Snow joke
MOST frequent comment from English visitors to green and pleasant Lochaber last weekend:
"We seem to have left the snow back home!"
Going wild
MEANWHILE, on the green, green grass within the walls of the Old Fort, the Glasgow camper finally packed up his one-man tent at midday on Sunday, having had the "Freedom of the Fort" for the best part of a week.
He told me he had been suffering from "sore feet".
Not wheely clever
Ah, but on Monday, there was a Fort follow-up – and one which you would have been hard put to forecast.
Eight young mountain bikers, with their freelance instructor, on an outdoor course at "The College", turned the Old Fort’s grassed area into, well, just that – an outdoor course!
Up and down the raised, turfed bankings they went, wheelying in among the daffodils, chicaning between the planters, their helmets ensuring safety first lest they fell off – onto the soft grass.
I could say more – about the number of more appropriate nearby locations for mountain biking.
But should I need to?
31 days has...
ACH, I think I’ll return to my "fan mail"!
One letter and a postcard, bearing all the hallmarks – if not the postmarks of the Kilmallie side of the canal – and leaving me in no doubt as to which months have 30 days!
Dear Roamer,
We know you went to Fort William Senior Secondary School.
But WE were in Banavie Academy and learned there that there are Thirty One days in December.
PS. Isn’t December 31 also Hogmanay?
And the postcard spelled it out as well:
Re last week’s misnomer,
By Biscuits, the Roamer.
In Banavie School, when we were young,
We didn’t ignore Miss MacFarlane’s tongue.
So, once we were taught,
We NEVER forgot
How the seasonal song was sung.
So that’s me told!
Caol talk
NOW for a couple of unsolicited testimonials... from Caol:
HI Roamer, Just a note to praise two worthwhile groups in the Fort. Firstly, Benny MacDonald and the Community Car Service at An Drochaid.
Lots of people, including myself, really appreciate the facility.
Nothing is too much trouble for Benny and his band of helpers
They are there to take you to the doctors or for your shopping – and they are all very helpful.
Secondly, Billy Ward and his merry group of volunteers at Shopmobility Lochaber.
They have given me – and many others – a new lease of life, just by getting us out into town.
Not only for the shopping, I might add, but for the craic as well – I’d be lost without it.
When I get home I have a welcome drink as I’m usually quite dry from all the chatting!
Keep it up – all of you.
Many Thanks.
Noreen Ford MacGillivray,
Caol.
DEAR Roamer,
I am a recipient of the wonderful care administered by the council home helps.
They are on call at any given time outwith their normal shifts.
However they do not get a call-out payment, and only receive – to the minute – flat rate payment.
Thus, if the call-out lasts less than an hour, they get paid for "X minutes".
Their days off are really not "theirs" to speak of as, like as not, their services can, and will be called upon.
Are these good, most helpful and obliging carers not entitled to a better deal?
Regards,
A MacDonald,
Caol.
Jessie’s Journal
WHAT’S Wee Jessie Jamieson’s Journal saying to it this week – in 1959?
February 15. A dry day. Lots of sailors about. We went a walk up the Glen.
February 16. It was very wet today. Cycled to school. Went to Red Cross and got my new first aid book.
February 17. Another wet day. We made fish and chips in Cookery. The Reclaim is away.
February 18. Wet again. I baby sitted (!) at night.
February 19. A very, very wet day. I started knitting a pink cardigan.
February 20. There is nothing doing. Helen didn’t even go to the dance in the Braxy.
Shops ahoy!
I NOTE that Fort William High Street is down/up for debate at Monday’s Fort William & Ardnamurchan Ward Forum in the Council Chambers, which starts at 6.30pm.
The agenda item is detailed as:
"There will be an open discussion about how people can work together to improve the shopping experience on Fort William High Street, and to make the outlets more sustainable."
You’ll recall Councillor Michael Foxley’s comments of a couple of months ago when he wrote in the Council Insight column of the Lochaber News:
"I receive regular complaints about the shopping facilities available in Fort William High Street. Somehow the council seems to get the blame. The problem is the commercial rates and especially the rents. It suits owners, both local and distant companies, to have an empty shop as a capital asset on their books rather than receive rent for a realistic figure.
"Some shops in the High Street have a rental bill alone of £3k-£8k a month plus rates, heating and lighting, before anybody is paid!
"We intend to name and shame the individuals and companies concerned".
Will YOU be going along to the Ward Forum on Monday evening?
Way ahead
SOME verses from "An Onlooker" prompted by seeing, day after day, the lonely wee man with the sore feet:
I have walked one hundred miles – and I’m not walking any more.
I’ve lost a boot along the "Way", and both my feet are sore.
My place of rest is Gordon Square – to greet folks from everywhere!
It’s great to find a seat at last, and have the time to sit and stare.
In wind and rain, snow and frosts,
I grin and bear it – at all costs.
But it’s the hugs and photos I like the most,
So I’m a very welcoming host.
I cannot see behind me, but work has now begun,
I CAN see faces looking to where they once had fun.
But the town deserves this boost, at last,
For its beautiful setting and its intriguing past.
The summer is coming, bringing sunny smiles,
And happier times to ALL – for miles.
So Good Luck to Fort William and places surrounding,
For our community spirit and camaraderie’s abounding.
[I have no name – but – you know who I am.]
On a brighter note
I had to smile on Monday, on reading a daily paper’s interpretation of the latest report by the Bank of Scotland Purchasing Managers Index.
Above the quotes from the Bank of Scotland’s chief economist was a large photo.
It showed a wad of banknotes.
ROYAL Bank of Scotland banknotes.
And they weren’t pound notes, either!
Question Time
WELL, then, what Lochaber link do Charlie Chaplin, Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster, Mel Gibson, Liam Neeson and, now, Daniel Craig, have in common?
They’ve all stayed at Inverlochy Castle Hotel.
