WITH kick-off not until 9pm local time last night there was the rest of the day to take in the splendid Valencia views.

A large part of the day was spent in the centre, where hour after hour the red sea of Middlesbrough fans gradually grew.

Some were happy to stay in a bar drinking San Miguel while others were able to look at some of the attractions.

After the history of Athens and the cheap living in Ostrava, Valencia was by far the most attractive city Middlesbrough have visited so far.

The 20-minute walk back to the Hotel Palace through the gardens was a delight.

The city is renowned for its gardens because of the fertile land and the skills of the Valencian people.

The Spanish have worked hard on developing what is clearly a prosperous city, bringing a traditional Iberian populous into the modern age - with even old high-rise flats receiving a lick of paint.

A VENUE that seems to have missed out on a facelift is Valencia Football Club's home ground, the Mestalla.

One of the finest stadiums in the country looms large as you approach it. It's a big, grey construction, which looks like an old, dishevelled multi-storey car park.

At the time of our arrival the club shop was closed, so there was no chance of a little memorabilia.

But there was a side door open where a tour party had just been taken in.

So myself and former Northern Echo sports writer Ian Murtagh decided to sneak inside.

The Mestalla did not disappoint and was much bigger than the El Madrigal, where Boro played last night.

BEFORE the majority of fans made the hour's trip north to Villarreal they all seemed to have one task - to have their photo taken with the club's former striker Bernie Slaven.

No matter where he roamed he was stopped, serenaded then snapped by a camera. "All part of the occasion" one supporter put it.

But I couldn't help but be amazed by their choice of hero when Slaven, undoubtedly one of Boro's greatest goal scorers, was in the same restaurant as ex-England winger Chris Waddle.

While Slaven was honourably fulfilling picture and autograph requests, Waddle, literally three yards away, stood talking away to our little group without so much as a mention by the passing public.

IT'S remarkable that so many must have forgotten about the dazzling feet of the former Newcastle United and Tottenham star.

But ask anyone what they do recall about Chris Waddle and a fair share would either reply: "Diamond Lights" or "that penalty miss".

As you can imagine, 14 years after missing 'that penalty' in the World Cup against Germany, he is a little sick of people reminding him of it.

So it was pretty funny when Middlesbrough's press officer Martin Walker mentioned the incident for the third time in the hotel lobby.

"Don't even think about saying it again," uttered Waddle.

And, by the way, after finding a karaoke bar near to our hotel you will be disgusted to learn that Waddle's - or was it on Waddle's behalf? - request to sing Diamond Lights on stage was met by a little shrug of the shoulders by the Spanish DJ.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.