It was always on the cards that I would be on the Tele last weekend. I had a front row ticket for the Australia v Argentina game between the halfway line and the 22, right opposite the cameras.
There was a false start when I featured on the big screen right after the anthems. That did not make the live coverage though as ITV cut to the adverts, as they do.
Did not have long to wait though as an Argentina line-up five minutes into the game allowed me a chance to doff my cap to my adoring fan base. Job done.
The whole weekend had gone well. We watched the SA v NZ game in a bar in Charing Cross and were glad we were not there when the weather closed in. We were joined briefly by a group dressed as animals who were out for a significant birthday. They had trotted out to Covent Garden by half-time and after the match we joined them.
We had supper in Joe Allen's in Exeter Street. No celebs, but a very fine evening which we finished off in the Farmers Club in Whitehall.
On Sunday (but not after supper!) farmer Simon used a contact to get us a plum table in the Bluebird Cafe on the Kings Road. I can't remember the last time I was on the lash in that area of the capital. One pub I used is now a burger joint, and the Click and Whichity's have both long since shut down.
The Bluebird was swish and we would not have been surprised if Jose Mourinho or a few of his players had been in there...but then they could have been as we would not have recognised them!!
So back to Scouse on the Monday and now geared up for the final. We have embraced the tournament. Tickets were expensive, the fanzone in Trafalgar Square was a bit of an embarrassment, as were the host nation, but the times with rugby mates are always priceless, so look out Japan in 2019, make sure you have enough mobility scooters!!
Thursday 29 October 2015
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Molly Malone
We took in the quarter final games at the rugby world cup in various bars in Dublin. We had planned it months ago, so brother-in-laws David being Welsh, and I always sensed one of us might be enjoying the craic more than the rugby. That will have been me then.
So it was Guinness, watch a game, major food then watch another game with more Guinness. Sunday was brunch watch two games with Guinness, then a major steak restaurant, nightcap and bed. All in all a very full on 48 hours.
Three of the games were classic, with the other being NewZealand finding some form to seriously stuff France. The locals were a bit shell shocked as the Argues blew them away, a result I had predicted days earlier.
The bars were not as lively as I had expected, but the semi-final weekend should be a cracker. Come on the winners.
So it was Guinness, watch a game, major food then watch another game with more Guinness. Sunday was brunch watch two games with Guinness, then a major steak restaurant, nightcap and bed. All in all a very full on 48 hours.
Three of the games were classic, with the other being NewZealand finding some form to seriously stuff France. The locals were a bit shell shocked as the Argues blew them away, a result I had predicted days earlier.
The bars were not as lively as I had expected, but the semi-final weekend should be a cracker. Come on the winners.
Thursday 8 October 2015
Chance to Shine
It was back to London yesterday to take part in the awards ceremony for the cricket charity , Chance to Shine. The charity was founded ten years ago by Mark Nicholas, the Channel 5 cricket presenter and Mervyn King, the then governor of the Bank of England. It's aim is to reintroduce cricket into state schools and local neighbourhood's through the Quik Cricket format and street cricket initiative's.
We were going because number two son, Kieran, was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award.
He was not given the news until a few days ago, so there was a hectic rush for train tickets and you can imagine the situation there....£100 plus for a single even with our old gits rail cards, so some lateral thinking had to be applied.
Using Martin Lewis and his split ticket web site we managed to get three returns for just under £120 although it did mean driving to Crewe. That bit was fun as there was an early accident on the M56 so the sat nav took us all over the show. The long term car park at Crewe was full so we eventually got on the platform with four minutes to spare. The return journey was no less stressed as I had a blonde/senior moment and threw away the return tickets rather than the outbound bits. Luckily no tickets were inspected on the homeward bound section so all was sorted.
As for the event itself, Nomura International, hosted it in their Upper Thames Street offices and it was an excellent bash, made all the better when Kieran was announced as winner of his category. He was really pleased as were we as proud parents, although he seemed more interested in chatting to the fit England Ladies cricketers who were there, than with us!!
He won the award for his efforts introducing girl's cricket into Prenton High School, and for coaching the ladies section at Oxton Cricket Club. The fact he was not a PE teacher as many award winners were also counted in his favour.
His new school in Neston do not have a team so that will be his next task once he has sorted out the History department. That should keep him busy!!
We were going because number two son, Kieran, was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award.
He was not given the news until a few days ago, so there was a hectic rush for train tickets and you can imagine the situation there....£100 plus for a single even with our old gits rail cards, so some lateral thinking had to be applied.
Using Martin Lewis and his split ticket web site we managed to get three returns for just under £120 although it did mean driving to Crewe. That bit was fun as there was an early accident on the M56 so the sat nav took us all over the show. The long term car park at Crewe was full so we eventually got on the platform with four minutes to spare. The return journey was no less stressed as I had a blonde/senior moment and threw away the return tickets rather than the outbound bits. Luckily no tickets were inspected on the homeward bound section so all was sorted.
As for the event itself, Nomura International, hosted it in their Upper Thames Street offices and it was an excellent bash, made all the better when Kieran was announced as winner of his category. He was really pleased as were we as proud parents, although he seemed more interested in chatting to the fit England Ladies cricketers who were there, than with us!!
He won the award for his efforts introducing girl's cricket into Prenton High School, and for coaching the ladies section at Oxton Cricket Club. The fact he was not a PE teacher as many award winners were also counted in his favour.
His new school in Neston do not have a team so that will be his next task once he has sorted out the History department. That should keep him busy!!
Tuesday 6 October 2015
Running for the bus
It was a busy weekend just gone as we attended a wedding in London. It clashed with England v Australia in the rugby world cup, but the way the tournament has mapped out for England I dealt no disappointment missing it.
The wedding was at the Brooklands motor and air museum and as part of the deal we got to ride on part of the banked circuit which still survives. It was quite an experience!
We also took a ride on an open backed London bus which pre-dated the Routemaster. That took us past Mercedes World where the Irish rugby team were having great fun on the skid pan.
The wedding was for my cousin Mikes daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nathan. It went off very well with the venue doing an excellent job.
We will next be off to Dublin for the quarter finals weekend I wonder who will get my ticket for the second semi-final?
The wedding was at the Brooklands motor and air museum and as part of the deal we got to ride on part of the banked circuit which still survives. It was quite an experience!
We also took a ride on an open backed London bus which pre-dated the Routemaster. That took us past Mercedes World where the Irish rugby team were having great fun on the skid pan.
The wedding was for my cousin Mikes daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nathan. It went off very well with the venue doing an excellent job.
We will next be off to Dublin for the quarter finals weekend I wonder who will get my ticket for the second semi-final?
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