First up, one I don’t remember cos I was only 4 years old, but… on this day in 1983 Bob Paisley took charge of Liverpool for the final time as the Reds lost 2-1 to Graham Taylor’s Watford at Vicarage Road. The result sealed Watford’s position as runners up in the old Division 1, ahead of Manchester United, and goes down in history as the Hertfordshire club’s highest ever finishing position.
Elton John’s Taylor made army
Why do I mention this if I was too young to remember? Well because it was the culmination of a series of great seasons that transformed Watford from a lower to upper league club, and paved the way for the next generation of supporters, including me and my mates (who still have season tickets now!), who may otherwise have shunned our local club for the glory hunting shallowness of following Liverpool or Manyoo (I like to think no chance would that have happened, but who knows). And if my passion for Watford FC hadn’t occurred, then – huge assumption coming up but stick with me – there’s every chance I wouldn’t now be here in Brazil doing this football themed adventure!
Swiftly moving on to something even more tenuous… on this day in 2001 scientists were warning of a “mad cow disease” epidemic in Britain! Obviously I survived, and ever since have considered myself to have a pretty tough constitution since if my stomach handled BSE, foot & mouth, and horse meat (just 3 of the great British food scandals) then I can eat pretty much anything and be ok! And it’s been true in all the countries I’ve travelled to since, from the legendary ‘meat on stick’ in Thailand, to eating fish curry for breakfast in Sri Lanka, and now the variable quality of often fly-infested self-service restaurants here in Brazil when I stop for lunch. Good luck Martin!
Yesterday’s lunch – was really nice
Speaking of whom… on this day in 2014 my brother is currently on a plane flying from London to Fortaleza where we’ll meet up tonight ready to cycle as a #SmudgerBrothersSambaCycle team across the 1,600km to Belem!
Departing Heathrow this morning (those #SambaCycle superfans get everywhere!)
Also today, I’ve got 90km to cycle, but thought I’d just share a few pics from where I am right now in Beberibe:
I was literally here when I started composing this post
Then I left my room (top left) to go for brekkie
I’m the only person staying here so this was all for me!
Right, must hit the road again…
