It was a pleasure to get up and out and the short 1.9 mile journey to the Academy of Football.
The staff at the Boleyn Ground or Upton Park depending on your preference greeted us warmly and despite there being a lot of activity at the ground with the players in for training ahead of their game against Cardiff tomorrow, we were escorted into the Directors box where we took our pics.
From there we did the 7.0 mile journey to Charlton which was all very uneventful until the GPS system directed us to take the Blackwall Tunnel. Now my family tell me that there was a huge notice before the tunnel to say that no cycles were permitted in the tunnel. Now given that my riding companion at the time was Josh who had come to grief earlier in the trip in Birmingham this was probabaly not the best idea. It seemed that all of the traffic that had been held up by the horrendous delays from yesterday on the M25 had decided to use the tunnel as its alternative route. It is an understatement to say that it was lively and that by the end of it the colour had drained somewhat from Josh's cheeks. Still no damage done!
We actually found a steward/security chap at The Valley who displayed distictly human attributes and jovially escorted us to the side of the pitch. I quickly identified the seat that I had occupied on my one previous visit to the Valley when Charlton beat Forest 4-2 in the season that Forest won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League. You will know given Forest recent record that was some years past. Anyhow we must have brought them good luck as they later won 3-0.
The 5.1 mile journey to Millwall was all a little depressing. The ground is situated not far from the Surrey Quays adjacent to a waste and recycling plant and the whiff of refuse and rubbish hovers in the air. The New Den is however the only ground that has its own blue double decker bus parked in the car park and that is its distinguishing feature. Despite being two up at Reading the Lions conceded two late goals to draw 2-2.
We moved into another part of SE London (7.8 miles) and the visit to Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace. My last visit there was only a few weeks ago as I was invited to see Forest there by a Palace supporting friend. I almost felt at home as we buzzed past the Kebab shop we frequented when I was last there. An open gate at an unattended stadium allowed us access to the side of the pitch for a record of our visit to be made. Sadly we did not bring Palace any luck as they lost their opening game of the season.
We set off again on our longest leg of the day and the 9.3 miles to Chelsea. This was a very quick stop for photos and answering the call of nature in the Millenium and Copthorne Hotel.
A short jaunt of 2.1 miles took us to the kingdom of Mohammed Al Fayed and Fulham FC. We gave the Michael Jackson statue a swerve. We were asked by a woman on the main gate if we were invited to the players and families BBQ and whilst we were tempted to say that we were cousins of Mohammed we had to admit that we were not part of the guest list. We did speak very briefly to Steve Sidwell who said he was looking forward to the start of the new season.
The Loftus Road Stadium was all closed up so it was hardly worth the effort expended on the 3.2 miles it took to get us there. We recorded our visit and headed off back past the BBC and on our way to Griffin Park the home of Brentford FC. Part of the journey took us along the bike lane on the side of the A40 which was our first encounter with a two way cycle lane. Either I got it wrong or I got it right but the natives of Acton are just plain unfriendly. I thought normal rules of the road applied and you occupied the left hand side. My opponent however had other ideas as he was clearly not moving and when I invited him to do so he asked me what my f................ problem was. I was about to offer a reason for my position but given that his dog looked a bit snarly and I had Rebecca to take care of I decided that discretion was the order of the day.
Part of the deal with Rebecca carrying on riding to Brentford (6.4 miles) was that we would acquire for her a Cadbury Dreams white chocolate bar. A note to the market research guy at Cadbury's - we went into seven separate shops before we could buy a bar of Dreams - you need to take a look at this.
We were met at the gates of Brentford by the Commercial Manager of Brentford FC. As we arrived the home team rose as one not for our arrival but the fact that they had just gone one up at home to Yeovil (they went on to win 2-0). We were taken to the side of the pitch whilst the game was in progress to record our visist to Griffin Park. A big thank you to Oliver White at Brentford FC.
And so we completed the day with a 0.4 stretch to the Premier Inn Kew which is just a lie because it is in Brentford. Ben has joined us again for a family dinner as we are not far from home so I need to finish off.
I had thought that I would put the miles for today in the body of the blog and let you add them up but as I have spoilt you all by giving it to you each day I will not change now.
The mileage for the day is 43.2 miles and a cumulative total of 655.4.
We are now at the point where in the words of the great Kenneth Wolstenhome ' There are people on the pitch, they think it's all over'
Nearly done Russ, a wonderful effort, I've enjoyed following your progress. I too was at that game at Charlton - you maybe recall seeing me at the end with 'Wink' Watson. One last push now....
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