92 Clubs – Day 2 – Barnet, Barnsley, Birmingham City
I’m typing this at an internet terminal in Birmingham Coach Station, whilst I wait to get a coach to Blackburn to start Day 3.
Everything went smoothly today, except for the fact that the Northern line was under maintenance and I had to do some funny routes to Barnet.
Hopefully, if i get back at a reasonable hour tomorrow, I’ll be able to put some more up then. And of course pictures.
I’m running out of money in this machine, so I’ll go and find the coach.
So what happened on Day 2?
I started by taking the 73 bus aiming to get suburban trains out of Kings Cross to New Barnet for Barnet and walk. But I was running a bit late, so I got off at Euston and took the Northern line to High Barnet.
Underhill From the Northern Line
As this picture shows you can actually see Barnet‘s ground from the train. It also shows it is rather squeezed in amongst the houses underneath Barnet Hill.
I ran down the hill to the ground and took this further picture. I’m not in it, as no-one was about.
Barnet's Underhill Stadium
I left soon afterwards and walked to New Barnet station, which meant I avoided the climb back up the hill to High Barnet and had a level walk all the way.
I know New Barnet well and the station has got a lot better since I used it ocassionally to go up to London or to work at Welwyn Garden City from C’s mother-in-law’s house. I also used to train spot from the bridge at the station, as it was covered and you could do it in the rain.
On this day, I just took the train to Finsbury Park and then the Victoria line on towards home.
I didn;t stay long as it was back to St. Pancras to take the 12:30 train to Chesterfield for Barnsley. There were no gluten-free sandwiches at the station, so I just hoped for the best. I wasn’t in Barnsley long and I just had time to walk up the hill behind the station and see the ground.
Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium
After a quick jog down the hill, I was soon in Sheffield, where I did a bit of recconaisance for future trips.
- The trams look to be a valuable ally, when I do both the Sheffield Clubs and Rotherham
- The Marks was well-stocked, but without any gluten-free sandwiches.
- The maps in the station were also good.
I suspect I may be seeing more of Sheffield.
I was soon on my way to Birmingham with a packed late lunch or early supper.
At Birmingham, I decided to take a taxi to Birmingham City and then get him to point me in the direction of a decent Indian restaurant. Was that cheating or just being sensible?
Birmingham City In The Dark
It was the taxi driver who took the picture.
I think that you can see a pattern emerging here. I need a good photographer at each ground. So if you’d like to volunteer for your team then please do!
After Birmingham City, it was an overnight coach to Blackburn, leaving at 03:10 in the morning. It was rather crowded, but I did manage to get a bit of sleep. but it did leave me properly positioned for Day 3.
92 Clubs – Day 1 – Accrington, Aldershot, Arsenal and Aston Villa
Well! Day 1 is now complete.
I stayed overnight in a guest house called Maple Lodge at Clayton-le-Moors just up the hill from Accrington Stanley‘s ground.
Maple Lodge Guest House at Five in the Morning
It was clean with a very comfortable bed and it was an only a twenty minute walk down the hill at five in the morning for an early start. It would be a nice affordable base for a weekend at the football, with a but of exploring in the area and on the moors thrown in.
I arrived at the ground early, as I needed to catch the 6:17 train out of the town to Leeds to get a train south.
Accrington Stanley's Ground
The ground is signposted off the Whalley Road and is very much tucked away in the houses. It was quiet, but then what do you expect in the dark early on a Saturday morning. I was welcomed by a friendly ginger cat though.
It took me about twenty minutes to walk down the hill to the station, which is a model for many small towns. Unfortunately, the large Tesco’s next door wasn’t fully open and all I could get to eat was a couple of EatNakd bars. The cashier was also not in the best of humour after working a probably not too busy night-shift on his own. I do wonder about the economics of opening supermarkets all night. Even the self-service tills were broken.
It was from Leeds that I got the 8:05 after the 6:17 from Accrington had got me in on time. It was then a quick route by Victoria and Bakerloo line to catch the 10:53 to Aldershot, where it was a short walk to the ground.
Aldershot Town
Although, I did take a roundabout route getting to the ground, which is actually visible from the station.
It was then back on the train and then on to the Emirates for Arsenal.
At The Emirates Stadium
This picture was taken by a Spanish tourist. If you think I looked hot and bedraggled, you’re right as it was the hottest October 1st since 1800 and God-knows-what.
The Emirates incidentally, was the only place where there was someone to take my picture. The cat at Accrington didn’t want to know.
But at least I was running early and had time for a trip home to have lunch and a shower before going on to Aston Villa.
I left Euston at 17:03 and at just after 19:00 I was outside the ground.
Villa Park - Note the Moon on the Right
I could even see the moon over the stadium. How Romantic!
It was then back to Birmingham New Street and I caught the 21:10 back to London.
I was in bed by 23:30.
I shall update this post as time goes on, as I’ve just written it hurredly as I rush off to Barnsley.
But the amazing thing in some peoples minds was that I caught eight trains yesterday and none were late, although one might have been early. There was no delays on the four Underground trains I caught either.
My only problem was that finding gluten-free food was difficult, as neither Leeds or Birmingham Marks and Spencers in the station carry gluten free sandwiches. But of course, I cooked myself a hearty lunch.
So Day 1 has the same answer to the question of what do you call 1,000 American lawyers at the bottom of the sea? – A good start!
The Anonymous Widower 