Season Opener

Photos thanks to Hugh Parker 

It's a cracking spring day in Edinburgh.  It couldn't be better for the opening fixtures of the Eastern Premier League.  Fantasy Bob had long planned to be watching Carlton take on last year's champions Forfarshire at their Edinburgh ground, Grange Loan.  An enticing prospect. 

But other things have intervened.  The ground lies empty.  To make things even worse FB has penned a few verses.

All is silence at Grange Loan today

Not a sound nor the murmur of play

Social distancing rules must hold sway

All is silence at Grange Loan today

Sweet smells the grass the cherry trees bloom

But no banter fills the home changing room 

All is dark all is cold just like the tomb

All is silence at Grange Loan today

The wicket is firm the outfield fast

The sun may be bright but shadows cast

Come only from those ghosts of the past

All is silence at Grange Loan today

Memories can warm but they cannot sustain

All these lost days we won't get again

The future's deferred till the virus is slain

All is silence at Grange Loan today

Dream that the silence soon lifts from the ground

Dream that the juniors soon swarm around

Dream that soon there's tea to be found

And the gates of Grange Loan will be open that day