just got back home ........WOW what a great time (despite the weather)
Weather: unusually cold and wet most of the week
Snooker: still can't get that Allen black out of my head. That was a brutal way to lose a snooker match. Met him next day as he was checking out and he was gracious and said he had not taken his chances and he agreed that Cao was pretty ruthless. Day's comeback win vs Ding was awesome. The only downside being that I had to literally leg it from the Crucible back to the room for a quick snack then back into the Crucible (people were queuing to get in as I was coming out of the Day match, it was that late). Enjoyed the Ronnie match. Shame that some of the matches have been no contests in effect. Pleased that we have had some shocks.
Betting: my most outlandish bet was Jones/Higginson double - smallest stake but returned over £100 on just £5 stake. Also backed Jones in play for £80 profit. The guy next to me had lumped £1000 on Murphy at the same time, and I was pretty pleased when Jones won it after blobbing that red to corner. He showed great guts to get over the line in the end. Dissappointed in Fu and Bingham they just never turned up. Did not actually back Ding for the outright tourney winner thank god.
Drinking: first night had a nice session with the Islanders plus CDLs - despite a raging headache I'd had since the afternoon. Last night I was supposed to be watching first frame of Selby/Hawks and then out to watch the footie with just a couple drinks. It did not pan out that way, as 2 fellow St Pauls residents came out to the Monk to watch the footie and plyed me with drinks all night as I'd given them my ticket on the front row. Hilarious later when we got back to the champagne bar in St Pauls, very nice place. Darren ordered a £155 bottle of DP. Gert lush champagne, then brandy and cokes. Safe to say that the drive home was not that enjoyable.
Food: Had a nice kebab from over the road one evening, it was great and did not cause any upset until during the night when it was Windy City. Also went for a Chinese round the corner following day. St Pauls breakfasts are out of this world, great selection, my favourite being the Danish pastries and the capachinos.
ps The pool and sauna were lush too.