A day guiding my boys through my early childhood. As we were scheduled to play Dumbarton (a) in the Premier Sports Cup, I fugured it might be nice to do a deeper delve into my early years in that part of the world, so....

Train through to Helensburgh after some lunch we strolled up Colquhoun St towards Hill House for a nose about. Pointing out my old friends' houses and peering into the old house at Dhuhill Drive West before a canter around HIll House itself. Only a pound for the boys with their Young Scot cards - result! 

And back down town as the drizzle intensified; through Hermitage Park, past my old primary school etc before getting the 1653 to Cardross and a proper explore at St Peter's Seminary. 

However... the drizzle had turned to rain and after hunkering down in the bus stop opposite the Coop (Crunchie doughnuts, a baguette with antipasti were also consumed), we concluded that rain had stopped play. 

Back to the station, onto Dumbarton and in for a pint ahead of kick off.

An uneventful first half; and early in the 2nd half our midfielder decided to exact retribution on a Dumbarton player who the ref had allowed to foul our player 10 seconds earlier and a red card was issued. 

4 minutes later, Kyle Banner took a wild swing at cross that our keeper was about to grab and the ball ended up in the net.... great. It finished 1-0 but we now know who not to play in midfield. Ach well, there's a chance of redemption with the Hearts game coming up on Saturday so we'll surely get a point or three from that....

Then it was just the small matter of the 2 hours home; in around midnight. 

But - as with all these fitba adventures, there's much opportunity to chat about my childhood with them there lads; and for me to realise there's gaps in what I know about my life in Helesnburgh. We're pencilled in for lunch in the sleepy village (Twinned with Trumpton) on Saturday, so we'll arrive armed with plenty of questions for their grandparents.

Exiting the station, heading to the match; extra is the Ciglettes