Week 1: Estonia

09 May: Overnight bus to Tallinn and get there nice and early to stroll around the beautiful old streets of Tallinn. It is as charming and appealing as ever. Meet up with Phil and Stu who arrive a little later by plane and we head to the main square where we find a few of the other Welsh lads over here for the Estonia v Wales U21 match and the legendary John Toshack having a drink in the sunshine. John is happy to discuss everything about the setup and goings on in Welsh football with us and it's quite an enlightening afternoon. I remember something about Phil and some Australian girl, but the details slip my mind ;-) I also end up locked out of the appartment most of the night, but we had a good time it seems.

10 May: Enjoy some Estonian delights in a medieval restaurant, which has the spookiest darkest candlelight toilet I have ever been to. Even finding the doorway and the urinals was a challenge, that I'm sure many have failed.

Wales U21 win the match 2-0 in front of their 20 faithful travelling fans and an Estonian lady that John invited along. Lots of 'Waltzing Matilda' was sung (ref: 09 May) and we head back into town where we end up at a Karaoke bar. After a few drinks the temptation to get up and celebrate with our rendition of 'Delilah' was too much. As there was little interest from the rest of the listening public, we ended up there a number of times and Men At Work - Down Under (for Phil that one) and Hey Jude (or Hey Wales as it has now become) were both among the set performed by the Welsh Spice Boys ;-)

You can see karaoke photos at John Perrett's photo site: Spice Boys on Tour 2006



Left: John P, Gareth and shy Perry enjoy a beer in Tallin
Right: Me, Phil, Stu and half a Neil.