For the footy watching Chaps, we're back at the home of football - Simber's house!! - Meet opposite Argos at 12.00pm as Sim is picking us up there (ps the car is full (Chap, Tone, Phil & Ted) so if anyone else needs a lift let us know ASAP). Head for the Railway for a 'Pie & Pint' before returning to Simber's to watch the match.
6.00pm - return to town to the Old Contemptibles to meet up with the non footy watchers.
7.30pm - Due to England Rugby teams unexpected win against the Aussies, we need to watch the WC Semi - probably the OR but we can decide a venue when at the OC's.
Ted, Tone & Chap were picked up from town by Simber's as planned for the merry drive down the Stratford Road to Solihull to pick up Ian. Arriving at our first point of call, Ian was greeted by a 'goatee bearded man' bearing strange gifts from the car window - actually it was Tone passing him some runner beans from Simber's allotment!! (Strange event number 1). Dropping the car of at Sim's house we then yomped down to Railway for a pie & pint, well several pints, T-bone steaks, faggots & fish. As they had the heating on to keep the wrinkles warm we adjourned outside to discuss the ways of the world and how to rectify various problems of the country's youth - Chap suggesting sending them to Helmand in Afghanistan would be suitable retribution for the chav population!!.
The time arrived to head back to Sim's for the match - here the day's strange event no.2 took place - the chaps ignoring beer for cups of tea!!. This was an unheard of phenomenon but at least Chap, and Simbers in the second half did restore some sanity to the proceedings by having a beer. The game was duly won 3 - 0 by England, well it was only Estonia and the contest was done and dusted by half-time. Gaz Baz had a reasonable game and was voted man of the match.
During half-time Simbers tried to book a taxi for 5.15pm - this proved to be somewhat of a trial as it was the festival of Eade and two-thirds of the taxi drives weren't working. We seemed to have secured a Black cab (TOA) however when the time arrived the taxi did not. A plan was put in place to see what time the replacement bus was leaving from the Forrest, with the Chaps re-directing the taxi there if it was ever going to turn up. However, just in time another 7 seater cab was dropping people off at the station and quick as a flash, Tone had it hired. Off into town the chaps went thanking our good fortune - this was however short lived as the bloody driver stung us for £35, with Tone adding insult to injury giving him an extra £5 tip - lesson for the day - don't look a gift taxi in the mouth!!.
Arriving at the OC's we were greeted by Dave and Phil. Here we had strange event number 3 occur - Dave 'Panda-Pop' Fish (see previous review) took great delight in telling us Phil had been on the cappuccino in the pub!! - henceforth Phil will be known as 'CK' - Cappuccino Kid!!. Nige joined us for a pint or two and then we had a debate of which pub to watch the rugger. Simbers was adamant that England could not win a game of tiddly-winks if we watched it in the Old Royal (the Temple of Doom), but the final vote was to watch the first half there and go somewhere else if we were losing at half-time.
The Temple of Doom was packed out, but the chaps had a prime viewing spot to settle into. Beer was ordered in anticipation, and Rog's supply of Cuban cigars was started on (and will probably be finished next week at the final!!!!). The game was close with England scoring in the first minute to settle the nerves. At half time the Frogs had a slender lead 6 -5 but the more robust chaps held their nerve and refused to move from the OR and to see the job done. In to the last 10 mins and up pops Johnny to land a pen & drop goal to give the boys a 14 -9 lead and victory was assured. The pub erupted into choruses of 'Swing Low' and more beer & cigars were consumed. Ian & Chap made a point to Simbers with cries of 'Dooooooooooooooooom'!! ringing in his ears as the OR curse was finally broken.
Finally, Ted caught the 10 o'clock train (again putting the WATN members to shame!!), Simbers and Ian went in search of a taxi leaving the rest of the chaps being in the OR. Chap & Tone headed home with Nige, PP & CK heading for Scruffy Murphy's for some load music therapy. Roll on the final!!
Strange event number 4 - two England national sides winning in one day!!! (only the cricketers failed to make it an unheard of hat-trick)