My World Cup trip

Paterson

Well-known member
I rarely link to my blog these days as it's fairly dull and fourteenth tier Westmorland league fixtures are understandably a niche read. My World Cup posts have generally been of interest to some in the past though and so I thought I'd post a link.

For what its worth, I had a great time. Five days in the sunshine watching five games in different stadiums. It was incredibly well organised and I enjoyed the brief exchanges that you have with someone from another part of the world that you'll likely never see again at the match, on a bus, in a queue for security or in a bar watching a game on a big screen between teams that neither of you support.

One of the best bits for me was the lack of alcohol at the stadium and limited access prior to kick-off. It gave the games a much friendlier atmosphere, similar to that at the Women's Euros last summer, without any loss of passion.

Anyway, they are at the link below in reverse order. Feel free to keep scrolling for the Westmorland League.

Click here.
 
Thanks for that a great read. It's definitely struck me that due to the proxmity of the stadia, it really is possible to see loads of games in a short period of time. I'm also planning to do 2026 and will probably be lucky to see a handful in a couple of weeks. Good to see that the transport assisted this as well.

I'm definitely with you on the alcohol point too - whilst I enjoy a pint at the match, having to put up with inebriated d1ckheads has largely put me off going to "elite" English matches anymore. I generally find it much more amenable on the continent where you have the best of both worlds - a pint at your seat but not surrounded by morons.
 
Really good write up that,I also enjoyed reading more of your blogs where you covered most of our home games plus interesting reports from the non league games you attended both on a Saturday and Sunday plus your trips abroad visiting games off the the normal tourist track.
 
Nice. Thanks mate. What were you Paying for a pint on the boat? Seems like they got the transport done well.
It was 15 euros for a 330ml bottle in the pool area with the big screen. Rip-off, I know. I don't know if that's typical as I didn't check the cost of a pint of bitter when we drank in their 'English pub'. I was talking to one of the bar staff and prices are usually less than half of that when the boat is being used for a regular cruise.

We were fortunate that our room had drinks included in certain bars and restaurants so we tended to do most of our drinking in those areas.
 
Really good write up that,I also enjoyed reading more of your blogs where you covered most of our home games plus interesting reports from the non league games you attended both on a Saturday and Sunday plus your trips abroad visiting games off the the normal tourist track.
Thanks very much. I keep it going mainly so that I can have a record of where I've been. It doesn't attract many readers but I'm fine with that as there's no pressure to make it entertaining.
 
Fascinating mate, will read later.

Where did you stay? Did it have the vibe of a World Cup or a bit weird overall?
We were on a boat, Jonny. Overall vibe was similar to normal but without the big congregation of fans at drinking spots close to the ground. I can enjoy it both ways so was fine with it all.
 
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