Death of a pensioner

I'm sad to let you all know that one of our number passed away recently.

Pete McPherson (of RF and other pensions' departments) died in South Queensferry. His funeral was on earlier this month.

Pete was the second in charge in the department I first worked in and he was a real character. Just before I retired, HR found the photo he'd taken of me in 1978 in my personnel file. 

I'll always remember him as our eccentric photographer. 

Strollers Walk number 230 - Crossing the Forth Road Bridge, North Queensferry and part of the Fife Coastal Trail

Twenty four Strollers met at South Queensferry to cross the Forth Road Bridge and do part of the Fife Coastal Trail to Inverkeithing. Some had a slightly longer walk to the starting point as the bus driver let them off at the wrong stop.

Given the overnight rain, conditions were actually ideal for going across the bridge - not much wind, not too hot and no rain. With only buses and taxis allowed to use the bridge, it was nice and peaceful though you could still hear a hum of noise from the new road bridge. The views were worth crossing for as was the sight of three maintenance men above our heads showing the Strollers the alternative route back!

It was then down the steps into North Queensferry where the ferry from South Queensferry used to dock pre bridge days. Onto the Fife Coastal trail where part of the path has been nicely laid in brick and stone sets. We stopped at one of the many quarried sites for a quick bite to eat and rest and to admire the house that had been built at the top of the quarry. Stone from these quarries was used to build the docks in Leith and Liverpool as well as the pavements of London.  Pressing on down to the water’s edge, we looked out to sea at the marker buoy where the seals were sleeping. We then passed the plaque for Lieutenant George Paton who was killed protecting his men from a grenade during a training exercise here in the First World War and then continued on to Inverkeithing passing the site where the breaker’s yard used to be that broke up ships like the Mauretania. There is still a metal recycling plant there now which breaks up metal into tiny bits and exports almost 200,000 tonnes a year. 

We finished near the Ferrytoll Park and Ride for some to get the bus back across the bridge and others to go off into Inverkeithing for a spot of lunch.

Outing to Bannockburn on 12 June

45 pensioners left Edinburgh slightly later than usual on an overcast morning and were delayed by the Taxi Drivers’ kids’ outing. The kids had great fun spraying the bus with water and throwing water bombs at it. As we had the big bus it was the driver and the ones sitting at the front who got the worst of it. 

On the way to the coffee stop at the MacKinnon Mills, we had a little rain but after that the weather cleared and we had sunshine for the rest of the time.  It turned out we could have had more time to shop but on the plus side, we saved some money!   

As we were too early for Bannockburn our driver took us for a drive to Stirling to see the castle and put us in the mood for Bannockburn.

At Bannockburn we were split into two groups, the first to do the experience and the other to enjoy the sun, eat more food, shop or visit the monument in the grounds.

Part of the experience was to re-enact the battle. The English won in the first group but the Scots prevailed in the second although it was a bit bloody as we managed to kill off a lot more Scots than in the original battle!  

As the battles took longer than we had anticipated we did not have as long at the Kelpies as some would have liked before we went for a very enjoyable High Tea at the Grange Manor, Grangemouth.

We were even told by the staff where to find doggy bags so we could take home the scones etc. that were left!

Strollers Walk number 229 Peebles to Innerleithen

Peebles to Innerleithen is a walk we’ve done before but as it is flat, difficult to get lost on and as there are plenty of places for coffee, it was a good choice since Eleanor was leading it while Drew was slogging his way round golf courses up north and other regular leaders were not available.

14 Strollers gathered on a slightly chilly and dull morning in the car park at Peebles. We set off past the grounds in front of Peebles Hydro where some very nice new homes have been built and it was great to see they are very much in keeping with existing properties (other Councils could learn a thing or two).

Turning left up Janet's Brae we soon came to the underpass and got onto the quiet pathway built by Sustrans along the old railway line. The hoped for sunshine never broke through but it was a good temperature for walking.

The point for anyone wishing to cut the walk short at Glentress was missed by the leader as she was too busy chatting but it was not too far to Cardrona where two Strollers called it a day.

Lunch, if required, was eaten “on the hoof” as the majority decided it was a tad cool to sit down to eat so, after a few minutes rest at Cardrona, we continued on towards Innerleithen.

Along the way we passed an orchard of fruit trees which Jack Dodds told us was part of the Scottish National Collection.

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On arrival at Innerleithen, the group dispersed to get food etc. with many getting the bus back to Peebles.