Arrived at Dublin Airport 10 confounded minutes behind schedule. That will haunt us all bloody week. Checked in straight away. Relieved that Paddy managed to get through security with a passport photograph like that. There is some serious competition for the worst passport photo. Eoin C looks like his was taken in prison!
We almost lost Ciaran P in Departures but all was well. We think he was kidnapped by the girls hockey team also on their way to Holland. He fought off bravely all rescuers but we managed to get him back.
Flight was uneventful. We had to return the stewardess to the upright position prior to take-off! Ciaran P fell asleep. Wonder what he was dreaming about?
We landed in Amsterdam to be totally dumbstruck. It is snowing and snowing heavy. All this way for a snowball fight! We are now on the bus on the way to the hotel. They had to take out a few rows of seats to make room for Marks suitcase. We are not sure how long he is staying! Hope he has plenty of provisions for the snow storm!
We are now crawling along in very heavy traffic. Will never complain about the M50 again
NEWSFLASH We have a new and unexpected addition to the squad. We have the honour and privilege to have Jake Stephens among us. ( No relation to Limerick!). Jake has already justified his existence by arranging all our travel and other odds and ends for tonights Vitesse Arnhem match. Star of the show however is our bus driver Paul. What a gent. He could not be more helpful and could not do more for us. We have truly landed on our feet.
It’s a bit quiet down the back of the bus. I think they are stunned with the weather.
We seem to have got through the Red Cow roundabout and we are beginning to move at last. Only for Tommy O B’s Twix bars I think we might perish!
Arrived at our destination at last. Hungry & tired. Food was number one priority. All sorted and it was time to go to see Vitasse Arnhem v NAC Breda. What a crackin game. 3-3 it finished and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the crack.
Day 1 Part 2
What an experience it was to attend the Vitesse Arnhem –v- NAC Breda match. It was live on Dutch TV but you had to be there. The stadium is magnificent. The roof was closed and the atmosphere was unreal. The facilities are great and it is hard to think of any comparable stadium anywhere. The stadium was celebrating its 10th Anniversary all of which added to the occasion.
The match itself was brilliant. Vitesse were two down to early goals largely down to defensive errors. However we got word to the bench and two substitutions and a
Goal had Arnhem back in it only to concede a third before half time.
Whatever Clive said at half time certainly worked as Arnhem took control in the second half and eventually drew 3-3 and might even have won. All the lads got involved shouting on Arnhem especially Warren who gave a running commentary. Warren also took on all comers on the Playstation and was unbeaten and gathered for himself his own fan club.
The only criticism of the night was that the PA Announcer was very slow with the updates from Lissywoollen. We heard that Athlone drew 0-0.
So back to the hotel and off to bed. The business begins tomorrow.