The heat was suffocating, it was 35° and city was heaving. On the long walk out of town some enterprising locals were selling water or cola to the increasingly dehydrated caravan of people. I passed a few, not willing to succumb to extortionate opportunism, but soon gave in.
I walked into an orange tree earlier that day. Caught between taking directions from a policeman and setting off in a new direction I’d overlooked the towering obstacle a yard in front of me. There’d been a spring in my step, I must have bounced into the bark. Trees are hard. I fell.
The return journey was made in the cool of the night. For the first few miles we were a uniformed flow of humanity but eventually the crowd thinned. We walked through residential streets with locals at their doors and windows. They applauded as we passed. Few of us are ever part of something substantial enough that uninvolved observers openly applaud you. Such memories endure.
I’d an early rise and a long drive with a full car ahead the next day. The bedroom was packed, floor space was given over to spare bedding, the hotels must have shipped mattresses in from a hundred kilometres radius, so with the others in the bar, I took myself off for a shower.
I met a German couple in the elevator. “Are you disappointed?” the woman asked. “No, we played well and were beaten by a good team.” It was the perfect answer. These people must have been horrified when they noticed the throng which would dominate their trip, but they’d become part of the story, part of the throng. The answer was honestly given, although disappointment would come later. I went on, “We lost a minor cup final nine years ago, that was real disappointment”.
I surprised myself by what my memory spontaneously threw up when asked about disappointment. Looking back now, that minor cup final is no more than a touchstone, and indicator of where we were before the Generation of Domination got underway. It’s lost its power to inflict negative emotion. If I met the German couple once more I could again tell them I wasn’t disappointed with that day in the blistering heat. It’s one of my proudest memories, and we soon learned we were beaten, narrowly, by a great team.
This, my friends in Celtic, is what you call a journey.
I spoke to fan liaison manager John Paul Taylor yesterday and mentioned I’d not renewed my season ticket yet. I promised him I would today and that I’d pass the message on. Deadline is tomorrow, after that people can ask for a move into your seat. Consider yourself reminded! We walk the next mile of the journey soon, with hope in our hearts, as always.
Many thanks to those who donated to Mary’s Meals yesterday, and to Magners. The money raised in one day alone will feed over 30 of the world’s poorest school children for a year.
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Haydock 2.35
Salateen
Catterick 1500
Breakable
Hot Streak …3-45 hay
Afternoon all.
My nag Felix Leiter 2.55 Goodwood.
Good luck.
A sporting nap, suegido in the 200 haydock… Be lucky
Quite fancied Irish Cesarewitch winner, Montefeltro in the 2:00 at Haydock, (way overpriced) but I see Rockon is already there!
So I’ll take a mad chance on former O’Brien inmate, Buonarotti in the same race…a mere 50/1 !
Good luck,
TTTT
LITIGANT 405 GOODWOOD
TOMMYTWISTSTOMMYTURNS
Alright,bud? You saving up for that meal yer buying for me WDH and Senga in the autumn?
Bobby – had a right good time at the CSA Rally last night in the company of some fine CQNers. When you back up the road?
T4
Explosive Lady, 15.15 Haydock. Missed last two weeks so this will make up.
15.10, Haydock, not 15.15.
Well done Barcamole, excellent performance over an extended period.
Briefly thought I had a 14/1 chance of catching you.
Hope to meet at a racecourse of your choosing in the future.
EC67
TOMMYTWISTSTOMMYTURNS
Ha,yer not getting tipped off in advance so you can eff off as usual. Bought at yer stall before.
Autumn. An international weekend so that we don’t miss any interesting football.
And perchance a wee curry.
WDH is right up for a meal midweek then in your neck of the woods. Your shout,nearer the time. He says you can bring the missus,need someone to clear the plates.
Eurochamps 67… Another week before we can say ‘weighed in’ but it has been great craic thanks to fleagle.
Should be back in Halfway early September so Hamilton is always a good shout for a day out. Would be good to get some the contributors on here along eh! You were unlucky right enough only beaten a neck. Wherever did you dig that one from.
Stable done me in my selection; was gnawing at me all day why Shane Foley chose the second string. Result provided the answer…
God Bless..
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
What channels the game on bhoys. ..