Robin the Robin: a photogenic bird

I know it's been ages and ages and ages since I posted, but I couldn't let a major football tournament go by without taking Robin along. So, here are some pictures from our trip to Innsbruck last week, to see Spain vs Russia (which ended 4-1 to Spain). Very much doubt anyone will read this, but if you do, then welcome back!


We drove across the Alps from north Italy to get to the game. Was a lovely day. This pic was taken when we stopped off for a sandwich, by a pretty-looking truck.


Some official Euro 2008 apricots in a supermarket near the stadium


In the stadium. Don't the back of those two security chaps look like Robin's eyes?


This is the next day, back in north Italy - Bergamo, to be exact. Was a lovely day, as you can probably tell.


This is over-looking the old town of Bergamo.


This is one of two funicular railways in Bergamo, taking us back down from where the previous pic was taken.

Was a fun trip.

Labels: robin the robin euro 2008 bergamo innsbruck spain russia italy

I'm not sure it comes across in the picture, but this was one of the best rainbows that I've ever seen. A full half circle, taking up the entire sky. Lovely.

Of course, Robin, being the selfless little bird that he is, was happy to have his back to it while I took the picture. Seconds later, it had completely disappeared.

Hope someone got the pot of gold before it did...

Wow, has it really been that long? If anyone is still reading this, then I apologise profusely! I guess since fatherhood (the little fella's 10 months old now) I a) haven't been out and about to interesting places so much and b) haven't had a whole lot of time for blogging (sleeping is my favourite form of recreation these days).

But, here I am, back again with some more pictures of Robin (who's keeping well). On Saturday, we went on a trip to see Arsenal - currently top of the English Premier League - at their Emirates Stadium, which dedicated readers may remember Robin visited while it was being built and then for a friendly between Argentina and Brazil. They were playing Derby County, who my sister-in-law supports, but who aren't having a very good season. It ended up 5-0 to Arsenal. Anyway, here are the pics...


On the train, on the way to London


At Highbury & Islington tube station


A few drinks before the game


The game kicks off!

I'm going to try really hard to post more often now. It's nice to be back.

Sorry, sorry, sorry - I've not posted in ages. Wonder if anyone's even looking any more. Can hardly blame them if they're not.

Well, on Saturday, myself, the missus, the little boy and the Robin went to the brand new Wembley Stadium for the first ever competitive game there. It was the FA Trophy final between Stevenage Borough and Kidderminster Harriers. Kidderminster
were 2-0 up by half-time but, amazingly, Stevenage came back to win 3-2 with a winning goal a minute before the end. Pretty exciting stuff!

The new stadium was very functional and comfortable, with amazing legroom in each seat. But I don't think it quite had the character of the old Wembley Stadium. I guess that's hard when you have rows and rows of plastic seats and no pillars or anything to get in the way of the view. Still, it was an extremely impressive structure and we had a top day out.

Not sure if I'm doing anything interesting in the next few days, but I will definitely try to post again soon. Was there anything quintessentially English that any of you wanted me to take a picture of Robin next to? Perhaps I can grab one next to Phoebe, my brand new niece who was born yesterday (this may well be the first the world has heard about her...)

:-)

Hello again folks. A very happy Easter to you - here are some more pictures of Robin from our recent trip to Helsinki...


At the gorgeous big church in the middle of town


Attempting to mimic statues at the station


A swing with a view, on a little island opposite the harbour


On a boat. Moments later a man came and rowed away in it. Luckily Robin got off first.


On a jolly large anchor that someone appears to have dropped from a great height


Standing on a life ring


Lazing on a rather prettier life ring

That's about all from the Finland trip - more pics to follow soon!

Hello again. Sorry it's been such a long time, but I never seem to have time to blog what with the nipper (who's nearly four months old now!). But we're in Helsinki for a couple of weeks, so I've just been for a wander around town to take lots of pictures...


1. In a bronze seal's mouth



2. By a kiosk for the zoo



3. By a nice building site, with a big crane



4. By a man looking at a very large map of Helsinki



5. Trying to look like a freedom fighter



6. By two ferries that are probably about the same size but look totally different, because of the magic of perspective. Despite appearances the further away ferry would not fit into Robin's beak. We know, because he tried.

More to follow in the next few days...

Yes, Robin's been hanging out with pop superstars again, this time with multi-million selling popster Gwen Stefani. She's turning her key-shaped necklace in his head, to wind him up (because she's got a single called 'Wind It Up'). Nice lateral thinking Ms Stefani.

She was a very nice woman. You'd like her.

So it snowed again, only this time it did it properly. Although, from what KJ is saying in the comments below the last post, it's a *lot* colder where she is!

The snow's been coming down for a few hours now and doesn't look like stopping anytime soon. As soon as we get any snow in the south of England, the whole place goes to pot. The neighbours' kids are all in the gardens, because their schools have shut (even though most are walking distance away!) and when I just tried to call the phone company about something, a recorded message explained they've got staff shortages because of the extreme weather conditions.

Oh well, I love snow and I very much hope it keeps going for days! More pictures to follow if it does...