crazysue

Because I am a snob at heart and like the finer things in life Rarely get them though so like to treat myself once in a while.

No idea on the Hilton room sizes as we decided we just couldn't afford it in the end...I did think we would maybe stay there in future but we have now found the hotel we love and will stay there from now on in...we've even got the same room next year as this year!

It's fun but very very tiring.....I decided I was getting too old for travelling for over 12 hours in one 24 hour period plus watching a GP and meeting up with people.

Know all about the one day trips....did the one day coach from Ippo for 4 years running, one night stops for 2 years and this year was the first time we did the 2 nights.

That was us this year Hagon, decided to go upmarket in our hotel and never regretted it (not the Hilton though, looked at it, dreamed about it but then decided not to). As for tickets, I would love to splash out and get the posh tickets but it comes down to what I can really justify spending...one day though.

Begger, I missed you! I was in the Walkabout Friday night and a little time on the Saturday night and the POW most of Saturday afternoon...mind you, still trying to meet up with Squall 2 or is it 3 years running now and not done it!

Hotel rang this morning...their pre booking forms work! Hotel now all booked for next year and slightly cheaper than this year which is even better.

I've already mentioned it in another post but it really narked the hell out of me after the second playing (I did shout out "Its the BRITISH GP on the first time it was played).

I used my speedway star.....so much cheaper and not so eek when it gets wet, dropped, used as a fan etc

I've pre-warned the parents....they are not too amused at the moment but I will get James to do the old guilt trip thing he did for this year, worked a treat!

I went to order my tickets but the pre authorised amount taken for the hotel booking (which they didn't cancel when they took the proper payment) hasn't come back to my account! Arrgghhh, I wanted to be organised this time around and get decent seats........also what hotels are involved in that offer you get when you buy your tickets, just wondering if our hotel is one of them (tried to ring them but the reservation desk was shut!) Now hoping their form they gave us yesterday to fill in works although other guests have used that system for a fair few years without any problems, so I am probably in a panic over nothing. Oh and our air conditioning was brilliant...apart from if you left it on too long, you got dripped on while you was on the loo!

I didn't watch the Queen tribute band, only arrived in the stadium for 5pm so can't comment on that. During the meeting, some of the music was a little eek (that England chant got bloody annoying after the second play) and the songs I did like only got a few seconds played of them just prior to tapes up! Oh well, didn't impact on my enjoyment of it and there was some good bits to counter the not quite so good....but please don't do the overkill on the England chanting next year, it really really grated on me.

I had an absolutely fantastic, amazing Cardiff 2009.....def will be a 2 day affair next year too. Hotel was great and all the better for being so central, the alcohol flowed (drank more in 2 days than I have in the last 5 years and I was still standing and completely normal..if a little non secretive) and the meeting up with friends in relaxed circumstances instead of me being stressy cow with kids in tow really made a difference. I enjoyed the GP too...this year we actually got to watch all of it (apart from the start of one heat which was stopped, I was being naughty and went for a ciggie and then to the medical room for my wrist..too much flag waving and forgetting to wear the splint to blame), being on the home straight (just!) also made a difference for the better, will again try for that sort of area next time in any of the tiers. James found me restrictive instead of the other way round...he said I prevented him pulling (he had 3 offers) as he knew I wouldn't let him do anything....I believe I have the law on my side..he's not quite 16 yet! Goodness knows what he is going to be like next year at nearly 17..... All in all, a great weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it.

We filled in a form at our hotel which gives us first dabs on rooms for next year.....they didn't have a clear idea either but did say they would contact within the next fortnight.

We were absolutely fine again...not sure why but I have never had a major problem with drinks being spilt or too rowdy fans. I would agree a fair few would be pretty much pickled with alcohol before they even set foot in the stadium, I know I had a few or three before I got there! (Stuck to water during the GP). We had a great group of Poles a few rows in front of us, not at all over the top rowdy, well behaved and just having fun waving their flags, banging their drum to the music and taking pictures. We were top tier just at the start of the home straight coming off the 4th bend....oh and plenty of space to move around in if needs be! (we were supposed to be one section over but my seat was the middle of the row and the steward found us end of row seats instead)

Been so busy stressing with getting my assignment in and getting things ready for Cardiff, that I have completely forgotten to get a texter for this meeting and I leave here in 3 and a bit hours! Is there anyone going to this meeting who would be able to text updates to the updates site? If so, could you please either leave a message here or send me an email or pm. After about 10.45ish, I will not be able to pick up any private messages or emails as I will be out of here! Thanks

Yep, certainly did Nevs. They spotted us with one of the flags they used to give the riders when they won a race and came up and asked us what we would want in return for letting them have our flag. Hubby was quick thinking and said pit passes, the woman took the flag and a few minutes later came back with passes for all of us. Couldn't believe our luck....we had another flag just the same at home so no big loss there and we had the experience of being in the pits on raceday....no such luck since though!

Noon ish on Friday.

Would be good to actually say hello finally.....

Blimey, I've just worked out that James was 9 when we first went! I actually hadn't realised he was THAT young....what a squirt he was too. It's about the only time he goes to speedway now, he loves the GP's although now we have Bobby back at Ippo, I may be able to persuade him to come more often. Sorry, just my ramblings.....

That was mine and James' first impression too Nevs......from the moment we arrived at Reading services to see all these other coaches and cars full of speedway fans to seeing Cardiff and the stadium in the distance, to walking through the city (and getting lost trying to find the stadium..not once but 3 times!) and hearing all the air horns, to walking into the stadium for the first time and marvelling at the size of it to the sheer noise of the air horns once the racing begins. Since then of course, we have discovered the delights of meeting up with other fans and this year for the 3rd year, staying over instead of taking the one day coach. James still comes with me and it has got to the nice stage now where he is old enough (and big enough!) at nearly 16 to take himself to the loo and get drinks...that first year was a pain in the bum having to escort him to the loo! The other two want to come but we are both loath to allow this as it is nice to be able to be an adult and not have the full parent role for the weekend...something I would have to do if they came with me. This year we are trying a 2 night stay instead of the one nighter and it light of the time change for the start of the meeting, I am glad we decided to do it...it would have been way too stressful trying to get to Cardiff, meet people and then go to the GP....oh and it means extra drinking time! And yes, I am getting the flutterbies too....

Angel Hotel, Cardiff for Friday and Saturday.

I've bought and sold on Ebay...sometimes you reach the price you require and sometimes you don't. Same with purchasing, sometimes you find something at the price you want to pay and sometimes you don't. The software will only bid upto the amount you want to pay (you set the amount), although I have never used it...I prefer to have more control and enjoy the thrill of the chase. Although I am sure there are some cons around...I have also managed to bag a few bargains (holiday 2 years running springs to mind).

Mine was slightly different TNT, I would be holding the leading bid and the auction would have been cancelled....happened twice and then I gave up as time was getting short and got mine from official sources instead.

Me and James have got it to a fine art on the coach trips now...especially the splash and dash stops. He will go off to the shop to get my cup of tea (and a drink/crisps/magazine for himself) beating the rush of people while I go to the loo. We then meet up outside the toilets and get back to the coach in the minimum time..whilst others are still queueing for the teas and coffees/ newspapers and magazines.