Wembley. Oh, and Mothers Day

So today is Mother's Day. Tash was up early and made Charlotte go for a 6 mile walk which I don't think she was too keen on!! They did it and whilst out we tidied up around the house and I did a fry up.

That went down well and we then pottered around before getting ready to go out. Collected mum and Derek and we drove to London for the England match against Lithuania. Mum hadn't been to a big game so this was on her list and so the kids clubbed together to buy her the tickets for Xmas. 

We parked just over a mile away at a church car park, was a bit worried about the walk for Derek but he was fine. Everyone was quite excited and we stopped at a Caribbean restaurant which had the worlds worse waitress!! We were scared of her!

Anyway, went to Bobby Moore's statue and took some photos and then went and got our seats. We were high up but it was fine. Nice to be there and experience it all. Wasn't the best game but England won 2-0 so we saw some goals and mum really enjoyed it. That was obviously the key purpose. Made out way back to the car in the knowledge that we'd be back again next week for the cup final that Oxford are playing in. 

The traffic was mad but we got out the f London really quickly, I was so surprised but delighted at the same time. Took just over an hour to get home and drop mum and Derek off. 

Really nice day, wat he's a bit of telly and then early night. 

England match v Switzerland

Long day today, didn't get up too early as so tired. Worked through the day but it was a real struggle

Finished around 4.00pm and then got ready to take Jack to Wembley for the England game. Went up to Bicester train station and then straight into the Wembley station that was only 400 yards from the ground

Walked around a bit and then went into the ground and got our seats. Decent view but high up. The game and the attempt by the announcer to liven it up was poor. The way England played was very disappointing, they lack so much quality in passing and movement. I find it really hard to watch but at the same time it was nice to be with Jack. 

The game only livened up in the last 20 mins when they put Harry Kane on and he scored quite quickly and injected some enthusiasm into the match

We then got to witness history as Wayne Rooney became the England all time top scorer by putting his penalty away. So it wasn't a complete waste of time. 

Waited until the end of the match and then went back to the station through all the rush. Had to wait a while before getting the 22.18 train. Jack fell asleep on the way back I wrote my diary. 

Knowing I've got to work when I get home is a concern. I've got a real shit project I'm trying to get completed and I'm struggling with it. Well, we'll see what happens when I get home and how late I need to work. (Update – I worked until 5.00am!!)

Bobby Moore photo-bombing me and Jack!

World Cup 2014 – Brazil

So the World Cup is finally with us, in Brazil, the ‘spiritual home of football’ and all that guff! The TV companies are going completely over-board with it of course but it’s football, the very ugly and commercial sport that it has now become.

So far so good though, the matches have been really quite good, open and attacking and a couple of shocks, nothing more so that Holland’s demolition of Spain 5-1, some fantastic goals in there, I think Van Persie’s header for the equaliser was the pick of the bunch.

On Saturday night, 11.00pm kick off, we had England’s opening game against Italy. I was planning to go to the pub to watch but was over-ruled!! So watched on the sofa with Lewis and it was a very entertaining match in fact. England made a decent fist of it and attacked Italy but they seemed in control for the most of the game. Andrea Pirlo in good form doing whatever he wanted. I think a draw could have been a far result but Italy ran out 2-1 winners. Wasn’t too disheartened as I felt we created chances and looked promising in attack. Unfortunately, we looked suspect defensively and when we play Uruguay, I think Suarez (if fit) will cause us serious problems. There is muted confidence in England on the back of that defeat as opposed to doom & gloom which is interesting. There is such a lack on expectation for once, unusually low for a tournament…we’ll see.

Last night Messi (who else??) scored for Argentina and tonight we have Germany against Portugal…that’s worth staying up for!!

Anyway, we’re up and running and so far it’s been enjoyable.