For those interested I took photos at ground level to start with but as I have found previously sitting is too crowded for a great success rate from floor level. Luckily Stoke has a balcony so matches 3-20 were shot from on high (with a slight exception). I will split the galleries by time period. 

Now to the important bit: The coffee. Firstly the friendly staff made me a coffee despite being closed (open for breakfast to those staying) all I had to have was right money. The next experience was Coffee Nation. A huge machine that promised everything (everything apart from understandable instructions that is). First you choose the cup. Three available labeled £1.30, £1.70 and £2.00. The instructions said no change given. The £1.30 was obviously for expresso and as I didn't have £1.70 I put £2 in the machine and selected cappuccino. Strangely the coin acceptor then spewed out 20p. So I paid £1.80. Then the machine made amazing noises and eventually filled the cup with a frothy drink. One of the best machine cappuccinos I have ever had from a machine (and a lot of hand made). It is a very large cappuccino though so it was lucky I could take it to the gallery and park it on table whilst photographing. Wish every venue was like this.

On Wednesday at Stoke Maderville the machine was serviced (it took 3 hours, but I said it was big). The up side is the engineer explained it to me.
Firstly it does give change but if any of the coin tubes are empty then it tells you no change. Therefore me putting £2.00 and getting 20p back was due to the 10p tube being empty. Most drinks are £1.70 unless you press the Large button in which case they are £2.00.

More photos etc at: http://www.mcgugan.co.uk/volleyball

Jon McGugan

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