Scotia after the Scottish cup final.

Good morning to the Clan and glad to be back on home soil after our flying visit.

We were in Scotland to visit the family as a priority, however as fate would have it, Mrs S twisted her ankle the week before and had to wear a moon boot leading up to the trip and I found myself standing outside ladies changing booths to help.

I found another gent in the same position and said "this is rather embarrassing" to which he replied "are you Scottish? possibly Edinburgh? and maybe a Hearts supporter? Yes, yes, yes was the reply and a friendship was formed between a great couple in addition I found myself joining them and their family with a hospitality package on the big day.

So when your mum and dad told you not to talk to strangers, they were wrong.

The big day started with with a trip to Tynecastle (Hearts home ground) where we met and boarded the busses, a few songs as we took the trip to Glasgow stopping at the Thistle hotel for some French bubbly on arrival, bacon rolls, nice lunch and plenty drinks on the table. Many Hearts legends attended the function where the singing increases and some very humorous banter was the order of the day. Large projected video screen covered the walls with footage of the goals leading up to the game and wins against Edinburgh rivals Hibs.

A far more jovial crowd started piling back on the coaches as we headed to Hampden park, its worth noting that the Edinburgh giants last met in a Scottish cup final in 1896, so this was indeed a once in a life time experience.
I have plenty live footage of the event via my iphone and will attempt to download but did not have nerve to give it to Hibby to help (remember Bob is 6' 7" ) .



It would be difficult to put in words the atmosphere and the joy experience at the one side of the stadium on this Historic day, probably best quoted from the Hearts song "When the Hearts go off to lift the Scottish Cup I'll be there" and I certainly was, including the entire M8 (Glasgow back to Edinburgh) packed on the way home with jubilant fans (the Hibs supporters left early).



On arriving back at the home ground the pubs and clubs were packed to the ceiling and I managed to catch a taxi to meet some family (Hibs supporters) where it was a lot easier to get another drink. We then continued in pubs and clubs to the wee small hours in the morning. ps the Sunday was much the same with a parade in Edinburgh with 100,000 I understand 30,000 more than Chelsea?

So another tick from the bucket list.

I would also like to mention that we flew Emirates and what a pleasure, give them a try, the trip was rather long on the way back and the 4 hours in Dubai was a bit of a nightmare, where they might have plenty sand but "trolleys" are a very rare commodity much the same as a place to seat, we ended going up stairs to the hotel and drinking half bottles of wine from Chile (poor) at R250 a time. It probably did not help my mindset that I had shellfish poising 24 hrs before departure and was eating Imodium like smarties and was glad they were not showing Eye of the Needle on the movie channel, in fact I watched War Horse.

Trying to keep up with the site when travelling was not easy but the contributions keep coming thick and fast and thanks again to all the Clan for keeping the "voice of the punter" going strong.


Camelot

Plenty betting opportunities again this week and cannot see Camelot getting beat in the INVESTEC Derby. Can only hope than it runs as well as Hearts played.

Good punting and may your God be with you

Hearts song video

Thanks Bob

scotia.

Your welcome dave,the hibs fans change the words of the hearts song a wee bit,we sub the "hearts ,hearts" with the scottish word for Kak ()

Camelots form was just franked in the German Guineas

Welcome home. Now you have to sing for the Bulls.

Scotia from ''HAGAS'' to ''BOEREWORS ROLLS'',and sunshine,can't beat that.

I will sink a wee dram to a nation I truly respect. The Scots. Had some mad times when in the land and lucky to get out with same looking face. (I.e not smashed up)
To all the lads I used to golf with and to Mr and Mrs Mac and mad Dan and your beautiful sister Alison. God bless you all wherever you may be.. to McLeod I love you still, Vern and clan and the rest of you mad Scottish b#$tards and the pub filthy mac nasties down rose street

Yes Avanza spent many a night and day having pub crawls along Rose Street