The 2016-17 season has been a funny one for me, personal circumstances meant I missed a portion of the Notts County games which took place over late October to mid-January – despite all the on-goings at Meadow Lane and the dire performances I really missed this period.

Yet the break was exactly what I needed at the time, but the lengthy spell did leave me feeling drained and worried about my mother.

I had been saying throughout the majority of the 2015-16 season that I would get back on the road, whilst I seem to always remember Barnsley as being my last away day – in fact, it wasn’t. My last game prior to Newport was the opening game against Stevenage last term.

As the season quickly unwounded, I find myself thinking that I wouldn’t be able to make an away trip this season.

For that reason I really wanted to go to Newport despite being told by many opposition fans that it wasn’t ‘a very friendly place to visit’ I decided I would go. After asking JJ to pick me up the ticket, I was quite excited about the prospect of an away day.

Sadly, I read some upsetting news on my Facebook feed late Tuesday night which totally flipped my mood but I still decided to go.

It was only upon arriving at Monmouth where I actually felt a buzz, it’s a very peaceful location and I took to taking some pictures of the scenery – I will attach some below.

Arriving at Newport I quickly got the match day buzz which I missed! After emptying my bag but luckily managing to sneak through security with a thermal bottle with water in (at the time I had forgotten about it), I took to taking some fan pictures.

The match started very poorly, I could tell then that the game wouldn’t be one I’d remember for the right reasons. Between snapping further pictures and watching the other stand filled with travelling Notts fans sing amusing songs – I thankfully didn’t fall asleep but I found the first half very boring.

Half time was more eventful than I thought it would be, after being asked to take a photo. A Notts fan slipped and his pint was flung straight onto me. After helping the fan up onto his feet, I was quickly asked by another group if I would take their picture but I found the whole event to be funny even if it was at my own expense.

I expected the second half to be more lively but I couldn’t be more wrong, it was very similar to the first half in terms of performance.

A Notts goal saw us play well for what 10-15 minutes? About the same time Jimmy had on screen in the last episode of ‘Better Call Saul’.

I do have to admit, I felt when the chances came that we might actually be able to go ahead.

Yet the banter between both sets of fans was funny, it added some much needed entertainment – as I really didn’t see much fight being shown on the pitch.

I should also add that I wanted Hartlepool to survive, I enjoyed my two visits to see us play them despite the final results.

Neither Newport nor us deserved to win; yet their final goal was class.

The away day was enjoyable, yet mostly for the fact we Notts fans know how to have a good time and will make any occasion into something exciting.

I’m already looking forward to the new season, I do believe it will be much better than the last three – yet stability will be the key.

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for their amazing friendship and support, since dropping my Notts-Joe username things have been much more positive and I enjoy discussing things with people on both Facebook and Twitter. You Pies!