RICHMOND UPON THAMES, England - The NOLA.com Times-Picayune coverage team hadn't even reached customs at Heathrow International Airport before spotting a pod of New Orleans Saints fans, a black-and-gold clad, bead-brandishing trio of Who Dats from Austin, Texas.
Our crew arrived at Heathrow early Tuesday and were greeted by crisp temperatures in the upper 50s. We immediately cabbed to Richmond, the scenic borough located along the River Thames about 12 miles southwest of downtown London, which will be our home for the week.
We strategically picked Richmond because of its proximity to the New Orleans Saints' practice site, the Hazelwood training facility of the London Irish Rugby Club in Sunbury.