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To say that the past week has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. From Oakland to Providence, Rhode Island, to Foxborough, Mass., to Boston to London - planes, trains and automobiles for yours truly, and the Oakland Raiders.
We departed from Logan International Airport a few hours after the heartbreaking 16-9 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. We flew through the night and landed at London Gatwick Airport early in the morning local time. After clearing the border checkpoint, we loaded onto coaches and headed for Pennyhill Park.
The fact the vehicles are right-hand drive instead of left isn't jarring on the highways or freeways, but it's disconcerting on surface streets. Traffic is comparable if not worse than the Bay Area. Let's just say it was a long, scenic ride to Pennyhill.
We spent the better part of the week at Pennyhill Park and it was very much a training camp environment with practices, meetings and media we've never met and probably will never see again.
Several Raiders and Raiderettes participated in a Play 60 event in England.
G Lamar Mady, LB Miles Burris, WR Andre Holmes, S Usama Young, OL Kevin Boothe, FB Marcel Reece, G Austin Howard, RB Darren McFadden, CB Chimdi Chekwa, LB Khalill Mack and DE Justin Tuck
Raiderette Chanel acts as quarterback in a Play 60 drill.
FB Marcel Reece and DE Justin Tuck have fun playing 60 with the kids.
RB Darren McFadden
DE Justin Tuck teaches the kids about American football.
Raiderette Kelly spends time with the young participants.
RB Darren McFadden gets ready to make the catch in a flag football game.
WR Andre Holmes tosses a pass.
LB Khalil Mack works with his flag football team.
DE Justin Tuck
DE Justin Tuck goes up to make the catch.
Raiderette Kelly cheers on a young cheerleader.
DE Justin Tuck addresses the students.
Group photo
The Raiderettes cheer on the students as they arrive.
S Usama Young greets the students as they arrive.
The players welcome the students to Play 60.
The players give high fives to all the students as they arrive.
The students arrive to a Raiderette tunnel.
Raiderette Erica and some of her teammates welcome the students to the Play 60 event.
FB Marcel Reece and RB Darren McFadden
The players are all smiles as the Play 60 event begins.
OL Kevin Boothe, G Austin Howard, DE Justin Tuck and G Lamar Mady get ready for an hour of Play 60 fun.
Raiderettes Althea, Marcy, Cassie, Brandi, Erica, Brittany, Chanel, Michelle, Kelly and Ashley
The Raiderettes and Raiderette Director Jeanette Thompson are photobombed by FB Marcel Reece, RB Darren McFadden and DE Justin Tuck.
G Austin Howard spends times with the kids at the Play 60 event.
Raiderette Michelle
Raiderette Brandi is impressed with the cheering skills of the young student.
The Play 60 participant shows off her Raiderette skills with Raiderette Brandi.
CB Chimdi Chekwa has fun with some of the students.
DE Justin Tuck and LB Khalil Mack pass out high fives to all of the students.
S Usama Young and OL Kevin Boothe teach the kids the game of football.
Raider Rusher cheers on the kids.
RB Darren McFadden breaks the huddle.
RB Darren McFadden, LB Khalil Mack and Raiderettes Brandi and Cassie bring it in for a cheer.
Team photo with RB Darren McFadden, LB Khalil Mack and Raiderettes Chanel and Brittany
Raiderettes Kelly and Michelle
Raiderettes Kelly and Michelle cheer on the young tumbler.
Team photo with CB Chimdi Chekwa and G Lamar Mady
Team photo with FB Marcel Reece, RB Darren McFadden, DE Justin Tuck and LB Khalil Mack
LB Khalil Mack and RB Darren McFadden with some of the volunteer coaches
FB Marcel Reece and DE Justin Tuck address the group.
Group selfie
The Play 60 event in Surrey was fantastic – 11 players, 10 cheerleaders and 150 of the most enthusiastic children you'll find anywhere. They were so excited to learn the game of American football and interact with the Raiders.
Pennyhill Park was an experience unto itself.
According to the official web site:
"The earliest reference to the hotel property in Bagshot, Surrey, is found in the Tithe Land Registry of 1609. It was known as Pennyhill field and thought to have been common land used as a beacon-warning site aiding a national system, warning the arrival of the Spanish Armada in 1588."
The grounds and architecture were spectacular with old world charm. You definitely had the sense that the buildings had history to them.
The team departed Pennyhill after three practices, countless meetings, numerous interviews and several attempts at a British accent – some more successful than others. The staff at Pennyhill was wonderful, and I'd like to thank them personally for their service.
The Raiders arrived in downtown London Friday afternoon and a welcome reception was held Friday evening.
The team got its first look at Wembley Stadium Saturday afternoon with a walk-through. The place is decked out in Silver and Black and we're very much looking forward to the game day atmosphere.
After walk-through, the Raiderettes, QB Derek Carr, T Menelik Watson, LB Khalil Mack, and Head Coach Dennis Allen took the stage at the NFL Experience event at Regent Street where 600,000 fans were expected to attend.
There has been precious little time for sightseeing but the famous landmarks are close by – London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, St. James Park, St. Margaret's Church, and Buckingham Palace are within walking distance and close together. The architecture is nothing short of spectacular, the pomp and circumstance and history are all on full display. London is everything you've read about and seen in the movies. Truly one of the world's greatest cities.
The pace in London is ridiculously fast. The speed at which people move, the traffic, the Underground, makes New Yorkers look like they're moving in slow motion.
I'll check in with another entry after the Raiders take on the Dolphins and wrap up this travel experience. It's been fun and I can't wait for the game.
