Game Time

Pregame excitment!

After collecting our stuff we jumped on a bus and headed to Landsdowne Stadium for the big night!  We arrived just in time to watch the last few minutes of France's heart-breaking loss to Germany in penalty kicks on the jumbotron.  After settling into our seats the whole scene really started to sink in . . . we were really at the Women’s World Cup Quarterfinals and the USA was about to take on China!  The atmosphere was great and our Canadian friends were definitely backing the USA . . . as were the thousands of Americans that made the trip.

The USA team made it through the group stage and round of 16 games without undue difficulty, but at the same time they were just barely eeking by each game.  Writing this update after the World Cup had actually concluded, I know a few things happened during this match that really paved the way for the USA’s eventual success in the tournament . . . and it was very exciting to watch live.  First (and sadly) both Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday were benched after receiving 2 yellow cards in previous rounds.  In itself this was a sad thing, as we were all sad not to see them play (especially 'Pinoe), but this coupled with the decision to not start Abby Wambaugh (she did sub in later) set in motion some pivotal changes in the team's dynamics.  Major among these were pushing Carli Lloyd, who has been playing a deeper center midfielder (and someone who I think has been underappreciated for years), further forward, and wow did she take advantage of it . . . netting the winning goal and ultimately contributing to her ultimate win of the Golden Ball award for the tournament.  It also completely changed the team's dynamic and energy with as other players like Tobin Heath really stepping up and bringing an excitement to their play that just hadn’t been there all tournament.  In any case it was a great victory and super exciting to be there in person to see it all happen.

Post-match celebration!!!

Yum!

Following some after-match attempts to find the team bus, and maybe bump into . . . I don’t know, maybe Megan Rapinoe . . . we decided to walk the couple of miles back to the hotel rather than wait with the masses for the buses.  Along the way we found a restaurant that K had identified before the trip as one to check out, The Whalesbone Oyster House, and she was absolutely right.  It was really a hole in the wall, but they knew how to cook seafood.  And we had front row seats as the only table available was practically in the kitchen (best table in the house).  These guys had fun, did shots with customers, and all the while managed to prepare dish after dish in this tiny kitchen with a rhythm that was fascinating to watch.  We ordered almost one of everything and even asked them to surprise us with a custom oyster appetizer.  Delicious. 

Two things not to miss in Ottawa: US World Cup quarterfinals (ok, perhaps hard to come by) and The Whalesbone Oyster House.

Ottawa at Large

Wandering about Ottawa . . .

Today we set out to wander around Ottawa . . . with a sense of game day anticipation in the air.  Ottawa was quite obviously an American city for the day as everywhere we went we saw people wearing red, white, and blue.  We found a trail behind the government buildings that led to a lovely walk along the St. Lawrence where we climbed over some locks on the canal, checked out the outdoor exhibits at the National Gallery of Canada, and ended up at the high point checking out the views of Ottawa and Gatineau by the Champlain Statue.  We then wandered through the ByWard Market area until finding a pub, that was really like five pubs sharing the same building.  We also discovered that the pub complex had at least one set of washrooms for each member of our party.  After eating we did a little shopping in the open air stalls on our way back to the hotel to prep for the big game!

Hear no, See no, Speak no . . . Did you Really think J wouldn't peak?

The fellowship of the football.

Canada Bound!

Last night we collected J from the airport and headed north! Five exhausting miles later we reached Center City Philly our not too ambitious goal for night 1.  We grabbed a few drinks and crashed with K to charge up.  

Today we set out early and after finally making it out of Philly traffic began making real progress in our northward trek. 

Riding our noble steeds northward.

We were briefly side-tracked in rural PA by signs advertising the world’s largest General Store and had to investigate.  After more than an hour, we found our way out of the maze of dollar-store items, Halloween decorations, Michael Jackson statues, and assorted Americana before finally making our way outside . . . to spend another 30 minutes in the barnyard maze.  Overall an interesting experience. 

General store fun.

Parliament at night.

First Ottawa views.

Back on the road, we made good time, crossing New York and into Ontario in the Thousand Islands   area (worthy of a followup visit).  Eventually we found our way into Canada’s Capital, and with some strong navigation work from J and K (overtones of “Men in Black”) drove right up to our home for the next two days, the Ottawa Marriott.  After grabbing glasses of whiskey and getting the lay of the land from the balcony in the Concierge Lounge, we headed out on the town checking out the Parliament Building and a few assorted sights, before settling in at a local microbrewery for some poutine, dinner, and yes a few beers.  One last stop at the hotel bar delivered nightcaps, the end of a jazz set (part of the Ottawa Jazz Festival), and some “interesting” company (sorry J).

Busy Day!

End Credits

Thanks to:
New Garmin GPS- for always taking us down Interesting roads we may not have discovered on our own, even if you disagreed with our choice of scenic routes to St. Anthony. Also, thanks for automatically re-routing us around snarly traffic on the way to the airport.

Our Ford S-Max rental car- for the nice ride even on challenging roads and wet conditions. If they made you in the US (with the steering wheel properly on the right) I would consider driving you.

Apartment/cottage rentals - you were cozy AND had washing machines!

Bus number 8 - For allowing us to see more of Edinburgh than our feet were willing to take us.

The folks at Radio 2 - You were brilliant, with your completely random music selections, all request Fridays, and silly quizzes.  Thanks for being very entertaining, even when you weren't playing music. 

Cameras - All four of you for documenting the good times, the beautiful sites and for providing proof that yes...we were there.  Thanks also to the camera phones.

Shawn- for being our designated driver and staying on the left.

Candy- for being an excellent travel companion and for doing all the dishes while we were on Skye. You're awesome!

Things I Will Miss about Britain

Shawn's List

- Sausage and Mustard Crisps (where have you been all my life)

- Hand-pulled Beers

- Fish and Chips

- Paralympics Coverage

- Single Malt Whiskey Fudge

- Diesel Cheaper than Gas

- Cask-conditioned ales cheaper than Budweiser

Best of...

Best brew - Organic Porter from Black Isle Brewing Co. (Inverness)

Best Fish and Chips (also best split peas) - Masons Arms Pub (Warminster)

Best Overall Meal - Red Skye Restaurant and the Claymore (Skye)

Best local experience - watching football at the Heron pub (London)

Best Castle - Edinburgh Castle

Favorite accommodation - Rental cottage on Skye

Favorite Inn - Dalesway Hotel

Favorite Hotel - Breadsall Priory

Most unexpected experience - Seeing memorial to Ianto Jones
Seeing Dr. Who premier in Britain

Most challenging road -....England....

Highlights Candy - Skye and Dr. Who experience, roman baths

Highlights Shawn - hiking old man of Storr, sea glass beach, Bolton Abby

Highlights Sara - hiking the old man of Storr, Chatsworth, Stonehenge

Oldest site - Stonehenge

Favorite livestock experience - herding sheep

Most underwhelming experience - deep sea takeout (Edinburgh)

Best Paralympic show - The Last Leg (channel 4)

Favorite Loch - Loch Lochy

Best radio - BBC 2

Best mode of transportation - London Underground

-- Post From Sara's iPhone

Last Day in Scotland :-(

Sadly we woke today knowing it would be our last full day in Scotland.

Following last minute heroics to save our drying laundry from a surprise shower...we rushed about the house and located the various sundries drying on every hook and doorknob. Then packed up, waved good bye to our amazing rental and left Skye.

We made a quick stop at Dunvegan Castle to stock up on Scotch flavored fudge and made our way to Loch Lomond and The Trussochs. We were rewarded with wonderful views of the Loch and Mountains, but being a bit travel-wary didn't stray far from the car.

We arrived in Glasgow in the late afternoon, checked in to the Marriott. While Mom watched the Tele, Sara and I walked around downtown. Surprisingly we got to pose by the Olympic Rings, something we missed in London, walked the streets in a flood of happy kilt-clad football fans following a victory, and encountered and oddly dressed statue... I was very impressed by Glasgow and Hope to head back again.

We grabbed our final dinner F&C at a local Chippie and watched Dr. Who before settling in to rest up for our morning flight to Newark.

For Auld Lang Syne,
~Shawn


-- Post From Shawn's iPhone

Location:Glasgow, Scotland