Sttoooookkkkkeeeddddddd brrroooooo !

Yeah kinda stoked. Not to start with at least. After an eleven hour bus trip from Belfast, Ireland to Manchester, England, the Battlers boarded our second bus of the day from Manchester to Stoke-on-trent. Got as far as Manchester Airport before a bloke who could easily be confused for a druggie started having a seizure. Him and his mate were at the back of the bus so nobody knew until the driver looked down the bus to see the bloke laying on the ground post seizure. Ambo’s were called and after about halfa and two people less, we were back on our way.

Arriving to Hanley station in Stoke-on-trent (an overall day of thirteen hours on the two buses), we looked for an old school mate of ours, Marcus Fronte. Marcus moved to Australia six years ago with his family. Eddie and I met him at school and were good mates. He moved back to England with his family after spending only three years there. It had been three years since we had seen him. Both of us gave him some bromance man to man hugging before jumping in his car and going to his. Said g’day to his parents and then drove to his mate’s house, Bill.

Upon arrival to Bills estate in a suburb called Eccleshall, the Battlers met Bill and had a few bevvys. Marcus, Eddie and I shot the shit with each other, reminiscing on old times as well as filling the gaps on the past three years. Marcus’ missus came over with her mate and the six of us went out. Was a massive day for the Battlers, waking up at 5am and going to bed around 4-430am.
Before hitting the hay, we almost devoured a ‘Value Box G’ each. A ‘Value Box G’ is a pizza box filled with chips, chicken nuggets, chicken tikka and kebab meat. It was the perfect drunk feed but absolutely horrid as a next morning meal.

Marcus and Bill took the Battlers to a football match. Eddie and I were real excited as we haven’t been to an English football match before. Bill gave Eddie and I each a Wolvehampton jersey to wear for the match; the local team. Bills’s dad, Bruce, and Bruce’s brother both had season tickets for their families. Because two people weren’t going to the ‘npower championship’ league match, it meant wom and I got in for free. After a close 3-3 draw, the Wolves scoring a late goal in overtime, our voices were hoarse. So much shouting and yelling. Crowd was so much more livelier and mental than any sporting event I’ve been to before.

Got our gambling fix that night at the ‘Genting Club’, a casino in Stoke. Eddie played roulette and as it was a week night and the only blackjack table open was always busy, I had several slaps of the pokies and got up. Miss spending my shrapnel in those money wasting machines over a few beers. Had a pretty early one as we were all shattered after a long day yesterday.

After saying bye and thanks to Bill, Marcus, Eddie and I drove to Marcus’ house where his parents cooked us a feed. They’d been slaving away in the kitchen all morning cooking us pork, crackling, potatoes (sweet and normal), sausages with bacon wrapped around them and peas. That was all followed by apple crumble and ice cream. Can’t even begin to describe how grateful we were to be eating a home cooked meal again. Especially one like that. Not planning on eating or brushing my teeth the next little while to keep the flavour and taste in my mouth.

Marcus dropped us to Hanley bus station Sunday arvo for us to get a bus to London.

It was phenomenal seeing Marcus. It’s scary to think where the past three years have gone. Both of us really enjoyed his company and hospitality. Introducing us to his best mate Bill, who was more than kind enough to let two strangers into his house and stay for two nights. They went above and beyond making sure our every need was catered for.

It can become frustrating not being able to better show our appreciation to those who help us along the way and are so kind to us. Those who drop everything they are doing to have the Battlers into their homes and be their shadows for a few days.

Fellas thanks a tonne. You’ve made history by being part of the Backpacking Battlers story that will never be forgotten. See you in Australia soon hopefully !