The English side of the family were lucky enough to visit Wembley Stadium to see the England vs Hungary friendly on 11th August (....turned out to be Stevie Gerrard vs Hungary). By far the most excited person was Sutiya, who hasn't watched a live International match before, let alone England at Wembley.
The boy enjoyed his first trip to Wembley as well, kitted out in his England shirt, I think he was easily the youngest member of the 72,000 crowd, being just 9 months old...
Widely reported as a dull game, it had it's moments.... memorably when Gerrard stepped up and banged in two goals to effectively defeat the Hungarians on his tod (... and incidentally just after Rooney had been taken off). It was a great pleasure to witness the success and admirable modesty of such a great player, a real ambassador for England, hat's off to Steve Gerrard.
It was a happy, busy exit back to Essex, where I got the chance to show Aiden those other 'not so great' English institutions - the London Underground, and the M25.
It's nice to be back.
Pleased to read that you're having a good time.
By the way, what's the M25?
Have a good trip.
All the best, Boonsong
Posted by: Boonsong | August 14, 2010 at 03:13 AM
Hi Boonsong, haha! the M25 is a ring round around the whole of London, it's also known as the biggest 'carpark' in the UK, being that is generally over congested, and accident prone. Cheers for dropping by - Ben
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | August 14, 2010 at 06:47 AM
Nice one, have taken my little fella to watch the local TPL team...not exactly in England's class, even that they an overrated bunch.
Posted by: Jon | August 15, 2010 at 06:52 AM
Aye Jon, they are average at best at the mo, but the Wembley atmosphere was well worth the trip. I might have to start going to see the local Suphan matches, I hear they are a pretty good side....
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | August 15, 2010 at 09:49 AM
Been to the old Wembley once to see the Arsenal play a CL game.
Good to see that Wembley is up and running again since Martyn's blog about mini Siam in Pattaya had me worried for a moment.
Posted by: Camille | August 15, 2010 at 03:56 PM
Hi Camille :) haha yeah it's all done now, although it did resemble an broken up old roman colliseum during the build (martyns post here: http://www.thaisabai.org/2010/08/pattayas-mini-siam/ ) All we need now is a half decent team to match the stadia!
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | August 15, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Funnily enough I bumped into a Suphan player a few months ago when getting a re-entry visa stamp in Ayuthaya. Can't remember his name sadly, interesting encounter nonetheless.
Posted by: Jon | August 15, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Interesting - Will have to keep an eye out for the Suphan vs Saraburi match, could be a winner (you'll have a better idea than me, I'm not sure they're even in the same league)
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | August 15, 2010 at 09:15 PM
Ben your excellent photos prove I was right about Wembley when I visited Mini Siam in Pattaya. After all Wembley is much more famous than that other place....that's it....the Roman Colloseum.
Aiden looks very interested in the game and to me the young lad has the look of a natural holding central midfielder.
Posted by: Martyn | August 18, 2010 at 06:18 AM
HAHA! Thanks Martyn... His grandad disagrees, .... he says he looks like a prop forward!
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | August 18, 2010 at 07:16 AM
Ben, The baby is adorable in his England shirt.
Posted by: Talen | August 26, 2010 at 02:34 AM
:) Thanks Talen, I think it suits him... (he has a Thai one as well)
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | August 26, 2010 at 04:48 AM