I received an early Christmas present this weekend, courtesy of Bath City FC – a really fun day out in Surrey and a fabulous win against very strong opposition.
It all started Saturday morning when Claire and I braved the cold to travel east to see City take on Woking – the team we beat 5-0 just two weeks ago.
Upon arriving, we discovered our coach was not allowed to park at the ground due to Woking not having enough spaces. With the Christmas spirit in the air, it reminded me of the Nativity story, where there was no room at the inn.
This meant we all had to trek through the snow to get to the ground. Unfortunately the husky dogs that normally travel to away games didn’t come this week, so I was unable to get them to pull me along on a sleigh.
Before Bath City kicked off, I settled down with a pint to watch the Portsmouth – Liverpool game on TV. I know a lot of Liverpool fans, so the less said about that match, the better. I was intrigued, however, by the channel broadcasting the game. After noticing the strange channel logo in the corner of the screen, I was doubtful as to whether it was a Sky Sports broadcast. My suspicions were confirmed when, at half time, the analysis was introduced by a man in a turban speaking a foreign language. The last time I checked, Andy Gray didn’t look or sound like that!
Having drank beer, I needed food, so went hunting at the burger bar. I have travelled to a lot of away games and eaten a lot of food at football grounds. With the possible exception of Newport County’s divine restaurant, I have to say, Woking FC make the best food in the league. The cheeseburger I ate was delicious – my compliments to the chef.
The game made what was already a good day even better. After withstanding an early onslaught of attacking play from Woking, City grabbed two goals themselves. Woking scored a goal in the second half, which made me slightly nervous, although City’s Lewis Hogg erased any doubts I had with a free kick Sir David Beckham would be proud of, to win the game 3-1.
The journey back to the coach was cold… very cold. However, despite getting frost bite on my feet and almost losing a few toes, it was worth it. A great day out.
The icing on the cake was when I learnt Leeds had beaten Southampton. Southampton are known by many as The Saints. Leeds manager, Simon Grayson, is known by me as The Saint. Only one saint could win. Luckily, Saint Simon Grayson won, proving he is still the God of football.
Enjoy these various pictures of a cold, wintery Woking.
A wintery Woking pitch.
Well done to all those at the club who worked to ensure the game went ahead
Legendary fan, Brian York, enjoying the day…
… before saying farewell to City cult hero, Florin Pelecaci
Thursday was my last day at the RUH. After over 6 years working in the hospital, nearly 4 years in IT, I am leaving for pastures new.
My kind colleagues presented me with an array of leaving gifts including this excellent desk lamp in the design of football stadium floodlights.
Apparently there is also a Leeds United shirt making its way down from Yorkshire to Bath, but a combination of incompetence on LUFC and Royal Mail’s part, has seen it delayed. I was also given the card below, which I think is truly supurb.
After work, we went into town so my colleagues could celebrate the fact I was leaving their lives. We started in the Hop Pole and drank Bath Gem* (aka ‘rabbit beer’). This was followed up by a trip to Nandos and the cinema where we watched Avatar in 3D.
Avatar is 3 hours long and I have a short attention span, so things could have gone wrong. However, despite being the leader of the Conservative Party, director James Cameron found the time to do an excellent job and I was able to enjoy the film, without the need to go for a walk or even get my iPhone out.
The movie must have impressed the majority of the audience, as a large amount of those in the cinema thought it necessary to break into applause come the end credits. Something I found rather bizarre and unnecessary. I even emailed Radio 1’s Scott Mills to see if he shared my views on the peculiar behaviour. Sounds like he did.
After escaping from the cinema and the clapping weirdos, we went to another pub for further drinks. After some Fosters, a game of pool and a dance to the Spice Girls, we were asked to leave. I don’t think we offended the landlord, more so that it was late and he wanted his bed.
We made it to another pub and a kebab shop before Karl called his devoted wife to leave the warmth of her bed and come into a subzero Bath to collect us all at 1.30am. Gina – you’re a legend.
I am now off work until the start of January although will probably make a brief return to my old office on Tuesday for ‘Secret Santa’ and a lunchtime takeaway.
* the original link has now been removed, although the page is available on Archive.org
My final day at the RUH looms…
My desk and cupboard are all but cleared. A sad sight. All that remains in my drawers is a half eaten packet of nuts & raisins, an opened bottle of contact lens solution and a lot of dust, coffee granules and sugar which has gathered/spilt over the years.
Tomorrow will be my penultimate day at the RUH.
Already I have begun taking home my personal belongings which have cluttered my desk over the years. After cleaning my drawers, it appears since 2006 I have accrued almost half of my home kitchen. Today I managed to find and bring back various bowls, plates, cups, glasses and half a dozen items of cutlery.
I also found a Leeds United mouse mat, a copy of an Xbox magazine from October 2006 and enough coffee, tea and hot chocolate to open a Starbucks.
The clear out will continue tomorrow, but as I have already taken home everything which is mine of value, it seems whatever remains is doomed for the bins or for Karl and my other colleagues to fight over.
I have just done something I have never done before. Something I once thought I would never do and that some may even call embarrassing… I bought and downloaded the X Factor Christmas single by Joe McElderry.
While I enjoyed the series, I was not one of the die hard fans – I even missed the final. However, after reading about an internet campaign by Rage Against the Machine fans to get their band’s single the Christmas No.1 spot, I simply couldn’t stand by and allow it.
I like most genres of music, but if there’s one piece I despise, it’s metal; whether it be rock-metal, rap-metal, thrash-metal, steel, aluminium or tin metal.
That is why I donated 65 Great British pence to Simon Cowell’s cause to get Joe to Crimbo No.1. Even after laughing at Newcastle’s relegation from the Premier League in May, I would still rather see a happy Geordie than a happy metalhead.
Join the cause – download the single now.
About Me
So you stumbled across my blog. No doubt after searching for something bizarre on Google. Before you hit that 'Back Button', why not stay and have a read for a few minutes?
If you are after a website which gives advice on how to hack an iPhone X, download the latest Steven Seagal movie, or view nudy ladies, you've come to the wrong place and may now press 'Back'.
However, if you would like a lifestyle blog, written by a 30-something chap, living in Bath (England), feast your eyes on this.
You won't discover how to copy PlayStation 4 games. What you will find is a blog, covering life in the West Country, the highs and lows of supporting two unsuccessful football teams, while sharing a house with a wife and rabbit.
All written by a man, somewhere on the sanity-scale between normal and eccentric.
