Back from the Bush

Atouk · 07 Oct 2002, 10:21 PM

I had a GREAT weekend in the Bush! If you're in the mood, here are a few too many details about my trip:

Friday -- Checked into my hotel on Shepherds Bush Green, went to the clubshop and bought a new home jersey (w/ Carlisle and 5 on the back) and a few other things, purchased my ticket for the match (Loftus Road Lower Stand, to the right of the goal but not quite to the corner, Row G), and met up with my friend at the Springbok at 2:30.

A few drinks each at The Springbok, The White Horse, The Green, Walkabout, The Bush Ranger, and one more whose name is escaping me (nearer to the "other" Shephers Bush tube stop), took us to 10:30 when we were both quite drunk and, coming off a night of flying, I was quite dead. My friend headed home while I made a trip to the kebab shop and then off to sleep.

Saturday -- Checked in at the Bush Ranger for about an hour but as there was not much conversation going on (everyone watching Leeds/Arsenal), I headed to the White Horse. There I met up with a couple of guys I'd met before and drank with them and a few others until time to head to the match.

Good solid day of football in which we always looked like winning. An excellent day from Connolly, Langley, and all of the back line. Royce looks like a keeper of a 'keeper too. Too bad he's been called back and it'd take one of our limited loans to get him back again.

After the match, I made a trip back to the clubshop. In the end, I didn't end up buying an old Guinness top, but rather purchased a few of the Carlisle superman t-shirts (w/ a "c" in the badge, of course, and "Carlisle" and 5 on the back).

From there back to the White Horse for a bit. I walked down Loftus Road to the Uxbridge Road, so I didn't see or hear about any of the trouble on South Africa Road or near the White City tube stop. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised, because that was the smallest travelling support I've ever seen at the Loft (including Bury last season). Excellent crowd (12,906) considering Colchester brought so little.

Several more drinks at the White Horse before some of the fellows had to go. A few good songs popped up from the celebrating crowd in the White Horse. Oddly enough, people don't seem to like the lads from Chelsea!

One friend and I walked down to O'Donohughes after the Stan Bowles thing had been going on for a bit. I talked to Stan for a bit afterward as he was great and talking to anyone who wanted to come up to him. The place was done up in blue & white baloons, the staff all had on QPR gear, etc., and they were playing QPR songs, etc., and then had a good band playing some good rock covers that shifted toward Irish music as the evening wore on. Again, a stop for a kebab before crashing. An excellent day.

Sunday -- Slept in a bit and then went to do a few things around town. Sunday night I watched an excellent band that I like, called Turin Brakes, at the Shepherds Bush Empire. From there to the White Horse for a pint and to the late-open Walkabout for a few Steinlagers (while listening to a band playing pretty bad modern-rock covers) before a final trip to the kebab shop and crashing.

Monday -- Not much before heading back to Gatwick for the trip to DC via Philly.

Overall, an excellent trip. I may be back sooner than I thought (I'm thinking of going for DC United's game against Tottenham) and if I do, it'll be Cheltenham Town on the road. Should be a strange experience, that one.

Mark

Atouk · 07 Oct 2002, 10:27 PM

FYI, the guys selling A Kick Up The R's weren't around, so I asked the In The Loft guy about them. He said that the guy who does AKUTR's has only put out one issue thus far this season and has only been around at some of the games. I think he said something about the guy having something going on (work, etc.) and not being able to give it much time. So, at the Colchester game, anyway, In The Loft was the only fanzine available outside the ground.

So, Ross, I picked up one of those as well as a program for you. I'll be in touch soon about getting those to you.

Mark

QPR Kevin H · 07 Oct 2002, 11:02 PM

Whoa Mark - have I ever been on that same trip! Sounded like tons of fun. Making me crave the kabob shops of the Uxbridge Rd. Cant wait till I head over - probably not till January now.

About AKUTR's, I know Dave Thomas has been busy as of late. Not as active in everyday R's stuff. But, Im sure normal service will be resumed soon.

Michael K. · 08 Oct 2002, 01:40 AM

Jealous. Terribly jealous. Gotta start planning my first trip of the season.

Northside Rovers · 08 Oct 2002, 12:25 PM

Very nice.

art · 09 Oct 2002, 12:26 AM

Very nice indeed! No trouble getting into the White Horse? I've been turned away there before, but maybe because I was already utterly soused and with a guy wearing a Watford shirt

. What a treat to speak with Stan Bowles; qpr.uk.co made the evening out to be nice but interrupted by well meaning drunks. Sounds like my kind of crowd.

I'm hoping to get over there in January, maybe for Barnsley on the 11th.

QPR Kevin H · 09 Oct 2002, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by art
I'm hoping to get over there in January, maybe for Barnsley on the 11th.

Art - head over for Stockport on the 4th. I'll probably be there for that.

ross from st paul · 12 May 2004, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atouk

FYI, the guys selling A Kick Up The R's weren't around, so I asked the In The Loft guy about them. He said that the guy who does AKUTR's has only put out one issue thus far this season and has only been around at some of the games. I think he said something about the guy having something going on (work, etc.) and not being able to give it much time. So, at the Colchester game, anyway, In The Loft was the only fanzine available outside the ground.

Is that the guy who treks down from Manchester for every Loftus match? He's above-and-beyond the call. Hope he's doing OK.

Quote:

So, Ross, I picked up one of those as well as a program for you. I'll be in touch soon about getting those to you.

AWESOME! Thanks! PM me. I'll send you postage, and materials costs, etc.

My friend Mike called me Monday night: he said our London cabbie friend was at Hillsborough, in the R's section with his brother, and both of their sons. He called Mike several times during the match, via his cell. He'd already screamed himself hoarse. TOOOO friggin' jealous for words.