PREVIOUS YEARS ENTRIES FROM THE DIARY:

JULY 2007

Following my stigmata, another link between McCarthy and his biblical credentials has been established with the weather that is currently being experienced in Britain. The rain is an obvious connection with the great flood that cleared the world of sin. God obviously realised it would of been slightly farfetched for be to build an ark in Burgess Hill, and thus he has waited for his favourite son to leave the country, and now punish you all for your sins. The good news, however, is that you will only need to endure two more weeks of it, as Toronto's Favourite Minor Celebrity returns very soon

The last two weeks have seen the least activity of the tour thus far, as I travelled to stay with a family friend in the remote Digby Neck area of Nova Scotia. My original plan of staying there for a week was quickly chucked out of the window, and I decided to remain for 10 days for a break from the hustle and bustle that my previous 12 weeks on the road had contained. In my time on the island, I enjoyed three meals a day since my arrival, including delightful cooked meals. I savoured the world famous Digby Scallops, which I have been able to add to the list of fish that is suitable for McCarthy, I completed a successful whale watch, in which around 10 of these creatures were seen, but best of all was the feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world, and being able to relax, something that is all too rare in the world of Minor Celebritydom

So, in my last fortnight in the Great White North, I return to one of my favourite locations, that of Toronto. Having achieved all I have wanted to on the tour - seeing the Rocky Mountains, skydiving, bungee jumping, white water rafting down the St Lawrence River, seeing Niagara Falls, viewing wild bears, climbing the CN Tower, seeing the Blue Jays destroy the Yankees, touching the Stanley Cup and spreading the message of McCarthy, I am able to settle back, relax and enjoy the rest of time. This will involve seeing as much baseball as possible, as I fear that is the one thing I will miss more than anything else, enjoying as much Steam Whistle Beer as possible, and hopefully seeing David Beckham and his LA Galaxy team being destroyed by the might of Toronto FC - which, incidentally, will be live on Channel Five at midnight

Scott McCarthy is now off to raise several pints of Magners to celebrate probably the greatest moment of the tour so far - the news that the Falmer Stadium has once again been approved, and by all accounts for the final time. If so, roll on 2010!

Monday 09/07/07

Another week passes as the time ticks by to McCarthy's return. Having left my friends in Woodstock last week, a place in which I had a thoroughly good time, I returned to Toronto and achieved nothing. From there, it was time to get another Greyhound, this time to Halifax. Here is where I report to you now

This place is by far and away the most historical, apart from Quebec City, I have visited. A trip today to the fort proved this, and made all manner of exhibitions based around the British Empire and how it once ruled the world made me swell with pride to call myself a native of the United Kingdom. Halifax was in fact the base of the British Empire in North America, due to its prominent sea position and natural harbour. From here many of the greatest victories in North American history have been launched by our septic isle, including repelling the threat of an American invasion into Canada, and defeating the French. It is also home to Casino Nova Scotia, a venue that has directed my attention away from drinking, except for during happy hour when it is $2.50 for a pint. My luck has varied in this institution, with great success in my first night but not so much on my second

This week will see me move onto stay with a family friend who is based on a remote island. This will provide an opportunity to shun the limelight that has blinded me so far on this Minor Celebrity World Tour, to relax and to prepare for a final two-week stay in Toronto. This return to one of the finest cities on earth will be packed with activity, ranging from several Toronto FC matches, including a friendly with Aston Villa and the visit of David Beckham and LA Galaxy, to a trip to Toronto Islands and all the other vast range of activities I am yet to achieve in the great city

I would also like to offer out three congratulations - firstly, to Charlotte Merritt, who finally became a women last week with the turning to 18, a celebration that was obviously marred due to my presence away from Britain. Secondly, to Douglas Lane for his turning to 19, an event that I have no doubt was filled with fun, drinking and frolics, and finally to Mac Industries Chief Advisor Bert Lloyd, for his 19th birthday in the coming week. May the fact that your Favourite Minor Celebrity was not present for any of these not distract from the celebrations.

And finally, I have long been described as the modern day Jesus Christ by the popular press across the world. While the tabloids have come to love me, the broadsheets have been less impressed with the claims. Finally though, McCarthy has proved, Stigmata is a phenomena that occurs whereby cuts appear in your hands and feet - as though you had been nailed to the cross. It is said to be a spiritual sign from God in that it represents the way Jesus was crucified. Well listeners, this phenomenon has bestowed itself upon Scott McCarthy. While some may claim it was an allergic reaction to washing powder, I believe we all know the truth, and that as I end my missionary work in Canada, the signs are finally beginning to show that I am much more than a mortal man. And here is the evidence:

Monday 02/07/07

With the main backpacking part of my trip over, McCarthy has now been experiencing family life with a family he has befriended in Woodstock, a small town near London. I arrived here last Wednesday, via Greyhound, a national bus company as opposed to the racing dog. My impression of the town and the people here have been favourable, particularly in the way they have taken to their new Minor Celebrity

It is here that McCarthy has finally entered the roads of Canada. Despite promising myself I wouldn't do it, the first thing I did when exiting a drive way was drive on the left - luckily it was a quiet road and didn't have any long-lasting effects on my trip. The Canadians however were somewhat shocked by my driving - particularly the speed I used on the highways. When I tried to explain that at 140kph, this was our speed limit, they seemed shocked, as there's is only 100. They were even more shocked when I used a quiet piece of road to demonstrate how fast most drive on the motorway, by taking the automobile to around 160kph, or 95mph

The birth of Canada was celebrated on Sunday with the Canada Day Celebrations. This consisted of new friend Holly and myself driving to her Grandmothers house in Sarnia, a town that is next to the US Border. They have the second biggest fireworks display to celebrate behind Ottawa, and they were arguably the best I have seen in my days. More excitingly though was the fact that this dear old women was German, had lived in Nazi Germany, seen Hitler and her late husband had been a member of the German Army. This meant I was able to ask all manner of questions to further my knowledge on the regime gained through the reading of Mein Kampf. She also provided me with the best meal I have since arriving in veil and pasta, and it made me long for that first taste of Sunday roast when I return

I would like to end this entry with a statement I never thought possible. Since arriving here, I have argued and proved the case for the United Kingdom of Great Britain being the greatest nation on Earth. This is based around several facts - fighting and winning two world wars, the great British Empire being the best the world has seen, not being conquered since 1066, the use of English across the world, the creation and abolishment of slavery, our strong economy, and the fact that if it wasn't for us, the likes of America, Canada, Australia and Africa would not have the populations they do today

But listeners, the statement is this - I am jealous of another country. I am jealous of Canada because of their patriotism. For the celebrations of Canada Day, everywhere you looked the maple leaf was flying high, people were in red and white, the national anthem was sung loud and proud. There was no second thought to Muslims or any ethnic minorities in the country, it was simply a celebration of the fact they were Canadian, and if the people who are not don't like it then tough - it is our country. I found this most refreshing from the nonsense that the flag of St George should not be shown as it offends those who are not English. For this, I applaud the Canadian people and their approach to it, and long for the day when people can show their support for the English Nation without being accused of being a racist.

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