Some time in the country side.

Spent the day after the game in south Shropshire. Specifically we went to Ironbridge, home of the world's 1st iron bridge and we climbed the Wrekin, a very popular hill to climb. Very deceptive in that you keep thinking you're at the top only to find another ascent to make. Ben was very proud of himself making it all the was to the 1335 feet summit.

Game Day 3 - Birmingham Away

Set up to Birmingham at lunchtime for the 5.30pm kick off.  Put the wrong Coventry Rd into the sat nav but at least it was only 8 miles from the right one!

Caught the bus to the ground incognito. No team colours showing and heads down. Bus dropped us right outside the away fans gate.  Starving so had humongous burgers and sausage on a roll for Ben. Worlds friendliest steward shook Ben's hand, gave Carole a kiss and wished us merry xmas.  Great seats in the lower in the corner nearest the home fans. They choose to sit there to get stuck into us (verbally that is) though if it wasn't for barriers and stewards and lots of old bill then I'm sure a few hard cases would have at it.  Certainly at full time it was very confrontational between a pocket of theirs and a pocket of ours. But like a dog straining to get off a leash they may just be all show knowing they can't get through anyway. 

First half we were very good and should have had more than our 1 goal lead. Some poor decisions, one in particular of a handball in the box and no penalty given cost us.  Cole took his goal well..away fans leapt straight into "who are ya, who are ya". 

2nd half was not so good and it was clear we were struggling to hang on.  Meant the action in both halves was up our end. Of course when they equalised we got it in the neck from their fans. 

The result wasn't that bad given our injury and suspension woes but it hurts to be leading and see the extra 2 points evaporate. Worse still were the yellow cards that mean suspensions for several key players due to accumulated points. We might struggle to put a team out against Derby on Saturday!

Managed to slip across the police line from away fans to home fans without incident and we were soon walking amongst their lot looking for a bus.  Got a cab in the end with a friendly cabbie. 

Pub next to the travelodge was shut so that was that. 

So 3 games for a loss a win and a draw. Have maintained 2nd but our margin down to 3rd has disappeared. 

Team	P	Pts	Goals Diff	Goal Scored	Current Score
Southampton	23	47	23	47
West Ham	23	44	17	38
Middlesbrough	23	44	10	29
Cardiff	23	39	11	37
Hull	23	39	3	26
Reading	23	36	8	30

Boxing Day

Off to Birmingham. Come On You Irons!

Special Christmas

Although it wasn't a white Christmas it was a special one. Our first in England (well apart from Carole) and it was great spending it with the cousins and Carole's auntie Eileen who all went to so much effort. Thanks so much, we really appreciate it!

Ben enjoyed the whole day. Amazingly Santa knew to bring him small, light presents. Santa knows all.

Turkey Time

Back up in Cheshire with the cousins. Christmas Eve involved dinner at the Peacock (2 meals for £10.99, mine was smothered chicken with "explosive Wild Cannon sauce), the 4.30pm Christingle service at St Peter's, Church Minshull then down the town for a few pints at the Red Lion - several luvly jubly bitters went down well - Double Hops, Mr Scrooge and Unicorn, D tick, M tick, U tick. Ben was baking cup cakes with his Auntie Eileen.

Trev is just trying to work out how to get a 20lb turkey in the oven tomorrow morning. I suggested a chain saw lol.

Currently 7am in Brisbane so Merry Christmas to those of you in Oz.

Magical Mystery Bus

Got our outdoor skating wish at Canary Wharf. Also where those last batch of building pics are from. The financial centre of London.

Afterwards Ben who is in love with the red double decker buses (and I'm a bit partial too as well as they liven up some dreary pics with a bit of colour) begged us to go on one. So we decided to walk up to the next bus stop and get on the next double decker regardless of where it was headed. I mean this is London right, you're never far from a tube or DLR.

Anyway is was headed to Highbury and Islington via Mile End where we got off. The plan was to find a pub to have a meal but in the burbs the pubs are becoming few and far between as the neighbourhoods become more Islamic in population. We did find one but it was tiny and didn't serve meals. But the magical bus tour did land us at a hidden gem. A Persian & Afghani restaurant called Ariana http://www.ariana-restaurant.co.uk/ which had some simply beautiful food. Ben played with the owners son Noush while we enjoyed the simple dishes packed with flavour.

Have I mentioned I like buildings?

Child's Play

Spent day doing Ben activities. Harrods toy department which was exactly the same as 2 years ago. Same toys, same toy demonstrations. Exactly, I kid you not.

Went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/ Carole was *very* disappointed. She thought it would be a pleasant day in the park with ice skating and a few Christmas themed stalls. Not so. This was like Octoberfest meets Sideshow Alley. The skating was sold out, bad luck, but the rest of it was like the Ekka side-show alley but bigger. It was all German themed and packed with people. Ben and I were ok with it though. Had a ball. I mean who can complain about a revolving carousel merry go round bar drinking Erdinger? Or Pirate Adventure rides that would do Dreamworld justice. We did have a nice early evening meal overlooking the lake in the park that helped ease Carole's disappointment. I think it was called the Lido Cafe.

Then it was off to the 5.30pm performance of the Jack & the Beanstalk pantomime at the Shaw Theatre. Complete with audience participation of booing & hissing and cheering etc. Was a highly entertaining culminating in an on stage visit for Ben who was an X-factor style judge of the audience's singing.

Westminster on a Dreary Day

So This Is Christmas

All Smiles

We were a little worried about Ben at the QPR football clinic since he was the youngest and it would be the longest he had ever played football for. Normally his football goes for 45-60 mins.

But we didn't get a phone call and when we picked him up at 3.30pm he was all smiles. One of the coaches called us over afterwards and told us that Ben had found £40 of the coaches own money on the ground and handed it straight in. He gave him a fiver reward and some sweets. They also said he had been great all day.

We overheard them offering one boy the opportunity to join their youth system but his father said he had also had offers from Chelsea, Charlton & Fulham!

White Elephant

The colour might be different but they're about as popular here as they are in Brisbane...

Child Minding England Style

Dropped Ben off at an all day QPR football clinic at Linford Christie Stadium in West London. Ben has a lot in common with Linford Christie apart from not being black or fast.

So we're enjoying some kid free time in Covent Garden at the moment although Carole bringing me here was a ploy to drop hints for Christmas presents. And she's started using the 'B' word. Boots. I thought we had solidarity on that particular issue. Apparently not.

Speaking of shopping we went to the new Stratford Westfield again yesterday before the stadium tour. Largest shopping centre in Europe.

Plan for tomorrow is winter wonderland in Hyde Park (which includes an outdoor ice skating rink) and an early evening panto, Jack & the Beanstalk.

http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/34578/jack-and-the-beanstalk

Stadium Tour

We did a tour of the stadium today. Not so interesting for Ben - bit too much narrative & history. He did have a pee in the director's box out of desperation...a very quiet directors box filled with 20 people doing a stadium tour who could hear ever tinkle lol

Christmas Time in London

Just a quick phone snap. Sounds corny but Christmas in London is pretty enchanting. The days are short and there's just something wonderful about strolling around after dark with sparkling Xmas lights all about, carols playing. Magic.

Double Double

Game Day 2 - Barnsley

We headed off to meet Dave for the Barnsley game. Pie & mash in Duncan's to start (double double for Dave - that's 2 pies and 2 servings of mash on the same plate floating in a pea liquor. Then in to the the Duke for a couple of pints, up to the Newham bookshop where Jeremy Nichols & Iain Dale were signing their books , quick pint in the Bobby Moore lower before it was time for the game.

With the 2 red cards and injury incurred last week it was always going to be dicey but happy to get 3 pts and move a week closer to getting some key players back. Debut for Steve Pott's lad Danny who was good value and both Dave and I thought could have been man of the match but the sponsors contrived to give it to Nolan which was laughable. So ridiculous the crowd booed.

Walked to Plaistow past an insanely long line to get in to the Upton Park tube. Not exaggerating when I say it was over a kilometre long and they were 5 across the whole way, perhaps 3000 people. Maybe more. Kept Ben happy by jumping on a red double decker bus to Stratford. Found a decent curry restaurant where I knocked down a few 660ml cobra lagers and a chicken tikka masala. After tea we walked back to the new Westfield Stratford shopping centre which is the largest in Europe. Dave and I sang songs all the way with people joining in along the way.

Good result, good day.

Royal Victoria Docks

Moved in to an apartment for a week near the Royal Victoria Docks. Bit of an early morning stroll to have a look around.

Carols By Gunfire

Caught the DLR to Woolwich for some tea and to see the Royal Artillery Band performing some Carols in the new Square.