I think I had better check my calendar as I worry that I have been in a coma for 2 months and it is actually December! I went through Saltford this evening, and passed the village’s local Post Office. I was more than a little surprised to see the whole of the front window covered in Christmas decorations! Tinsel, lights, baubles – the whole lot!
It was absolute madness. I could understand to a degree if BHS put up a tree in their seasonal section; after all many people do start their Crimbo shopping in October, but in a Post Office! The only reason I can possibly think of is that due to the threat of further postal strikes, the only way to guarantee a Christmas delivery, is to post your letters and parcels by the end of the month.
For the first time in a while, I had a free Saturday afternoon due to Bath City having already played on the Friday. I joined a fellow Bath City fan and went to Chippenham to watch their cup game.
Walking past 200+ Chipp fans at their death trap of a ground, I felt like an undercover spy, mixing with the enemy. I passed one man with a drum, dressed head to toe in blue Chippenham Town memorabilia. I was temped to break out in song “Oh, we hate Chippenham, oh we hate Chippenham…” but thought I’d rather not go home in a Wiltshire ambulance, especially after I had paid for a return ticket on the train.
Chippenham were playing Bashley – whoever they are, or where in England they are located, I do not know. ”Bash” were dire and Chippenham won 5-1. A deserved victory, although I noticed many weaknesses in the home teams performance. If we (City) are drawn against Chipp in the FA Cup, I will be advising the Bath City management of my findings.
Saturday evening I joined Simon down the Dolphin pub. It was busy as there was some sporting event on the TV. England were playing France in some minor competition – egg and spoon race I think. It was of absolutely no interest to me, but at least I was able to enjoy a few drinks.
I went to Wales this evening to watch Bath City play Newport in the FA Cup. Every time I have gone to Wales in the past, bad things always seems to happen to me, especially when it involves football. It didn’t start too well this evening either.
After getting off the coach, the first thing I saw was a piece of dog excrement. No word of a lie! What a nice welcome to Wales that was. We did manage to get access to the clubhouse; but only after being given wristbands and escorted in like primary school children. Upon entering the bar, I found they had completely sold out of hot food, the queue to buy drinks was massive, and the selection of beverages very poor.
Still, I came to watch the football – that did not disappoint. City dominated for the vast majority of the game, and came away worthy 2-1 winners. Bath were by far the better team, and it wasn’t until late on in the match, when Newport scored to turn City’s 2-0 lead to just 2-1. To say the final 10 minutes of the game were nerve-wrecking would be a gross underestimate. This stress, however, made for a entertaining match. The most important thing is, for the first time ever, I left Wales with a win.
Bring on the FA Cup draw on Monday. A nice easy team at home, please; then Leeds United in the 1st Round Proper – my dream tie!
I’m off to Wales tonight to watch football. Last time I travelled across The Severn to watch a footy match, bad things happened. Hopefully Bath City will fair a little better in Wales when they play Newport in the FA Cup.
The match has been a bit of a farce. Firstly, it was originally set for tomorrow at 3pm – clashing with the England-Estonia game. You would have thought that The FA would not organise their own major cup competition to be played at exactly the same time as the very national team they govern. Pathetic.
City fans were then told that Newport are segregating the game, and giving the Bath supporters the seated area (anyone for prawn sandwiches?). They are also closing the bar to away fans, so when we arrive an hour early in a cold, wet Wales; all we will have to do is sit down and freeze to death, sober, while we wait for kick off.
Still, looking on the brightside – there is a chance those travelling on the coach may get access to the clubhouse, and more importantly, IT’S THE FA CUP! Come on City!
This evening I found out I could subscribe to Setanta Sports on the internet. Long time readers of my blog will know, that due to having an enchanted forest at the foot of my garden, I am unable to pick up a Freeview or Sky signal. Therefore, the only way I can follow football in my flat is via radio or some dodgy peer-2-peer internet stream.
Tonight, however, I am an official subscriber of Setanta. £7.99 gets me Setana Sports 1, Setana Sports 2. Setana Sports Golf (about as much interest to me as MUTV), as well as lots of archived footy. This evening was Torquay v Oxford United. Oxford went 3-0 up by half time. Torquay made an amazing second half comeback to make the finalscore 3-3. What a game. Setanta is fast becoming known as “the comeback channel”, with many of the matches featuring heroic comebacks from one of the sides playing. It was only the other week Spurs came back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa – a game which was shown on Setanta.
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.
