Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Day 13 - Welcome to Scotland
Carlisle to Dumfries - 39 miles
'Guidmornin',campers,'saidMickasheburstthroughthedoor.Hestoodinthedoorway
bouncingaroundonhistoesshadowboxing.Hewasfullofenergyandenthusiasm,andwas
clearly not feeling any after effects from the previous day's drinking.
'Ah heard voices comin' frae in here an' it took me a wee while tae remember ah hud
brooght ye home.'
'Yeah, it took us a while to remember where we were, too,' I said.
'What did ah tell ye mah name was?' he asked.
'Mick,' said Ben.
'Ach, noo. Ah say 'at tae fowk ah dunnae kinn. Mah real name is Ronnie.'
Ronnie offered us breakfast but then discovered he didn't have any food in the house. In-
stead he made us a coffee and topped them up with the remainder of the whisky. He then sat
backinhisarmchairandspentanhourretellingmostofthestoriesabouthislifethathehad
toldusthenightbefore.NeitherRonnienorhisflatseemedquitesodauntinginthedaytime.
Fromhissittingroomwindow,youcouldseeintothebackgardenwhichwassharedwith
a row of six other flats. Ronnie, it transpired, was the designated head gardener.
'Nobody else aroond here gi'es a jobby abit plants,' he said.
He had done a brilliant job. It wasn't going to win any awards at Chelsea, but you could
tell he had put a lot of time and effort into the garden. It was fascinating to witness the two
extremesidestoRonnie'spersonality.Partofhimwasanangry,bitter,cynical,formerkiller.
The other part was a generous, thoughtful, kind, nature-loving old man.
Shortly after completing the trip (damn it, I've spoilt the ending again), he sent me a
lovely long letter saying how much he had enjoyed us both staying with him, and to thank
me for some audio books that I had sent him. He enclosed a couple of poems - including a
new one, which he said he wrote about me.
Out of your eyes
The love of life appears
Seeking liberty to feel
The actual, the real.
Your solitude absorbs
So gladly…
Knowing and yet unknowing me
I've no need to explain
The want of wanting
Search WWH ::




Custom Search