Day 6 - Thursday 4/21/2011

OH my goodness.. the days get better and better..

We left at 9 this morning for Marlow where we had a 5pm game. This is perfect timing by the way for a group of American tourist in London. We stopped at two stadiums on our way to Marlow, one of which was Twickenham stadium.

As you may have gathered by now, Coach Brown is very good at "making deals" and dealed our way into discounted tickets to enter the stadium and tour the facilities. An awesome experience that equates to seeing the Philadelphia Eagles stadium with a ½ guided tour in the States. Mind you it was no easy task guarding the over abundance of unsupervised rugby balls that could have easily been called "Dingo found" by any one of our players!

We made our second stop at the home of the Wasps at Adams Park just outside of Marlow. Here again they were super receptive of us Americans and provided both a guided tour and lunch at a minimum fee. I must say that the rugby community has completely embraced us and we are loving every minute of it.

By the time we arrived in Marlow we had 40 minutes to tour the town and before heading to the game. Our coach driver, Stewart, is unusually talented in maneuvering the Coach and has received a full round of applause in many cases for his abilities. So after many standing ovations we found our way to the Marlow club. The Marlow club - something for the Dingo club to "dream" about - which has 5 pitches, and a club house to die for... proved to be yet another fantastic host.

This group of fine people hosted us in the most inopportune time for them with the most gracious persona. They had a very important club event at the same time we were on sight, but treated us all the same...and what another extraordinary treat is was! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Marlow rugby club.

So from the pure prospective of the Dingo moms we have uncovered many thoughts:

1. We need a club
2. rugby players would be good but not absolutely required(because they require tons of work)
3. We must serve beer
4. We could play rugby on site - but it might be better for our health if our boys did not and we just hosted guests?

Just kidding... - thank you Marlow Rugby Club for your support and hospitality for all of us! Your players, coaches, refs., and workers were so fantastic. Great sport, food, fun and sportsmen like contact occurred at the Marlow pitch.

We, by the way, won the after social activity with the help of Coach Brown! (you will have to ask him how) Game wise - we did not win but we had fun...tons of fun, And when it was 39 - 0 they put their all England U18 National player back in to stifle the onslaught. The boys had a true learning experience and will have tails to tell - please ask them.

That is all for now, Cheers to another terrific day, and time for bed - enjoy the night... Big plans for tomorrow, our free day in London. I will be on line just one more time.

Alison