[timwilky]

Well it is 10 years today since the old man snuffed it.

So feeling a tad emotional for the grumpy cantankerous old git, I still miss him. He kicked my brother out at 17 when he brought home his first bike. Yet he bought me a 3 day old XS1100 from the family of a biker who lost it. But only to repair/sell not for riding as they were far too dangerous. He hated bikes, seen far too much misery caused by them. He hated to see me or my brother on them.

My memories of him are of course rose tinted. I remember the good and forget how nasty he could be. However, I just wish he had been here to see his great grandkids, to know how well his grandkids turned out. He was a snob, a self made man who was proud of having dragged himself up by his clog laces. And unfortunately for me, the source of my grumpiness, intolerance, and downright nastyness.

I think I may be downing quite a few for him tonight as I watch the Newcastle/Rovers game. He took me on Ewood in 1966 and then on Deepdale the following week. I had to promise to be a good boy to make sure he never took me back there again.