Going to the World Cup June 17, 2006

Just as people are intrigued as to what squads have been picked for the countries in the World Cup, and which teams come to take the field, I have had a look around me to see who are the other photographers and where they are from. One could check them out even before arrival in Germany as the FIFA 2006 website hold details of ALL the media including some 1500 photographers : what games each has applied to attend and which ones they have been granted access to (and which ones they are on the ‘waiting list’ for). And whether they have a car parking pass. This makes me think this could lead to one sharing a lift, perhaps with a photographer from the other side of the globe in his or her hire car. Or they with me in mine. I’ve hired an Opel, a German car, since I am in Germany.

Back in The Lake District, where I live, I have been without a car or van or 4-wheel drive beast of my own for most of the year. And I have grown to like not having one. I have hitch-hiked in this time, when and where I haven’t fancied walking. It has probably meant I have had to think more carefully about my fitness (usually quite good anyway) and my diet and my water-intake. And what I am to carry…

As a result my packing for recent trips has become increasingly minimalist or survivalist. Some would say daring. For trips to Trinidad and before that Mexico (both a week long) I had a small shoulder bag plus my cameras, which could all go as hand-luggage on the airlines.

For the World Cup, FULLY 5 WEEKS AWAY FROM HOME, I packed and took the following :

2 Bronica and 1 Widelux medium format cameras (the tools of my trade); no lenses, filters, light meters, flashguns;

40 rolls of film (I am the only one of 1500 photographers as far as I can tell who is on film);

One pair of trousers;

3 t-shirts;

Sandals;

Toothbrush;

Shaver;

Mini torch;

Diary;

Map;

Documents.

On me I set off with a pair of shorts, a waistcoat with loads of pockets, and a jumper tied round my waist.

Admittedly some copies of my books and postcards (to show or give to people and the other assembled media) went to Germany via Steve and the tv crew who are trailing me for over half the period (filming me filming people for a DVD). Steve and Sean and Steve’s brother set off by car from Barrow, near where I live in Cumbria and met up with me on the 2nd day at the England game. Meanwhile Carl, who works for me at Ambleside in the gallery, carried to Germany the Ambleside Homes of Football flag. He is staying on a campsite having won some tickets to be here courtesy of Budweiser. In fact he’s returning to England any day now (holiday over).