A sad loss

[mistletoe]

I like a lot of sports as you know, but rugby union is not one of them, unless the All Blacks are playing of course. However, sad news today at the death of one of the people who made it entertaining: Bill McLaren OBE, MBE, CBE, ace BBC commentator of the 70s, aged 86. He was from Hawick (pronounced hoick) in the Scottish borders and never lost that gentle Scottish burr. Even when things got exciting he never got overly excited or unable to pitch his voice like the current possessor of the microphone Ian Robertson.

Here is a medley of some of his phrases which show the infectious joy he felt for the game and its purveyors. Even when something went wrong in the box or on the field he had something amusing to say, rarely denigrating the teams.

In other news today I went shopping wearing shoes. That is the first time I have had shoes on outside since December 16th. That's a month! It may snow tomorrow but not this far north.

Comments

[tempertemper.livejournal.com]

It's always sad when someone prominent passes away - D knew more of him than I (i.e. anything at all) but still... he clearly loved the sport (like you, we are not rugby fans - and D Welsh, too *g*).

Yay for going outside in shoes - I know the feeling! Though walking through town y'day, Joe slipped on the left over grit and fell on his bum! Hopeless!!

[a-mistletoe.livejournal.com]

Ow. Wait.... Left over grit?!? Clearly your Council has too much whereas our paths saw nowt but a shovel.

Years of Grandstand viewing. when that was the only way to see sport on telly, meant that Bill McLaren was part of winter Saturdays during the 5 Nations' campaigns of my growing up years. He was the only reason for my watching.