After lots of last minute maneuverings, it was finally decided late on Friday night that I would join Graham, Linda, Mel and Martin on the first pre-season run to Southport.  Graham picked up my scoot from Craigs' (thanks for taking care of her Craig!!) and me from Donny station and we finally set off Saturday lunchtime.  The journey was fairly uneventful (if a little wobbly on my part) apart from Mel suffering a flat about 10 miles out of Southport.

We arrived at the hotel to find Gordon sloping off to the pub and after a wash and brush up we were all set to join him and took off into town to partake of food and the local brew.  Scouring the local pubs for like-minded individuals (as you do) we eventually ended up in the 'do' - a huge place called the Prince of Wales.

The VFM as usual were playing some thumping tunes and, after quaffing copious amounts of alcohol, we all eventually ended up on the dance floor at one time or another (apart from you Mel - next time!!).

Mossy spent most of the night wandering aimlessly round the dancefloor trying to find his beloved Hunters sweatshirt - no doubt stolen away by someone who faced a long, cold walk back to their B&B!!

We finally left the do at around 2am to start the long and arduous task of obtaining a taxi ...turns out this is almost impossible in Southport ..and I certainly wasn't walking!  An hour later and after having leapt out in front of dozens of cars (some of them squad cars) we made it back to the digs.

Gordon, who had left the 'do' hours before, was conspicuous by his absence.  He arrived back long after we did having turned the wrong way out of the 'do' and was well on his way to Liverpool before he realized the sea was on the wrong side!!!!

We left him to suffer the wrath of Martin's snoring and took off for a few hours kip before the ride home.

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