So we left Inverary and Robert Burns, fretting over the Duke
of Argyll’s behaviour. Driving round Loch Awe we did meet some slight sleet
showers as forecast, with lots of clouds bubbling up!
As we arrived at our lovely
sea-front Caledonian Hotel, we saw
an overcast Oban. But ‘the gals’ –
as ‘Foostie’, the matron used to call us – climbed up Craigard Brae, albeit a wee
bit slower than we used to, and, as we assembled in front of our old hostel ,
the sun shone down on us.
Sights for sore eyes: the
assembled company and the beautiful view from the hill of Oban Bay and Kerrera
Island. Below we are all ready to dine
together and this is a shot of friends and family: Eleanor, top left, our ace
organizer, my sister, Marina, Marion from Campbeltown and Jean, all the way
from Ontario.
Below is a shot of past
room-mates: Margaret, me and Ethel, whose well-known giggle resounded well
after the 10.30 pm lights-out curfew. Ailsa, unfortunately, couldn’t come to
make up the quartet, but I will make sure she gets a memento photograph.
School-mate, but clearly not a Hostelite, Alec took time out from behind the
camera to pose with Zissis.
Sunday morning, Marina, Jean and
I step out in beautiful sunshine for an early-morning constitutional. This
pretty fishing boat sets out for a day’s work, regardless of it being the
Sabbath! Within ten minutes, the weather changed dramatically and we were being
buffeted by powerful wind gusts and rain!
Now here’s a breakfast to behold
: a perfectly poached egg, of firm exterior and creamy yolk inside, served on
buttered toast; then a pork sausage and hearty haggis nestle on a rasher of
bacon with a garnish of beans and cress. The Caledonian clocked up Best Breakfast Award of our trip. One
more shot before we wend our ways: Ethel concealing her ‘stookied’ arm under
the table, Margaret standing elegantly, towering above us all.
At our last reunion, people confessed to being a little anxious about reuniting
after all that time. This time I felt there was a genuine sense of enthusiasm
about meeting up as old buddies – we had fun!
I’d like to thank Eleanor for arranging the event - especially
given the headache caused by the last-minute cancellation of the original hotel
– very bad form.
Grateful thanks, too, go to Alec for giving up his time. Not only
did he create a beautiful portfolio of pictures to record our reunion, but he
arranged for them to be sent to us. Alec, you earned yourself an award: Official Craigard Photographer!
Finally, thanks to cousin, Susan, the stalwart, for crossing with Cale MacBrayne’s in inclement weather
conditions ( Foostie-speak once more !) to be with us. To celebrate her
presence we downed a few large g’n’ts (John doesn’t decant small!) so she was fortified
for the endurance return trip to Tobermory. Just a minute – isn’t that ferry going
in the wrong direction?!
See you all again in 2020- it’s a date!
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