Having rated the Stadium of Light as my favourite ground amongst the 92, I was eager to return to the North East to complete some unfinished business from my inaugural visit some 12 months' earlier: my photographs failed to capture anything of the place due to the evening kick-off so I was eager to add Sunderland's splendid home to my collection.

A fellow Blue who lived close-by had contacted me via e-mail and this provided me with both a travelling companion and a reduced outlay in petrol.  I met Paul at Newport Pagnell services on the M1 on what was a bright but chilly December morning.  I'd allowed for some traffic problems due to desperate Christmas shoppers and this proved to be a blessing in disguise as almost as soon as we had passed the junction to where I used to live in Yorkshire than we hit an almighty snowstorm that continued all the way until we arrived in Sunderland.  Whilst on the A1/A19 we listened intently for weather reports and the news wasn't good as matches at both Middlesbrough and Darlington had been called off early.

The treacherous driving conditions provided me with the opportunity to practice my winter driving techniques ahead of the move to Norway that my wife and I would be undertaking in a fortnights' time.  That was another reason for me to head for Sunderland - it would be the last chance for me to see my beloved Toffees for 3 years. With about 15 miles left before we learned that there would be a pitch inspection at midday but it was touch-and-go whether or not the game would survive.  With little option other than to carry on northwards, we entered the city and found a parking space around midday itself.  Desperately trying to tune the radio to the local station we both noticed the car in front rock and a cheer emanate form inside.  The Everton car sticker in the rear window gave it all away as the Evertonians in front had heard the news we all wanted to hear - match on!

We trudged through the thick snow down a few streets until we turned a corner and Paul stood in awe as the striking stadium came into view.  I remembered feeling the same way a year earlier when I first cast my eyes over the majestic feat of construction.  We'd arrived very early and the wintry conditions made our pre-match wait rather uncomfortable.  However, a decent lunch from a chip shop I visited last time and the emergence of the sun through the fast-clearing clouds raised the spirits in time for entering the ground.  I made sure I got some decent photos almost immediately I passed through the turnstiles and then Paul and I warmed ourselves up with coffee for me (I was driving, after all!) and beers for him.  The atmosphere built as the crowd swelled to the usual near capacity level that Sunderland enjoy.