Le Tout P'ti FC

In the league, it's looking very bleak for Inveraray now. A shame that, I've developed a wee soft spot for them on my shinty travels! (Where else can you lean on a standing stone whilst watching a game?)

So I found Ganavan! Ended up 7 or 8 to Oban, snuck away for a very decent chippy in Oban. Then onto Taynuilt, lovely wee town. I drove round the whole place looking for a parking spot. Eventually found one near Dalmally! Kyles deserved their win. They're probably due a win v Newtonmore. I've seen a few between them now, not much between them at all. Impressive turnout from the Kyles fans as well. Three older guys near me had a perpetual round of whisky nips going at the golf club bar, enjoyed them breaking into made up folk songs as the day wore on. A touch of Shieldinch about them! Some of the Kyles guys took in their seconds at Oban too, one tanning Buckie for lunch. Christ knows what state he's in now! But at least he can watch it on iPlayer to catch up. Good day out. Train tickets booked for cup final!

Good game so far, few chances, Kyles dominating possession. So Newtonmore to win 2-1! Excellent ground, pitch looks very good.

Going through to Taynuilt for the second semi. A new ground for me. Was thinking of heading through to Oban earlier for lunch, might take in a bit of the 12pm game at Ganavan. Does anybody happen to know where that is in Oban? Cheers! EDIT: scrap that. Found it on google maps eventually. Nice beach by the looks of it!

Just the one. That's plenty for me!

Good grief. This thread has inspired me to check my nursery bill - my wee one (22 months) is in 3 days full-time. Costing £7,650 pa. Ouch! Does anybody know when the price of nursery care decreases? I know that staff:pupil ratio decreases so cost goes down. Does that happen at 2 or 3? He does love it there. I'm looking forward to him starting school so I can have some pocket money back!

Very decent game in Tighnabruaich today. Newtonmore took early lead, Kyles took lead, then two late goals gave Newtonmore the 3-2 win. Allegations of a head butt at the second Newtonmore goal. Winning goal was a long range cracker. Waverley paddle steamer in town, sea plane in harbour, rain stayed mostly away. But those b*****d wee midge came for me again. Really enjoyed it. Took the "long road" down via Otter Ferry which was a scenic wee detour. Nice lunch at Inver.

Bump. 20th anniversary shows this week. Going to Barrowlands on Saturday, then Roundhouse on Thursday. I can't bloody wait! They're doing a collection for local food banks beforehand, dump stuff at door where signed. Need non-perishables, tins, cereals, pastas, sauces etc etc. Great cause. Mogwai skateboard anyone? I'm about 20 years too old!

Took in a trip to Inveraray today, caught some of the B game v Aberdour, then the firsts v Fort William game. Aberdour game the midge were in charge. Sadly game stopped early due to an injury to a player, for which an ambulance was called. Hope he's ok. Second game was a real tousy affair, thoroughly enjoyed it. Fort won 1-0. The spirit of shinty demonstrated by the Fort coach walking the touch line dispensing midge repellant to the punters. That, and a downpour, saw the wee fuckers off for good. Fort looking a better team than when I last saw them. Thought they were good value for their win. Another top day out, next up for me probably Kyles v Newtonmore in July.

Do their tour, ask them for a sample of the Tun 1401. Sensational nip! Retails at about £300 a bottle. Tour costs £35, but they were very generous with their sampling!!

Trip to Fort William today. Up A82 early, over Corran Ferry, across to Lochailort, lunch at Ben Nevis Inn, shinty, home. Moody clouds, snow topped hills, regular sunny intervals. Glorious scenery! The game was a bit of a slow burner. Oddly so, as Fort took the lead in the first minute, then missed a penalty. Lovat slowly came onto their game, by far better team in second half. Lovat deserved their 2-1 win. Decent game overall. Was quite impressed with Lovat's forwards in second half. Reckon they were robbed of a third due to a dodgy flag! But, yeah, that drive! 350 miles, but by Christ do we live in a scenic part of the world! Next game I guess will be the cup final in June.

Ended up at Newtonmore. Very comfortable 4-0 win. Difficult conditions: freezing cold, touch of snow and some very heavy showers. Not a classic! Very friendly bunch, sausage rolls went down well!

Third time lucky next week perhaps - have a free day, heading to a game. Kyles seem to be form tram. Fixture list has Kyles v Fort William at Aird. Bit confusing! Might head to that, or Newtonmore v Glenurquhart. Any other recommended ties?

Afraid not. There's a wee island offshore (Texol?) which blocks the line of sight towards there.

Managed to cram a few distilleries in today thanks to a friendly babysitter! At Caol Ila had a stunning Feis Ile, both 2013 and 2014 versions. Sensational nips, the former a really subtle fruity malt, latter quite an intense peaty hit. Brilliant. Stunning views, very talented guide, and a friendly distillery cat to boot! Stopped for lunch at Kilchoman. Then flying visit to Laphroaig, picked up a bottle to take home and claimed a nip. Photo to follow! And then a much needed vase of coffee at the cafe at Ardbeg. Another rainbow sighting there. This place is totally magical. Worth a visit if you can.

Been to Ardbeg also, just for a coffee sadly! Got the wee man with me so my nip opportunities are reduced. Hoping to get to Caol Ila before I leave. Here's a photo from Monday looking over to Port Ellen. The old distillery is the white building at about 11 o'clock.

On Islay today, have been to Bowmore and Bruichladdich distilleries. Had a stunning 18yo dram at Bowmore standing on their terrace with this view.

Ach well got as far as Forth Bridge, considered switching to Lovat, got cold feet when Caley game called off, came home. Forgot all about Tayforth, four miles from home, and a 9-goal thriller today!

Heading up to Newtonmore tomorrow, weather permitting. Setting off early. If game off, planning on zooming across to Fort William, Lochaber or even Ballachulish. Hopefully I'll get a game on somewhere! Plan Z is Caley or Ross County games.

Camanachd Cup final to be held in Argyll. Is this just Oban's turn again, or are they taking it somewhere else? http://www.shinty.com/news/sse-scottish-hydro-camanachd-cup-draw/

Newtonmore to win the league. Glenurquhart to win a cup or two. Skye to get promoted. Wee team to get hammered in Celtic Cup final! Newtonmore v Kyles earmarked for first game of season. Bring on those dainty wee sausage rolls!

New season fixture list published tomorrow. Celtic Cup draw here: http://www.shinty.com/news/taynuilt-welcomes-the-celtic-cup-final/ Hoping for an Inveraray home tie on 28th March as I'm coming through off the Islay ferry. Make it happen Astie!

Met the nicest old man outside Tobermory distillery a month past. Was pushing the wee man along in his pram, stopped to watch the storm water racing down this burn, and he stopped to tell me a bit about his town. Lovely guy. Mostly irrelevant to this thread, but Mull has awfully nice locals! Anyway, bought a Ledaig 10yo that day. Intend to open tonight. Believe there is a wee kick of peat or smoke in there? And have just booked another week in Islay. Last time cost me a bloody fortune in whisky tokens! This time intend to visit Caol Ila only, which was shut for refit last time. But I may weaken my resolve at the sight and smell of Lagavulin....

Us too! Wee one loved it. And now he's walking, we've handed it down to a family friend with a wee one who seems to be loving it too. But that tune is a definite Earworm!

Inverness was buzzing today. Saw the Yes march, had a curry, went to shinty, got a wee tan. Good quality time with my Dad. Brilliant day out! If that is Ronald Ross' last game ever, then I am privileged to have been there to see it. Congratulations sir!