I was the only one at home overnight so I made sure Tinker had a couple of treats after his toilet before setting off at 0850 to park at Forest Pines. The coach was nicely on time and during the trip I worked on my lesson reflections so as to be ready for my Part 3 Test on Wednesday. Ian Townsend was asking how my kidneys were and also the driving instruction. At the services I took the precaution of having an early lunch in case the ground would be a long way from any food outlets. I had a McDonalds Chicken McSandwich meal. I went to the toilet twice because of my kidney problem. It is a slight worry that I get pains at the end of weeing. I was worried I may not last the journey without needing the toilet. I did though but as soon as I was off the coach I had to dash into some bushes for a wee. Even worse I needed to lay a turd as well. Thankfully the thick laurel bushes shielded me from every one else’s view. I asked a steward which way to go for a cash point and thankfully he said there was one at the BP garage just round the corner. On the way I nipped into McDonalds for another toilet visit and also yet another visit against a bush on the way back round to the ground. It was no fuss to buy my ticket as there was no queue. Unbelievably I needed another visit to the toilet and used the disabled toilet at a cafe next to the ticket office. I spent a long time and got a nasty stare from a lady who had been waiting outside as I left. Inside the ground I thought that it was not really as good a ground as I had thought it would be. Four decent stands but very plain and simple. Also it did not look as if it would get anywhere close to half full. There were quite a few Grimsby fans milling around though. It was a cold rainy day and my seat was freezing. Ten minutes before kick off one of the more bubbly women from the coach sat behind me. She was with four or five of her friends. I was glad because she is quite entertaining at times. The first half kicked off and Grimsby got off to an energetic start with three shots on target within ten minutes. It did not look like a side who had not won for seven matches. Then on 37 minutes we scored a great goal. The on loan striker Charles Vernam lashed it into the net. Colchester looked a poor side and we were all thinking maybe three points would be on their way today. I went to the toilet at half time and then back to my cold seat. The se one half was like watching a completely different game. Colchester came out faster, more determined and sharper. It did not take long for them to score. 1-1 two minutes in. The players heads dipped and it was one way traffic from then on. Grimsby did have a couple of chances but it was with slight relief that the game ended 1-1. On reflection we ought to have won the match because of our first half performance. It has given me the hope that we can gain momentum for the rest of the season. On the coach I was glad to sit in the warmth and not with the need to wee. Everyone else agreed that the performance had been great in the first half. At the services I got another McDonalds. This time using my voucher for a Big Mac and chips for £1.99. I was dropped off at 2100 and home at 2120. Ground number 86 was done!