Bristol City Saturday 21st October Distance from Coventry Building Society Arena to Ashton Gate - 113 miles (181km). Travel time - 2 hours 33 minutes. Put on our blue suede shoes and we boarded the coach (bonus points for naming the song). 

It’s a cold and grey morning, but spirits are high. We’ve had a couple of good results recently, could this be the start of something special? We’re heading to Bristol, in the South West of England. Last year was a drab 0-0 draw. I remember the pie being pretty good. I’ve got my lucky pants on (UK pants, not US pants) and as an extra superstition, I haven’t shaved since we last lost. Also, todays snacks include Squashies, a small, chewy snack version of the Drumsticks lollipops. Remember them!! Hey, Yanks. Drumsticks are the sole reason why we have no teeth. 

Young Scarpa slept. Blogit counted his teeth. That didn’t last long, so he took in the view. The drive to Bristol is down the M5 and heading down South, you pass Worcester, Gloucester, and a little bit of mid- Wales, until you see the sea. 

Bristol has played a pivotal role in the history of the UK and is still a major port. It has important transport links, from the South West to the rest of the country and to Wales. It also played a large part in the Industrial Revolution (if you’re reading this before I’ve written that blog, watch out for the Industrial Revolution blog. It’s bound to be a blockbuster. If you’re reading this afterwards, wow, isn't that Industrial Revolution a blockbuster). In the meantime, we’ve got a minute, let’s talk about one of Bristol's most famous residents, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. 

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was always going to be brilliant because he’s got a brilliant name. In 2002, he was placed 2nd in a BBC public poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. Churchill was 1st. Princess Diana was 3rd. The criteria became pretty loose after the Top Two. Isambard could have been anything he wanted with a name like that. Unfortunately the adult entertainment industry hadn’t really been invented, so he went into Civil Engineering instead. In his short life (he was 53 when he died in 1859), Brunel revolutionised public transport and modern engineering. He built the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain, the first propellor-driven, ocean-going iron ship, which, when launched in 1843, was the largest ship ever built. Thanks to Brunel, we started coming to America. You’re welcome. 

Having pondered all this stuff, we approached Bristol, and driving down the Avon Gorge alongside the River Avon, the Clifton Suspension Bridge loomed into view, high on the gorge. It’s a spectacular view. Visit Bristol, if you ever get the opportunity. 

So, back to the footie. We arrive at Ashton Gate. There’s a KFC just round the corner, so, excitedly, we rush over. But. It’s right next to the ground, so it’s packed. Bugger. We decide to go into the ground for a pie instead. As remembered, it’s a finger-lickin pie. We take our seats. We’ve got a front row, bandstand view of proceedings. We absolutely batter Bristol for 45 minutes, but can’t find the net. In the first minute of injury time, and with their first shot on target, Bristol score. In the second half, we huff and puff, but to no avail. Final score, Bristol City 1 Coventry City 0. Our form is off, and the beard is coming off. If you ever get the opportunity, don’t visit Bristol. In 4 days time, we head to Rotherham. Is it a blip? Watch this space.