So I set off around 7.30 and after filling up with petrol, headed out towards Epping Forest. What bliss! The roads were almost completely empty. The last time I'd seen London like that was a few years ago on my way back from Rhayader when it seems there was another one of these games going on, namely the world cup final.
It was really strange driving along normally busy roads, like a scene out of one of those sci-fi movies when a fever has taken over the world. I suppose in this case that is exactly what happened, football fever.
When I got to Connaught Waters there were plenty of spaces in the carpark and as I walked round I could have my pick of any of the benches around the pond. There weren't many people there, NO KIDS, and I only saw two dogs. There were occasions when all I could hear were nature sounds, no man made noises at all. No cars, no planes, no voices, just the breeze in the trees, the water lapping and the occasional quacking of a duck. Bliss.
I was going to stay there until sunset but I'd forgotten my night goggles, all I had were my dark day goggles so I had to leave earlier and miss the bat flyout.
The roads were still relatively empty but some of the roads near where I live were closed to traffic because of the concert and I had to get permission to use them to get home. As I went past my local the smokers outside had their noses pressed to the windows of the pub. It was then that I knew that I hadn't entirely missed the bl**dy football.
But all in all it had been a nice little break from humanity, nice and peaceful, and I got home feeling very happy and relaxed after only a few short hours out of town.
