IâÂÂm supposed to be in paradise, but IâÂÂm getting abuse from all sides.
A week ago, we went to Reunion. Not for one, but to the French-owned island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Up to date copies of France Football were on sale for less than two euro and the books shops were loaded with Carla Bruni and her husband, who, like the former Manchester City chairman Peter Swales, wears Cuban heels.
The sport shops displayed shirts of Marseille, Nantes, Bordeaux and Lyon for 75 euro and men in stripy Breton jumpers chomped on onions while singing Joe Le Taxi. It was like that French baguette place in the Trafford Centre.
"Heels! Come and say that again to my face"
After that, Mauritius, which is full of Manchester United and Liverpool fans. As I tried to leave the port, a security guard collared me.
âÂÂWhere you from?â he asked.
âÂÂManchester,â I replied wearily.
âÂÂLiverpool is the best,â he went on. âÂÂNumber one glorious team of England. Five European Cups. Manchester three. The most popular team on earth.âÂÂ
I humoured him for a bit but he was deadly serious. He wouldnâÂÂt know the Kemlyn Road from a cowshed and has never seen âÂÂhisâ team play in his life, but he was hammering me when all I wanted to do was pass his checkpoint.
âÂÂWeâÂÂll see what happens later today then,â I confidently concluded.
I saw what happened later that day with my brother-in-law, who is a Manchester City season ticket holder and was there on holiday. He just smirked as Liverpool scored four.
The following day, in front of 400 people, the captain of the ship, a Liverpool fan for over 60 years and long time friend of Sir Matt Busby, Joe Mercer and Bill Shankly, said: âÂÂDo we have an Andy Mitten in here?âÂÂ
He knew full well I was there. 800 eyes looked at me, then him.
âÂÂWe have a football result for you,â he went on. âÂÂManchester United 1 Liverpool 4.â People actually cheered.
The shipâÂÂs receptionist is a Scouser who worked on reception in the famous Adelphi hotel. She delivered a note to me with the score on. Thanks.
Dossena pops in number, erm, four
Peter Hooton, formerly of The Farm and a home and away Liverpool fan, texted. HeâÂÂd seen Terry Christian and Tommy Sheridan buying United We Stand when he went to get his copy.
A week later, the captain had a note sent to me with a rhyme celebrating FulhamâÂÂs win over the league leaders. If United beat Liverpool in the European Cup final, IâÂÂll paint âÂÂMUFCâ in red across his ship while sheâÂÂs in dry dock.
As I write from the equator, the closest landmass is Somalia. A fair few of the Somalians who havenâÂÂt left their lawless country for Streatham have turned to piracy.
Security has been stepped up on the ship and barbed wire spread, among other measures, to prevent unwanted boarding. I shouldnâÂÂt be trivial about a serious issue and weâÂÂre to pass the troubled Horn of Africa after visiting India.
But knowing my luck weâÂÂll get attacked by pirates with knock-off Liverpool shirts and Terry McDermott haircuts shouting âÂÂfourâÂÂ, âÂÂfiveâÂÂ, âÂÂ19 yearsâ or whatever else they chant these days.
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