Konaldos diary - Stalybridge 2015

Konaldo · Post by **Konaldo** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:08 am

Friday –

We leave Esbjerg behind at 13:05, and when checking the GPS arrival time in Hamburg is 16:55. That can’t be right. Should be 16:10. Our Gate closes at 17:00. Lars checks again and discovers an accident has blocked part of the autobahn. Time is now limited and the speed picks up. A Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI tops out at 109 MPH if anyone needs to know.

I don’t know what the trafficjam was all about because when traffic started moving again we saw no evidence of an accident. Probably a caravan wheel blow out, or Reliant Robin on its roof.

Hamburg Airport was next stop and in good time for finding our gate. A lot of ugly people on the plane, not including ourselves. Mostly German, and what must have been Scottish people.

Manchester Airport was no problem however I was again the usual suspect in passport control. Don’t know exactly what they are looking for, as the Burka-Woman infront of me walked right through.

A cab from Manchester Airport to the Portland Hotel was 24.80£ but it came with a smell of womans parfume, or some sort of Indian spices smell, so that’s ok. The girl at the reception was nice and breakfast was booked.

Room nice, and our sight was set for the first pub and some food. Unfortunately the kitchen at the pub was closed, but we had a pint and made a bet on the Fulham – Bournemouth game.

Next pub, noicy an people stared. JD Wetherspoons is the surebet in our situation, and we found out that it was 50 meters from our Hotel. Food, beer and more beer found its way, as we decided to go to the first pub again. Music was now even lauder, but we found a nice table. Challenge. Never order the same beer twice. 3 out of 5 was good. 2 was okay but we must just admit that we are more lager-types than anything else.

4 girls start dancing, and it is now increasingly harder to talk with Lars as he seems quite uninterested in our conversation. Luck has it the girls asks for a dance, but they must have another agenda and I soon pull out. On the rest of the trip this story evolves as Lars still think I parted an agreement as wingman.

I cant really remember what happened next, but I seem to recall that we ended the night in JD. To bed at 01:00.

Saturday –

Started at about 8 or 9. Breakfast, and a short stroll to Piccadilly. 6 policemen in high visibility jackets at the entrance with machineguns make us feel welcome. A short wait before boyliegladbach called us to platform 13. Good to see all the guys again.

5 minuts on the train and spirits are high as Babs from Scabs gets a good service from the Barrow boys.

TheBuffet at Stalybridge Station is nice, good to talk to Chris, Ste, Tidds, Louie etc. The Southern guys join in a short bit later. Great to see you all again. Actually I have membership number 100 of the NSC, thanks Dave.

Spirits where high as we left for the next pub. Singing were laud and the banter even better. Louie took on the job of drawing up our flag but soon left the job to Freya. Good choice there. Chris had his nice hat on, which in Denmark is called “Lille Per hat”. Google or youtube it yourself.

Ste made us a Jägerbomb crossover. Not good I tell you. But please to see he’s left the cider drinking behind him.

Now for the ground. A short hike. Uphill all the way but not that bad. Ste told us the tale of when he climbed some mountain in Vietnam in the sixties with boyliegladbach. That was some story. He topped by telling us he did the Keswick to Barrow walk 3 times in under 8 hours, but by judging on his breath up that hill I think I call his bluff.

Game time. Met up with the famous Philmac. Nice to see you my friend. Alex helped me with our flag and we took some great pictures.

First half was a scrappy game with Stalybridge coming close at 2 occasions. Mostly im-pressed with Simon Grand, but ARH made some good runs and the number 11 (Guy??) had some good actions.

Halftime and finally got a short chat with Elaine. So nice to see you again.

Second half, in the sun. Had it not been for the cold wind it could have been a summers day. Cookys goal was not exactly a belter but I don’t care. My second Barrow goal, and the first for the win. Some nervy minutes but the final whistle sealed it. 3 points and happy days.

In the clubhouse singing, signing flags, beers it just all came together. Talked a bit with Edmo and Meech. Bonusinfo, Edmo apparently has family in Denmark. Had a telling from Elaine for not setting a date on my wedding yet. Sorry Elaine. Asked about 30 times on us coming to Lowestoft.

A guy came with 2 pints for Lars and myself. Was that you Spirit/Ian? Im very sorry I didn’t get to talk to you or even say thank you. Thank you very much for the drinks and I hope to see you again at my next game. What you do for GMT is fantastic.

Back to Stalybridge and after waiting on Chris’ ghost minibus the Danes desides to walk, backup by a Scotsman. The strong and though northerners cry, its to far, its to steep. Grow a pair boys it’s a 5 minut walk. Ste Story could do it in 23 seconds if he wanted to. Just not on a Wednesday, allright Ste?

Train back to Manchester and 1 pint in a pub with some Leeds fans. Rory and I start talking to a very nice guy. Im sorry I didn’t get your name but the confusion soon took over as Rory took the part of playing Lars. That was really funny. Goodbyes to the fellows leaving for Barrow at around 8, then Ryan and Rory went along to JD for some food. A nice chat with these guys. Ryan left around 21:21 for the train departing at 21:30. And arrived back at JD at around 21:45. “I went to take a [SwearFilter] and time just seemed to dis-appear”.

Last goodbye of the day at 22:15 when Rory and now Ryans train leaves for Crewe. We had 1 pint and back to the hotel at around 23:15. Battered after a day meeting people, singing, laughing, talking, meeting ad greeting. We really appreciate all the stuff that happens this day. All the chats and friendly people.

Sunday –

Back to Denmark. No traffic at all in Germany. Driving time 40 minutes less than the trip down. My driveway was reached at 7:50 Sunday night. 52 hours and 50 minutes in the best company anyone could imagine.

Thanks to everyone we met on our trip. Hope to see you all soon. All the best from your Danish friends.

boyliegladbach · Post by **boyliegladbach** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 12:18 pm

Konaldo wrote:

Now for the ground. A short hike. Uphill all the way but not that bad. Ste told us the tale of when he climbed some mountain in Vietnam in the sixties with boyliegladbach. That was some story.
.

True story that is

McMark · Post by **McMark** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:28 pm

Enjoyed reading your insight into a weekend with the travelling Bluebirds Dennis.

Sounds like you had a weekend to remember for the rest of your days

RyanP · Post by **RyanP** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 5:31 pm

Konaldo wrote: Last goodbye of the day at 22:15 when Rory and now Ryans train leaves for Crewe.

Actually Dennis, I wasn't allowed to stay in Crewe, so I had to get in touch with some friends in Manchester and went out with them. Interesting night

.

Great to meet both you guys, see you at Lowestoft, yeah

spirit of 1990 · Post by **spirit of 1990** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 5:42 pm

Konaldo wrote:A guy came with 2 pints for Lars and myself. Was that you Spirit/Ian? Im very sorry I didn’t get to talk to you or even say thank you. Thank you very much for the drinks and I hope to see you again at my next game. What you do for GMT is fantastic.

Actually Dennis, I can't claim the credit for that. We had a chat OUTSIDE the bar just after full time.......obviously the drink was catching up with you then, you Danes don't do proper lager do you

Nice to finally met you mate, sounded like you had a cracking couple of days.

mightywhite · Post by **mightywhite** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:45 pm

That sounds like a great weekend, i think its interesting how people get involved in the club, especially from afar. I've got quite a few people to adopt Barrow as their non league team...however i think that is due to my personal circumstance. I left Barrow when i was young (in my 30's now) and therefore if i don't go to games with my Dad (about 10 a season), i have no one to go with, so ill drag along anyone with a passing interest (rather than go on my own)i guess it doesn't matter really how the word gets spread as long as it gets spread.

It makes me feel good to think that two people from a different country have adopted Barrow and are giving their support. I have always thought that being Barrovrian is a feeling rather than a place of birth and if you have it, you have it.

Keep up the good work fellas.

Konaldo · Post by **Konaldo** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:29 pm

Mark Mc wrote:Enjoyed reading your insight into a weekend with the travelling Bluebirds Dennis.
Sounds like you had a weekend to remember for the rest of your days

Thanks, yep it was a trip to remember.

spirit of 1990 wrote:
Actually Dennis, I can't claim the credit for that. We had a chat OUTSIDE the bar just after full time.......obviously the drink was catching up with you then, you Danes don't do proper lager do you

Nice to finally met you mate, sounded like you had a cracking couple of days.

Im sorry but as with all the other trips we've been introduced to so many people you would not believe. I really try to remember everyones names, if they are from Barrow or other parts of the country, what their forum names are etc etc.

RyanP wrote:
Konaldo wrote: Last goodbye of the day at 22:15 when Rory and now Ryans train leaves for Crewe.
Actually Dennis, I wasn't allowed to stay in Crewe, so I had to get in touch with some friends in Manchester and went out with them. Interesting night .

Great to meet both you guys, see you at Lowestoft, yeah

See you next season..

crossbar · Post by **crossbar** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:22 pm

spirit of 1990 wrote:
Konaldo wrote:A guy came with 2 pints for Lars and myself. Was that you Spirit/Ian? Im very sorry I didn’t get to talk to you or even say thank you. Thank you very much for the drinks and I hope to see you again at my next game. What you do for GMT is fantastic.
Actually Dennis, I can't claim the credit for that. We had a chat OUTSIDE the bar just after full time.......obviously the drink was catching up with you then, you Danes don't do proper lager do you

Nice to finally met you mate, sounded like you had a cracking couple of days.

konaldo, the 2 pints were from Nigel and the gang, very good to meet you. Glad you enjoyed the day.

barralou · Post by **barralou** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 12:56 pm

Was a great trip, and excellent to see yous again! See yous soon hopefully

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