Loch & Deans Big Pompey Adventure

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Hello again,

To "change the pace now" as Elliott Goblitt used to say Loch & I left the girls to their own devices & navigational skills as we headed South. We had planned some days earlier to take a trip down to Portsmouth to visit Fratton Park the home of the mighty ( 2007 FA Cup Winning ) "Pompey".
So it was on one of our many London Underground train rides that I read in a local paper that Pompey was to host Chelsea in a Carling Cup match on the day of our intended visit. Now this had to be more than a coincidence but hey...who was going to argue the benefit of it anyway. So it was straight onto ticketmaster the next morning to secure a couple of seats if they were available. Once again it must have been meant to be as there was a limited number of seats available & so I grabbed 2. Just on the half way line 8 rows from the pitch. How good was that ! Things were looking great. Only 25 quid all up.
So after a bit of last minute train timetable perusing we said bye to the girls & headed straight to Waterloo Station to get our tickets & take the 90 min express to Portsmouth. We departed the train at Fratton the nearest station to the Stadium ( stadium used with a wry smile, it's no Docklands but a new one is under construction though ) & made our way to the ticket office & megastore !! On the 10 min trundle from the station I was quickly reminded of just how "blue collar" some of this area is. We got our seats & picked up a number of bargains at the megastore / tent thingee then proceeded to get something to eat. It was after strolling past a kwik-e-mart (no joke) looked at each other & decided that we head into the royal township of Portsmouth for dinner. Now it has to be said that the only thing that had gone against our good fortune for the entire planning was that it was now raining. But hey we were flying so it didn't even bother us we could cope with that all was good in the world & we were going to watch our Pompey against the cash strapped Chelsea ! Ha Ha
After a wonderful dinner at a one of the many fine local establishments ( Pizza Hut ) we jumped into a cab & said to the driver " Take us to Fratton Park thanks Gov" !!
Got into the ground, grabbed our seats & started chanting with the locals for our team. What could possibly wreck the night??? We got belted 4 - 0.
The train ride home was long but we both knew that we had been beaten by a side stacked with more talent than the Cats midfield. As for Pompey we are building but it takes time & a Sheik owner. But the experience was a ripper & was so glad that Loch & I were able to experience that together as part of our trip.

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Photos

Pompey Visit
Loch at Fratton Park

Pompey Visit
Dean at Fratton Park

Pompey Visit
The game is underway