IPDG's Travels Week 10

One of the few but big disappointments of my year as Governor, was the last minute cancellation of Elgin RC's Concert in aid of Help for Heroes, due to the sudden and catastrophic floods in that part of the world. Not only had President Graeme Archibald and their Rotarians worked their socks off to make it a sell out, but they had also managed to secure the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines to perform. As this was one of my special causes for fund raising, I was no less disappointed than the Club members, particularly as it seemed at first that the event could not be re-scheduled,or if it was, then the Royal Marines Band was unlikely to be available. However, Elgin Rotarians do not know the meaning of 'not possible', and with even more hard work and the generous assistance of the Royal Marines, Friday night's Concert came to pass, again to an absolute capacity audience. How nice to enjoy the luxury of a waiting list for such an event! This year's President and his colleagues were wonderful hosts and we enjoyed the opportunity to talk to members of the Band and learn more about the interesting lives they lead. Under the inspired leadership of Captain Ian Davis, we enjoyed a varied and wonderfully vibrant evening of music. The Band contains a wide range of very talented musicians who would not be out of place in any of the top orchestras in the world. From excerpts from West Side Story, through Orpheus in the Underworld, to their Regimental Marches Medley and the Sunset Ceremony, there was something for every taste. If you get the chance to hear them in action, do not miss the opportunity. A large sum of money was raised for this excellent cause, greatly aided by many who either sponsored the occasion or gave their services for nothing. Not content with this, the next Elgin Club fund raiser for Help for Heroes takes place this coming week-end, where they will seek to create a continuous human chain from Elgin to the main gates of Lossiemouth RAF air base. If you can help them to achieve this, please do go along. This event also has the potential to raise many thousands of pounds for a really wonderful cause. Our young men and women willingly put their lives on the line round the world for our benefit. I hope that everyone will help those who have suffered in this cause, as much as they possibly can.

IPDG's Travels Week 9

The two great delights of a past DG are the freedom to decide how you will spend each day, and having the opportunity to get re-acquainted with the members and activities of one's own Club. The latter saw Daphne and I heading westwards to the south bank of the River Tay to join up with some 60 Rotarians and their partners, to cruise up river to Perth. We were fortunate to be in the care of Rotarian Dennis Beattie, who is incredibly knowledgeable about this particular part of the world.The weather was glorious, people had come along with all sorts of refreshments, both liquid and solid, and the views conveyed a totally different outlook on parts so close to our own doorstep. Very quickly after leaving Newburgh, the river took a surprisingly large curve, and Dundee and parts to the east disappeared from view. Ancient explorers reaching this point from the west, could easily be forgiven for thinking that they were approaching the eastern end of a landlocked piece of water, with no obvious way of further progress. In leisurely succession, we passed the reed beds long used to thatch cottages over a surprisingly wide area, the old bothies of the river's salmon fishers, and several still amazingly sound stone piers which figured largely in the transport of goods up and down the river.The magnificent Elcho Castle just appeared over the top of its surrounding cloak of trees, and before long the magnificent Friarton Bridge came into view. The latter is even more impressive from below than it is as one drives over it. Passing by the fringes of King Edward Island and its challenging golf course, we turned in the harbour area before retracing our journey back down river. Passing by the point at which the River Earn enters the Tay, a number of interesting birds were on view to satisfy the ornothologists amongst our group. Approaching Newburgh again, we passed by the area where, as a small boy, I used to fish from a liitle boat for flounders, taking care to assure the Tay River patrols that we were not out to hook a salmon when no one was looking. Daphne and I returned home more knowledgeable than we left, and having enjoyed a really good day out with excellent company and good fellowship. Not surprisingly, further such trips are planned which will cover other parts of the Tay Estuary.