Stagtime

Monmouth South Wales, the Forest of Dean and Symond Yat the last few days, another lovely part of the country. Off to Southhampton tomorrow.

After another few days back in Derby it’s time to start heading south. I’ve found out more about my family roots  in the last 2 days than I have in the last 15 years. It’s been humbling the way relatives and complete strangers have treated us especially Saturday night in Micklover. And it looks like I have scored a couple more season ticket holders for the club after taking them along to the game and then hitting the town afterwards. Enjoy your Saturday arvo games!

Pride Park Saturday, luckily I had a 14 year old interpreter telling me what Leicester were singing.

Sunday lunchtime drinks in Shardlow, where my father was born.

I think we’ve found our new favourite town in the Uk. Decided to stay in Chester for 4 days before we head back to Derby but unfortunately all the studio apartments were booked so we have to make do with the Ascot penthouse apartment overlooking the racecourse ??‍♂️ Spent a day at Llandudno at the beach.

our room and the view over the racetrack.

A day at the beach and playing in the penny arcade

4 hours ago, ketteringram said:

Where's next?

Change of plans, 2 nights in Chester, 2 nights in Wales on the beach and then back to Derby for 2 nights for the Leicester game and raise havoc with my cousins again.

2 minutes ago, angieram said:

Pleased you could make it but sorry the shop was a bit bare. Not a good time because of the administration. 

I had a fair idea it would be like that. One good thing is since Fanatics took it over, the postage price to Oz is reasonable.

1 hour ago, ketteringram said:

Where's next?

Not sure, thinking we might go to Chester for 3 nights, then maybe 3 nights in the Wye River area. We’ve got 9 nights spare before the hire car has to be back in Southhampton 

Road trip day, over to the dark side of the M1 up to Matlock and across to Ashbourne for afternoon smoko. Leave Derby tomorrow so we'll take our Qld weather with us.

4 hours ago, angieram said:

How many times have you visited Pride Park? 

Something those of us who are local take for granted! 

2nd time Angie, been away at Fulham as well as a quick trip over for Wembley.  Usually drop into the club shop every time we're here but unfortunately nothing left in my size this trip.

A couple of great days in Derby so far, PP for the pre season game yesterday followed by dinner at The Bluebell in Kirk Langley. Today’s been a bit of a pub crawl starting with lunch at The Bullshead in Repton, moved onto Nadee in Findern and finishing up at The Masons Arms in Mickleover. 

2 minutes ago, Miggins said:

Bet Rammy was roasting today!!

He needs a bath by the smell of him.

Ran into this dude in Greggs

Think we might go straight to the ground around 3. If you see a 6ft2 fella with a funny accent and a big R on their cap come and say hi.

What’s the go for pre game drinks. Am I better getting a taxi to town or straight to the stadium. Place looked quiet 45 minutes ago.

I have my tickets, ready to go.

11 minutes ago, Kinder said:

I made the mistake of doing this recently. I clearly can’t take a decent photo because I look like a murderer and am now stuck with this passport for the next 10 years. I also had to renew my driving licence and they automatically used the same photo. I’ve honestly never seen a worse photo of myself, but it took so many attempts to get an acceptable one that I went with it.

Haha, I know that feeling. I do it on purpose now, shaved head and all on my Oz passport.

9 hours ago, angieram said:

They are always open matchdays but it might be a little busy. For league matches they have a separate little stall for matchday tickets, probably won't for a friendly, so allow as much time as you can.

Thanks Angie, I think we’ll head straight there before we go to the motel.

1 hour ago, Tamworthram said:

I did the same when I renewed my passport a couple of years ago so it definitely is/was a thing for UK residents as well. A bit of a pain getting an acceptable background and level of light but managed it in the end.

Yeah, took about 6 shots before one got accepted.

2 hours ago, angieram said:

I could have printed them off for you and met you outside ground. Presumably you don't have that option now?

Hopefully ticket office won't be too busy.

Thanks Angie but I’ve already hit the pickup button. Hopefully the ticket office is open Saturday as the website say’s closed Saturday. Might have to call them tomorrow.

1 hour ago, Carnero said:

It changed post-covid due to needing to be able to identify (as best they can) who sat where for contact tracing etc.

Ordered my seats(EUH) no worries, just haven’t got access to a printer so hopefully I can pick them up around lunchtime Saturday.

1 hour ago, ketteringram said:

Hey, when I wrote that, I had no idea you were going to York!

I'm trying to figure out why you're arriving in Derby on match day, at 2pm , wondering if you've time to buy a ticket. Why 2pm? Why not 11am, or 8am . Where are you setting off from , that gets you to Derby at 2? 

Apologies if you're walking from York!?

Check in at the motel is 2pm, so we’ll get there a bit earlier and hopefully they’ll be ready. It has been a bit hit and miss so far with check in times, some have been 3 or 4 and no earlier. I suppose everyone is struggling with staff shortages at the moment. And it’s the first time for years we decided not to stay in the city centre so we’ll just have to Uber in.

2 minutes ago, angieram said:

They will insist on you setting up some ID for her, should be easy if you can provide a second email address. It might be fun to go to ticket office just for the experience!

No bad views at Pride Park but go high up if you are choosing East Stand and don't want to be sat in full sun. South Stand will be in shade.

I’ve picked up tickets twice before and found it very easy, maybe different after the last couple of years. I’ve sat SW corner before so might go for south stand, just a bit worried about standing all game as my better halves knees are still shot from the walk.

11 hours ago, Unlucky Alf said:

No holidays this year, After blowing a few grand on a failed house move I've decided a Summer at home, Just applied for my passport, Went to Asda for my photos in one of those booths, £9 for 4 pics, Go home and apply, Get to my picture and I put in the code that came with the pics and Boom there I am, Sent old one back on Monday, Got a message today that they have received it...10 weeks if alls well with my application.

When I renewed my British passport last year I was able to take my own picture and submit it online. Maybe that was only for Overseas applications. It was far easier, cheaper and quicker than renewing my Aus passport.

After some info please. I know I can get 1 ticket with my ID but as the missus has never been to a match I would prefer 2. Am I more chance of going to the ticket office to buy 2? Any suggestions on which bay would be better. I’m thinking G, to the left of centre. The most important, where’s the best place for drink pre game. 

23 hours ago, ketteringram said:

Sorry Mr Stagtime, but for such a well organized and lengthy trip, that last sentence looks like a right Shambles ?

Now I get it ?

1 hour ago, ketteringram said:

Never mind the comma, what about the timings?

Wednesday in York, Thursday and Friday in the Yorkshire Dales then Saturday to Tuesday in Derby.