Could this be an Omen?

The Highland Dark Blues managed another first recently, when they organized a coach to take them to the Falkirk v Dundee cup-tie, leaving from the Thistle Hotel car park in Inverness.
On arriving, the HDBs couldn't believe their eyes! Sitting in the car park was a double-decked coach with the words 'On the Road to Hampden' emblazoned on the side! They couldn't believe it! How was this arranged in such a short space of time? Well, unfortunately, it just happened to be in Inverness as part of its tour, it wasn't for us after all! Although disappointed, we began to think this might be a good omen!

We had to settle for a luxury coach instead, and set off in glorious sunshine for Perth and our first pit stop. Enroute we passed the time by watching the official DFC video.

'Duffy's' in Perth, the home of the Perth 62’s, was arranged as a meeting place for other HDBs to join us. However, when we entered it looked like the Marie Celeste! The Perth boys had long gone - they obviously had heard we were coming! As we ordered our lemonades, enquiries regarding the possibility of some food was met with trays full of a local delicacy known as 'pehs' - all laid on courtesy of the Perth 62's. Thanks boys, we owe you one. Should we get to the semis, thank goodness it's Hampden - and not Inverness!!

Duly refreshed, we headed for Falkirk with just time for a quick refreshment in a local Falkirk hostelry before kick-off. Some long memories of games at Brockville were mixed with thoughts of ' could this be our year?' The game was as expected, fast and furious interspersed with moments of excellence. And then they scored. You'd have thought the roof had caved in - if it had a roof!
Our grim faces were short lived, however, when Novo - a thorn in Falkirk's side all afternoon - popped up to equalise. Trudging back to the bus emotionally exhausted, at least we were still in the cup. Back to Perth for a gourmet meal of fast food and then onwards to Inverness. Some dozed with dreams of Hampden, others had nightmares! Arriving back in Inverness, a round trip of 300 miles, it seems we had worked up a thirst! Ah,well. Some things never change. Now about that omen..................!

Grahame Couttie