joecraigfanclub

If you want to do something a bit off the wall, no pun intended, you could go to the old Stasi prison which gives you a pretty grim insight into what life was like for political prisoners. Also toured the old Stasi HQ which was really interesting. If you are going to do that watch the Lives of Others first as some it was shot in the HQ

One thing I would not recommend is the beer bike. I was on a stag there a couple of years ago. The best man had paid upfront for the trip and it was quite a bit, over 700 euros I think. We had been out the night before and were about to get on when the owner produced a breathalyser kit. After breathalysing the stag and the best man, he told them they could not get on the beer bike as they were over the limit!!!!!! The rest of us said don't bother in that case and we'll have our money back which he refused to do. A full and frank exchange of views then ensued and we left without a refund but the guy got it back through his card. The ara around Hackeschemarkt is lively with a 24 hour pub. There is a brauhaus called Bar Lemke nearby which is also good. If you wander up to Oranienbergerstrasse there is a cracking wee boozer called Silberfisch open till 7 am. It has a knocking shop next door for those who are interested. Friendly bar staff in the pub. I would recommend the English language walking tour from Zoo as it covers all the main points, is very interesting as well as educational and you end up near Alexanderplatz. The Park Inn at Alexanderplatz is handy for all the above mentioned bars and is remarkably good value. Try there or the Ramada as they are cheap as chips. Between the Ramada and the Park In. A Munich beer hall has opened up in the last year or so and its very good for both food nd drink. Am going back for the beer festival in August. A mile of bars!

In then post today

LA are happy to announce the sale of the match badge for the Northern Ireland game in March. Go to the shop page at www.loonyalba.com for the image and to buy via paypal. £3.50 incl p&p

To be honest I have no idea where I am going to be on Saturday. Have some merchandise to shift so might be up at the ground, depends how it goes Friday night and pre match. Are you going to the game? Will be down that area and Bastille post match Hope to see you at some point

Read his biography ABC - Ajax, Barcelona, Cruyff. Brilliant. My favourite quote of his "if I'd wanted you to understand what I meant, I would have explained it better" Ok maybe not spot on but great stuff from an original football genius.

I would recommend the Hotel Agumar near Atocha. 10 minute stroll from plaza Santa Anna and close to all museums and the Retiro Parl if you are there on a Sunday it is worth going for a wander round the Rastro (?) their open air market. All sorts, shapes and sizes for sale and some cracking food. http://www.hotelmadridagumar.com/en/

Am going over on Thursday. will be in the Pure malt and Auld Alliance Thursday night. Not going to the game as the last time I went I watched most of it on the screen in the stadium so thought I would save the money and spend it in the le bar. Will have flashing saltire badges on sale plus a match badge of sorts and golden thistles

Heading over for the rugby this weekend but staying in a different hotel. If its any better will let you know. Are you sorted for bars etc?

Normally stay here when I go aver burd http://www.lesjardinsdumarais.com It is a lovely place with great rooms. Its a little bit further away from the main attractions but is very close to the Marais and also the area around the Bastille which has great nightlife. Also close to Place des Vosges

Climbing up the falls is quite good and I believe you can go rafting which is also entertaining. I would go on official tours. When I was there, ok 20 years ago, people would offer to take you into the jungle then demand money to show you the route back once you were in the middle of it. I liked it but its a bit of an odd place in number of ways.

just back and thanks for the tips. Only made it to harry's Bar John and enjoyed it. I thought the Gaelic Corner was crazily overpriced to some of the bars around it, 4 euros for a pint of Dorada when you were paying 1.50 for it in Los Christinanos? If anyone is going soon I would recommend two things 1. The Billy Connolly tribute act which is on in the Jersey Cow at 11pm on a Wednesday. Very very funny guy who does act in a BC style 2. If there is a CD Tenerife game on in Santa Cruz look up Armada Sur online. Group of British football fans who take buses up to home games. Friendly and well organised. Guy organises tickets the works. Take a saltire to blend in. Seriously

Bin Bilbao is my tip. Complete coup and the interior of the museum in terms of exhibits is nothing compared to the building as a whole. I liked Lyons but it takes all sorts

Cheers

Any tips on decent bars and good eating places appreciated.

Can he take Doncaster with him as he is a completely useless clown. Barry Hearn applying for the job with the SFA then?

Get the impression Dubai is a bit of a marmite destination

good point

Anyone looking for a flashing saltire for their Christmas party or for new year, LA are now selling them once more at www.loonyalba.com 3 for £6 including postage and package. They will be sent first class. If you are looking for a large order ie 20+ get in touch and we can sort out a discount

having a very senior moment, so can somone tell me who the Boyd was on the bench?

The SFA have met ATAC and the SFA told them where to go. I am inclined to disagree with your statement Ally as given the attendances at the Ireland and the England games, someone in SFA towers will be laughing their cock off. If they accept they will take a hit on the Gibraltar game then they have Germany and Poland left. Germany will sell out and if we need a result against Poland that will sell out. The missing fans at the Georgia home game will be completely forgotten. I also think its a master stroke on the SFA's part to let juniors in for free at Gibraltar. Halves the cost of a ticket in some cases and then puts pressure on the parent to take the kid. Am totally scunnered with the prices btw and avoiding friendlies as my protest. Any more word on NornIron in March? Unless they slash the prices for that, it will be another poor attnedance. It does absolutely zero for me.

www.loonyalba.com we used to supply footballheaven

You could do an awful lot worse.........

as we are going to stamp them into the ground All the best Paulo. Will leave the field clear for you especially as we did our bit last night and I still have flashing pirate skull head badges I am selling on your behalf.

Out of curiousity, what is a bucket hat?