CARRICKDRIVE

There are many thoughts going through my head just now. Recalling your BD 1969 and visiting you in the school 6th form room- all a bit sneaky never would happen today with security. 

We had been going out for six months since we met in Aviemore the previous New Year. We actually never met again until Easter 1969. There was a fair amount of postage spent, paper and many extended phone calls between 5 Mansionhouse and a certain red phone box in Minworth.

Just over a year or so later we were married in September 1970 in Shettleston New Church, Glasgow and went on to be married for 45+ years and have 3 wonderful boys to share our life together. 

I know as I think back to 1970 and the boys growing up and sharing their families with us it is a part of our life that was very special for us both. 

Sadly you are no longer with us but all the family and friends think of you so fondly a wonderful person to have known.

Thinking of you always Michael

New Years Day 1969 Margaret and I with a group of friends had made it back to Newtonmore Youth Hostel following bringing in the New Year in Aviemore. There was deep snow on the ground and the youth Hostel was not open till 06-30 it was bitterly cold in the car waiting for the hostel to open. I had only met Margaret 3 days previously and the next 5 days or so till I made my way back home to Minworth, Warwickshire seemed to go so quickly.

What was to follow for the next 45 years until Margaret’s death on 31 January 2016 was a journey that we both took openly, first immediately re locating to London , then to Farnborough Hampshire and finally back to Glasgow in 1974. We had three boys I am now dwarfed by them but I know that Margaret’s influence on them is so apparent, kindness, thoughtfulness and respect as they make it in the world.

This is my 5th Christmas and New Year without Margaret and was focused so much the other day when Ellis my youngest granddaughter had said before we left their house on the 28th December to release two balloons in memory of her Gran’s. It was quite an emotional moment as we watched the balloons fly high into the night sky finally seeming to join up making their way into the heavens.

2022 who knows masks may still be visible for sometime but lets hope we move on and can once again meet our families, rekindle relationships much more than we have done in the last two years.

Woke up to glorious sunshine after some heavy rain overnight. We were expecting it to be rainy today so hit the keys on laptops and tablets to see what best to do as it was so bright and inviting.

Decision made to hire bikes and hit the off road tracks near the chalets.

Loch an Eilen was a our first goal a distance of about 5 miles along lovely forest tracks in the morning sunshine, first spot was a wild deer and Jax heard cuckoo calls. Circumnavigated the western edge of the Loch before a bit of fun crossing a burn. Philip flew through a small burn and the challenge was on for Jax who went first and got stuck then a small crowd had assembled to see the old man try – it was camera videoed –  foot down and a little damp.

Almost completed circular route of the loch before we decided to go cross country to Loch Morlich. The tracks were again excellent with a lot more cyclists and walkers taking advantage of the great weather. We crossed the Caingorm Club Bridge before joining a small footpath which took us close to the loch before breaking out on to the forestry commission road and then to Loch Morlich.

Our route back to Pine Bank was via the old Logging road which gave us a chance to push the pedals a bit.

A great morning/afternoon out in the best of Scottish countryside.

Between 15/20 km covered.

View from Ptarmigan Terrace

The Caingorm’s National Park and Aviemore has special memories for Margaret and I as a couple. We came here in December 1968 stayed at Kinguisse Youth Hostel with Anne Pryor her boyfriend Stan Watt and a friend of mine from Minworth, John Burford.

Since Margaret passed away in January 2016 I have chosen to spread her ashes in a number of locations that I felt would be appropriate in remembering her and to involve our three sons as well.

The first stop on this journey was Lamlash in Arran where she spent many holidays with her family. Steven, Yvonne and their family joined me along with Margaret’s sister Sandra. The weather was not kind with pouring rain most of the day.

Journey two was to South Africa in December 2016 to reunite Anne her best friend from primary school. The location was Vitomi Dam in The Kruger national park a very fitting place to spread her ashes.

Journey three was to Leuchie House where Margaret went for respite twice year from 2000. The many friends along with her brother David and Janice joined me for a very emotional reunion almost exactly a year on from when she was taken to hospital on her visit in 2016.

And so I am accompanied by Philip and Jacquei on this latest journey. I do not know exactly the location of the photo (to be added) which was taken in The Cairngorms in December 1968.  That period from December 28 to January 4 was to be our introduction to each other and finally married in 1970 and to over over 45 happy years together.

The picture shows me, Philip and Jacquei at the Ciste Piste area where we re-located to from my original plan of Loch Morlich. The vista was stunning showing the area at its best. 

A ride up the new Mountain Railway to the Ptarmigan restaurant for lunch again with stunning views across the national park to as far away as Inverness in the north and Ben Nevis just visible in the west.

I read this poem by Emma Atwell

© Emma Etwell

Please do not weep.
My body may not be there.
It has chosen to sleep.
I’m not that far away.
My soul lives on,
Looking down, watching over
You and everyone.
And when you feel sad
And life seems so blue,
Just remember
That my spirit has its arms around you.
And on those special days,
Times that you wish I could see,
That cool breeze flowing past you…
Well, that will be me,
So don’t be sad.
Have no fear.
God has taken me under his wing,
But I’ll always be near.
I still watch you
Every minute, every day.
My love and soul are with you,
And that’s where they will stay.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/always-there-3

A great day viewing Scotland at its best.

Today we travelled up from Glasgow to Aviemore on another journey that I planned to make after Margaret passed away in January 2016. This journey I am making in the company of Philip and his wife Jacqueline.

The Youth Hostel in Kingussie closed in 1995

Aviemore has some special memories for me not least as it was where Margaret and I found that something which bonded us together for over 45 years. First stop was to see if the youth hostel in Kingussie was still operating but it has now been turned into a restaurant call the Auld Alliance. As no one was at home we made I had a little look round and took some pictures it had not changed at all. I recall the moment when we returned from bringing in the New Year in Aviemore with over a foot of snow on the ground. It was well past midnight so no access into the hostel till morning lets just say it was a little on the cold side for a few hours.

On ward travel to Aviemore via the old road just as I did all those years ago to our stay for a few days at Pine Bank Chalets. 

The evening was spent at The Bridge Inn for a belated birthday treat.

Tomorrow we are going to spend Margaret’s ashes on the shores of Loch Morlich and then travel up to the Ptarmigen Cafe at 3500ft by train no walking/hiking.