My Husband Went to Catalans and All He Bought Me Was This...

My husband and I don't spend much time apart. So much so that the first time he went abroad to warm weather training I was absolutely distraught. He went to Portugal with Huddersfield Giants and a week seemed like all eternity. I told him that there was no way I wanted him to bring me a present back from the trip as I would never want reminding of the trauma.

He is very caring and thoughtful and bought me a present anyway, in case I was bluffing. I was not and five years later that gift is still in its airport carrier bag in a cupboard in our spare room. I have never opened it. (It is a pink watch;-))

This is the only time I have cut off my nose in such a spiteful manner towards my face!

Jason has always tried to bring me, our dog and now our daughter something nice back. If the poker on the trip has gone his way the gift gets an upgrade!

So here are the highlights:

The Good: The loveliest gift I've had was a Swarovski necklace brought back from the England v France friendly in Paris last year. I love it. It came off the back of a good week of poker for my husband, and possibly a bad one for Kris Radlinski. Sorry Mrs Radlinski. Oh but congrats as you've just had a baby boy.

The Bad: I guess I had been spoilt over the last couple of years with Leeds going to Florida for training camp. I've had a couple of nice Abercrombie bits from these trips. But this year they went to Whitehaven. Jason brought me back a bar of Kendal Mint Cake. He didn't realise it was just a mint flavoured sugar block favoured by stranded mountaineers.

The Ugly: Maybe ugly is a bit harsh. Not so much ugly but more unusual. From the England trip to France in 2008 I got a farmyard made out of luxury dark chocolate. The grass was green, the pig was pink and there was a delicate little fence around it! It tasted gorgeous and as I was still breastfeeding I felt no guilt about ramming the lot down.

Earlier you may have picked up on the fact that I mentioned gifts for the dog. She has had a leprechaun from Ireland, a Goofy from Florida and a monster from Loch Ness.

Our daughter has had some lovely gifts. She was seven days old when her daddy went to Florida for training camp. She got a Minnie Mouse toy and half a case full of dirt cheap clothes.

At the time of going to press (or clicking 'post') it seems Jason will be going away next week with England. Unfortunately this year's England v France tie takes place in Leigh. I wonder what souvenirs you can pick up there? You'll be the first to know!