Pilgrim's progress: the long journey north
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Despite the appalling weather sweeping the country, a bunch of hardy Plymouth Argyle supporters made the 410-mile trip to Tyneside last night for the club's FA Cup third round replay with Newcastle United. One of those who made the trek, Mark Havard, shares his experience:
"The journey up wasn't too bad, we got up at about 8.30 in the morning and had pretty much a free run straight through. It wasn't snowing when we left, but we had quite a few good hits of the stuff around Yorkshire. Considering the forecasts and the problems elsewhere in the country yesterday, we didn't see any snow until Somerset so it wasn't too bad at all. We had our game at QPR cancelled last week and also one at home to Barnsley last year where the rain was coming down heavily and the match had to be abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
"All in all it will have been about an 800-mile round trip, so it's a bit of a trek! The travelling has been quite reasonable and I had a beef pastie to keep me going. We came up through Bristol, then into the Midlands and Yorkshire but were held up a bit on the way going up to Newcastle. Were there any shouts of 'Green Army'? Not yet, but I'm sure there will be nearer the ground! We haven't seen Paul Whitehouse at any Argyle games, but I have to say it is a good advert, they're well done. We finally arrived at St James' at about 6pm.
"We have two coachloads of us travelling up for the match, about 60 people in total, with a few more from the northern branch of the supporter's club we should number a few hundred, though that's not quite the 2,000 we took up for the league game in September. That trip, which we lost 3-1, wasn't too bad - it was pleasant weather, a nice day and we got back home at around half past two, three o'clock in the morning. This time we don't expect to be back much before six or seven o'clock, so it'll be straight to bed for me. Some may go on to work but I've got the day off so I'm alright!"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments