Road Show

Eitan's Elm Grove in tournament action over the long-weekend so we drive to Torquay , which is also known as the English Riviera , but reminds me of Daly City.  We stay on grounds organised by the tournament hosts - maybe 25 club teams - and it is close-quarters : seven of us in a cabin.

The weekend all about the football and Day 1 sees the All Stars in four games, winning three including the Yellows, who have six lads playing with academy clubs (do note the line at the bap stand beyond Eitan which announces boldly : "sensational food.") This the last match of the day and sends the boys and us off on a high. And, since Britain, that means one thing : booze.

But the soccer not over as England plays Belgium in a "friendly" so we troop over to the club house, also serving as the "Tropicana", to check out the big-screens (as I show up late, the ribbing starts early). England wins 1-nil so even more reason to celebrate.

Unfortunately the weather turns from cold and overcast to cold and wet and the BBQ forced underneath a ledge and the rest of us huddle beneath an ill-suited gazebo and eat Doritos.  As it is her Majesty's 60th year on the throne, we are surrounded by cheery Union flags (only called "Union Jacks" btw if flow on one of her Majesty's Royal Navy vessels) and bunting.  The good spirits flow , along with the beef burgers, cigarettes and "Britain's Got Talent" which is on, in the background, in someone's cabin, visible through a window. I take it all in : cultural experience dude.