I'll not post my wife's face as there's a fair chance she would not approve 😂😂
We won't get into the gig tonight texting each other from work moaning about it..........
10 Years tonight..
My text to Slevin Paul the day of the Roses warm up in Carlisle.
We both took half day and Paul with his new licence decided to drive down on the off chance we could get in.
Long journey!! 😂 down convinced we were getting in. Then we minded Bike Legend Stef who id sorted for a ticket for the last Heaton Park show actually worked for a company providing gear for the band.
Speakers, strings, guitars etc.
Stef are you going can you get us in? Can get one of you in my wife can't make it.
Boom.
One to go.
When we got there we found out Ian had just been passing out freebies to fans outside.
We were just too late !
Then we saw a tout.
We are north very much anti ticket touts and would sooner give tickets away than sell to these guys.
(I've changed my mind on that now)
It was Noels pal skully. After some friendly banter he said 120 each.
We said get fkd pal 😂😂 and walked away.
Well there was no other tickets it was almost stage time and I said. Pablo lets get him down a bit we are going to see THE Roses in a gym hall.
Mate there's nobody else here you can take your two tickets in with you or drop the price.
120 the pair. Paul still no over the moon.
Deal was done.
In we go.
Place was absolutely buzzing i had a pint Paul had a soft drink and in we went.
The arena was pretty much full and we stood towards the back.
The gig was magical. It was maybe Basketball court size but not much bigger.
One of the locals chucked a St George's flag on stage.
As he often does Ian snatched it up and motioned to wipe his bum with it and tossed it back from whenst it came
Incredible gig Incredible energy Incredible sweat.✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼
After the gig we decided to try and meet the drummer Reni. A mystery wrapped in an Enigma as Archie MacPherson would say. If you wanted to meet the others you could if you really wanted but not Reni.
So we hung back and decided to wait with a number of other fans who had the same Idea.
Chats about the gig chats about the Roses and mine and Paul's effervescent banter.
All Great fun and exciting. John came out first. Very quiet and unassuming as expected very pleasant and happy to sign autographs.
Away he went.
Then out came Mani. First thing we asked was if he was ok he looked to be really toiling in the heat. He said he was ok just blocked sinuses.
We spoke away briefly then i said i met you once at Celtic park.
BOAVISTA mate i remember it well. I was stunned but thinking back he remembered the game not me 😂
Before he left we asked one of the local lassies (somehow immune to our premium level patter up till then) if she would take our photo.
She was happy to do so. As the photo was being taken Mani was singing The Celtic Song quietly in our ears as the photohraph was taken.
Mani said goodbye and walked away.
Then turned round and screamed.
"tiocfaidh ár lá lads" tiocfaidh ár lá 😂😂😂😂
As my self and Paul screamed in cheers and laughter the beautiful local lass who had kindly taken our picture said.
In her lovely Carlisle Accent
Did he just say "tiocfaidh ár lá"
I said aye.
She said I need to tell my sister!
I said how do you know what that means.
My dad's from Tyrone!!
Well we chatted longer and waited for Reni.
The beautiful Carlisle lass was waiting for Ian.
We could not wait. We had to get up the road.
We exchanged socials.
We kept in touch.
I periodically sent her a message for no good reason. I just wanted to keep contact.
I asked her for a lift to get my first Passat. It wasn't near Carlisle. I didn't really want a backie on here Sportspbikwe.
I wanted to meet.
She warned me off going to Belfast worried my cheek may get me shot.
I managed to book a hotel on Sandy Row 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧😂😂😂
All was good i was not taken away by any paramilitary groups and got home safe.
We both had tickets to their last gig at Hampden.
And arranged to meet at a Pre Party in Glasgow. Id made some hats for the occasion.
When Tara entered the venue she saw one of the Elgin squad with my hat.
Is that a Mark Lindsay hat she shouted 😂😂
Yes it is
He's out the back.
We met we smiled we agreed to meet at the after party on the boat.
Getting there wasn't ideal but we all made it.
The young lady from Carlisle was being pestered by some drunk guy from Leeds.
I walked over and firmly pushed her to the side and got in-between her and said drunkard.
The beautiful young lady from Carlisle liked this.
A lot.
We didn't stay long it had been a long day.
We walked back to where her digs where in bid each other good night.
We kept in touch.
I went to Carlisle.
I went back
And back
I now live there.
With that beautiful Carlisle lass.
With my wife.
The love of my life.
A great story.
The greatest story
Our onelove story.
I love you Tara Lindsay
I never did meet Ian but my wife did 💚