The beginning of my turning 21 was incredible! Although my birthday isn't until 13th April, Alex's parents very kindly got us tickets for England versus Lithuania at Wembley, the final group stage match of Euro 2016. Football, basically. Lots and lots of the beautiful game in it's English home. I really appreciate that they made so much effort for me, and that we can share a love of football. I'm a scouser, Liverpool has two stadia and two cathedrals, I believe in Jesus and football.
The match kicked off after 7pm, but we arrived early enough to take in the incredible structure that is Wembley.
The match kicked off after 7pm, but we arrived early enough to take in the incredible structure that is Wembley.
I am a terrible traveller, I get sick pretty easily so I need to just fall asleep or I feel rotten and get grumpy. However, even when I can't sleep Virgin trains are definitely my preferred mode of transport to get me to London. They're really comfortable seats, and there's a well stocked little shop on board rather than someone with a trolley to wake you up as they blunder through the carriages. It was only a twenty minute walk to our hotel, which was a Ibis about 5 minute walk and well within site of Wembley stadium. The hotel was smart, clean, spacious, but I had a terrible night's sleep, as the room was boiling with no obvious way of cooling it down. This did not ruin my experience at all though. Especially as my experience included Harry Kane's debut, England winning 4-0 and dinner at the Handmade Burger Company. I highly recommend going to your local Handmade Burger Company, the food is damn tasty, reasonably priced, they have a 7.2% beer, and if you're watching your waistline, they have bunless burgers.
The atmosphere at a football match is rivalled by almost no other, especially an international match. Looking around you could numerous different city teams advertised, but all of their names were on the England flag. Unfortunately, one of the last places a person can show their pride to be English without being attached to the BNP, is an international football match. It was brilliant feeling, such a sense of unity. I couldn't stop smiling the whole way through.
The next morning, we breakfasted at Pret a Manger and then Virgin trained it back to Wolverhampton. For that evening, Alex's dad had bought Alex and I tickets for a club night in Wolverhampton called Blast Off. Until recently, it was the longest running club night in the world, only rivalled by a club night in Ibiza. Unfortunately, last year it decided to end, however, Saturday night it reopened to hit it's millionth 'bloffer' and gain a Guinness world record. I was so grateful I got to experience this night out that Alex has often raved about.
The music was a brilliant mix of old school, dancey, indie tunes. In the civic hall where it was held, there were enough bars that we never queued for long, nor where they too expensive. I came home with a tenner in change! We stayed until closing and loved every minute of it. I greatly advise you keep an eye out for tickets, should they decide to do any more events. Also, have dinner first at the Bilash as we did, literally one of the best Indian restaurants I have eaten at everrrrrr. Their biryani is beautiful.
