Wednesday, May 17, 2006
One of the greatest soccer games I've ever seen!
Left work early at 6pm on Friday, came straight home, and Kate and I left for Essex, got a train to Liverpool ST then the overland to Witham in Essex, only took about 90 mins to get there. Kate's cousin Matt came and picked us up and took us back to his house in Great Totham. I met his wife Zara, and his Mum (Kate's Aunty) Anne. We sat around and talked for a few hours and then went to bed. I was pretty buggered due to an 8 pint session on Thursday night straight after work with some work people.
Sat morning we were up pretty early, went for a walk then came home and they put on a nice breakfast outside in the sun which was good for a change. Then Neil - the other cousin came around and we drove to Anne's house. We all then went to Heybridge Basin, there version of a beach I suppose, and we had a walk around there, although me and the 2 guys just wanted to get to the pub. Half hour later we got our wish and went to the Chequers Inn. Apparently it's 600 years old, really nice, and we sat in the beer garden and had a feed and a few beers. After that Anne left and the 5 of us went to another pub called the Welcome to watch the FA Cup Final. Don't know how many of you watched it but they're saying it is the best Final in history. The two cousins are crazy Liverpool fans (who were odds on favourites to win), and the pub we went to was full of crazy West Ham supporters and we thought that it could get quite interesting later on. Anyway, after 25 mins, West Ham were 2-0 up and the place was going crazy, shortly after Liverpool got one back and at half time it was 2-1 in West Hams favour.
We sat by the river at half time for yet another beer, and came back in to only have to wait about 15mins to see Liverpool equalise thanks to their skipper Gerrard. Looked like it was going to go to extra time until West Ham scored again, with about 20mins to go. The pub went nuts, and Matt and Neil were nearly in tears. 90th minute, and West Ham still up, everyone thought it was over until Gerrard again shot from over 35 yards into the back of the net, it was amazing, even for someone like me, it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, and i found myself yelling and screaming in excitement. Anyway the game went into extra time where no one scored, only thanks to the Liverpool goalkeeper saving an absolute ripper, then went into penalties where Liverpool won 3-1. One of the greatest soccer games I've ever seen. Needless to say, the pub cleared out pretty quick and we left unscathed back home for a few more beers.
Had a quick feed and then went into Chelmsford for a night out. Spent the whole night at a pub called D Place I think, just drinking, trying to dance, and admiring the scenery which I was told all about by every guy that has ever been there before. After 18 beers (majority pints), we called it a night, Anne picked us up at 12:30 and 5 of us squeezed into her tiny little car and went back to Matt's. Boys being boys, we thought we'd have another beer, and just like a million times before we all got through about half before passing out!!
Sunday was pretty relaxing which was good, we needed it, just saw a bit of Maldon, went for a walk, had a big BBQ, and played Giant Jenga, good fun, a game we'll play when I get back home, I know my family will take it so seriously and gamble on it which would make even more hilarious. Neil drove us back to the station at 5 and we were back home by 7:30pm.
Great weekend, pretty busy but time to relax which doean't happen to often over here. We definitely want to go back soon, they're really fun people, and we had a ball.
Champions League Final this Wednesday, and off to Prague this weekend, so I'll spend another week dog tired and aching for money!! But it's good fun doing it! Speak to you all soon.
Sat morning we were up pretty early, went for a walk then came home and they put on a nice breakfast outside in the sun which was good for a change. Then Neil - the other cousin came around and we drove to Anne's house. We all then went to Heybridge Basin, there version of a beach I suppose, and we had a walk around there, although me and the 2 guys just wanted to get to the pub. Half hour later we got our wish and went to the Chequers Inn. Apparently it's 600 years old, really nice, and we sat in the beer garden and had a feed and a few beers. After that Anne left and the 5 of us went to another pub called the Welcome to watch the FA Cup Final. Don't know how many of you watched it but they're saying it is the best Final in history. The two cousins are crazy Liverpool fans (who were odds on favourites to win), and the pub we went to was full of crazy West Ham supporters and we thought that it could get quite interesting later on. Anyway, after 25 mins, West Ham were 2-0 up and the place was going crazy, shortly after Liverpool got one back and at half time it was 2-1 in West Hams favour.
We sat by the river at half time for yet another beer, and came back in to only have to wait about 15mins to see Liverpool equalise thanks to their skipper Gerrard. Looked like it was going to go to extra time until West Ham scored again, with about 20mins to go. The pub went nuts, and Matt and Neil were nearly in tears. 90th minute, and West Ham still up, everyone thought it was over until Gerrard again shot from over 35 yards into the back of the net, it was amazing, even for someone like me, it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, and i found myself yelling and screaming in excitement. Anyway the game went into extra time where no one scored, only thanks to the Liverpool goalkeeper saving an absolute ripper, then went into penalties where Liverpool won 3-1. One of the greatest soccer games I've ever seen. Needless to say, the pub cleared out pretty quick and we left unscathed back home for a few more beers.
Had a quick feed and then went into Chelmsford for a night out. Spent the whole night at a pub called D Place I think, just drinking, trying to dance, and admiring the scenery which I was told all about by every guy that has ever been there before. After 18 beers (majority pints), we called it a night, Anne picked us up at 12:30 and 5 of us squeezed into her tiny little car and went back to Matt's. Boys being boys, we thought we'd have another beer, and just like a million times before we all got through about half before passing out!!
Sunday was pretty relaxing which was good, we needed it, just saw a bit of Maldon, went for a walk, had a big BBQ, and played Giant Jenga, good fun, a game we'll play when I get back home, I know my family will take it so seriously and gamble on it which would make even more hilarious. Neil drove us back to the station at 5 and we were back home by 7:30pm.
Great weekend, pretty busy but time to relax which doean't happen to often over here. We definitely want to go back soon, they're really fun people, and we had a ball.
Champions League Final this Wednesday, and off to Prague this weekend, so I'll spend another week dog tired and aching for money!! But it's good fun doing it! Speak to you all soon.
# posted by Barb @ 12:27 pm 
