White Hart Lane

The second stadium I had the honour of attending was White Hart Lane- home to Tottenham Hotspurs. This was really exciting as I got to see a live English Premier Football match. The teams playing were Hull City and Tottenham. Tottenham have had a horrid start to the season and when Hull City scored in the opening minute, the home fans were nearly in tears.

Watching a game like this was quite an eye opener. The first thing I observed, is that the away team supporters, have a separate entrance to the stands and the area allocated to them is tiny compared to the home team. Very unlike SA sport,where the home and away supporters are mixed. Also this i unique to soccer/ football. Rugby, all supporters sit amongst one another.

Twickenham

Well I have finally got my camera out after been home for nearly a week and have also final decided how I am going to share some of my holiday with you.

Basically I was fortunate enough to go and see a few sports stadiums while I was in the UK, some I just stood outside, some I toured and others I went and watched a match. The stadiums I saw were:

Twickenham- Home to the English Rugby Union
The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff- Home to the Welsh Rugby Union
White Hart Lane- Home to Totenham Hotspurs Football Club
Chelsea Stadium- Home to Chelsea Football Club

Twickenham

This was an organised tour and what was really good about it, was that the tour group consisted of 4 people, so it was really personal. I was quite surprised, that we were allowed into the royal box and even sit in the seat the Queen would sit in if she attended a game.

It is quite a remarkable stadium and I can only imagine how it must rock when it is hosting and International test. We also had the honour of working through the President of the English Rugby Unions Box, WOW, what class and elegance. To be honest I do not know if I would enjoy watching a game in collar and tie and all so formal. Anyway I suppose it could be an experience.

This photo is quite special and been the only South African on the tour, I had the honour of identifying the Springbok, I cannot remember what tour it was, but pre apartheid tours , the visiting Springboks, would present a trophy such as this to the English Ruby Union as a gift. This is placed near the royal box for all to see.

The last part of the tour is to the change rooms. These are basic, however, the visitors are even more basic, so much so that you are not allowed in the vvisitors change rooms. This picture is of Martin Johnstones cubicle. I could have had my photo sitting in there, but as a Springbok support declined. The tour is then concluded at the tunnel the players use to get to the pitch. I stood at the tunnel door and as you will see by my dress code, I was was not ready to play on the day. I preferred to be a spectator.

An Expensive Trip to the loo

Yesterday my brother and I headed into London from Hungerford to see my friends Clint and Ronald or as they should have been refereed to Drunkard 1 and Drunkard 2 as they had a good party on Saturday night and I managed to get them out of bed at 11am to meet for drinks and lunch.

Well been Sunday, trains are a bit less frequent, so from Hungerford to Reading was 1 train and we got of at Reading for a change of train. This was all good, but the time difference in trains, meant that we could grab a pie and a drink (water). We then had a short wait for our next train into London Paddington. Once on the train we were subjected to standing as the train was full.

The toilet content in the next section is not a detailed toilet story, it just revolves around a trip to the toilet in London.

Anyway we were about 5 minutes out of Paddington station and I realised that my bladder was in need of emptying. This was all fine and I thought I will not go on the train as we were so close to the station- This turned out to be an expensive mistake. We got of the train and I turned to my brother and said I am off to the loo quickly, his departing words were have 30p ready.

This did not seem to be a problem at the time, however once at the toilet entrance I departed with my 30p. My mind was now able to concentrate a bit further and I put this all into perspective, I had paid to use the facility which for the thought of cleanliness and the such was fine. However I did the fatal error of converting that into SA Rands, I had just paid R4.20c to go for a quick wee. That is almost a price of a can of Coke back Home. I could have gone on the train for free.

Anyway today in Cardiff I rephrased my wording and asked for a loo that was for free.

Excitement

Well the count down is almost complete- 1 more sleep until I leave for the UK. As I write this post, I see that in exactly 24 hours I leave for the airport.

I have so been looking forward to this break for a number of reasons:
1.) A break from work to refresh my batteries
2.) I get a way from home
3.) I get to see my brother and his wife- the 2 most important people in my life
4.) I am going to see some old school friends- thanks Facebook

Anyway I am thinking about the packing and just wondering how I can magically pack my bags with doing as little as possible. I will hopefully keep you posted with my journey every few days. I love travelling and cannot wait to see the sights of London again.

Rugby

Well, the Currie Cup is coming to the most exciting time where any mistake can cost a team it's place in the next round. I received an e-mail from my aunt this morning which sum's up my feelings.

If you haven't guessed it, we are all shouting for the Sharks, who are currently number 1 on the log. Anyway what I love about the Currie Cup it is not over till it's over. The Sharks may be in position 1 today, but next week could be a total different outcome.

All I can say is: MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN!!!!!!

Tears

I have mentioned in previous posts, that I am going on a business trip to Jeffrey's Bay on Monday and Tuesday and then I leave for the UK on the 26th September (6 sleeps). Anyway been away from home for so long, I have had to put Jody into the kennels down the road from home.

Anyway I have tried not to show that anything is different, but dog's instinct got the better of me and I had a dog with very long face this morning as we got in the car. Well the trip was short but interesting, Jody decided that she was going to sit at my feet as I drove. I drove rather slowly to ensure I had control of the pedals and also make sure Jody was alright. Anyway at the kennels she was as clingy as can be. Once in the kennel, I took her lead off her and gave her a hug. As I walked away, it felt as if I had hit a brick wall and the tears opened. I started to cry, realising I was not going to see Jody for over 3 weeks.

Jody is an important part of my life, but I realised today how big a part she plays in my life. I am going to miss her like crazy and I know that on my return I have something to look forward to, and that is seeing my pal again.

The Tattoo At Monte Casino

I have just returned home from a lovely evening at Monte Casino. They hosted a tattoo this week and I went with a work colleague and his wife and her family. When I saw the tattoo been advertised I was like a kid and really wanted to go. Firstly I love the Scottish music and secondly it took me back to my childhood when Durban hosted the tattoo's annually.

If I am not mistaken it was always during the July school holidays, that the tattoo was held. My brother and I would always head to Durban to our rand parents who lived in Kloof at the beginning of the holidays and then our parents would follow down about a week later. Once the whole family we together, we would all parade down to Durban, I think it was held at Kings Park stadium and we would go and watch the tattoo. It was always exciting, except when the military started shoot off there cannons and guns, I would always put my head in mom's lap.

Anyway, back to the present, we meet at Monte Casino and took our respective seats. Obviously you expect to seethe pipe band and the drummers, but there was a whole variety of bands as well. The SAPS had there brass band and then CBC Springs had there band. The dancing was done by a Scottish dancing school and then there were the Zulu warriors. All of this was really well put together and the music was pleasant and nobody put a foot out of line.

The SAPS Elite Task Force did a hostage display with guns and helicopters, this brought some excitement to the event. However the highlight for me was a Swiss Military band, who put on a performance that was out of this world. The precision an timing was superb and just the way they performed, it was worth every cent to just see them.

Anyway, all I can say that it was well put together and I will definitely look out for next years event.