Wonderwall

Strangely on Saturday I wore my "unlucky" trainers. I bought beer I normally wouldn't, I paid an invoice unusually early and bought direct sweets for the car!! I was trying new things. I'm off my head really a,, Left my home town about 10am , picked up sister and brother in law and drove to my hotel on the outskirts of Glasgow. Settled in and cracked my first beer just after 12. We put the world to rights and contemplated the day ahead, moved into the bar area for some food and more beers, helped down unusually again by some rum. Cab to the football, where I met up with many friends, had the day of my life. I know it's only a game of football but this was special. Very special. Many tears shed by many people for many different reasons. Many memories made . History , and we were part of it. Back to the hotel, many phone calls and texts, many liquid refreshments then into Glasgow for the Manic Street Preacher concert. A fantastic end to a fantastic day. Next day into Edinburgh to see the cup parade. Over a hundred thousand people lining the streets, sun shining , carnival atmosphere , family by my side . I went home a happy man. I also went home absoloutley shattered , physically and emotionally . I was burst. Today was very strange, back to earth with a bump. A few memories of the weekend kept coming back to me , which helped chase the Monday blues. Its not just a game, it's a life choice. It's like mini life, with love , passion, hurt, disappointment , elation , surprise and most importantly loyalty. of course it isnt life or death, It just feels like it sometimes! Nobody who was there will ever forget it.

Well folks, thanks for your good wishes. As you can tell , it all went too plan. It's a weekend I will never forget. I can't explain the joy and emotion which abounded Hampden park on Saturday evening. 114 years is a long time, and of course a lot of Hibs supporters never lived to see it. As usual , one or two spoil it for everyone , but please don't be conned by the reports of mass rioting and cannibalism. It just never happened. These poor Rangers fans, dosent anybody remember what they done to Manchester? They are not shrinking violets , trust me. Yes, the actions of a few should be condemned , but please save me the morale high ground speeches. Let not the media convince you that this is a bigger story than the cup coming back to Leith. Day and match report to follow.

Today's the day. 3 pm kick off. woke up 3 times last night. Been up since 6 am , pacing the Hoose like a wee laddie at Christmas !!! Struggled with my breakfast ( butterflies) but managed it eventually. Need a drink to calm my neves!! But don't worry , I will wait a few hours yet!! Me and junior Wwall picking up sister and brother in law at half ten then onto hotel and on it!!! Thanks for the good wishes, keep them coming, positive vibes is the way forward. all together now " there is a Bonnie fitba team, At Easter Road they play i go along to see them every other Saturday, the colours green and white the finest in the land today, As the Hibs go marching on....."

Okay all you good people ,Saturday is the BIG day. You probably have no idea how much winning this cup means to all people of Hibernian leanings. Trust me, there are many many thousands of truly decent folk who have been put through some absoloute torture for a very long time. We deserve our day in the sun, none more so than junior wonderwall whom I have brought up in the Hibernian faith. Let's just say on the plus side it's good character building . So pray to your God for us, wear your lucky pants , send all positive vibes up to Scotland on Saturday and across to Hampden park. If everyone wishes for green and white ribbons on the cup, it will happen. And if it does, my posts my make even less sense for a while!!! Dont let me down now!! C'mon the Hibees

Not so good Eric, my thoughts are with you and family. You know where we all are should you need a blether.

It's not just coincidence the broads is losing many of its pubs. In years gone by the rivers were full of holidaymakers, with a year worth of savings in their pocket, more than happy to get a few beers, steak pie and mash and home made cake and custard. A clean family orientated environment was all they asked for in the ways of comfort. The rivers now have more boaters whom don't really look to go for a pint each night. And when they do many are looking for wine bar type affairs with things on the menu folk like me can't pronounce !! I Deal with the public at my work and they do tend to want top service and surroundings but aren't always prepared to pay top dollar.A pub by the river selling a variety of beers, spirits , wines , ciders chicken in a basket , crisps and nuts, pool table and dartboard. Sorted. What more do you need? Customers, that's all.

Ock yer havering min. Nae body kin understand whit the west coasters spraff aboot.ken whit I mean likesay.

Airports drain your soul. They remove any dignity you may have left , when you may have to queue up to 2 hours for the pleasure of meeting your luggage again. That is if it has even made it to the same continent you happen to be in. But we really shouldn't tell everyone how good the broads is, the end result is obvious.............ssssshhhhhhhhhhhh!

I'm going for south Walsham

I was there last year , and whom I assumed to be father and daughter owners were both very chatty and pleasant. Shop and surrondings were very nice but it wasn't exactly doing a roaring trade. Hard to imagine how one could make a living at it. Shame there is no pub any longer but it really is stuck out in the middle of nowhere.

Not getting a phone signal is a major attraction of being on the broads. your never far from a village which tends to have a phone.

I hired once from alpha about 4 years ago. The chap reminded me of Russell Brand!! A decent boat, good friendly service, maybe slightly manic but it was a pleasure. The demise of all the smaller yards seems such a shame, but that's the way of the world I suppose.

You've not had easy time of it. I can feel your pain. I hope you have a really good season. If hard work alone was to guarantee it you would be fine. It's sounds a struggle, not that I thought it would be anything else. You sound from your last few posts as if you are falling out of love with your business. I hope it's only temporary. Good luck.

It's all very sad. Their boats always stuck out as immaculate. Very distinctive. Nothing ever stays the same , it's the way of the world I suppose. The one thing you can't do in business is stand still.

Bring on the Rangers. But think it will be smeltic

They will need it you are correct. But fitba is a funny game Archie , as you know, and you just never know. You have the best seat in my Hoose at the "perty"

You sir , are welcome at my abode anytime your tiger is pointing in this direction. I mean that .

I realise football is probably about as popular as sailing against the wind and tide on here but today my football club Hibernian qualified for the final of the Scottish cup They have put myself and junior wonderwall through some real heartache over the years(decades) but today was one of the better days. Myself and son were at Hampden to see them win on penalties. The Scottish cup is something of the holy grail for our club , we have not won it since 1902, so come the 21 May I want everyone on here to get their lucky pants on, pray to whatever God floats your boat, and help us achieve what every Hibs fan wants. If we win , it's a party at my house and your all invited . mon the Hibees

Yes. We went their originally to spend the night but the pub was shut so we moved on to Berney but that was also closed. So I fed some fish then they all took my money from me at cards.

It says I was in Cambridge last week. I've not been in Cambridge for years. something fishy me thinks.

It's all very sad I think. I moored up in July 2014 but it wasn't open, this was after being at the fishermans which was also closed ( think it was a Monday). Even then it looked tired and worn. i have many a memory of mooring there on a night for the early tide in the morning, playing pool with family and sitting at the tables in the summer evening sun. I must be getting old as I'm not good with change!, And also , Acle to Reedham is a longtime without a pint isn't it I can see how it would be difficult to make it earn you a living though.

Bungalow yes, extension no. I aint ripping my bathroom apart to find a 1 mill hole where they are getting in. They haven't invaded for 17 years in this room , why now!!, I would nuke them but they probably would survive that!,. They are industrious wee Devils. Sneaking wee respect for the beasts!,

The wee b&-/@-/s have invaded my bathroom of all places. Couple of years ago they were in my kitchen but much cleaning and powder eventually chased the wee crawlers. Bathroom is a strange one , no food about obviously, and a couple of neighbours also have the wee creepers as visitors. Must have big family underground one thinks. So who has a great trick to get rid of them. Even from my house, stuff the neighbours. I was thinking of just chucking food into their gardens but that's probably not neighbourly!,

What is this electricity you all talk about?

My patience ran out half way through. Was dragging the dog out next to the prop the worst or was there more ? it was strange , as most of the time they seemed a decent lot, or maybe I'm really missing something. Please enlighten me.