Worth a prayer

Your human sport, to me, is far more edifying than your human religions.
This is Roberto Mancini who is, to those silly enough not to like football, the manager of Manchester City. City won the English Premier League after a gap of over 40 years.
Mancini has said he visited a Marian Shrine( the name of which I do not attempt to spell) to petition for victory. And it came to pass.
I'm perplexed, if this is so it would have happened at the same time as countless tragedies all over the world. Was the human god busy getting the ball over the line to bother about starving children? Maybe you should all have a look again at your beliefs? Seal worship could be better...

On your marks

And so it begins. Friday's launch of the Yes Campaign for the 2014 referendum seemed to go well. The debate around this issue seems to have cooled somewhat which is good thing and, I think. confirms the view that a long campaign is the better option. However I am not, I hope, blind to criticising some aspects of the Yes campaign. I know celebs are a vital part of any such endeavour but using artists based abroad does strike me as a little odd given the emphasis of allowing people in Scotland to decide her future. The more I hear Patrick Harvie though the more I respect him and think he would be a better person to lead the argument than Alex Salmond who can polarise.
Otherwise the sun continues. Had a great night in deepest posh Edinburgh with two former colleagues and their husbands. One brought their adorable cat to the meal on a lead. He was quite a character and settled quickly in his new kingdom. Cats are so interesting, pity my eyes did not agree and flared up in reaction!

Recovery

Well, been a while since posting but, as I'm sure you can guess, the reason is the failure of Hibs on Saturday not only to win but to put up even a half decent effort- although the referee had a lot to answer for. Anyway all history. On Sunday ventured to Uddingston to see Scotland lose at cricket to Hampshire. On Monday lost  in first round of club bowls championship. Tuesday long walk; Wednesday went with mum and dad to to Killin. What beautiful countryside and the old cliche that Scotland would be perfect if it were not for the weather rang true that day. But struggled to walk that day - see Tuesday. Despite this walked to Livingston to see "The Dictator". Bit disappointed but drinks afterwards helped. What is of interest though is that, walking through Livingston ( a New Town) can be quite bucolic with all the paths.

Day of Days

Well the day has come. Cup Final against Heart of Midlothian for those who are unaware of Scottish football- first all Edinburgh cup final since 1896. Today memories fall, like a yowdendrift as MacDiarmid put it. The early immigrants, struggling at all levels to overcome prejudice and poverty, the great players over the years and above all family and friends who are involved with this great club as well as, more poignantly, those no longer with us who never saw us win the cup.
Off to prepare now, nearly got a ticket but will be getting on the bus to Edinburgh a little excited, mostly apprehensive as we are such underdogs. At 5 p.m. emotions will be running high...

Raj

For many, many years Tam Dalyell was this area's MP. Titanic battles with the SNP's Billy Wolfe apart, he won easily in his latter days before West Lothian was split up due to population increase- largely the growth of Livingston New Town and private estates built for Edinburgh refugees who could not afford the horrendous property prices there.
However the sight of working people continually voting for a titled Old Etonian was somewhat ironic. Even his much lionised dissident views required examination as he was usually wide of the mark. We then had multi millionaire Robin Cook who once boasted that he could see his constituency from his Edinburgh home. He then moved to Merchiston in Edinburgh which even removed that link. However I suppose his replacement with a man of the people, Jim Devine, hardly ended well so who knows. Still we have had to endure Westminster representatives here who knew very little about everyday life.
Now retired Tam now says abolition of the Scottish Parliament should be on the 2014 referendum paper. A bit crowded already if increased poweres are added. A well known  opponent of devolution and, to be frank, outspoken British Nationalist, his views may seem eccentric in the extreme. He now reminds me of someone in post Independence India pining for the Raj whilst all around him is change. Still at least he has a stately home to console him.

David Platt

Still in shock at poor David Platt being punched on Coronation Street last night. I'm told I'm a little strange to love him but I suppose a seal blogging is strange in the first place. I hope he recovers soon.
Off to work again shortly. Another scintilla of evidence to add to the strangeness quota is that I actually don't mind working weekends.
Here where I live, there is a Labour/Conservative coalition, a situation mirrored elsewhere in Scotland. I welcome this as those two parties are now virtually indistinguishable and their common foe are those, like me, who favour Scottish Independence. Waters getting less muddied now, roll on 2014. Hope David sorts out his life by then.

Back again

Well we have returned from Whitley Bay. Must admit that I thought memories of 40 years ago would flood back but they did not. Place, to be honest, is quite run down with lots of empty buildings which were once hotels or pubs but the people are great. If you ever go down there Sambuco's is good for food but I would recommend Tynemouth down the road which is far nicer and more historic. On the Sunday we took the metro- had to go to local shops for change as the ticket machines only took coins and then to Tynemouth market and then on to Newcastle. The team were playing at home to Manchester City so it was busy and we had to wait as the Hancock Museum was not open until 2.p.m. That evening we ate at Tynemouth and walked back to our hotel- very pleasant, if bracing, walk which passed the magnificent St George's, Cullercoats.
Like many Scots I have a soft spot for Newcastle United and am pleased to see them doing well. Also I suppose there is a unity amongst the locals where there is only one club in the city- on the other hand do derbies create more excitement? Certainly much more civilised than the poison that attaches to Glasgow's Ugly Sisters.
Yesterday I attended a course on Oral History run by the Living Memory Association so will look forward to using these skills in the future as I have often talked to Older People and have wanted to make some attempt to preserve their experiences. By the Way Newcastle lost, we were no lucky mascots!
Finally a Scottish connection, I always find them! Whitley Bay was simply know as Whitley until around 100 years ago. Then a local died at Polton, Midlothian. The body was sent home via the railway and ended up at Whitby and the service was terribly delayed as they awaited the body and was eventually held by candlelight at 9.30.p.m. There had been similar mix ups before and therefore a local newspaper ran a poll with the addition of Bay being, narrowly, favoured. The council agreed and the name was changed.

Break

Off to Whitley Bay today for a two day break. Not been there for 40 years so would like to see the differences but can't remember the original so can't. The picture is of me on holiday taken some time ago with some friends. The weather forecast will not allow similar sunbathing but we'll have a good time. Meanwhile up here the local election results were analysed yesterday- I know I'm quite sad. Labour made gains as did the SNP- despite being in Government and the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives continue their long decline the former more dramatically. Good to see the Greens pick up seats too. I still feel disinclined towards party politics with the issues facing society now too complex for party restrictions.  More direct democracy may be the answer but who knows. Also enjoyed a nice meal last night in a posh part of Livingston(yes there is such a place),with former work colleagues; lots of catching up. Anyway off to pack..