to the official bash tomorrow night as you will see the boot mark! Women reading this will understand!
Tomorrow is going to be a long long day, I’ve stocked up on my Pro Plus and Anadin Extras. It’s been a great tournament for a couple of the players, who although have been involved in the squad for a while, through injury didn’t take any part of our success in 2005. They’ve worked just as hard and been through the lows the same as anyone else so (hopefully) will get their rewards tomorrow.
Today is going to be just manic so this blog is going to have to be short and sweet. I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading life inside the camp during the RBS Six Nations from my perspective. The highs – all the wins but most definitely being with the families at Twickenham, which seems like years ago! The lows – nothing that tomorrow (hopefully) won’t make up for!
I’d just like to thank my family and friends who have had to do without my undivided attention during the last eight weeks (or any attention at all really!)
And if you see someone limping down Queen Street in the early hours of Sunday morning, with a lopsided haircut and bootmarks on the left leg but with the biggest smile – it could well be me!
