The Footy starts again

Every two years the same thing happens: the whole country gets into an almost intolerable tizzy, flags are being waved, barbecues are being held, bigger TVs are bought, Beer consumption goes through the roof, hopes are held high, and in the end everybody gets deflated when Germany loses the final  and England don’t make it past the group stage.

Here at Fordiebianco central we are prepared. It’s definetely the biggest TV we’ve ever had (21 inches), there is beer and Pimms, the sweepstake money has been paid but for obvious reasons we haven’t started to hang the Germany flag out the bedroom for fear of lynching by the natives.

The only problem I have is that I am likely not going to see a lot of return on my investment in the sweepstakes:

It’s been so long.

Wonderful video, cracking tune, but I’ll never forgive Greg Johnson for cancelling his gig at the Penguin Club.

*shakes fist

It. Has. Arrived.

Today I was having a beer with a friend at Indo’s, contemplating about the state of pre-Christmas time, when, through the glass cabinet of the fridge, I saw a dark green bottle with a familiar font. I gently asked the lovely bar attendant:

‘I am sorry, but is this normal Steinlager or Steinlager Pure?’

Oh, I think it’s the normal Steinlager. No, wait: It is the pure stuff.’

I carefully took ownership of the container, checking for the details: Indeed, it was labelled as brewed in Auckland. Imported by a place in London. After trying to get hold of a bloody bottle for two years, there it was, in my own local.

This must a sign. Maybe it is a christmas miracle and god is giving me a sign to change my atheist ways?

…or maybe the Kiwi population in London has finally hit 1 million and it’s worth importing the stuff.

At 3 pound 20 it’s certainly not cheap, but as it’s christmas only once a year…