We had the Ashes success, which was celebrated as if England had won the World Cup, but after so long, away, it was great to get them back, and put one over the Antipodeans. There again the Ashes never physically leave Lords so it's all a bit of farce if you ask me. The replica ones held aloft at the Oval probably don't even contain wicket dust.

Then there was Torquay. As ever a joy to be down there, and before I bore you (and Dave Matthias) with tails of Karen this, and Karen that, it was great to be with the gang doing the things we have become accustomed to down the English Rivera. Namely sitting in pubs and drinking the place dry and making some pub and club bouncers laugh at our behaviour.

That's not to say we were well behaved. Recovering from my hangover on the Sunday morning, I took the stroll down to Somerfield on Plainmoor, to get some fresh air, a newspaper and a pastie, when a few people in the queue were talking about the game.

The discussion then came round to 'did you have any trouble yesterday?'

The landlord from the Union Inn then trotted out words that got my chest puffed out, and made me feel proud to be a Salopian.

"We had about 40 Shrewsbury fans in. They were brilliant. Most stayed to around 8 p.m. They drank yeah, but they were all having a laugh. They were staying at the Burlington. Brilliant bunch"

Another chap piped up

"Yeah they are good bunch! Love going to Shrewsbury. Must be our favourite away trip!"

I was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Of course it didn't really make up for the result, and as ever we went back to Boots and Laces with tails between our legs for Hayden and crew to mock us Welshmen for once again losing at not only Plainmoor, but once again to the Gulls. When will we ever beat them?

I thought we played ok. This was not a Bury type performance, and had we gone in at half time 1-1, then we would have won, I'm sure of that! Joe Hart played out of his skin, and considering he had mumps, it was incredible just how well he played, but as we know of late, Joe is an incredible asset.

The whole weekend was excellent. I went down on the Wednesday night, and for once, my train journey was on time, connections made, and no arsey Virgin Trains staff being stupid. I'll tell you the story of the toilet incident another day.

So I arrived in Torquay that evening, celebrating with three pints of Tribute in the Buccaneer on Babbacombe Downs, looking forward to a good couple of days.

I met up with the gang on Friday, with the now traditional pitch and putt down Torre Abbey. The greens as ever were glass like, and Ron Millar's pin high game seemed be taking all the plaudits. Wynnie with a hacking game was a close second with me, Dave Owen and Dave Webster a close third. Although it has to be said Dave W, found the sand a lot, maybe something to do with a childhood fetish for building sand castles. Who knows?

The rest of the day was sat in the pub. Watching cricket, or not as the bad light and rain put paid to that. Why the Aussies went off who knows. Did it cost them ashes?

In the evening, I met up with the crew and other Town fans that had come. As ever the Cider Press proved a popular place. Then onto Yates where karaoke was on. Well I could not refuse. However I ditched my normal 'Angels' for Chesney Hawkes 'One and only'. Those of you who have been reading my various dribbles over various websites, over various years will know the story. Suffice to say most of the large Shrewsbury contingent was singing along with me, and thanks very much to Bizzy Lad for the on-stage dancing !?!?!?

It was then to Route 66. In all my time down Devon, all my visits, I have never been. I did wonder why after paying £11 to get in, and drink all you want promotion. There were drawbacks. I mean you only got half pint glass, and bar staff were conspicuous by there absence. However when Terrorvision's 'Tequila' came on the P.A. a number of scantily clad ladies of a youngish age came along the bar with said product to pour down open mouths of the punters. Us lot stayed in with mouths open!

I didn't want to get too drunk that, especially with the match the next day, however one of the crew had got onto the Toffee Vodka. I'm partial to the odd Dooley's myself, and before long we were lining up the said liquor, and downing a fair old quantity.Was that ten or fifthteen we had? Anyway, after drinking at least three bottles worth, we were told no more! We had a plan. There was another bar up on the top balcony, and it wasn't long before that was being drunk dry. By this time I had had more than enough. Albeit to say the others carried on, to get in states where one of he crew ended up asleep on the toilet of his hotel room, stopping another of the crew from using the right piece of bath ware to relieve himself.

The next day was match day and it rained. Boo! It never rains in Torquay, and it was raining heavily. In the back of my mind could the game be called off. Another excuse to come down here later in the year maybe? However, it stopped, and although it wasn't sunny, it was warm, and later very humid.

I made my way to O'Connor's. The scene of so many good nights. Dirty Ozzies, Toffee Vodka. Villa losing to Blues that one famous Monday were poor old PC took a lot of stick! The place has lost something. The old folks have gone. The atmosphere too!

So after talking to a few Town fans, I went across the road to the Union. Owned by a Bristol Rovers fan. The Weetabix chuckers aren't too popular in Torquay at the moment, following on from beating the Gulls 3-2 when two nil down with fifteen to go, and two, there fans rioting.

The Union is very much a football pub, with mini kits adorning the bar, and ours is up there, although it is an old one, and one I am going to change next time I'm down. The landlord is good laugh, recognised me from a previous Town visit. Got talking to the locals', one a Burnley fan..dont ask! And then caught up with a few of the Torquay lads before moving onto Boots and Laces Even with a crowd of just over 2000 expected the place was packed.

As ever we missed kick off and their first goal. Jesus. Here we go again! But when Langmead equalised, could this be our moment. Alas not. And after a few beers in the Union, I went back to Reddenhill Road, to much merriment!

That night we again went out. Karen joining me this time, and also caught up with Bob Buckley from the Tee Tops. Well former owner of the renowned B and B where the beer flowed all night and the breakfasts started at 10a.m.!

I was good to catch up, drink in the Cider Press. I don't really know what Karen made of it all. I mean Bizzy Lad talking off clothes in a pub in second nature to us lot! I think the smile on her face spoke volumes!

All too soon, it was back on the train home, and then to start my last week at Polymer.

I've spent 18 years of my life there, man and boy etc, etc. But time for a change. No more mixing chemicals. Now checking desserts are filled, and packed at Minsterley. I've gone from a 9-5 to a 6-6. From working in the daylight to working days and nights. And a big change to. To missing a few Town games, but also being able to go to more away ones!

So on Tuesday whilst you people were either at the game or listening on the net, I was grabbing a tea brake. In one of the changing rooms, a radio was on with Five Live. Penalties at Gay Meadow it said. My Moby confirmed 0-0. I had to go back to work with my 30 minute time up. It would be 2 a.m. before I know of Town's unlucky defeat. Our first shoot out loss since Shifnal in Shropshire Senior Cup I think in 1999. Maybe even to Hereford in the Welsh Cup semi of 1976. We have been sooooo lucky with penalty shootouts!

Before that though was of course Notts County. All the doubts I had following Bury have definitely gone now! No, we aren't going to go up. Get that out of your minds straight away. But we are building a team, and that's what really excites me. I hope this time next year we are pushing for going up, but for know be content that at last we are going in the right direction. AT LAST!

When Shrewsbury are on fire under Peters we are a joy to watch! Think Chester, think Notts County. An assume display. Matches I here how we played against the Blades!

We do throw the odd curve ball performance Think back to Rochdale at home last year, Mansfield, and then this time of course Torquay. Bury, well let's hope that never happens again.

What have impressed me is the competition form places. I can't remember when it's been so good. My only concern is that tinkering may become too much of an option. Sometimes you need a settled side. There again 'horses for course' does come into it!.

Great to see Darby back. I don't think we have seen the best from him, albeit that spell towards the end of the Conference play off season. Duane in full flow could just be the difference between an ordinary season and an outstanding one.

It's been good to see players coming back to their best. Jamie Tolley looks a new player. He's been superb. If we had sold him in the summer, I wouldn't have batted an eyelid. Brilliant Jamie, keep it up.

Colin McMenamin. Superb. I doubted at the start where we would get the goals from, but his touch, work rate and finishing have been quality.

And of course Joe Hart. Forget about his unlucky pen miss. This guy is going places.

The you've got Smith,Richard Hope and to be honest I could go through the team. It's amazing.

So onto the Posh tomorrow. Haven't got my car sorted yet. £41.80 on the train. Not opening the terrace, which I have to say is ludicrous, and so probably another £18 on top of that. Work at 5.30 a.m. Sunday morning. I'm bloody tempted!

Blue and amber always

Ade Plimmer