As Arsenal fans now living in Peterborough, me and the missus were praying for both Ipswich and Norwich to come up to the Premiership this season (lets face it, The Posh have some work to do on that score). The
tractor Boys never made it but we were glad of the chance to go to Carrow Road. Michelle had been before and, though she was stuck behind a pillar that time, she said it was well worth the effort. She was right. It's a beautiful city and the people are extremely friendly and hospitable.

We drove from Boro along the A47 so the traffic was fine. The City has an inner and an outer ring road so you can get anywhere fairly easily. We stopped off at an NCP in the centre of town and drove in. We realised
a bit late that the car park was due to close at 8pm and with a 5:15pm kick off (thanks Sky TV) we were about to turn round and look for somewhere else. The attendant said, "don't worry, I'll stay open, if you're coming straight back for your car after the game".

We walked down towards the ground and stopped off at a pub
called the Rose Inn. It was chock full of cheerful Norwich fans who didn't mind us one bit. It serves three different types of Mild as well as a good selection of other beers and bar food. There's a tiny garden in the back (really an alley way round the back of the gents) and we sat chatting to fans and locals for ages. They showed us a quick way to the ground as well.

Inside the ground we were pleased to see no pillars as the away fans are housed in the new South Stand. The hard core of home fans is behind
the goal to your right. There was a lot of banter between the two sets of supporters because we'd both won our respective divisions and so both sets joined in a chorus of "Champions". Then they got stuck into a chorus of "on the ball, City", one of the oldest football songs still in use, so I'm told. The atmosphere was very good.

Early in the season a newly promoted team is a usually a good away trip - the joy of playing in the Premiership not yet tarnished by a thorough-going thrashing by one of the leagues elite clubs. And as Div 1 Champions the Canaries were eager to test themselves against the top clubs, but Arsenal were outstanding that day and easily won the game 4-1. We tried to get a taste of one of the pies at half time (apparently Delia had a hand in the recipe) but the queues (or "Koos" as they call them round there) were huge. The new stand is very clean and new and so are the facilities within.