Following England is very much like an endurance test, physically, mentally and, with some of England's performances, definitely emotionally.
I started writing this piece in Vnukovo Airport in Moscow at 1.10am, waiting for my flight at 6.20am to take me to Kaliningrad for the Belgium game.
I'll stay in the pub on their cosy chair for as long as they let me, then find some little corner somewhere out of the way and try get some sleep.
But what a hostel I arrived to find in Kaliningrad! I've gone from a mucky oil tanker to the QE2! I was ordered - yes, ordered - to take off my boots, put them in a box and put on the hostel-issue slippers.
It was the best hostel I've been in by a mile. The bunks had pretty little curtains, which was a nice touch. There were two women constantly cleaning. Umbrellas. Coffee on tap. Free wi-fi. Clean towels. Carpets.
What had concerned me most previously was the lack of England supporters celebrating in the city centres. There were hardly any at the first two venues, when usually they take over a couple of city corners and celebrate. The supporters of every national team so far have taken over the city centres, to sing and celebrate. And the locals love it! But as yet the England fans had been invisible.
Until now! The day of the match against Belgium came and at last England fans have come out of hiding.
They are in full song and celebration. The flags flying, police in the background, unobtrusive, but watching. The locals are having their photos taken with the flags.
I’m just back from the match. Should I be disappointed to have lost?
I am, even though we've still qualified. We were on a roll and when you're on a roll you should keep on rolling. But take nothing away from Belgium. They outplayed us and outsang us.
So England, I've nearly forgiven you. We've got a new-found belief. It was a pleasant and unusual experience just to sit back and bask in the pleasure of watching an England came knowing they wouldn’t be pushing you right to the edge of the cliff as they usually do.
Yes, supporting England does take its toll on you. But a match like the one against Panama makes it all worthwhile. 6 -1! What a performance.
Can we still do it? Yes, we can.
From here, I go to Moscow on the free train first-thing on Friday and have almost a week to settle in somewhere and not have to be travelling. What bliss!
The first couple of weeks of football have lived up to my expectations. The World Cup always has a few surprises for us. Argentina being beaten by Croatia by 3-0 and Germany knocked out by South Korea.
The fears of violence from the Ultras have so far been unfounded. I was warned dozens of times before I came to be careful.
But I wasn't worried. The Russians love their football and are proud of their country. I have found them very friendly and helpful.
This is what the World Cup is all about - people from all over the world coming together as friends to enjoy a festival of football.
