Train to Manchester

in All Posts, Trip to London

After a four hour train ride, we are safe and sound in Manchester!

IMG_5174

We are only in Manchester for one night because we are going to a “football” game tonight.  The Husband’s favorite team is Manchester United.

Tickets are really hard to come by, but we managed to snag a pair of fourth row seats using a ticket exchange website for season ticket holders.  The Husband has never seen Man U play in person, and this is basically a dream come true for him.  I’m excited, too!

 

Our morning started off way too bright and early for a vacation – my alarm went off at 6:45 AM, I crammed 1/2 a Clif Bar down by throat, and trudged through the rain and cold to the gym.

 

I ran 2.0 miles before returning to our suite for a shower.

 

Then, we checked out and headed to the train station, where I got a scone, coffee, and apple:

IMG_5153

Our train ride involved three transfers that left us no time to grab a legitimate meal.  I ended up eating a bunch of junky / snacky food out of my bag out of boredom:

IMG_5156

IMG_5160

I liked looking out the window and watching the countryside go by.  My favorite thing to see where the lambs and the horses (that had jackets on… aww!):

IMG_5166 

After a long, long ride, we arrived in the lovely city of Manchester.

 

Hello, Manchester!

IMG_5170 

IMG_5173

We grabbed some baguettes from a corner store, which I’m eating as a very late lunch.  Mine was cheese, tomato, and some sort of mayo-ish dressing:

IMG_5175

The bread was crunchy and hearty!

 

I need to mentally prepare myself for the Manchester United game.  From watching matches on TV, I know it’s pretty intense!

 

The sing the ENTIRE time!  πŸ™‚

 

Ever been to a “real” football game?  Or did you play it as a kid?  I loooove to watch football/soccer on TV – it’s fast, furious, and interesting.  The players can run up to 7.0 miles during one 90-minute game!

{ 72 comments }

 

  • Brie (The Fit Bride) December 30, 2009, 9:53 am

    I’ve never been to a football/soccer game and it’s probably best for the state of the universe that I avoid playing. I’m so uncoordinated, I’d probably injure myself (and those around me) instantly!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is December 30, 2009, 9:58 am

    2 years ago when David Beckham started playing for La Galaxy, my hubby and I went to the game in New Jersey. I forget who the played, but it was INSANE. Totally packed, a little violence in the crowd, and a blast all around. I never played but my hubby played from when he was a young tot all through college. πŸ™‚

  • Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story December 30, 2009, 10:00 am

    It looks like you are having a fantastic time and I’m so happy for you! I watched some movie once about football in England and Manchester United, I can’t remember the name, something about Green Street Hooligans or something maybe. It was about the brawling that happens against rival teams. It was really good! I hope you don’t get caught up in a brawl though. If they actually happen. πŸ™‚

  • Madeline @ GreensAndJeans December 30, 2009, 10:00 am

    We lived in England for a year when I was in high school and we got REALLY into football! For some reason we really latched onto Liverpool and we went to a couple of games. Living overseas you have little choice but to love it!

  • Nicci@NiftyEats December 30, 2009, 10:00 am

    I love football games…Go Cowboys. I haven’t been to a NFL game in years.

  • Christy December 30, 2009, 10:00 am

    Yeah, I’ve seen tooonnnsss of soccer games because my little sister has played since kindergarten! It’s not my favorite sport but I’d always to go support her.. I’m more of an American football kinda girl πŸ˜€

  • Casey @ SpicyandSweet December 30, 2009, 10:01 am

    I was in Ireland for the Six Nations rugby game–not the same as soccer, obviously, but so intense! It was great–they won–so the streets of Dublin went absolutely nuts! One of the most fun nights of my life :).

  • Julie December 30, 2009, 10:05 am

    That looks like such a blast!! You are really getting the full British experience on this trip!!

  • Evan Thomas December 30, 2009, 10:06 am

    That all looks so fun. I’m not much in to sports, but watching the European Football Cup with fans of the sport really got me into it

  • Jenna December 30, 2009, 10:06 am

    Have fun at the game!!

  • Ashley December 30, 2009, 10:09 am

    omgg! when i used to live in england EVERYONE was a HUGE MAN U fan! haha love it!

  • JAG December 30, 2009, 10:10 am

    I regularly go to footie, Chelsea FC are my team and the hubby and I go to at least 1-2 games per season. We are taking my son to see them on 3rd January – he’s not a Chelsea supporter (he also supports Man Utd) but it is his first BIG match so he is still excited.

    I love Manchester and had a fabulous weekend with a bunch of internet people when we all met up in September. It’s like London but on a much smaller scale.

    Enjoy your trip and I hope the footie isn’t too intimidating for you.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 30, 2009, 10:11 am

    Such pretty English countryside!! Makes me think of Jane Austen πŸ™‚

    Have fun at the game!

  • rungirlrunn December 30, 2009, 10:11 am

    I knew there was a ton of running in soccer, but I had NO idea it was that much!!!

  • Matt December 30, 2009, 10:13 am

    Have fun at the game!

  • Sammi December 30, 2009, 10:21 am

    I played soccer when I was little but that didn’t work out too well since I was scared of the ball! My dad took me out into our backyard one day and tried to teach me how to headbutt the ball by repeatedly throwing it towards my face but my fear of the ball made it so I just stood there closing my eyes whenever it came toward me!

    Oh my gosh, that is intense! Looks like you’re going to have tons of fun though. Just make sure you learn the words!

  • Cinemarie December 30, 2009, 10:21 am

    My husband and I are in a soccer league and have been for nearly 7 years now! It is such a great sport – you can get injured bad though – I have had my ankle seriously sprained and he has had his knee broken and had to have surgery… but we still go back to it:)

    I didn’t know that about how you can run 7 miles in a game! Wow! It certainly does feel like it! Thanks for sharing that! πŸ™‚

    I watched my city’s team (Toronto FC, Canada) play Real Madrid this summer – with Ronaldo on the team πŸ™‚ – and it was sooooooo spectacular to watch! Not just the players but the crowd as well… As for the game, the guys from Real Madrid where so much faster than our guys it was embarrassing πŸ™‚
    Hope you and your husband have fun at the game – they are playing Wigan right? Pffffff Man U is sooooo going to win πŸ™‚

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) December 30, 2009, 10:22 am

    I love going to college football games but I’ve never been to an NFL event. Enjoy the game!

  • Elizabeth December 30, 2009, 10:29 am

    What gorgeous pictures of the country side!

    I went to a real football/soccer game when I was an exchange student in Italy while in high school. It was completely insane! Someone shot a flare gun onto the field in the middle of the game, and they sort of proceeded as normal. Tons of fun.

    Thanks for taking us along with you on your adventure– it’s a nice escape from working the day away! πŸ™‚

  • Katy @ These Beautiful Feet December 30, 2009, 10:29 am

    You’re so close to my brother=in-law and his wife!! They are in the outskirts right now. Have a blast!

  • Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life December 30, 2009, 10:36 am

    My cousins played soccer for a team, but I played with my cousins for fun. Have a great time!

  • Maria December 30, 2009, 10:38 am

    My home town! Glad to hear your Husband supports united, they are the best team after all πŸ™‚
    Hope you have fun, and yeah, the matches are pretty intense!

  • Lindsey @ Eat, Read, Run December 30, 2009, 10:40 am

    I went to a Liverpool game when I was studying in England and was overwhelmed. Lots of loud raucous men singing, drinking, cheering and yelling. Yes, there were quite a few fights at the game we attended. It was an experience for sure, but I prefer my Giants. πŸ™‚ Have fun!

  • Harriet December 30, 2009, 10:43 am

    Boo Man U! πŸ˜›
    My family all support West Brom, but I can’t lie, they are rubbish!

    Have fun at the football match, it will be a good experience!
    πŸ˜€

  • Samantha December 30, 2009, 10:46 am

    Your trip looks wonderful! What book are you reading?

    • caitlin December 31, 2009, 9:30 am

      The Last Symbol by Dan Brown – I finished it up on the train – it was good!

  • Lizzy December 30, 2009, 10:48 am

    i hope you have fun! xoxoxo

  • The Hot and Fit December 30, 2009, 10:49 am

    I totally disagree with the American term of SOCCER! It is FOOTBALL, cause you kick the ball with your foot, duh!

    I have seen a bunch, my favourite one was Barcelona versus Sparta Prague. It was such an awesome experience. I love football!!

  • Katie O. @ Fit to Wed December 30, 2009, 10:49 am

    How exciting! You two will have so much fun. I’ve never been to a “real” football game, although I’ve watched a few at some sports bars in Ireland- people were going nuts!

  • Leah @ L4L December 30, 2009, 10:51 am

    I played soccer growing up and loved it! MAN U was my fav when I lived in England too!

  • Caitlin December 30, 2009, 10:58 am

    that scone looks phenomenal!

  • Nicole - Geek Turned Athlete December 30, 2009, 10:59 am

    I’m completely uncoordinated, but the hubby played through high school, college, and when he was in the navy in Japan. He plays on a team in our village in Germany now. The Europeans are serious about their “football” ! Especially if there is beer involved!!

  • The Linz December 30, 2009, 11:03 am

    I got the chance to see Torino play when I was living in Italy a few years ago. OMG! That was the most intense “football” game I have EVER been to. The other team was throwing fire crackers at us, the swat team was there to protect us. It was INSANE! I have to say it’s hands down more crazy and fun than any american football game I have been to. Those euro’s know how to have a good time!

  • brandi December 30, 2009, 11:04 am

    glad you got there safely!

    I went to a real “football” game in Honduras over the summer, which ended really badly..and I have the bullet at home to prove it. It was nuts, to say the least, but the fans at that game were the same way – singing and cheering and setting off fireworks in the stands the whole time.

  • Yasmin @ Pretty Little Steps December 30, 2009, 11:07 am

    You are going to have SUCH a wonderful time! I went to Germany summer ’06 tobcatch a few worldcup games, and even though I don’t follown soccer (er, football?), I got entirely caught in the spirit of the games!

  • Britt - Runnerbelle December 30, 2009, 11:14 am

    I have never been to a real football game, however I was in Europe in 2002 during the world cup. I remember being in the train station in Florence and people just going crazy watching it on the tv’s there. They were also partying it up in the various squares as Italy won that day.

  • zestycook December 30, 2009, 11:19 am

    Glad to see you are having an awesome time! I have never been to a real football game but it would be intense and fun!

    zest

  • Adriane December 30, 2009, 11:20 am

    I love football! I grew up playing and my family were known as football/soccer fanatics. Both my brothers (two) and I played and my dad was even a coach. We used to go to MLS (Major League Soccer) games all the time. Remember the Tampa Bay Mutiny? They are so much fun. I can’t even imagine how amazing a football game in the UK is going to be. Go Manchester United!!!!!!!! Drink a beer for me!

  • RhodeyGirl December 30, 2009, 11:26 am

    I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE football/soccer! I grew up waking up in the middle of the night to watch every World Cup with my family, and my brother has played soccer his whole life. When I studied abroad/lived in Florence (8 months) I went to as many games as I could!

    Forza Viola! La Fiorentina!

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen December 30, 2009, 11:38 am

    So exciting! I’d love to go to a game sometime, and I love the food photos of the great stuff you’re eating πŸ™‚

  • Karla December 30, 2009, 11:41 am

    My Dad is a huge soccer fan! I’ve seen a lot of soccer on tv but not in person.

  • susan December 30, 2009, 11:41 am

    awwww i’m loving your posts, but kinda dying at the same time… you’re basically reliving my life in 2002!! London, Bath, Manchester, if you end up in York or up into Scotland i’ll just pass on i miss it so much!

    i know it’s not like what you’re going to experience, but we have the Timbers in Portland and those games get crazy… yelling, chanting, BEER haha SO FUN!
    so even if you catch a “football” game in the states, they are wild!

  • megan December 30, 2009, 11:44 am

    I played when I was little, like most little kids πŸ™‚ I think I was scared of the ball.

    I’ve never been to a real game, I can’t wait to hear about it!

  • KatieTX December 30, 2009, 11:44 am

    I went to a football game in Berlin. It was insane. Like you mentioned: a lot of cheering, singing, and jumping. It was a cool experience!

  • Brooke December 30, 2009, 11:51 am

    Oh I’m so envious! You will love it, its so intense to watch soccer(football) live, esp a team of the caliber of Man U. I got to see Ac Milan & Chelsea play in Baltimore it was amazing. The flow of the game is beautiful. I played in high school & after a looong 10 year hiatus started playing again in a co-ed rec league. So much fun and a fantastic way to stay in shape. Great for speed traning for distance running! Hope you both have a wonderful time. My fiance lived in Manchester for a while and his father is from Birmingham, seeing pics from your trip really makes me want to go back πŸ™‚

  • D December 30, 2009, 11:54 am

    whooo Manc!

    My parents just moved to Tampa so I’m visiting with them right now over winter break…what a weird coincidence!

  • Carolyn December 30, 2009, 12:10 pm

    That sounds like SO much fun!! I would probably spend the whole time pretending it was Quidditch, though. πŸ™‚

  • Biochemista December 30, 2009, 12:12 pm

    Great pics!!!! Love your site, btw!

    -Lauren
    http://www.Biochemista.com

  • Bree December 30, 2009, 12:15 pm

    Wow – your trip looks amazing! I played football (soccer) growing up and played on my high school team and dabbled in a little intramural action in college. Such a fun sport. I would DIE to go to a Man-U game! You are so lucky..I can’t wait to read about it.

  • beth December 30, 2009, 12:24 pm

    Have a great time! My boyfriend grew up in London and his favorite team is MU as well!

  • Jenny December 30, 2009, 12:36 pm

    Train rides are so speedy, and changing them is so fast too! Good think you had some snacks along the way πŸ™‚

    That baguette sandwich looks just like the genuine ones they serve on the street in France! They are so delicious.

    I’ve never seen a real “football” game, but I love that in Europe they call it that. Have a great time!

  • Kelly (the Running Phoodie) December 30, 2009, 12:42 pm

    My brother and I went to the World Cup final when it was in Berlin a few years ago- one of the best experiences of my life!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) December 30, 2009, 12:45 pm

    Futbol is huge in Spain so I went to a big game of my favorite team while studing there. I even have the scarf from the team. I love Real Betis!

  • Saima December 30, 2009, 12:55 pm

    I played a bit of football when i was younger…..my favourite team would have to be Man U! so excited for the world cup 2010! that one month’s absolutely craziness!!

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) December 30, 2009, 1:28 pm

    ahhh scones! SO GOOD

  • Miriam December 30, 2009, 1:29 pm

    Thanks for sharing your trip with us!! I feel less lonely alone in my office! πŸ™‚

  • Jennifer December 30, 2009, 1:35 pm

    I used to play soccer, in fact, I played all the way through college. I’ve been to a few major games here in the US, but I’m sure none of those match Man U games.

  • Kait December 30, 2009, 1:51 pm

    Just another to love your blog! Man U is “my” team too! My husband & I watch their games on Setanta channel here in the US πŸ™‚ Hope you guys are having a great time!

  • Sagan December 30, 2009, 2:02 pm

    Scones are fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a real football game! It looks like a great time though.

  • Jamie December 30, 2009, 2:18 pm

    Caitlin- I’ve loved watching your trip through London… I used to live in London when i was growing up so its so cool to see the way you are experiencing it. have fun at the “football” game! They are so much fun to watch.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) December 30, 2009, 2:19 pm

    Aww, those lambs are adorable! That’s a really cute picture of you looking out the window – you remind me of Natalie Portman there.
    Hope you both have fun at the game!

  • Laura Georgina December 30, 2009, 3:55 pm

    I used to live in Britain and the husband dragged me to more than a few football games in Birmingham (the nearest city). I never REALLY wanted to go to begin with, but then I’d end up having a great time. Watch out for some great, funny chanting!

  • Courtney December 30, 2009, 4:10 pm

    ARSENAL!

  • Nicole December 30, 2009, 4:44 pm

    These pictures are great, so jealous!

  • Sam December 30, 2009, 5:47 pm

    Just saw the score, you couldn’t have picked a better game to go to! Being a Liverpool fan I’m not in the least bit pleased at the result, but I’m glad you got to see an exciting match anyway!

  • Ester December 30, 2009, 6:00 pm

    Barça!

  • Kasey December 30, 2009, 6:51 pm

    I played soccer when I was younger and loved it!!!

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) December 30, 2009, 9:28 pm

    I love that picture of the lambs! Such a great one from a train. Black sheep are the best. Looks like your trip has been utterly amazing. Very funny that you went in the pool with your pants on.

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) December 30, 2009, 9:48 pm

    going to a manchester game is like going to the superbowl!!! Have fun lady!

  • Laura Smith December 30, 2009, 9:50 pm

    i love soccer! I played all of high school and started in 2nd grade. I actually just joined a co-ed team and had a game tonight πŸ™‚

  • Amanda December 31, 2009, 12:11 am

    You are truly making me want to go to England! My hubby has been to England and Scotland before and said it was amazing, but I’ve always dreamed of going to Italy/France. You are seriously making me re-evaluate my travel ideas.

  • jessica December 31, 2009, 10:24 am

    I played football (soccer) for 15 years. I miss it so much πŸ™ My dream is that my kids play one day too so I can go to all their games!

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point