Four Kirkcudbright rugby fans didn’t let the coronavirus pandemic thwart their efforts to cheer on the British and Irish Lions.
Geoff Dean, Murray Wylie, Ian Allison and Idris Dean had saved up to watch the team in action on their tour of South Africa.
The pandemic meant they weren’t able to make the once in a lifetime trip and while they got their money back, they still wanted to do something.
So instead the four came up with the Not the Lions Tour and pledged to watch each game in one of the four countries that make up the squad – Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.
Geoff said: “There were only three tests but a warm up game in Scotland against Japan at Murrayfield was arranged.
“Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, tickets for the game at Murrayfield were hard to come by, so we headed to Stirling, met some great local characters and climbed up to the famous Wallace Monument.
“The tests started and we headed to Durham. It was another great weekend and a visit to Durham Cathedral where there is a local connection for Kirkcudbright as there is a St Cuthbert’s Chapel where the Saint who gave his name to Kirkcudbright is buried.
“The second test location was Cardiff. The local connection is that Idris spent a good deal of time here in his earlier years and was meant to be the tour guide. That didn’t quite happen but we had another eventful weekend including a Sunday morning and lunchtime around the amazing development at Cardiff Bay.
“The final test saw the pride heading for Belfast, staying at Bangor, a lovely town. A city bus tour of Belfast and a lengthy coastal walk saw us compensate for other excesses.
“Unfortunately the rugby was not exhilarating but was certainly intense and played and watched in a largely friendly and sporting manner.”
They’re now hoping to see the Lions in action for real when they tour Australia in 2025.
