After Mr T had quizzed me on "South Pacific island (5 letters)" but which was neither Samoa nor Tonga, somehow the conversation turned quickly to all things football - partly (I think...) because Mr T knows that my local team is Southampton (who, it's fair to say, are currently underwhelming themselves in the premiership).

Having covered Gazza, George Best, Fergie, Shankly, Liverpool, Rangers and nearly everyone else in between, I finally managed to set off with trolley in tow to get his shopping...and by the weirdest of all coincidences who should be walking past along the road as I left his front door but John Barnes...

Fortunately the aisles of Lidl were largely playing ball today (and it wasn't too madly chaotic either in the checkout area, always a bonus on a Friday). After a quick trip across the road to get a small tub of yoghurt and a large jar of Nescafe from Tesco, I was soon back with another week's worth of provisions, whereupon we got to discussing this weekend's rugby...