Almost a day off

By comparison to other days the workload for today was much reduced.

It started with a quick trip to the Hawthorns and the home of West Bromwich Albion. West Brom have played here since 1900 and the ground is the highest of all 92 clubs in the Football League. All downhill from here!

A quick hop on and hop off and we were soon at Villa Park the home of Aston Vills FC. The last time I was here Ray Graydon was playing right wing for the Villa. Of all the clubs that we are visting Aston Villa hold the record for being in the top flight of English football having spent 100 seasons of its history in the top division.

Only one club can top that and for those that are remotely interested the answer is at the bottom of the blog with today's mileage.

A quick in and out at St Andrews and Birmingham City FC which was undoubtedly the least impressive of the grounds visited today resulted in the journey to Coventry City starting very early. It also coincided with a failed attempt to see if we could get Josh's bike repaired but alas not to be.

The Ricoh Arena the home of Coventry City FC since it departed Highfield Road. Highfield Road was the scene of many important football events including the venue at which NFFC clinched the old first division title. It was also famous for a goal that became a signature for match of the day when Willie Carr held the ball between his heels and flicked it up for Ernie Hunt to volley into the far corner.

Due to the proximity of the grounds we found ourselves finished at around 1.00pm so we found a quick pub lunch and time for a game of pitch and putt at Allesley Park Coventry. Although we do not visit the Hornets until the last day of the ride some other variety of stinging insect visited my arm whilst I was playing golf so you will appreciate that I am dealing with a different type of discomfort this evening.

We also had a brush with Her Majestys Constabulary as a screw had come loose on the front numberplate of the car. Stephanie asked if they had a spare one in their car. They said that they didn't but would drop some off at the pitch and putt hut for us for when we had finished as they had some screws back at the station which reduced number plate theft. Whilst we were appreciative of their efforts you have to wonder?

So a shorter blog for a shorter day. Heaven knows what I can come up with tomorrow as our one stop in the whole day is Northampton FC in a day of approximately 52 miles!

Josh's mood has lifted somewhat since we arrived at the hotel as the attached restaurant is TGI Fridays!

The answer to the football question is Everton. Today's mileage is 37.8 miles with a total of 458.7. As I said almost a day off.