24th September 2024 (Tuesday) 08.00 .... The sky is definitely showing promising signs this
morning; we have lighter cloud with small blue patches here and there! I'm thinkin' sunny spells! The forecast is "Light rain with a moderate breeze (N)"; and it will feel cold for the time of year. I don't think I'll be wandering far this morning. The heating is set at Double 'R' (18C)... and the computer fired up. Off to have breakfast.... and a mug o' coffee. 16.30 Ian phoned suggest we have a walk up the Ferry High Street this morning.... and that is what we did, after a morning cuppa as a shower o' rain and Ian arrived at Ivy Cottage at the same time.. Eventually the rain relented and we set off.... and got to the Ferry Corner where we had a look at just how wide the East end of the Ferry High Street would have been prior to 1947, before the bottom house on Ferry Road, and two on the High Street were demolished. We then started on the High Street. Ian's family lived in The Ferry from 1939 until 1944, and his memory of that time is utterly amazing. He remembered the names of the folk who lived in various houses and shops. On the way up we met Marcia are chatted about the 'Auld Ferry', we then continued up the street and met Andrew and chatted
 |
| Pre 1947 Ferry Corner. |
about the 'Auld Ferry'. After a very interesting, (and quick) hour and a half we were almost at Cadger's Wynd; where we decided to go down to the beach. Ian wanted to have a close look at the Cockstail Rocks, decided to miss out on the sand. I got a photo of Ian on his way through the bents to the beach; then the camera battery died.... and I didn't have a spare in my pocket? Meanwhile Ian continued with his nostalgic trip to the Cockstail and caught me up at 'John and Jenny's seat'.... where we had a break before going back to Ivy. On the way we stopped to have a look at the Toon Hall notice board to check the time of the talk about the Battle of Arnhem, by Ian Gale... on Wednesday evening The Polish soldiers billeted in Elie and Earlsferry were part of the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, dropped at Arnhem where they suffered substantial losses. 21.30 I enjoyed being out in The Ferry with Ian. Almost every house we passed he remembered something or someone connected with it....for instance he remembered that two evacuee kids from Glasgow lived in 'Waverley' . He remembered the owners of the different shops.... and Earlsferry had |
| Ian going down to the beach. |
a lot of shops in those days! One of his most vivid memories was watching the Polish plaque on the Town Hall being being unveiled by General Sikorski... in June 1943. His memories of those far off days are so clear you can imagine being there with him. I'll miss Ian when he sets of on his journey back home (Australia) on Thursday.
The temperature has dropped considerably (I've been out at the bucket) and it has been raining.
