Jonny Blair and Michael McClelland HWGA Northern Ireland fans

Here We Go…Again – The fanzine undeniably infatuated with the Northern Ireland international football team

Posted on February 19, 2008May 27, 2016 by Jonny Blair

Having been a massive enthusiast about the Northern Ireland international football team since the 1986 World Cup, I had slowly worked my way to the point where I wanted to do something with my knowledge and passion. Initially this meant just turning up at Windsor Park to watch Northern Ireland matches. I used to go Read more about Here We Go…Again – The fanzine undeniably infatuated with the Northern Ireland international football team[…]

Is this the way to Afandou? (Why don’t you travel with me?)

Posted on February 18, 2008September 12, 2022 by Jonny Blair

Totally unrelated and in no way meant to be to the tune of ‘Is this the way to Amarillo?’ My Dad actually wrote that wee song when we travelled to the Greek island of Rhodes in 1990. Life will take us here, there and everywhere. Every day and every time we meet someone new it Read more about Is this the way to Afandou? (Why don’t you travel with me?)[…]

Studying Saturdays: Beavering Away, Life in Belvoir, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Posted on February 17, 2008July 18, 2015 by Jonny Blair

Back in 1997 when I first stumbled upon politics in a big way, I also started a course in Media Techniques and Competences at Belvoir Training Centre in the Belvoir Estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In many ways this first period of time away from the bland, middle class British-ness of Bangor was a wake Read more about Studying Saturdays: Beavering Away, Life in Belvoir, Belfast, Northern Ireland[…]

A Bad End To 2007: Footloose and Legless

Posted on February 16, 2008June 3, 2020 by Jonny Blair

After a crazy year in 2007 where I was on 34 aeroplanes, 3 boats and numerous trains, buses, trams and cars the year ended with a not so lucky break! I have now visited 29 countries, but am left with a broken leg – well foot really – 3 metatarsals. I managed to break Read more about A Bad End To 2007: Footloose and Legless[…]

Working Wednesdays: ASDA la vista baby! Springbourne, Bournemouth, England

Posted on February 13, 2008July 18, 2015 by Jonny Blair

In September 2003 I left my job in the butchery at Steenson’s to move to England and start my degree at Bournemouth University. The only problem was I hadn’t sorted out a job yet in England, and also hadn’t worked in England before (or actually lived there). The first day in my new house in Read more about Working Wednesdays: ASDA la vista baby! Springbourne, Bournemouth, England[…]

Attending George Best’s Funeral at Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Posted on February 5, 2008May 25, 2022 by Jonny Blair

“We won’t forget our Belfast boy, who filled our lives with so much joy” George Best was the best football player ever. He was also the fifth Beatle. He was also a total hit with the ladies and basically the first superstar footballer. When I was a kid, my Da always used to talk about Read more about Attending George Best’s Funeral at Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland[…]

Drinkpacking in Vaduz, Liechtenstein in March 2007

Everybody Liechtenstein, What’s That You Say?

Posted on January 25, 2008January 14, 2021 by Jonny Blair

Vaduz is the capital city of Liechtenstein. A small little enclave sandwiched in between Austria, Switzerland and Germany (which it doesn’t actually border, though shares a language and much history with). I visited it in Winter 2007 for a day as part of my football trip to watch Liechtenstein v. Northern Ireland. A Prince lives Read more about Everybody Liechtenstein, What’s That You Say?[…]

You're getting off at Ravenscourt Park for Bite Communications

(Over) Crowded London – Bite Communications

Posted on January 5, 2008January 14, 2021 by Jonny Blair

About a year before this travel blog started, I lived in London, while working for a Communications Agency in Hammersmith. Ravenscourt Park to be exact and it was with Bite Communications. It is so true that there are millions of people living in London and that the city is overcrowded, but my time living and Read more about (Over) Crowded London – Bite Communications[…]

Backpacking in Iceland🇮🇸: Stranger in Keflavik…

Posted on October 27, 2007October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

The main airport in Iceland is at Keflavik. Thats where I arrived into Iceland the day before Northern Ireland’s European Qualifier with Iceland in September 2007. I had stayed two nights in the Aurora Guesthouse in central Reykjavik, near the large church. Then by chance I met up with a young lady called Una whom Read more about Backpacking in Iceland🇮🇸: Stranger in Keflavik…[…]

Backpacking in Germany: Grune Weiss Army, Bremen

Posted on October 1, 2007July 18, 2015 by Jonny Blair

Being a member of Northern Ireland’s Green and White Army, I felt the need to check out Bremen’s own ‘Grune Weiss’ Army – Werder Bremen. So, while backpacking in Germany, as Bremen was a convenient and easy train stop for me between Hamburg and Hannover, it seemed ludicrous to miss out on at least seeing the Read more about Backpacking in Germany: Grune Weiss Army, Bremen[…]