The Gypsy Caravan 2023

Monday, November 4, 2024

This England -- Let's Go to a Rugby Game!

I confess, when Rick said he wanted to go to a rugby game while we were in Bath, I wasn't exactly keen. I mean, what do we know about rugby? I'm not even fond of football and at least I know the rules.


But it is a very English sport and when in Rome (or Bath), get into the swing of it! So, while Rick was out riding his bike from Bath to Bristol and wherever all it took him, I was charged with getting rugby tickets! They weren't terribly expensive and we felt lucky to get them late the day before.

So, on game day, we set off for the city, enjoying a bit of a walk around first.

 
There was a peace protest going on at Bath Abbey, which was apparently part of a Euro (world?)-wide day of peace. I love a good protest!

We stopped at the Waitrose grocery and picked up some sandwiches for lunch and made our way to the river where we enjoyed some people-watching and a lovely view. It was very near the stadium so it was just a quick walk over when we were done.


It's very pretty by the river, with moored houseboats and a view of the city. At the far end of these photos, you can see Pulteny Bridge. There are actually stores ON the both sides of the bridge, and some lovely ones at that. It seems like you're just crossig the street -- till you look at it from the other way!

The game started with all the fun and festivity that those of us here might see on the Saturday game -- a band, flags, a celebratory feel.


And, because this was the home team, a card section, awaiting its ticket holders!


Now, if you know nothing about rugby (and I really still don't, much) let me describe it to you my way. If you combined the game of "Keep Away" with American football, you'd get the idea. Players keep passing the ball to each other, people try to tackle them, and there are two goal posts at opposite ends of the stadium and if you make a goal you get to kick for extra points. You can only throw the ball backwards, not in front of you. The game is constantly in motion and has two 40 minute halves. The clock rarely stops so it goes very fast.


There's also something called a scrum and I don't know what happens here but a bunch of players are in a heap with the guy with the ball on the bottom and somehow the ball gets out of the pile and they start running again. 


And every now and then they do what the fellow at the left in the photo below is -- they throw in the ball and the team lifts up a guy who catches it. Strong men, these rugby guys! 

The other thing about this -- and the thing that would make me say to my children "I'd rather you not play this game" is that there is zero protective padding or helmets. I don't know how many times the medics rushed out to the field but it was often! 

If it sounds confusing, no worries. It doesn't really matter. It's the joy of watching something new with a bunch of people you don't know, all very polite fans who cheer appropriately and don't boo. But they are enthusiastic and yes, beer is flowing!


Our game was a local rivalry -- Bath versus Bristol, which is the nearest large town over. Alas, Bristol won. But there was no couch burning (this is a Michigan State thing where after a major game where the Spartans lose, overly aggressive fans who drink too much burn sofas. I might have one they could use.) It doesn't go over well. 


After the game Rick and I did more walking and decided to have some dinner. Unfortunately, we hadn't made a reservation but we finally ended up at an Indian Restaurant that said they could seat us (early) if we could be out in about an hour. It worked for us. Unfortunately, this lovely restaurant sat us next to a table of 17 rugby fans, probably from Bristol, judging from their jolliness, and whatever beer they consumed at the game paled in what was going down now! They were so loud that we couldn't hear the waitress, much less ourselves across the table and it was a bit of a relief to leave! Pity, because the food was good.


So, we made our way to the bus station where a lovely encounter happened. The bus home had been sitting there when we arrived and apparently there was no driver. Two others were waiting as well, Rich (a rugby fan from the neighboring town of Frome who thankfully explained much of the game to us) and Millie, an effervescent young redhead, who had been in the city for the day and was headed back to her home in a hamlet near ours. They were just delightful to hang out with, which was a good thing. We waited around for close to an hour, thinking another bus would come in (it didn't). Finally, Rich decided to take the train home and Millie suggested an Uber.

All well and good but all we had was a credit card and American money. No worries, she said, paying for the ride. We decided that the next time we pay it forward, the lucky recipient has Millie to thank. 


I mention this because so many times we travel and we stay in our own bubbles. We talk with the people we travel with, we follow the map, play it safe. Rick and I could have just decided to stay there, talk to each other, wait for a bit and finally take a cab (that would take Visa, not all do, which is surprising to me.) But instead, we chatted with Rich and Millie and actually had a rather wonderful time, all things considered. I highly recommend it.

I wish I'd taken their photo.

The Uber dropped us off at the Hope and Anchor and rather than taking the hill, Rick showed me the rail trail, which at first seemed like a very good place to get murdered in a classic British mystery television series! Woods on either side, a dark tunnel. But it ended up being my favorite way home to watch one of those Brit mysteries!

Travel Tips:

  • Advance tickets are smarter but don't hesitate to try in person, even if an event looks very popular, possibly sold out. You never can tell.
  • Talk to the locals! Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone at an event or even the bus station. Yes, pick your people with some caution, especially if traveling alone. But you can often get good tips about a city, nearby attractions or even the game you are watching!
  • Consider a take-away lunch and picnic instead of a restaurant. Apart from being considerably less expensive, it's fun to people watch and adds another dimension to your travel experience. If you are lucky enough to find a grocery, all the better -- sandwiches and beverages are easy to come by. But food stands and bakery/pastry shops often have wonderful sandwiches too.  
  • Do you really need local currency? Maybe yes, maybe no. You can do just about anything, anywhere, with a Visa card -- pay for the bus or tube, buy whatever you need. Rick even bought a pencil for 50p. BUT, because we hadn't yet exchanged currency (easy to do at the ATM but the fees are terrible, so we were looking for a specific bank with no fees for our cards), we really couldn't pay Millie. She was fine with it, but it would have been good.

(If you missed Rick's guest post about cycling around the area, you can check it out HERE.)

A note about commenting -- I usually reply to comments via email, which comes on the post notification. Right now (I hope temporarily) Blogger is making everyone's reply "no-reply blogger." (Including me, and I haven't changed my settings!) So, hopefully I can catch up with you to reply, but if I can't, please know that we are really appreciating your comments and if you have questions I will try to answer them in another post. Meanwhile, if you can figure out what's going on with Blogger, let me know!

Sharing with:   Talking About It Tuesday    /   Share Your Style /   Friday Face Off  

55 comments:

  1. I like your tips about visiting the country. The match does look inviting

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  2. We have had some of our best experiences interacting with locals, ironically when there is no common language. By a series of gestures, signs, enactments that would do well in charades, and much laughter we get along famously. We were in Dalat, Vietnam on Tet and visited the local pagoda where we had a wonderful time. The monks even invited us into the temple, and we lit an incense stick. Outside we were like pied pipers for the children. And we didn’t even need an Uber home!

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  3. ...rugby is sport that I know nothing about. I am patiently waiting for peace to break out!!!

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  4. Blogger does that occasionally... you'll be back!!
    Rugby is often described as Gentlemen playing a Ruffians' game....and Football/Soccer as Ruffians playing a Gentleman's game!!
    Certainly you wouldn't get football fans of opposing sides discussing the game over a pint or a meal as you would rugby supporters!!

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  5. Rugby is brilliant to watch I'm glad you enjoyed the game.
    Many years ago a penfriend from Michigan was visiting here when the Rugby World Cup was happening in this country, they got quite into it too.
    I'm enjoying seeing the UK through a visitors eyes

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  6. you are right I don't understand it but what a great time you had!
    Cathy

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  7. Although I still know nothing about rugby, I enjoyed your photos and how kind Millie was. Loved how you described the trail to your cottage. Speaking of murder, have you seen The Marlow Murders? I binged on them using Passport.

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  8. Sounds like it was confusing but a lot of fun. I'm not into sports, either, but I do remember going to a live game of football, baseball., and even hockey was interesting enough even when I didn't know all of the rules. Some fans do get loud and swear a lot if you have young kids with you, though.

    That's what blogger did to me ages ago. I used to personally respond by email to each comment for years and suddenly I got cut off out of the blue. Mine has never returned. I hope yours does!

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  9. I forgot to mention, at least I'm not the only one blogger is messing with right now!!

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  10. I can never figure out Blogger. We sort of just have to flow with it and hope it will come back. We love talking to locals when we are visiting another country. Thanks for the helpful travel tips. All in all , it sounds like you had a wonderful day .

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  11. I love talking with people when I travel. It gives you a bigger view, doesn't it? And it's great you went to the game because what could be more local? I had a no Canadian money moment in September, but we got it figured out. Thank goodness so many people are really nice and understanding. I enjoyed this post since I know nothing about rugby, and I think was a great idea Rick had, even if I'd feel like you if my husband mentioned it. But I would go. hugs-Erika

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  12. You soaked up .local culture or at least flavour. I haven't travelled like you, but we have done the sandwich thing.

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  13. I'm glad you enjoyed your time at the rugby game. Experiencing local culture is a great way to interact with locals. Glad you found lovely folks to visit with. Grayden and I have had similar situations all over the world. Really restores your faith in mankind!

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  14. What a fun adventure. I would not have thought to attend a rugby game, but it sounds like fun. Interactions with the locals is always great for making the trip special. i think that is why I avoid tours and prefer traveling on our own. Molly sounds like such a special connection. I once had a similar visit with some young kids while trying to traverse the underground in Paris. They loved speaking to someone from the US.

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  15. Yes, rugby is not a sport for the faint-hearted! I've recently become a fan of the shorter game called "rugby sevens" which is a faster game played with only 7 members on each team instead of the standard 15. Otherwise, it's still the same rough-and-tumble sport, I believe.

    Blogger is so frustrating right now! I too can't respond to commenters directly, all of whom are now "no-reply." However, one of my readers said that he successfully un-followed and then followed my blog again but it has to be done using a Chrome browser.

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  16. i don't know much about rugby, but in general, i like most sports. i LOVE speaking with the locals...it is how i learn to much about the place i a visiting!!!

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  17. Oh that was wonderful to read and to look at all your pictures. Part of the enjoyment of a vacation is meeting lovely people and how sweet of this young lady to pay for your ride. The icing on the cake to finish what looks like a splendid day. Thanks for sharing Jeanie.

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  18. Blogger has its moments... for a while I couldn't upload photos to my blog, I had to do open my blog on Google edge and upload from there, now I can once again do it when I open via Google chrome. Not a fan of rugby, I find it a very rough sport, but I suppose a live match is more interesting than watching it on tv. You had some fun moments Jeanie.

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  19. Hello Jeanie,
    I loved seeing the sights of Bath. Great photos of you and Rick.
    I have to admit I am not a sport lover, I know nothing about Rugby.
    Take care, have a great day!

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  20. That protest looked very civilized - no militia with guns. How charming is that!

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  21. The rugby games looks like fun! Blog comments are problematic now.

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  22. I have read over and over about people having issues with blogger, I hope I am not cursing myself, but I have never had an issue.

    I sure do not understand rugby and have never watched a full game, but it sure is popular in other parts of the world!

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  23. I believe Princess Anne's Son-In-Law was a rugby player ay one time. Interesting that there are shops alongside a bridge. Very unique. So glad you had such a lovely time. I love chatting with locals when going to various places. You can learn so much from them. Janice

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  24. I love all of your tips!

    What a great day. And talking to locals really is a great part of travel. I am so shy that I have a hard time doing this but Billy is a chatterbox and will talk to everyone, so it balances out. Lol.

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  25. oh such fun. Looks like you are having a great time....keep it up

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  26. Fascinating! I know more about rugby now than.i did a few minutes ago! Talking to locals, oh yes, our stock in trade. We have met the nicest people on our travels

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  27. That rugby sounds Like Aussie football - not my thing. At German soccer people get drunk and loud, too, that´s why we prefer American Football. Braunschweig and Hamburg were both first league and one of them got the German ball - us fans, unlike in soccer, talked in the break. I once took my Mom, was she happy (never saw the ball butt came from near Hamburg after WWII).
    Great you met such nice people!

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  28. Rugby looks like they have huge teams on the field! I agree, when in Rom act like the Romans.

    I have to switch servers to reply to comments on my own blog. I ad have a fix for it with setting at Bloggers but it only seems to hold for a day or two before it switches back so I gave up trying.

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  29. Jeanie, your delightful day sounds so interesting. I am impressed you went to a rugby game. I know nothing about the sport, at least it wasn’t very long. I am very inclined to strike up a conversation with anyone nearby, my husband is more shy. I love to ask questions, probably way too many. I am enjoying your posts on Bath!

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  30. .We always rode the local trains, buses, trolleys and talked to the locals..great way to glean information about events, attractions, etc. Good travel tips!!!

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  31. I bet you would be a great person to travel with! You always make the best of situations!

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  32. How fascinating. Imagine watching sports where fans don't boo. Sounds wonderful. Sorry you had a noisy dinner.

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  33. Thanks for explaining rugby. I now know more than I did before which was nothing. Great pics of your adventure, good times. Thanks for sharing.

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  34. While I admittedly do not understand the rules of most sporting games, I would have done the same as you did, jeanie, and attended a local game just for the experience. Thanks for all the explanatory info. we always talk to "strangers" on our travels and have met some really wonderful folks...you never know what will happen.

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  35. I know the word 'scrum,' and I know it's associated with rugby. There: now you have the full extent of my knowledge about the sport! I just can't get my mind around rugby, or soccer, or cricket. I do pretty well with croquet, though -- as long as no one starts insisting on formal rules!

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  36. What a great adventure! Maybe the game was brutal, but the energy of the crowd sounds fantastic. You make an excellent case for leaving room for unexpected (and peculiarly local) experiences.

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  37. Love ❤️
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  38. This is so interesting. I definitely need to go to a rugby game. I watched some on TV so I think I would enjoy seeing a live one as well.
    I agree with asking people at bus stops, they are usually very friendly and helpful, at least outside London, where everybody is busy.

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  39. Believe it or not I've never been to a rugby game but it sounds fun. (I don't know the rules either). What a lovely time you had in Bath, apart from the noisy people in the restaurant, and what a great encounter at the bus station. Such nice happy photos too!

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  40. What you said about sofa burning made me laugh. I'll send my sofa to Michigan for sure. And thank you, Millie. What an angel of mercy!

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  41. I love the idea of a world wide peace protest:)

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  42. What a fun day at the Rugby game, Jeanie. I am very familiar with the game, as my son played in high school, and was always a starting player. The team is made of some sturdy boys, and not afraid to take a punch. What a lovely walk you had by the river, and sandwiches to share is even better. I am wondering what the good people of Bath were protesting, and would love to read what their signs said. You look so relaxed in the picture by the river with your pretty scarf. Love that one.

    ~Sheri

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  43. You seemed to have had a lovely day in Bath. l must say I have no interest in rugby. It is a sport that just seems to have all these men in a bundle on the ground. However, I guess if you know the rules it could be an exciting game.

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  44. One of the colleges my son is looking at offers rugby and I did tell him I don't recommend it at all but I bet it was neat to watch and experience it.

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  45. What a lovely and informative post, Jeanie. My father played rugby in university, but by the time I got to Acadia, it was no longer being played. I love meeting people when we travel. It's a big part of the fun of traveling. Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  46. Another lovely post from your travels to England.
    I think wherever you travel it's so nice to talk to the locals.

    Sorry about the problems with blogger, you never quite know what issues there will be!

    All the best Jan

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  47. I have been to England once, I spent a week in London and then a trip through the countryside. We did go to Bath, although all we did there was go to see the Baths. (It was quite interesting)
    I tend to meet people and talk whenever I travel. It is a lovely way to expand your horizons.

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  48. So Ted Lasso💕💙💕💫FunAnd a neat experience!

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  49. It sounds like you had a full fun day! I've never seen Rugby, sounds crazy, but I know it's very popular in other countries. I liked your description of it :)
    Jenna

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  50. My British Grandson-in-law will visit this weekend and I can share these sites with him.

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  51. Looks like you had such a good time. I don't know that I could be around all of those people. LOL

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  52. My frustration with blogger's comment set up is what pushed me to move my blog to wordpress last week (lisasyarns.com). It wasn't terrible but I am still finding my feet on my new site. But so far, so good. And if I respond to someone's comment on my blog, they apparently get an email notification! Hooray!

    Now to the post at hand! It's fun to take in a local sport. When I was visiting Melbourne while studying abroad, we went to an AFL (australian rules football) which sounds like Rugby from my novice view. We had no idea what was going on but enjoyed taking it in!

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