Well, that transpired into one of the most calamitous weekends ever - largely through the fault of certain coach companies and idiotic football clubs who give overly optimistic information on the likelihood of games being on. It was the first weekend in an age without groundhopping, I just wish we'd arranged to go up and do a Highland League game - because at least Cove was on. To be honest it infuriates me what a bunch of pathetic fannies we are in this country. In Prague, there was about 7 inches of snow when we were there last year. Did Zizkov have undersoil heating? Or cover? No, the game went ahead, fans slipping was their own problem. And many spent it snowballing the linesman. Over here - a smattering of snow and everything is off and don't even dream of expecting a transport network to run remotely efficiently. Part of it is this obsession that a game would be a lottery. Frankly, well good. Secondly is the ridiculous obsession with health and safety, or more to the point having their pants sued off (the American way). As the fun scandals articulated very well 10 years ago, 'England is the USA'. Well its certainly trying to be.

Anyone wanting to see how the Highlands cope - check www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1533862

For the record, it snowed through most of Saturday in the south of Aberdeen but they got it on. If the HL called off for snow or frost - no league. Here, snow is such a novelty it grinds all to a halt.

So we accepted early on that Lancaster, Bamber Bridge and Gateshead had no chance. It quickly became clear that Queen of the South was precarious. It was about this point I discovered Runrig were playing Saturday night. And also that Gateshead had passed an inspection. Perfect combination. So we headed over to Gateshead to find that, although the away side were Kettering (Northamptonshire) they'd had the foresightedness to call it off less than an hour before kickoff. Talk of treating fans and teams like dirt. Fans spend good money following teams through thick and thin, and stupidly late abandonments should not be part of the 'thin'. Annoyingly we could have done Hartlepool had we known.

So then it was to the pub - cue more criticism from Janes mom when she phoned and we were in there 'surely you've got better things to do the Saturday before xmas' (er, no actually!) and on to Runrig. Who were the saving grace of an attrocious weekend. The ending on Loch Lomond was fantastic and the whole set emphasised what a great live band they are. Avoiding falling over on the way back was quite an achievement - it was slippy.

So yesterday was going to be the salvation of the weekend - travel sorted to Edinburgh to see the Capitals beat the slimy little Newcastle Worms. Which, to be fair we duly did (altogether now, Cingel shoots, Cingel scores, Cingel all the way). But were we there? No. Because firstly, a certain coach company - rather than changing drivers mid-route, insists on having 40 minute breaks in a place to meet working time regulations. Cue irritation at bus just waiting there while the driver has his break.

So did they load people onto the bus during this hiatus? No. They waited until 15 minutes after this geriatric old twat of a driver had finished his break (and then had a cigarette and a cup of tea) to start loading. And then, with everyone on they then found a woman who couldnt speak English didnt have her baby properly strapped in. Of course, legally that is her fault but this neurotic female employee wouldnt accept this case - preferring to make a huge scene about it and calling for extra assistance. I dont know who I hated more, the companys staff or people living in a country who are incapable of speaking the language. Pious though it may seem, I feel that my own puny life is worth 20 of either.

So I stormed off the bus effing and blinding a little, though stopped short of my moms downright previous abuse/criminal charges and went home in a huff. Not before putting £10 on the Packers to beat the Steelers in the NFL. Which looked a great bet. Until 4 seconds from the end, when with the last action of the game, the Squealers stole a touchdown that cost me £22.

Merry christmas my arse..... at least I'm done for the year now. I just hope this cold snap snaps before the 28th when I'm hoping to do Altrincham then Musselburgh on the 29th.