Dirtier Thirty

Fri 9 Jun

I farewelled Meg and her lovely flatmate Susan, packed my shiz up and meandered to the train station for another substandard coffee (why do I bother???). Trouble free trip to Birmingham reading 'American Psycho', getting excited that the World Cup starts TODAY!

I met Clare by chance in Birmingham (she had been in Coventry), arriving in Nottingham in time for the 5pm kick-off between Germany and Costa-Rica (4-2) which we watched in the pub across the road from the train station.

We dropped our gear off at Rachel's, grabbed a bite at the Hood before picking up some lagers to aid in the celebration of Andy's 30th birthday.

Earlier that day he had been charged with burying a dead magpie he and Cathy found, but had instead turned the burial shoebox into a shrine to Wayne Rooney - The Schrooney - armed with insense and come cash offerings.

After celebratory Champagne, the team (Cathy, Andy, Clare, Claire, Ken and I) left to a local beer garden as we waited for the hillbilly band 'Wholesome Fish' to start their set at the neighbouring Maze. Some sambuca fuelled 'dancing' entertained the crowd for most of the show and we headed home exhausted from our exercise.

Andy showed us he is no mug on the guitar with a seven verse rendition of 'Joey The Weasel'. At least I think it was Joey. Another sighting of the fox (who is now named Rooney) was our reward for a 4am walk home. England vs Paraguay tomorrow!