they've_been_suckered

A lot of pro cycling teams drink coconut water after training. It's got isotonic properties yet completely natural - best of both worlds re: Lucozade. Be sure to buy the Brazilian coconut water though, the Thai stuff is bogging.

They don't help themselves... - no groupsave when football is on - poorly communicated station announcements - extortionate pricing That said I've come across some really helpful and friendly train staff in my time. Some people who get the train actually lower the overall experience more than the operator does to be fair. Folk who pile their bags on seats in the hope no one sits beside them.... I deliberately sit beside those people

Don't disagree carbon bikes are better but at a novice level there's far bigger gains to be made through technique/fitness than buying a better bike. Agree 100% on the Drivers though. Sometimes the worst folk are those who simply don't treat you like another driver rather than the antagonistic types.

Started cycling to work at the start of the summer 20miles e/w. Got a Triban 500se from Decathlon for £300. My route was the second half of the annual pedal for Scotland route to Edinburgh. Really enjoyed it but the only thing I'd say is that the number of run ins I've ended up having with idiot drivers is frightening. There's really no better way to feel alive getting squeezed past at 50-60mph! Anyone thinking about it I started and really didn't have a clue.... After a few weeks I was doing 200miles a week without it feeling like a chore. You don't need a fancy carbon bike despite every magazine/shop steering you that way. I'd thought about getting an upgrade but the missus' wont entertain road cycling. Will most likely now get us both off-road/cross types to see the surrounding countryside (stay in Falkirk so forth valley are is brilliant for trails etc)

"At this moment in time" Used mainly to fill in the blanks of an otherwise boring piece of dialogue.

A lot of Merchant/Gervais' work is massively underrated. Hello Ladies is available on sky box sets now. A Steve merchant side project. Tickled me a fair bit.

I just got out of the steel game. A bloke in my office moved to TATA about 12 weeks ago in sales. I fear the worst for him on the employment front sadly. The company I worked with were a big customer of TATA, our purchases dried up in January pretty much. A sad state of affairs.

Left luggage at the bus station is £5

Apparently there's an issue with pitch based "entertainment" as it needs to be in the Scotland half only. To be fair, when there's a crucial game at HT I wouldn't want our warm up area to b used for some 10second challenge etc.... As funny as it is sometimes. The darts patter is terrible though. Des Clarke is about as funny as Tblisi.

Their lack of preparation/research/knowledge is frightening. Why listen at all?

To say there's no chance is quite ridiculous

Sco 1 - 1 Pol Ire 0 - 2 Ger Geo 3 - 0 Gib Gib 0 - 3 Sco Pol 2 - 0 Ire Ger 6 - 0 Geo

Great as usual.

You sure about this? You can only check in online within 24hrs beforehand for free or at the desk.

I assume this is the Monarch flight? 0710 I think.... Didn't realize you had to pay to check in online. Will be doing it at the desk instead

Algarvefootballtours are running buses from albuferia return for €10 or so. The chap is pretty quick to respond to emails.

Only attend 1 away game a campaign roughly so doesn't affect me too much, the fixtures are announced so far in advance that its easy to book time off. Lucky I live near the main central belt train line though, a midweek game is essentially a half day or an early start to get away on time.

Makes sense never thought of that.... I don't know if a trip with my dear lady would be the same as going with the lads. Possibly my last one with the boys lol

4 guys from Falkirk booked up too. Manchester 7am Friday flight. Probably driving down to the airport - for those who are planning to get the bus, where do you plan to store your luggage whilst at Hampden on Thursday?

I read today 2 wins will keep us there. STV News explained it in detail last time they were announced, unsure if a Dublin draw still leaves us in with a chance?

Just booked with Monarch Friday 7am (Manchester) to Faro Tuesday 11am Faro to Manchester. £230 - going to drive down the road after the Poland game. Left it a little late, had seen Ryanair a few months back at £99 for the same route/times

Caringorm brewery tour is a short walk away. Theres a great wee pub called the old bridge inn too, open fire etc... its excellent edit - Scotbet is the only bookies so be prepared to do an old school 1-2-x signal is poor in aviemore for 3G/4G. All the pubs in the area are pretty good

You can take a walk up the hill beside the castle up to the viewpoint up to the top. (need suitable walking footwear on forest road) Nice wee pint in front of the fire at the George Hotel if you get rained on! If it's Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa you're going to it's really excellent.

Scotland 3-1 Faroes McCann, Dickov and McFadden (first goal he scored) Was 14yo.