myguideBritain Blog

Gridiron and Hard Times in the Valleys

October 26th, 2007

At 6ft 6ins and 288lbs Jason Taylor is big man, but this week a 26 foot animatronic version of the Miami Dolphins defensive end has been touring around London because on Sunday, the city is home to the Dolphins as they entertain the New York Giants in the first regular season game on British soil at a sell-out 88,000 capacity Wembley Stadium. I’m lucky enough to have tickets and already looking forward to my first live NFL game. Although the Dolphins are bringing their cheerleaders I suspect that the Giants will have plenty of support in what should be a road game for them. Both teams are treating the game very seriously so apart from a Dolphins private party at the Tower of London on Friday (to which I did not get invited) the players will be kept from view. Shame really as I’m sure the teams would have enjoyed an open top bus tour of London, a visit to the Tate Modern Art Gallery or even an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

London is a not a very car friendly city so I’ll be travelling from South Wales by train and using the underground rail system while I’m there. Rail travel in Britain is to be recommended as it is easy, quick and efficient most of the time. I’ll be travelling first class (of course) as it always ensures plenty of room and comfort for not much more than the price of standard class if you select off peak train travel times.

Nearer to home, this week also sees the launch of a reality TV show on BBC called “Coalhouse” where three families are transported back to a 1927 industrial community. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/coalhouse/index.shtm

The series is set at the historic miners’ cottages in the World Heritage site of Blaenavon, South Wales - only three hundred yards from our offices - and is proving to be a TV success. I’m sure a large number of the TV audience remember such hard times and can identify with such hardships

It’s very strange to see a group of men and boys walking about five miles back over the mountain behind our offices after a hard day’s work in the next valley and reminds one how much we’ve progressed in such a short time (technology wise anyway!). I’m generally having a biscuit and trying to clear my day’s emails at about this time and wouldn’t change places with them for all the tea in China.

Entry Filed under: All of Britain, England, Wales