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The spirit of Bannockburn as we try, try, try again

23rd June 202423rd June 2024 funtime65

The symmetry isn’t lost on us as Scotland’s footballers go into battle tonight in the Euros and we conjure up the spirit of Bannockburn as we try, try, try again.

On this day 710 years ago Scottish leader Robert the Bruce rallied and defeated the English and won Scottish independence.

His victory represents, to this day, the high point of Scotland’s history.

And is a patriotic pilgrimage for Scots and their diaspora.

While to the outside world Bruce has become immortalised through a fable which underscored his resilience,

Bruce’s spider

Bruce had been on the run and sheltering in a cave off Rathlin Island in Ireland, and ready to give up the fight for freedom.

When he was revitalised after witnessing a spider trying to weave a web.

Who said to him upon completing the task: ‘If at first you don’t succeed then try, try, try again.’

Well, maybe he didn’t, although we can’t prove he didn’t.

But the good people on the Abháinn Cruises Bruce’s Cave Experience can.

And will reflect on a time when Robert ran Scotland and Edward Ireland for the only time the two countries were united as one.

But Bruce’s takeaway was never to give up and returned to Scotland.

And heading up a vastly inferior force defeated the famed, far larger English invader.

Field of dreams

Today the National Trust for Scotland celebrates the greatest day in Scottish history… every day.

At the Battle of Bannockburn heritage site, near Stirling, the Gateway of the Highlands.

Where they promise an immersive Bannockburn experience with a digitally re-created version of the battle.

While out on the hallowed land you can follow in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce.

In the memorial park where you can see where he raised his royal standard… and you can stunt your own Scots warrior pic.

Rally the football troops

Great Scott: And Scotland hero McTominay

Now we’re not party to the Scotland national football team changing room ahead of the win-or-bust game with Hungary in Stuttgart.

And while our expertise can never stretch to offering manager Steve Clarke advice on footballing matters.

We can recommend him channeling his inner Bruce to rally his troops.

If at first you don’t succeed then try, try, try again.

And this time we have the numbers on our side with 20,000 Scotland fans cheering on their favourites inside the ground.

And the other 80,000 Tartan Army foot soldiers backing them up in the fan zones.

Icons: William Wallace and Robert the Bruce

Where their battle cry will no doubt carry our bonnie fechters to a famous victory.

And qualification from a major international football tournament for the first time in history.

After 70 years of tilting at it and 11 failed campaigns.

And how can we fail with the spirit of Bannockburn as we try, try, try again.

Countries, Europe, Sport

Herr for der beer in Gelsenkirchen

16th June 202416th June 2024 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it we’re only herr for der beer in Gelsenkirchen.

Gelsenkirchen has been transformed into Little England or Little Serbia, if you will, as their supporters take over the Ruhrland for today’s Euros clash.

Now if the organisers had picked a venue especially for lager-loving England fans then it would be the VELTINS Arena.

Because they literally pipe in the beer to the stadium.

All 52,000 litres of the amber nectar along a 5km super beer highway from Schalke 04’s own brewery.

Flowing in the Frothierland

It all dates back to an open day at the ground when the beer ran out for the thirsty fans.

And the club took the pioneering decision to never again leave it to chance and keep the beer flowing in the Frothierland.

All of which we saw for ourselves in the aftermath of a Schalke game on a football tour of Ruhrland.

When we walked through the sticky concourse and into the main arena.

Where you’d be forgiven for thinking you were still in a tipsy haze because the pitch has gone.

Grounds for optimism

The efficient Germans have only put it out with the empties, it would seem.

But, nein, this is another ingenious feature of the VELTINS arena, the moveable pitch.

Schalke, you see keep their pitch outside and slide it in for match days.

So that they can use the arena for other attractions.

And what’s more important than any mere kickball match is that it will make more room for the Swifties.

When Tay-Tay sweeps into Gelsenkirchen next month.

For three days of partying for 180,000 good-natured music festivalgoers.

The lowdown

Alas though, and here is der kicker, different rules will apply today for the football fans of England and Serbia.

With the match deemed high risk and only allowed low alcohol beer at the ground.

While a special free UEFA Euro fan park had been erected on the Trabrenbahn racecourse in the centre of Gelsenkirchen for England fans.

Where there’s music, games and food and drinks stalls.

Now, if your tastebuds have been tickled by the thought of full-strength Ruhr lager.

And you are out in these parts, then lucky you.

Toast to the others

On the boardwalk: The versatile interior

And know this, there are three other matches to be played between countries who aren’t on probation.

So that’s Italy v Spain on Thursday, June 20 and Georgia v Portugal on Wednesday, June 26.

And then a round of 16 game between the first in Group C and the third in D/E/F (no, us neither).

Schalke fans, of course, get to imbibe every week of their season.

And on all the other occasions such as when the Swifties are in town.

Or when party-loving, football fanatical good-hearted Scots are herr for der beer in Gelsenkirchen.

So if you’re in Gelsenkirchen this week, in the coming weeks or any time then wish the locals Gluck Auf.

It means luck up which is kinda similar to something that would come out of a English football hooligan’s mouth.

Countries, Europe, Food & Wine, Sport

At the football with the Germans in Munich

14th June 202414th June 2024 funtime65

Football is an international language and we had Stein in common at the football with the Germans in Munich.

The Stein I was bigging up was the legendary Celtic and Scotland manager Jock Stein.

The Stein the Bayern Munich fan standing next to me was more familiar with was the drinking vessel beloved of Bavarians.

In between we took in the Bavarian derby, Bayern v Nuremberg, which the hosts won 1-0.

Before my head now full of gutteral-sounding German footballers I headed back to the Oktoberfest.

Only to walk into an argument between the girlfriends of opposing football fans outside the Hofbrauhuis.

Fighting frauleins

All of which I ought to have known about from too many Saturday nights out on the town back in Scotland.

And my act of gallantry ended up with one of the fighting frauleins catching me with a haymaker.

And the next thing I knew I was being ambulanced to the hospital with a suspected broken nose.

The German doctor was as efficient as you’d expect and an hour or so later I was back on the road.

Carry on camping

Only dizzy with the beer and the bloody nose, I could not remember the camp site where I was staying.

Thankfully the taxi driver took a punt at the camp where the Aussies and Kiwis would annually fill up.

With the Antipodeans my coach mates for the week.

Now if the Munich Beerfest is Down Under Abroad at that time of year.

With the (very) odd Scot who has stumbled on to a budget Top Deck coach thrown in for good measure.

Then this weekend is all about the Jocks with 200,000 Tartan Army foot soldiers having invaded the Bavarian capital.

Munich revisited

It’s 40 years since my act of chivalry at Oktoberfest.

Jock Stein died later that year after collapsing on the touchline helping Scotland en route to World Cup qualification.

I would hope though that my Munich mate is still cheering on his beloved Bayern.

That the two frauleins made up and now warn their kinder to behave when they go to the football.

And to indulge well-meaning hairy-faced Scotsmen who just wants all football fans to be freundes.

Just like I have gone on to be from the Ruhr to Hamburg and all points east and south.

And will be there in spirit with the Tartan Army as Schottland face Deutschland in the Euro 24 opener.

At the football with the Germans in Munich.

Countries, Europe, Sport

Scots football garnish in Garmisch

13th May 202413th May 2024 funtime65

They’re more used to winter sports and skiers but there will be some Scots football garnish in Garmisch this summer.

The Bavarian town, Garmisch-Partenkirchen to give it its full name, has become the location of choice for the Scotland football team.

For Euro 24 where they will take on hosts Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.

Boogie Scottishland: Scotland’s football team

The Germans, as I discovered on my recce there last month, are ready to put on quite the show for football fans this summer.

Including a monster set of goalposts the breadth of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Which, of course, Scotland’s Tartan Army will see for themselves when they get to the final.

Go with the snow

What they and the team will find in Garmisch before then is a valley town where the beer flows even when it doesn’t snow.

I visited Garmisch out of season although to be fair the peaks are always white.

And the townsfolk proudly display their winter sports successes and the occasion when they invited the world to their town.

That was back in 1936 when they put on a dress rehearsal for another more infamous Games in Berlin in the summer.

The champions of those Winter Games are adorned on the walls of the restaurant bar where we clink steins.

And sample the best Bratwurst sausages, Wiener Schnitzel, Black Forest Gateaux and Augustiner lager.

Part of Kirchen

At the heart of the scenic town is its ski jump… not for the faint-hearted.

Particularly when you’re at best a blue/red run skier.

Steve Clarke and his players, and the fans, may want to take in the excellent Garmisch-Partenkirchen historical walking tour.

The imposing Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for the Disney Castle, is a short drive away.

Germany’s highest hill Zugspitze dominates the skyscape and hikers, including our Top Flight party, happily scurried up to enjoy the views.

Tartan party

Scotland’s footballers will have an even bigger mountain to scale when they face Germany in the competition opener on June 14 in Munich.

But win lose or draw there will be plenty of Scots football garnish in Garmisch next month.

Countries, Europe, Sport

From Paris to Berlin my heart is pumping for sport

26th March 202426th March 2024 funtime65

With apologies to ravers Infernal but from Paris to Berlin my heart is pumping for sport this year.

Sports fanatics are on the move this year for the Euros and the Olympics.

With two of the world’s great cities showcased and putting on colossal parties.

Line up the Schotts

Berlin is first up with a host of matches and most importantly the final, featuring Schottland, on July 14 at the Olympiastadion.

This Schott will be going out on a recce next month ahead of the finals.

And, of course, what you’ll be wanting to know is where the party is going to be.

Now as more of a Dancing Dad I’ll leave Infernal, who claim to know every disco there and Paris, to give you the nightclubs.

And while yes sir I can boogie like every Scotland footie fan I’m more about the bars.

Whether it’s the Hofbrau or Lowenbrau halls at the Munich Oktoberfest or 11 Freunde die Bar in Essen I’ve drunk in German football fun.

Now our freundes in Berlin tell us that Belushi’s Berlin (Mitte) on Ziegelstrasse is where Jocks gather to watch Scottish football.

If you’ve been too pessimistic to have already bought your ticket for the final.

Book a table

Win or loos: 11 Freunde Die Bar in Essen

Now a staple of the German sports bar is the Kicker-Tisch (table football).

And it’s as lively as the action on the screens down at FC Magnet just between Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte in the karaoke downstairs.

While it’s big balls and little balls, of the ping-pong variety at Schmittz, Gormanstrasse.

Where as an adjunct to the football they play Umlauf, a 20+ elimination game well suited for the main knockout football.

Now, should you prefer multi-games to just the Beautiful Game.

Then they’ll be striving Faster, Stronger, Higher – Together around Paris.

Here for the bier

Us Jocks gather when we’re in Paris to watch any Scot from Chariots of Fire Eric Liddell through David Wilkie and Allan Wells to Andy Murray.

At the Auld Alliance, Scotland’s oldest pub in the city on Rue Francois Miron.

Now because we’re all amis at the Olympics then us of the Scottish variety are allowed in English pubs too.

And the best one around is the Bombardier Pub on Rue Gaston Rebuffat which boasts serving up Football, rugby and everything in between.

And both bottled and traditional draught beers, brought straight from its brewery in Bedford.

Of course, the best bars anywhere as we all know are the Irish ones.

And while they won’t have a team to support at the Euros (apart from anyone who plays England) they’ll have Irish athletes to cheer in Paris.

And an Irish party

Now, Le Little Temple Bar on La Rue de la Soif isn’t as big as the tourist trap in Dublin but it matches it for noise on match day.

So from Paris to Berlin my heart is pumping for sport this summer… see you there and mine’s a Guinness.