Another day that felt like 48 hours! Going to bed tonight, it's crazy to think that the boys played a game this morning. How is that possible? These boys were complete and total rock stars today. Up to eat breakfast and check out of the hotel, quick ride back to the park we had our first training session at, and on to the pitch. The local team was already there...and had just returned from winning the Foyle Cup in Ireland. Coach John was back in charge on the field for the first time this trip. The boys were ready. Martin, Joey and Jadon scored for us, and we did a great job frustrating the heck out of their striker. Final score 3-1. I took a couple of action shots, but they are less than fantastic. Miss you Jill and Melissa!!
After the game, and some highly complimentary words from their coaching staff, everyone got back on the bus (some of us smelling much better than others) for the trip to England. It was a 4.5 hour drive - and we were planning on stopping for lunch 2 or so hours in. We got 20 minutes in and knew they weren't going to make it that long. So our fabulous bus driver Dave found a closer service station and we stopped there. When they said service station, I'm thinking Florida rest stop, or at best, Daileys. Oh. My. Goodness. Think really nice dining hall, plus a really nice local bakery/produce/foodstuffs shop, plus clean bathrooms, plus free glasses of water and waitresses to clean the tables. The food was traditional English and yummy. And they had a castle, because, well, we're in Europe. Why not?
Chris Brunner even grabbed some haggis potato chips - did everyone google what that is? I hear the chips were actually pretty good - my stomach was wonky and I figured that haggis was not the thing to make it better.
We settled in for the long bus ride remaining. The bus does not have wifi nor does it have plugs or charging stations. Egads! Zoe Facetimed me yesterday and laughed when she heard. The boys are doing some great napping, and we're hearing quite a bit of talking. Yay!!
We had amazing views from our sweet ride all day. Rolling countryside...
Paragliders...
Wind turbines...
We did make one more stop for a toilet break (that's what they call it here...no restroom, no bathroom - toilet. The boys are enjoying that). Another amazing rest stop - with a Starbucks. Happy parents, happy boys.
At that same rest stop we found a Mission Impossible movie set in London. It seemed to be fate. So we grabbed it and spent the next couple hours with Tom Cruise.
And then we were here. Again, Oh My Goodness. St. George's Park is the English National Training Center for soccer. It is very, very impressive. All the English coaches do their training here, the national teams play here, and some of the professional teams train here part or full time. They also host conferences and trainings. I know I'm repeating myself, but it's very, very impressive - and we haven't even seen the whole complex! Tomorrow we'll tour the complex.
We are staying at the hotel onsite. All football, all the time. Every picture, mural, sculpture - all football. The boys had fun taking pictures...I'll add some if I can grab them!
Reception desk...
Lobby...
We settled in for a nice buffet at the hotel around 9. It stays light here so long here that aside from the lingering jet lag, our bodies are completely confused on time. Seriously, at 9:30 or 10 it's still light out.
After dinner, the boys spent some time exploring the grounds and hanging out. We have been moving so fast and so much, they haven't had much time to chill (or use their phones). When they say they didn't have much time to call or text (with wifi), they aren't lying. I will also say that they have been amazing, respectful, considerate ambassadors of our club and our country. They are appreciating every second of this experience. Tomorrow is another jam packed day - tour and training at the center, bus to Manchester, stadium tour of Old Trafford (Man United), and a we're going to watch the Preston North End vs. Burnely game. We won't be to the hotel until late...really late. Promise I'll keep you updated on Facebook.
Cheers mate!
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