Never trust Google Maps

Friday 1st July

The committee who designed the colours for the weather over here didn’t do a very good job, it’s all grey and no imagination and the use of any blues or yellows. Yet another boring grey day but we are getting used to it. One day the committee may have a day off and we might get some variation.

I had to do it eventually but I blotted my copy book. I got it in early to get it out the way, Foolishly Dave had appointed me tour guide and responsible for directions for the walk from the hotel to the station. . I really thought I knew where I was going to get to the station but Google Maps had the entrance to the hotel as being on a north – south road and we came out the front door on an east - west road. That’s my story anyway and I’m sticking to it. At least I was brave enough to ask for directions and we still made the train we wanted anyway. Dave doesn’t like stairs so naughty words were uttered at the designer of Middlesbrough station. Needless to say I’m looking for a new job.

Apart from that just a boring change / change / change train trip to Scunthorpe. Change at Darlington, change at York, change at Doncaster and then down the branch line to Scunthorpe. It’s a really pretty little trip to Scunthorpe, a canal mirrors the railway line for lots of the way and some very pretty views across the valleys as we made our way merrily along to our destination. Arrived at the hotel to again fall victim to the Travelodge check in time not being till 3pm. Was that a pub we saw next door? You beauty, it was so we enjoyed the surroundings in the Old Farmhouse hotel for an hour or so. We also found the ATM machine there that has been programmed not to like Australians. Luckily there was a Tesco’s across the road which had ATM’s not similarly trained so cash was safely removed and transferred to waiting wallets. We were whole again!!

Then it was off to the Eddie Wright raceway outside town to find a lovely little set up in what used to be a field up to about six years ago. Lovely track design and shape but not the easiest viewing track because the surrounds are so flat. Never mind, the longest journey starts with one small step and they have the foundations. Interesting surroundings with four or five wind turbines next door rotating merrily around while generating electricity. It was the second leg of a knock out cup match with Ipswich and the visitors held a huge advantage from the first leg. With nothing really to play for and a cold grey day the crowd was disappointingly small but it was their loss. After two heats the score was 9-3 to the home team and I thought it was going to be a boring one sided meeting. After that is slowly picked up and by half way through I was thinking “hey, this isn’t half bad after all”. Scunthorpe ran out fairly easy winners in the end with Lasse Bjerre very impressive for Ipswich and David Howe doing pretty much as he pleased for the victors. A super slick presentation and we were all done by around 9pm. Other tracks take note!! There were juniors and a second half after the big boys had finished so Scunthorpe are certainly doing their part to develop speedway. I’d very much like to visit again on a sunny day with more to play for; I think it would be a cracking experience. Dave was like a pig in sh*t, he had been taken out into the centre of the track for heat 15 and was wearing a huge smile. Happiness is something that suits him. I also had the pleasure of finally catching up with renowned speedway artist Jim Blanchard. Jim specializes in recreating paintings from photos or other media. Very nice they are too, I have two at my house, one of Leigh Adams and one of Jason Crump. Jim was super company and we had a nice chat about all sorts of things. It was then back to our hotel courtesy of a lift from Dave (Dobbie, not my travelling companion Dave) and Brian who were on the way back home to the Holbeach area. It was too early to go to bed so it was back to the pub next door for a pint and a chat before we hit the sack. Leicester tomorrow to meet my Auntie Heather and husband Frank and then the speedway to see the long awaited new Leicester speedway.