Most airlines take an unhelpful view of people in my condition, so the way home from our previously discussed sojourn in Italy is by road, over the Alps and up through Germany to Rotterdam, a decent old run to be fair, and obviously uphill on the way back.
Germany is an interesting place, great beer, hardly any English tourists, lots of trees, hundreds of quaint little towns who seem glad to see visitors, superb free motorways, from which you can see, amongst other things, hundreds of excellent little football stadiums in the aforementioned quaint little towns. Difficult to write a match report at 70 mile an hour, but they seemed to be cracking on canny. Might suggest a German tour for the lads. Mind, one lot were playing American football so I paid little attention to them.
And the point is? Location, location as they say on the telly, or facilities, facilities as they should say re football development. Every community a solid little club should be the aim. It's the only thing that counts, you've heard it here before and you will hear it again. And finally, one other thing re Germany, no end of well grown young ladies. Did someone mention a football trip?
Back in sunny Ryhope soon enough, can't wait....