london calling

We've heard from lots of Vikings fans who will be watching the team in London on Sunday. We'll run some of their stories this week.

Gavin Henderson, London

Why are you going to the game? I'm a Vikings fan, and I've been to every International Series game so was definitely not going to miss this one.

Who's your favorite current Vikings player? I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn't say AD (Adrian "All Day" Peterson) for this one — such determination, he's a machine! Cordarrelle [Patterson] looks like a great pick this season.

How big a hole is this going to blow in your budget? No more than an average weekend in London!

Are you unhappy the team had to give up a home game to play in London? I'm probably too biased to answer this one, but I really appreciate the fact that there are a lot of lifelong fans out there missing out on a home game in Minnesota. Sorry!

Jamie Rassett, Forest Lake

Why are you going to the game? My husband and I are huge fans (me more so than him, but he'll never admit that). We were planning to go to Italy for our six-year wedding anniversary. When we found out the London game was going to be played on Sept. 29 — our actual wedding anniversary — it really worked out perfectly. We are flying home from Italy via London so we can go to the game.

Dianne Valerius, right, has been saving for the London game since it was announced last year. She’s pictured with her brother, Dennis Webster

Do you go regularly go to Vikings games? We go to every home game we can. We have been season-ticket holders since 2009, and my in-laws have been season-ticket holders for many years.

Who's your favorite Vikings player? Adrian Peterson, of course. (Wait, did Favre officially retire? If he's technically still a Viking, it's Brett.)

What London landmarks are you going to try to see? I really want to see Westminster Abbey, Buckingham [Palace] and the Beatles Magical Mystery Walk. I'm also trying to devise a plan to get my husband to go on a Harry Potter tour with me without him realizing that is what we are doing.

Bringing your Helga horns? Unfortunately, I didn't pack the Helga Horns … space was limited for two weeks in Europe. My AP jersey and purple shoes made the trip.

Dianne Valerius, EAST BETHEL

Why are you going to the game? First off, I bleed purple, so how can I miss a home game? Secondly, I have always wanted to see England, so this was perfect.

What size is your group? Traveling from Minnesota, it will just be myself and my neighbor for a girls' trip. When we go to the game and other NFL functions, we will be joined by six other members of my family who are living in England. I was able to purchase eight tickets for the game by being a season-ticket holder.

Who is your favorite Vikings player? Jared Allen!

How big a hole is this going to blow in your budget? I started saving the day they announced last year that we were going to have a home game in England. No vacations all year and, yes, I had to suffer that long hard winter without going somewhere warm this year! I booked my airline tickets early, used my neighbors' timeshare for a place to stay, and got my tickets at a great price for being a season-ticket holder. Did it blow a large hole in my budget for 2013? Yes, but it is so going to be worth it! This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

John Duxbury, St. John's student studying in London

Why are you going to the game? I am going to the game because I am a Vikings fan through win and loss.

Who's your favorite current Vikings player? Cordarrelle Patterson

How big a hole is this going to blow in your budget? The ticket is going to run me $175, not bad for the experience of a lifetime.

What London landmarks are you going to try to see? I arrived here Aug. 28, so I have already seen many sights of London including Big Ben, the London Tower, Parliament, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral. I haven't been to Wembley Stadium yet, but I am excited to get there.

COMPILED BY COLLEEN KELLY