Finally,Torres scores his first goal for Chelsea!

I must point out that just did not overly happy that I attended the historic match at Stamford Bridge.From very simple reason, namely, I'm a fan of Arsenal but since I'm already in London and my favorite team is not playing at home, why not? Of course I did not tell anyone that Arsenal fan I am, because it might jeopardize my integrity and sovereignty.Since the  stadium was only 10 minutes walk from the apartment we rented, we slowly headed for the Stamford Bridge 30 minutes before the match.

The day before the match we are armed with fan`s equipment in Chelsea shop.

I have to make a small digression, I bought souvenirs for my friends in Serbia.

Of course I`m not wearing a Chelsea shirt ,or anything that has blue color.

Souvenirs i left in apartment.

                 Here you can  see that I am not lying

Company with whom I went to the match can be classified as stupid tourists or rather football illiterate.There`s no better evidence than my best man Jerry who accidentally visited my home on the day when MAN.UTD and Liverpool played in  FA Cup.Jerry is L`pool fan.The first 15 minutes of the match "expert"supported the boys in red.My younger son who is only 11 years,in very polite way explained to him that MAN.UTD is host and usually wears red jersey.Liverpool is guest and they are in white jersey.Jerry said:"Really?I didn`t know"

                                                         The expert

The other two members of this "happy crew" ,were our better halves.The only advantage was that my wife accidentally heard of Drogba, of course, the other is not.

                                                          my wife

Poor me!

Better to have looked fashion show or rhythmic gymnastics!

I knew it would be interesting moments during the match.

First reacted Jerry "the expert":

"This is not football,this is water polo!".

The only day it rained in London,during our stay was the day when we went Stamford Bridge.

Fortunately,it was raining a little over 90 minutes.

I don`t know if it makes sense to explain every action on the ground?

It makes no sense,really.

                                                   Garisha on Stamford Bridge

But very intelligent question i have to comment on.

Before the match my wife asked me:"Who to cheer?"

Marina asked me :"Who is ex husband of Cheryl Cole?I have to make photograph,my friend will be delighted."

???????

"Is there a Serbian player in Chelsea?"

When i answered it and showed to her,she said:"See!How funny he runs!"

                                              She was thinking about this player

"The player with curly hair is the best"

Unfortunately,i had to agree.

Then came 44 min.

Frank Lampard scored the first goal.In the meantime ,Chelsea fans around 40 min.of the game slowly went to the pub to be refreshed with beer.Marina said:"What a shame!They should be punished!They drink beer and did not see the goal!"??????They were still plenty of comments,but it would be at least 60 pages to describe it.And then came a moment of history.

I`m glad that i attended a historic moment.Will i ever watch the match with "happy crew"?Of course NOT!I will let them to walk beside the Thames....

Stratford Upon Avon,Shakespeare i Gordon Banks

Kakve su relacije Shakespeare-a i Gordon Banks-a?

Skoro nikakve ali u  jednom danu sam uspeo da upoznam rodno mesto najveceg engleskog pisca i najboljeg engleskog golmana svih vremena.

Putovanje iz Londona do Stratford Upon  Avon traje oko 2 sata.

Imao sam tu srecu da budem smesten u hotelu Holiday Inn koji je blizu centra.

Zapravo u Stratford Upon Avon-u je sve blizu  centra!

Posto sam stigao u rano poslepodne a imao sam na raspolaganju  samo par sati za upoznavanje sa gradom,zamolio sam mog dragog prijatelja Tima da mi na brzinu pokaze  sve sto moze.

Iako je grad http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/ rodno mesto Shakespeare-a logicno bi bilo da krenemo do njegove rodne kuce ,pa pozoriste itd.Ali izbor je pao na pub!!!Opet i to je logicno:)
Dirty Duck/Black Swan je naziv pub-a http://www.pub-explorer.com/warwks/pub/dirtyduckstratforduponavon.htm i nalazi se u blizini  Royal Shakespeare Theatre http://www.rsc.org.uk/home/default.aspx koji je bio u fazi renoviranja(ovo pisem skoro godinu dana posle!!)

 

Unutrasnjost pub-a je preplavljena fotografijama glumaca i izgleda sasvim pristojno.Predpostavljam da je bar jedan glumac" koji visi na zidu" bio prisutan ali nisam imao vremena za upoznavanje.

Smestili smo se u prijatnu bastu sa zadnje strane pub-a i popili pice .Tim je ubrzo naredio polazak.

Na moju veliku zalost bio je neki festival u gradu i velika guzva.

Kao da su svi turisti sveta bas danas dosli u Stratford Upon Avon!

 

Globalizacija je ucinila svoje i u Stratford-u.Kako su samo pokvarili ovu lepu crkvu!!Mozda poznata banka zeli da napravi neku paralelu izmedju boga i novca?Hm zaista cudno.Sami procenite.

Odmah desno je rodjen on http://www.william-shakespeare.info/.

Tu su nezibezni turisti kojima guzva nije zasmetala.

A bogami i Garisha:)

I ja sam turista !!!

Fotografija Shakespeare rodne kuce bez turista.

Jos malo fotografija Stratfrod Upon Avon-a.

Grad je naravno dobio ime po reci Avon.

Nisam imao vremena da se vozim brodom, iako mi je ta mogucnost bila ponudjena ispred  hotela.

Llanthony Priory

Llanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian priory in the secluded

Vale of Ewyas, a steep sided once glaciated valley within the Black Mountains,

area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire south east Wales. It lies seven miles north of Abergavenny on an old road to Hay on Wye at Llanthony .The main ruins are under the care of  http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/

This foundation was reportedly begun towards the end of the 11th century when a knight was 'converted' after sheltering from a storm in a ruined chapel on the site, and led the life of a hermit for several years.

Eventually he was joined by a priest and a group of canons, and Llanthony Priory was established. In 1135, following a Welsh national rising, the canons had to leave their house at Llanthony, and took refuge in the Bishop's palace at Hereford while a new site was found for them outside of Gloucester, called Llanthony Secunda.

Towards the end of the 12th century, the canons returned to Llanthony to rebuild their priory, and what survives today is from this period. Although it sustained serious damage during the conquest of Wales and the revolt in the early 15th century, what remains today is remarkably well-preserved.
A large section of the north aisle arcade stands to full height, and there is even some of the original vaulting to be seen. Two walls of the crossing tower, showing their rounded window arches, survive almost untouched, and a good section of the south transept retains much of its detail.

Little survives of the claustral buildings, and part of the original prior's house was remodelled, along with the south west tower, to form the basis of accommodation for the present hotel. http://www.llanthonyprioryhotel.co.uk/

However, at the north end of this range is the vaulted outer parlour, and just south of this are three stone-vaulted undercrofts - one of which has been delightfully transformed into the hotel's cellar bar.

The 13th century parish church of St Mary, on the opposite side of the car park to the priory ruins, is believed to have been the infirmary chapel although, because of extensive alteration over the centuries, there is no real evidence to substantiate this. Immediately before the car park entrance, there are fragments of Llanthony Priory gatehouse just visible amongst the undergrowth and farm outbuildings.

The solitude and beauty of Llanthony Priory is captured by the fabulously wild countryside encompassing it, and the dramatic mountainous backdrop providing a wonderful sense of perspective. This is a romantic and magical setting where it is still possible to shut out the intrusive ways of the 21st century and simply unwind in the absolute peace and tranquility of these haunting monastic ruins.

Thanks to my dear friend Stew Maw,

 

I was privileged to see this unique place.