Skylark, myself and two non board members set off for Scotland on Tuesday morning to take in the 2 games.

We arrived close to Cappielow Park in time to down a few beers prior to kick off.

The game itself, was a typical pre season friendly as the player's tried to get some match fitness under their belts and a couple of reasonable performances were put in, Barrett made a fine one handed save in the first half, while Foley and Robson put in decent games. Basically a non desricpt game but an own goal(which Brown may have been given) and a good finish curled round the keeper into the far side of the goal by Sweeney after the defender missed the ball give us a 2-1 victory. If there was a down side it was that the Morton back 4 were all triallists and it was the first time they had played together and we didnt,in my opinion try to stretch them a little more.

Then it began the Journey to Kilfinan hotel (run by Basil_Fawlty off this board). We had been informed it was a little out of the way and required a ferry crossing but having been offered Bed and Breakfast fot £25 we decided to take up the offer. We met Basil in the ground went to the ferry crossing and met up again to follow him once on the other side.Then it really started the drive lasted about an hour to the most remote place in the UK, through a road which was wide enough for one car, it was light when we got off the ferry it was dark when we arrived.

It was like a scene from aStephen King horror fillum , 4 friends lost in a car come across a remote farm (in this case change farm to hotel) and the owner is a relation to Bates from psycho and you expect him to turn up dressed more like Lawrence than a hotel owner. (Can I just say before I go on that this was all to be proved incorrect)

Basil goes to the hotel puts on the lights and returns to show us to our rooms (very pleasant, and comfortable) And we all go to the bar were we drink till about 330am talking Pools and having a good night.

This place is so remote (approx 7-8 miles to nearest shop) that if one of Basil's children said on a Monday, "Dad im just going next door to play with my friend " that Basil's answer would be " Be back by THURSDAY" this would give the child time to actually play.

If you want a holiday away from everything I would suggest this, though ensure Basil meets you at the ferry to show you the way. You will get peace and quiet, mobile phones dont get any signal, sometimes the tv doesnt. Skylark did in fact ask him for post code as he had Satnav only to be told that would put us in a field as that has happened previously.

It lies close to some Loch or another and has been taking in travellers since about the 17 hundreds, (we were probably about about the 100th people to actually find it, though Chay Blythe the yachtsman booked out the day we arrived.) If you want a holiday looking for birds, this is the place though it has to be the feathered variety. If you do enjoy walking holidays this is also the place with deer red squirrels and various birds of prey including allegedly golden eagles buzzards and falcons in the area.Fishing is also possible and game shooting is available in the area, along with deer stalking.

i have tried to be a little funny with regards to the hotel, but now to be truthfully honest, if you want peace and quiet and enjoy some of the things I have mentioned above then this really is the place to go, maybe contact basil tell him your a poolie, he may do you a deal well worth going to and Basil is a great host making you feel welcome, and the breakfast was spot on, set us up ideally for the journey to Stirling and a day on the drink prior to the next game.

The next game was Falkirk played at Stirling Uni, basically a Greyfield enclosure type area only the pitch was in far better condition. A penalty save by Souter(triallist keeper) was about the only highlight of the game with most of Pools players having average to good games but nothing spectacular.

But so far a certain Mr Budtz has not had a minute on the pitch in a friendly pre season game.................MAYBE that just says something and Barrett or someone else will be Pools No 1.

We may just see tomorrow when we play, with the naming of the keeper.

Good post, an enjoyable read - Fetish_Bob.

there's a lot to be said for removing yourself from the outside world for a few days. Nobody phoning you, no hassle or bustle, sounds like the type of place I'd enjoy for a few days.

now you know why Basil only makes a few games at the Vic
four am start

This is why Ged 'Gremmlin' Clampett likes it over in hillbilly land.

Nice post Mr Gobshite, it's one of the reasons I'm where I am, they can't yap at you if they can't be understood!! And tranquility is a mere twenty minutes down the road.