Sisters are doing it
Life is good. After a few days of sitting around, I’m up and about again with a new family. Last Sunday it was the Bruces, today it’s the Stories – three sisters: Louise, Joanne and Yvonne, originally from Penicuik. Well, they obviously throw good stock there, cos these girls could certainly walk the walk. (As a matter of interest, they could also talk the talk!)
So, off we set from Montrose, me stuck in that blooming yellow bag I told you about before. However, I am treated with some consideration and am occasionally given my freedom to take in the passing scenery.
Last week, a dog accompanied me on my travels. Today, I pass a statue of one of these creatures. They’re not my favourite beasts, I have to say, prone to nicking the
odd bit of quality rubber off one’s nether regions. But this statue, which I certainly prefer to the Hercules Linton belledame of Inverbervie fame, was of an old ‘sea dog’, one Bamse, owned by a Norwegian captain stationed in Montrose during World War 2. Bamse, bless him, saved a local man in a knife attack and also saved a member of crew who fell overboard. Very appropriate, then, given our mission in this Relay thing.Great cliffs again today. The sheer drops didn’t bother me. I bounce. I did worry
slightly about my companions, though. I fear they don’t (bounce, that is), but there were no mishaps and we all enjoyed some great views. On to Auchmithie, the home of the Arbroath smokie. Sadly, there’s not a whiff or a glimpse of a smokie today.Even better, it begins to pour with rain. I love it. This is what wellies were made for. I feel it in my sole. The girls are less impressed – and even more so when they hear that a photographer from a newspaper is going to take their pictures when they get to the lifeboat place. I learn some colourful new language.
What a great welcome I get in Arbroath. Back in the limelight, I am, and even the soaking wet companions cheer up a bit. The lifeboat crew’s longest serving member, Ron Churchill (sr), takes me and the girls on to the boat itself, which is on the last slipway in Scotland,
and the usual signing takes place. I’m getting used to it, I suppose. I like these lifeboat people and after 16 miles, I’m even sorry to say goodbye to the Stories. Thanks for the lift, girls. Away and get a hot shower.