The Mantis

Very comprehensive blog and a lot in common with me musically. I homed in on the Whitburn v Kilwinning tie from 2001 as I thought I had been at the game, but I realised it was actually 1999 on a pishing wet day. my workmate Ian Gallagher was the Kilwinning captain and actually got 3 SJC medals as he also won it with Linlithgow. Depressing to see how far Whitburn have fallen. My blog is of an entirely different style but it's no too shabby either

TBH I’m usually fed up with it by April, and wanting to get on with other stuff, and I don’t eagerly look forward to a new season that much. I’d normally finish the season off with a load of Junior games and end up with 70-80 for the season, but I’m stuck on 53. But this premature end has got me missing it quite badly. I’d still be trailing along to ICT games, but I was looking forward to all the playoffs with Brora/Kelty/Bonnyrigg/Brechin etc.

Tex Geddes? Read it. Also 'Harpoon at a Venture' by Maxwell. Been down at Camusfearna (Sandaig) a couple of times too.

I can tell you off the top of my head that Stornoway was serviced from either Kyle or Mallaig at least as far back as 1947, before postcodes were introduced. So the most logical conclusion is some arsehole behind a desk in London

He’s a decent lad for a Livi fan

Not really sure that explains how Lewis (and possibly Harris) had a PA postcode until quite recently.

Just can't keep away Must say it's really quiet these days, they'll be renaming it OTB soon.

How do you know this, given that you never go near it

You should join our camera club. Some of them can argue all night about what constitutes an ugly tree. Oh all right, here’s a munter Oh, wait - was it a Faroese one you wanted? I’ll need to look a bit harder.

Having withdrawal symptoms and just been reading the entire thread again Been to Mull, Iona and Lewis this year in Jan/Feb but was meant to be in Islay last week Been updating my islands list from page 1: Shetland (maybe 20 times)- Mainland, Yell (2), Unst (2), Mousa (3 or 4), Vaila, Foula, Fair Isle, Bressay (2), Noss (2), Burra, Trondra, Fetlar, Whalsay, Muckle Roe, St Ninian's. Orkney (2) - Mainland, Hoy, Burray, S.Ronaldsay, Rousay. Western Isles - Lewis & Harris (maybe 100 times), N. Uist (2), S.Uist (2), Benbecula (2), Barra (2), Eriskay, Berneray, Scarp, Scalpay (3), Great Bernera, Pabbay, Monach Isles, Taransay, Hirta, Bhatarsaigh. Inner Hebrides - Skye (maybe 15 times) , Raasay (2), Rum, Eigg (3) , Islay (3), Jura (2), Coll, Tiree, Mull (2), Iona (2), Staffa, Gigha (2), Arran (maybe 10) , Holy Isle (2), Bute (2), Great Cumbrae (2), Seil, Luing, Davaar (2). Others - Ailsa Craig, The Bass (3), Cramond, Fidra, May (maybe 6) , Inchcolm, Inchmickery, Handa. Also been to Rathlin which is a kick in the erse off Scotland, and Carrick-a-Rede, St Margaret's, Burgh Island (Devon), Anglesey and Lindisfarne. Couple of photos to relieve the boredom: Cuillins from Portree Sunset from Forsnabhal, Uig, Lewis Dawn over Uig hils, Lewis

Lovely pic. Went with the missus in 2016 but we're retired so went for a 6 day cruise with MV Cuma from Miavaig in Lewis, 2 nights there and also visited Taransay, Monach Isles and Scarp. Cost about £800 each but there were only 3 of us on a boat that's usually booked up with 12 plus kayaks.

Forgot to say (not sure if you've been before) there's some genuine cloudy pish-like seawater bottles from Am Politician on show in the bar. A wee bit jealous if you're getting to see a game too...

This lockdown at least makes you search through your hard drive. Frosty pier, Ambleside, Lake District.

I have a pretty weak sense of smell but where I really noticed it was in the shower. Unless that was me... But I think it's only in the bits near the active plate boundaries, and Reykjavik is one. Further east and I didn't notice it, but as you say you get used to it. How do you tell somebody's from Iceland? Wait 10 seconds and they'll tell you.

Think there are 6 of them, maybe Tam will tell us if any are circumcised.

Apologies for keeping it off-topic, and the blatant plug, but you can fly direct from Edinburgh. I've been twice, in 2016 and 2019. If everybody plays nice I might even post a tree pic. The Mantis' Faroe Islands Football Photos Thread

Straight into the CL group stages I heard.

A lot changed when the Faroe Islands went heavily 100% into plastic pitches. Before that it was nearly impossible to play. Add in the fantastic participation levels the Faroes now have and it's no contest.

The two Norwegian guys that do the app are brand new. They deal with queries quickly. I've got quite a few pics in the app, mainly Scottish non-league and Faroese. But now the app lets you add your own photo at a match apart from the main one.

@Tutankhamen cheers for the greenie, here's the photo I promised to put up 4 years ago Keirs Park, Hill o'Beath in the background.

Yeah cheers Jeek, I've browsed that site a few times. Must be a labour of love for somebody. A daunting prospect visiting that lot... Iceland is a huge country and I've only been to 3 games/grounds. A very expensive place and loads of driving, especially if you're with wife or family who are not motivated in the same way The beauty of the Faroes is you can probably see a game at every ground in 3 or 4 visits, as the games are on all day at the weekend. Or if you're a real saddo, you can visit them all and take photos in 1 single trip of a few days. Anyhoo... I've still got loads of photos. Here's the old and new stadiums in Eiði. The new one, Hólmanum á Eiði, has had a stand built since I was there. The old one, á Mølini, was an iconic place, but now it's a caravan park. So I had to pinch an extra photo off the internet.

I don't think anybody thought it was a smashing idea, more a lack of choice and a bit of Nimbyism. Mind you, at least it's got its back to the Firth. Although I suspect that has more to do with the adverts being visible from the A9 If you're sitting in the stand you get all the weather from the west in your face. In winter you get the low sun in your eyes too. But I don't buy this stuff about certain stadiums being the "coldest in Scotland". It's a small country. You can have the coldest experience of your life at any ground in Scotland if you pick your day. My memories are a bit hazy but I know it came down to East Longman or Stratton Farm. Had a look at Bannerman's book and originally there were up to 11 locations, whittled down to 4, which included Inshes and West Seafield, then 2. Inshes was rejected on the grounds of cost of land, plus probable local objections. West Seafield was down to the police thinking there would be safety issues with pedestrian access and cost(?). A bit ironic that, since East Longman causes the major trunk road in the North of Scotland to snarl up on derby days and has fans crossing the road on foot. Stratton was just a terrible venue but was favoured by INE.

The Old Lady in 1996...

Updated.

Just by coincidence I've been scanning some old pics during the lockdown. Here's Simpson Park in 1995. Swifts v Bonnyrigg in the SJC. Never realised the two grounds were so close together.