After a few hectic weeks with packed weekends (by my standards) this weekend we had a quiet one which only featured Debz having an eye-test...rock and roll!!
Next up on my calender is a week today, next monday is the British leg of the World Cup...as Great Britain takes on Russia, Sweden and the USA, with the top 2 sides going through to the finals in Poland.
Why they dont do the finals in Cardiff is beyond me :S
Another quiet weekend it'll be then...though Debz does have to collect her new glasses...then not long to go until the football season kicks off...with us going to the 20Twenty finals day at Edgbaston!!!
On a plus note...my flag should arrive on wednesday
Monday, 9 July 2007
Monday, 2 July 2007
Saturday...Speedway GP...
Sorry its taken so long for me to catch up on here...been otherwise engaged.
Well, what a day saturday was!
Gaz with his mother in toe picked us up at about 1030 and we headed off to Barwell to join up with Brian and Rachel and to have a pre-Cardiff car trip cuppa...and a look at Brians Speedway programme shrine...JEEZ...its mad...28,000 programmes, it just takes up a whole wall of there spare room!
Anyway...from here we headed out in't rain on the way to Cardiff....and near enough all the way it peed it down, though this was lightened by my musical choice. Gaz had requested that I "Welsh up" my iPod, so i did...i slapped on some Tom Jones!
Through the rain we battled and into Wales we went, Debz and I were abroad yet again...after a short time in Wales Brian phoned up to say he was pulling into the next services as he was bursting...the next services appeared...and we pulled over...what a mess they were! run down and probably the urine would be cleaner than the bogs there!
After a brief stoppage we got back on the trail to Cardiff and headed for the park and ride at Ninian Park...but when we pulled in...it was empty....despite been clearly sign posted as the Speedway car park...bloody welshies.
So we parked in the shopping park and ride...where there were plenty of other speedway fans and we got on the bus...which was a carbon copy of the old double deckers Gaz and I travelled to school on for the majority of our 5 years at the marvellously shite Daventry William Parker School....
And myself and Debz enjoying the comforts of the bus....
As you can see...we were all in our Gaz made T-shirts...which were praised by the other fans later on...asking where we bought them from!
Only 5 minutes on the bus and we were at the Millenium Stadium, very impressive for the taffs i must add....
Just after we took this photo we spotted the main man...Chris "Bomber" Harris....so i took a photo of Gaz, his mum, Brian, Rachel and Bomber...we shook his hand and wished him all the best...
As you can see...we were all in our Gaz made T-shirts...which were praised by the other fans later on...asking where we bought them from!
From here we headed for somewhere dry to get some food and drink, found our way to the Cardiff precinct and found a BHS cafe which was fairly full with other Speedway fans...including a few other Bomber fans with there own personalised t-shirts.
When we'd dried off we headed back towards the stadium...and we went passed a local marked which had one brilliantly named stall;
Adds to the others we spotted in Arnhem!
We got back to the stadium and made our way to the gate we needed to go in and waited by the River Taff in the rain.
After a short wait they let us in!
Photos of first glimpses inside...
Then first on the track for a brief walk round were Scott Nicholls and his team followed by Bomber and his team.
Then there were 2 races by some young riders, supposedly to get you used to the noise...didnt work!
Then after this we had the pre-race entertainment...it was poor, piss poor. They had the McDougald brothers or something on from last years X-Factor, then Brenda from the previous years X-Factor then to cap it off...another X-Factor loser, the runner up last year Ray, whose songs didn't fit the mood so most just blew there air-horns to block him out :D
Then after Ray had buggered off the riders emerged for a parade lap on there bikes in rank order then they lined up in the middle...
Then shortly after the first race was about to begin...beforehand though Gaz took even more photos, because of where we were sat you can't quite appreciate how full it was...
I would write about each race...but i cant remember them all...other than Scott Nicholls was in the first race and came in third...and in Bombers first race he beat Crump and Nicki Pedersen which in itself was an incredible feat.
Anyway, as the night progressed it became evident that Bomber would make the semi's at least and Scotty struggled but thanks to winning his last ride and his nearest rival coming last.
The semi's came, Scott was first and it was looking promising until he hit a rut on the 3rd lap and he slipped to last so was out of the GP, but a valiant effort and his first Semi of the GP season.
Then the 2nd semi was Bomber, against Nicki Pedersen again, and pleasing to us on the 2nd turn Nicki slid off and into the air fence and was subsequently excluded. So this was Bombers chance...he missed the start but made it to the final.
Then a few mins later and it was final time...Greg Hancock (legend) jumped the start so a re-start was needed, again Bomber didnt make the start but it didnt matter as he razzed past Crump and Adams on turn 2, though he was over-taken again by Adams. He got into second on lap 3 and hunted Hancock down, then on the last lap back straight he went for it, round the outside, then Hancock had a quick glance, saw Bomber and went off his racing line, giving Bomber the chance and on the final 2 turns he nipped inside and undercut Hancock and crossed the line as the first Brit GP champ for 7 years!
There was pandemonium in the stands! it was mad!
After a quick lap round the celebrating fans he went back into the pits and did his bit for the media, then Crumpy and Hancock joined Bomber on an old style cadillac.
They then went onto the podium and Bomber was doused with champagne!
A quality nights entertainment and i would recommend to anyone!
Friday, 29 June 2007
First week back is over...
Well...back in the swing of things at work now which is rather depressing.
But on a much higher note...
I've got my ticket for the England v Germany game in August.
I've ordered my flag...8x4 with NTFC in the corners and SixfieldsBoys going through the middle...keep an eye out for it on the tele during the game.
And tomorrow were off to the speedway gp...COME ON BOMBER
Toodlepip
Tim
But on a much higher note...
I've got my ticket for the England v Germany game in August.
I've ordered my flag...8x4 with NTFC in the corners and SixfieldsBoys going through the middle...keep an eye out for it on the tele during the game.
And tomorrow were off to the speedway gp...COME ON BOMBER
Toodlepip
Tim
Monday, 25 June 2007
Sunday, 24 June 2007
I ache...
Well after a fairly lazy day on friday, went to the cinema to see "Wedding Daze", tis a chick flick so Debz enjoyed it, wasn't too bad, Isla Fisher is a fairly tasty lady ;)
Saturday, we went paintballing! we left home at 8 to go and collect Gav and Gaz then head off to Lutterworth for an action packed day!
Expecting rain i took plenty of layers, as we all did. Though for most of the day it was overcast then the sun came out...me and thinking its going to rain, then it been sunny is probably a good theme of this blog so far.
So we arrived and checked in with the manager, who in turn gave us the uber sexy overalls which we threw on over the several layers. Then after an introduction and a talk about the site rules, we got our goggles and head cover thing and were ready!
We got our guns, loaded them and went out for the first game. The first game for me was a bit of a drab affair, as my performance was, well, shite. I was the first out and after discussion, i'd not even been hit properly as the paintball didnt explode.
Through the rounds i got progressively better, which was a brucey bonus. Then came lunchtime, well, that was an event i'd rather miss, it was like a concoction of my least favoured foods. Mushroom, Onion and Carrot all together...in a slop with new potatoes as a side attraction...they were nice.
After lunch we played again, with the best games, personally, taking place.
The first of them in the afternoon was last man standing, in which we were men down due to people running out of money, and the other team cheating and hiding in the back corner. At least our team advanced to find them.
Secondly, one player from each side was given immunity and the power to bring players back to life, but they had to wear a coloured flag ontop of the head-gear. Gav nominated to do this, the mad bastard. Though the other team had a cunning plan, that sadly involved me. They'd shoot me, wait til Gav has healed me, then shoot me again. Though this brought a classic line. Gaz took a shot to the face, so when he shouted for Gav, he arrived with the comment, "Nice Shot!" and wiped his viser clean, twas an epic moment.
Thirdly, the final game of the day, a kind of last man standing/use your bullets up game and im proud to say, Me and Gaz were the last people off. During the game i managed to shoot (several times) while shouting Yipee-Ki-Yaye Mother F****er the person who'd mercylessly shot me in the previous game. Also in the game, accidentally she tries to tell us, but Debz shot Gavin!
Today though, being the day after, i ache, from all the walking, running and falling over yesterday.
It was a truly quality day, and one that im very thankful to Debz for getting me for my birthday.
Next up...The Speedway GP in Cardiff next Sat
Saturday, we went paintballing! we left home at 8 to go and collect Gav and Gaz then head off to Lutterworth for an action packed day!
Expecting rain i took plenty of layers, as we all did. Though for most of the day it was overcast then the sun came out...me and thinking its going to rain, then it been sunny is probably a good theme of this blog so far.
So we arrived and checked in with the manager, who in turn gave us the uber sexy overalls which we threw on over the several layers. Then after an introduction and a talk about the site rules, we got our goggles and head cover thing and were ready!
We got our guns, loaded them and went out for the first game. The first game for me was a bit of a drab affair, as my performance was, well, shite. I was the first out and after discussion, i'd not even been hit properly as the paintball didnt explode.
Through the rounds i got progressively better, which was a brucey bonus. Then came lunchtime, well, that was an event i'd rather miss, it was like a concoction of my least favoured foods. Mushroom, Onion and Carrot all together...in a slop with new potatoes as a side attraction...they were nice.
After lunch we played again, with the best games, personally, taking place.
The first of them in the afternoon was last man standing, in which we were men down due to people running out of money, and the other team cheating and hiding in the back corner. At least our team advanced to find them.
Secondly, one player from each side was given immunity and the power to bring players back to life, but they had to wear a coloured flag ontop of the head-gear. Gav nominated to do this, the mad bastard. Though the other team had a cunning plan, that sadly involved me. They'd shoot me, wait til Gav has healed me, then shoot me again. Though this brought a classic line. Gaz took a shot to the face, so when he shouted for Gav, he arrived with the comment, "Nice Shot!" and wiped his viser clean, twas an epic moment.
Thirdly, the final game of the day, a kind of last man standing/use your bullets up game and im proud to say, Me and Gaz were the last people off. During the game i managed to shoot (several times) while shouting Yipee-Ki-Yaye Mother F****er the person who'd mercylessly shot me in the previous game. Also in the game, accidentally she tries to tell us, but Debz shot Gavin!
Today though, being the day after, i ache, from all the walking, running and falling over yesterday.
It was a truly quality day, and one that im very thankful to Debz for getting me for my birthday.
Next up...The Speedway GP in Cardiff next Sat
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Journey home
As i may have said, were home now, we left the bright sunshine of Schipol, and are now in rainy Rugby.
Nice and easy, up at 630, checked out, headed to the airport, used the new fangled self-check in thingybobs, then went and waited.
Boarding time came and we went and sat in the boarding lounge, after reading the paper i looked up to see...Ruud Gullit! sadly the camera was packed and they'd asked for phones to be turned off so no photo :-(
Not that we wanted to talk to a Dutch footballer after the night.
Though we found out at Birmingham Passport control, he's secretly a Liverpool fan, with Ring of Fire as his ringtone!!
Home now, next up, paintballing in Lutterworth on saturday.
Nice and easy, up at 630, checked out, headed to the airport, used the new fangled self-check in thingybobs, then went and waited.
Boarding time came and we went and sat in the boarding lounge, after reading the paper i looked up to see...Ruud Gullit! sadly the camera was packed and they'd asked for phones to be turned off so no photo :-(
Not that we wanted to talk to a Dutch footballer after the night.
Though we found out at Birmingham Passport control, he's secretly a Liverpool fan, with Ring of Fire as his ringtone!!
Home now, next up, paintballing in Lutterworth on saturday.
England vs Holland
Well, semi finals day had arrived and so did our last full day in Holland (were home now).
A late start meant we got to the airport/train station at about 1215, with the planned train the 1321 giving us plenty of time to eat and mooch around, then get on the 2hr 10min long train journey!
However...just like British Rail, the train we wanted was cancelled...no reason given, just told to get on another train.
Fortunately this was already on the next platform, so we boarded the train, had to change at some small village called Weesp, then headed to Amersfoort. Fortunately in Amersfoort when we got off the train we were spotted by a very helpful dutch family, who guided us on to the right section of the train (had they not helped god knows where we would of ended up). So we got on the train, and it seemed like a complete eternity until we got there!
Finally, we arrived in Heerenveen, surrounded by Orange (and it was still hours to kick off). We decided to follow the crowds and get to the ground. During the walk one of the very very few England fans collared us as company!
In what only turned out to be a short walk, we went through the main street, which again was orange, filled with mad singing dancing dutchmen who found it funny that there were any english in residance. From the main high street there is a main town square, we had one of the UEFA parties on. There were about another 7 england fans there, we carried on walking and 2mins later were at the ground. More UEFA inflatables and more orange!
We found our turnstile and went in...time ticked by and we got some food and drink...the stands filled up and the stadium turned from the blue of the seats to the orange of the Jong Orange fans.
The Dutch players came out to warm up to a rapturous and the English jogged out to near silence, just a seldom clap here and there.
Time soon passed and the stadium was filled (pictures on the next post) and the teams were ready to emerge. The noise as they did was in our opinion loud (though we discovered a whole new level of loud).
The English national anthem was first, and that was surreal, just like singing on your own, then came a rousing version of the Dutch national anthem.
The game kicked off and in the early exchanges we had the better chances and more possesion, though we didnt make the most of it and when ever the dutch attacked, there no.9 Ryan Babel looked very dangerous and was time after time beating our defenders.
Then came the break through, a long ball launched up field, knocked on by Dave Nugent, Leroy Lita spun his marker and slammed the ball in. Que been stared at by approx 750 people as we went mad! not as mad as 2 lads who were not to far from us but still, mad enough.
This meant it was game on, a chance to see what the Dutch were really made of. A few mucked up shots were all they had until the whistle for half time.
The 15 min interval passed through pretty quickly, then the teams emerged. The dutch were attacking our end now, the noise went up several notches and the nerves were clearly evident.
Put simply, the second half began to the dutch in my opinion, they were constantly on the attack but just could not get passed the super Steven Taylor and Nedum Onuoha. Sadly Reo-Coker and Noble both got yellow cards, which would of ruled them out of the final. We had chances though, both following runs down our left, firstly Ashley Young burst free and was nastily taken out right on the edge of the penalty area, Leroy Lita stood up to take the free kick and smacked the outside of the far post. After another battering by the Dutch attack Dave Nugent broke free down the left wing, beating there defence and just as he wound up to shoot a dutch center half excellently snatched the ball away, leaving Nugent injured and unable to run. Though Psycho left him on for a while then brought on Matt Derbyshire.
More dutch pressure, then came the moment of the night for...us, we'd agreed to leave at 85mins in order to get to the station and get back in time thus avoiding any taxi fees etc etc.
We had just got out of the stadium car park, and the place went mad, we knew what happened, the Jong Orange had equalised. To say we were gutted would be an understatement. Extra time and we had left, we'd gambled and failed.
We trudged back to the station, que text messages saying how unlucky we were then 35 mins later sayng it'd gone to penalties, by this time we were well on the way home. No changes required this time.
About halfway home we got the message, that we'd gone out 13-12 on penalties, again more guttedness on top off what there already was, we were out, we'd missed the end, we'd missed a one off occasion with the spot kicks getting that advanced.
So we made it back to the airport at about 2235 and caught the last shuttle of the day.
Got back into the hotel room and put the tele on, more happy dutch people, just fcking brilliant!
We found Comedy Central and watched South Park then got some sleep as it was an early morning.
Gutted,
Tim
A late start meant we got to the airport/train station at about 1215, with the planned train the 1321 giving us plenty of time to eat and mooch around, then get on the 2hr 10min long train journey!
However...just like British Rail, the train we wanted was cancelled...no reason given, just told to get on another train.
Fortunately this was already on the next platform, so we boarded the train, had to change at some small village called Weesp, then headed to Amersfoort. Fortunately in Amersfoort when we got off the train we were spotted by a very helpful dutch family, who guided us on to the right section of the train (had they not helped god knows where we would of ended up). So we got on the train, and it seemed like a complete eternity until we got there!
Finally, we arrived in Heerenveen, surrounded by Orange (and it was still hours to kick off). We decided to follow the crowds and get to the ground. During the walk one of the very very few England fans collared us as company!
In what only turned out to be a short walk, we went through the main street, which again was orange, filled with mad singing dancing dutchmen who found it funny that there were any english in residance. From the main high street there is a main town square, we had one of the UEFA parties on. There were about another 7 england fans there, we carried on walking and 2mins later were at the ground. More UEFA inflatables and more orange!
We found our turnstile and went in...time ticked by and we got some food and drink...the stands filled up and the stadium turned from the blue of the seats to the orange of the Jong Orange fans.
The Dutch players came out to warm up to a rapturous and the English jogged out to near silence, just a seldom clap here and there.
Time soon passed and the stadium was filled (pictures on the next post) and the teams were ready to emerge. The noise as they did was in our opinion loud (though we discovered a whole new level of loud).
The English national anthem was first, and that was surreal, just like singing on your own, then came a rousing version of the Dutch national anthem.
The game kicked off and in the early exchanges we had the better chances and more possesion, though we didnt make the most of it and when ever the dutch attacked, there no.9 Ryan Babel looked very dangerous and was time after time beating our defenders.
Then came the break through, a long ball launched up field, knocked on by Dave Nugent, Leroy Lita spun his marker and slammed the ball in. Que been stared at by approx 750 people as we went mad! not as mad as 2 lads who were not to far from us but still, mad enough.
This meant it was game on, a chance to see what the Dutch were really made of. A few mucked up shots were all they had until the whistle for half time.
The 15 min interval passed through pretty quickly, then the teams emerged. The dutch were attacking our end now, the noise went up several notches and the nerves were clearly evident.
Put simply, the second half began to the dutch in my opinion, they were constantly on the attack but just could not get passed the super Steven Taylor and Nedum Onuoha. Sadly Reo-Coker and Noble both got yellow cards, which would of ruled them out of the final. We had chances though, both following runs down our left, firstly Ashley Young burst free and was nastily taken out right on the edge of the penalty area, Leroy Lita stood up to take the free kick and smacked the outside of the far post. After another battering by the Dutch attack Dave Nugent broke free down the left wing, beating there defence and just as he wound up to shoot a dutch center half excellently snatched the ball away, leaving Nugent injured and unable to run. Though Psycho left him on for a while then brought on Matt Derbyshire.
More dutch pressure, then came the moment of the night for...us, we'd agreed to leave at 85mins in order to get to the station and get back in time thus avoiding any taxi fees etc etc.
We had just got out of the stadium car park, and the place went mad, we knew what happened, the Jong Orange had equalised. To say we were gutted would be an understatement. Extra time and we had left, we'd gambled and failed.
We trudged back to the station, que text messages saying how unlucky we were then 35 mins later sayng it'd gone to penalties, by this time we were well on the way home. No changes required this time.
About halfway home we got the message, that we'd gone out 13-12 on penalties, again more guttedness on top off what there already was, we were out, we'd missed the end, we'd missed a one off occasion with the spot kicks getting that advanced.
So we made it back to the airport at about 2235 and caught the last shuttle of the day.
Got back into the hotel room and put the tele on, more happy dutch people, just fcking brilliant!
We found Comedy Central and watched South Park then got some sleep as it was an early morning.
Gutted,
Tim
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Plan of attack today...
Just about to head off to the station, will get some top culinary delights at the Burger King, then head off on the 2hrs 10mins train journey to Heerenveen.
Fingers crossed, will make the 2026 train back to Schipol and then make the last shuttle, avoiding any taxi charges!
This is the last blog from the Netherlands, next time i write we'll be back in Barby, Near Rugby, ENGLAND.
Final thought....
Fingers crossed, will make the 2026 train back to Schipol and then make the last shuttle, avoiding any taxi charges!
This is the last blog from the Netherlands, next time i write we'll be back in Barby, Near Rugby, ENGLAND.
Final thought....
COME ON ENGLAND
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
So far...
...today we've been to the 'Dam and done some souvenior shopping, for my parents, they collect designer plates and as my dad gets them from everywhere he goes, we got one! Also after my mum murdered one of the shagging salt and pepper pots earlier in the year, we replaced them.
Lets hope she doesn't kill this as well!
Then we got some lunch, very nice ham sandwich (no fast food!!!!!!) and ate it in the scorching sunshine in 'Dam Square.
From here, we headed to find the Red Light District, after all, you can't come to Amsterdam and not see the famous Red Light District, some would say you have to visit a coffee shop and have some space-cakes, but thats just not us.
Now, i bloody well hope that at night they have better women, the ones we saw were, to be polite, big fat and ugly...Debz was sure she had seen a thin blonde but i think she was seeing things.
So then, next stop (after sleeping and swimming this afternoon) is Heerenveen for the Semi's...then back home :'(
Lets hope she doesn't kill this as well!
Then we got some lunch, very nice ham sandwich (no fast food!!!!!!) and ate it in the scorching sunshine in 'Dam Square.
From here, we headed to find the Red Light District, after all, you can't come to Amsterdam and not see the famous Red Light District, some would say you have to visit a coffee shop and have some space-cakes, but thats just not us.
Now, i bloody well hope that at night they have better women, the ones we saw were, to be polite, big fat and ugly...Debz was sure she had seen a thin blonde but i think she was seeing things.
So then, next stop (after sleeping and swimming this afternoon) is Heerenveen for the Semi's...then back home :'(
Success...
After ringing EnglandFans to find they can only reserve tickets for EF+ members (which i find a bit stupid in this circumstance) we headed into 'Dam, and at the train station i spotted a "TicketBox" logo...in we headed, 2 minutes later we had tickets for the semi final.
Come on England
Come on England
Monday, 18 June 2007
Plan of action tomorrow...
WOW...Shaun of the Dead is on Dutch TV Channel RT7
Anyway....
Up at a reasonable time, maybe go for a swim, give EnglandFans a ring to see if they can reserve me a ticket for the semi final...if not we'll head into 'Dam to try!
Also were going to do some souvenier shopping...whoopee!
Then back for a swim, a steam and a top notch McDonalds
Right...back to the film
Anyway....
Up at a reasonable time, maybe go for a swim, give EnglandFans a ring to see if they can reserve me a ticket for the semi final...if not we'll head into 'Dam to try!
Also were going to do some souvenier shopping...whoopee!
Then back for a swim, a steam and a top notch McDonalds
Right...back to the film
Ones to watch...
From the three teams we've seen...these are the players i think have a huge future...
ENGLAND -
Scott Carson -
England u21 keeper and also squad member in the first team should be challenging Robinson for the national no.1 jersey SHOULD Rafael Benitez give him a chance. He was superb for Charlton and made several top draw saves in his games, best we've seen was from the Czech freekick in game1.
Ashley Young -
Aston Villa's pacey left winger was a constant threat for both the Czechs and the Italians. Though was banned from the Serbia match after collecting 2 yellow cards. Why i think he has a big future...he plays on the left!
Leighton Baines -
Better than Cashley Cole, and has one hell of a shot on him. To get into the first team squad though i think he needs a move to a bigger club.
Italy
Guiseppe Rossi -
Came on at half time against us and was simply sublime, same applies for the first half last night.
Fergie will be making a big mistake if he lets him go, he could well be worth ALOT in a few years and could save United a bucket load of midfield.
Alberton Aqualini -
I think thats how to spell it, he was simply awesome last night, everything good the Italians did envolved either him or Rossi. I would say he capped it off with top draw free-kick, but he did that after 4mins. Currently playing in the SerieA for AS Roma, should he keep playing regularly it cant be long before he's playing alongside Totti and Gattuso in the first team.
As for the Czechs, none of them stood out!
I may add another post with some Dutch players after the semi!
ENGLAND -
Scott Carson -
England u21 keeper and also squad member in the first team should be challenging Robinson for the national no.1 jersey SHOULD Rafael Benitez give him a chance. He was superb for Charlton and made several top draw saves in his games, best we've seen was from the Czech freekick in game1.
Ashley Young -
Aston Villa's pacey left winger was a constant threat for both the Czechs and the Italians. Though was banned from the Serbia match after collecting 2 yellow cards. Why i think he has a big future...he plays on the left!
Leighton Baines -
Better than Cashley Cole, and has one hell of a shot on him. To get into the first team squad though i think he needs a move to a bigger club.
Italy
Guiseppe Rossi -
Came on at half time against us and was simply sublime, same applies for the first half last night.
Fergie will be making a big mistake if he lets him go, he could well be worth ALOT in a few years and could save United a bucket load of midfield.
Alberton Aqualini -
I think thats how to spell it, he was simply awesome last night, everything good the Italians did envolved either him or Rossi. I would say he capped it off with top draw free-kick, but he did that after 4mins. Currently playing in the SerieA for AS Roma, should he keep playing regularly it cant be long before he's playing alongside Totti and Gattuso in the first team.
As for the Czechs, none of them stood out!
I may add another post with some Dutch players after the semi!
Just like british rail...
Todays plan of action was to go in to Amsterdam and do some shopping, but, just like British Rail, when we arrived the train station we found there were no trains running!
I imagine there will of been plenty of pissed off punters in 'Dam who may well have missed flights...on the flip side...good day for taxi drivers here!
So instead we got some bits and bobs from the station as there are a few shops there, and headed back here, have been for a nice long swim and session in the steam room!
Had a look at trains to Heerenveen and there direct from Schipol...just waiting to find if it'll be worth it!!!
Fingers crossed
I imagine there will of been plenty of pissed off punters in 'Dam who may well have missed flights...on the flip side...good day for taxi drivers here!
So instead we got some bits and bobs from the station as there are a few shops there, and headed back here, have been for a nice long swim and session in the steam room!
Had a look at trains to Heerenveen and there direct from Schipol...just waiting to find if it'll be worth it!!!
Fingers crossed
Italy vs Czech Republic
A fairly drab day, matched a fairly drab match to be honest.
We left here with time planned to go to 'Dam and have a bite to eat and walk around, but when we arrived at 'Dam Centraal station it was worse than throwing it down, it was like bullet rain, and as its all open plan and theres no shelter we decided we might as well buy a sandwich etc from the station shop and eat on the train out to Arnhem.
So we bought our food and headed up to platform, 30mins to wait so while reading the sunday papers we tucked in. Mine was alright, but both sandwich and cake were out of date...the sandwich was going green at one end...NICE!
The train arrived and we took our seats, first class due to a special offer the Dutch rail! instead of the normal charge of about 58euros for the 2 of us in 2nd class, it cost 35 euros for us both in 1st class, and we could of gone anywhere!
Arrived in Arnhem and as normal, the sun was starting to shine. Was a much different atmosphere in Arnhem as all the shops were shut due to it been a sunday, tho about 75% of the bars were still open. We went and had a few drinks at the same bar as on thursday...Paisleys Lesbanic bar was closed.
With plenty of time to kill we wandered the long way round to the stadium, over the bridge and through the field we went through last time. On the way through the center i took a picture of Arnhem Church...
Then from the main square with the the church on its a short walk down to the river front and Cafe Smaak, which we discovered is actually open just round the corner. This area must be good for funny named companies...
So as i said, we wandered the long way round, and got to the ground early!
We went into the McDonalds at the ground and got some food, then as the sun was shining we went and sat outside on the grass looking out over the ground.
After a while and another read of the papers we were allowed into the ground where we got a drink and some food.
After a while the teams came out to warm up, though the ground was not filing up to anywhere near Thursday night, and the atmosphere was equally drab.
The teams emerged and the game got under way, in the first few minutes Italy were dominant and won a free-kick. This was excellently dispatched and by the very impressive Italian no.8 Alberto Aquillani (i think thats how to spell it). This raised the spirits in the Italian camp as for that moment they were through and we were out, however we'd only played for 4 mins. Then about 2mins later all went quiet, i wondered why, then i looked at the scoreboard and it beautifully read England 1-0 Serbia, i joked that Leroy Lita had scored after his woeful attempts in the other 2 matches. A few minutes after that more sloppy Italian defending let the Czechs in and Papadopolous tapped in. Then i got a text message telling me it WAS Lita who scored!!
It did'nt take to long for the Italians to get back on top though, another set piece was headed in by the captain Chiellini.
The italians continued there domination and just as i returned from the pre-halftime get food before the rush trip the also impressive Guiseppi Rossi made it 3-1. Then just as the Czech's had kicked off, it was half time.
At least during this interval the pitch announcer didn't come out and murder a song!
Second half kicked off, but to say it was dull and boring is an understatement. The best things were when the board said England were 2 up and when we left!
As we left the ground planning for a power walk, we spotted some taxi's and the driver said it would only be 15euros, BARGAIN! hoping we'd make an earlier train in we hopped. As it happens we just missed it so waited for the normal train.
Journey sailed through, then when we arrived at Utrech Centraal we saw that the train on the opposite platform was going back to Schipol, so we swapped trains and headed back. Feeling lazy and not wanting to walk for about 45mins we found a nice taxi driver! who only charged us 25 euros to take us back to the hotels and was a massive improvement on the last one!
Now...just got to get tickets to Herenveen for the England v Holland Semi...if not...its on the big screens at Arnhem pre the semi there.
Wish us luck!
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