Some thoughts and musings on our Big Day Out.
Friday was spent in preparation for the trip, early to bed and up at 3 am, in Bournemouth train station at 6-00, departed 6-25. Arrived in Newcastle about 12-45. We left St. James' Park early to catch the 5-32 train. 2 changes but 1 delay, Southampton 11-00 pm 'til midnight.What a dive their train station is, the Gents were out of use. The disabled loo had no toilet paper, soaking wet floor and most amazingly, flies living in there. It didn't dawn on me how unusual that is in this country until days later. Got back home and into bed 3-00 Sunday morning, after a round trip of 730 miles.
Although we missed Cookie rising like a salmon and clinching the victory in injury time (crucial goals at that time magnify the joy, exhilaration or despair x 10 ). It was still one of the best football adventures for myself and the Good Lady. It's the furthest we have travelled in a single day since we went Pontinental for a week in Torremolinos 30 years ago : )
One of the top things for me was the travelling, from Brum' onwards the train filled with football supporters, we'd already said hello to other Cherries on the train. On the way back, it started off rammed, with ecstatic Cherries, stunned Geordies. I had the honour of sitting next to Laurence Jones,Newcastle to Sheffield, had a great chat about all things football ( what a gent, even listened to my eager ramblings ).
From Sheffield to Birmingham, I eavesdropped on a conversation between some Brummies and a Newcastle fan. Absolutely amazed at their knowledge of each others clubs and past players. Although, slightly drunk, they were cheerful and polite about all thing football except when it came to the Villa and the Mackens. Both had very strong views on their local rivals : )
The supporters and people of Newcastle were marvellous to us, went out of their way (literally) to help us back to the station. Very friendly city, just not that practical for wheelchairs.
It was heartening to bewith our supporters, other clubs fans, Geordies and the general public. Special mention to the railway staff, they were excellent and provided all the assistance and help they promised. It's heartening to feel that, whatever the government are doing to the most vulnerable at the moment, the British public are still GREAT : )
The 2 downs of the day were missing the goal and Southampton's latrine ( leave Newcastle 17-32 bound for Bournemouth, arrive in Southampton-1916 bound for the Somme : ) ).
The ups far outnumbered them, all in all a brilliant but exhausting day. The Good lady has just about recovered. She enjoyed her "matchday experiences" enough that we are now booked to go to Manchester for the City match, Christmas eve eve, what could possibly go wrong ? : )
Thanks for reading : )
Friday was spent in preparation for the trip, early to bed and up at 3 am, in Bournemouth train station at 6-00, departed 6-25. Arrived in Newcastle about 12-45. We left St. James' Park early to catch the 5-32 train. 2 changes but 1 delay, Southampton 11-00 pm 'til midnight.What a dive their train station is, the Gents were out of use. The disabled loo had no toilet paper, soaking wet floor and most amazingly, flies living in there. It didn't dawn on me how unusual that is in this country until days later. Got back home and into bed 3-00 Sunday morning, after a round trip of 730 miles.
Although we missed Cookie rising like a salmon and clinching the victory in injury time (crucial goals at that time magnify the joy, exhilaration or despair x 10 ). It was still one of the best football adventures for myself and the Good Lady. It's the furthest we have travelled in a single day since we went Pontinental for a week in Torremolinos 30 years ago : )
One of the top things for me was the travelling, from Brum' onwards the train filled with football supporters, we'd already said hello to other Cherries on the train. On the way back, it started off rammed, with ecstatic Cherries, stunned Geordies. I had the honour of sitting next to Laurence Jones,Newcastle to Sheffield, had a great chat about all things football ( what a gent, even listened to my eager ramblings ).
From Sheffield to Birmingham, I eavesdropped on a conversation between some Brummies and a Newcastle fan. Absolutely amazed at their knowledge of each others clubs and past players. Although, slightly drunk, they were cheerful and polite about all thing football except when it came to the Villa and the Mackens. Both had very strong views on their local rivals : )
The supporters and people of Newcastle were marvellous to us, went out of their way (literally) to help us back to the station. Very friendly city, just not that practical for wheelchairs.
It was heartening to bewith our supporters, other clubs fans, Geordies and the general public. Special mention to the railway staff, they were excellent and provided all the assistance and help they promised. It's heartening to feel that, whatever the government are doing to the most vulnerable at the moment, the British public are still GREAT : )
The 2 downs of the day were missing the goal and Southampton's latrine ( leave Newcastle 17-32 bound for Bournemouth, arrive in Southampton-1916 bound for the Somme : ) ).
The ups far outnumbered them, all in all a brilliant but exhausting day. The Good lady has just about recovered. She enjoyed her "matchday experiences" enough that we are now booked to go to Manchester for the City match, Christmas eve eve, what could possibly go wrong ? : )
Thanks for reading : )
