Olga had indeed learned that the church had appointed certain days and seasons for fasting, but thought she had herself fasted in a fashion, she had never suspected that she was imitating Christ, and she had never been told that the oil was a necessary part of the observance. Anxious to please her new mentrix she tried to swallow the nasty stuff, but the flesh was weak and, moreover, rebellious; and thus the first experiment in religious discipline proved a failure.

I design to give up smoking; but I have not yet fixed upon the equivalent vice. I must have quid pro quo; or quo pro quid, as Tom Woodgate would correct me. My service to him.

Hodgson may actually feel England could have scored even more but this was the perfect first step on the road to Rio in 2014 and the ideal platform for the second qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday.

The party at the weekend was such a hoot! Thanks for the invite.