Sound of Scalpay

This was my Dad's boat. Well, he thought so anyway. For maybe twenty years he was chief engineer on this ferry crossing the Clyde between Gourock and Dunoon many times each day.

I had a great day in Dunoon today, hadn't gone by ferry for a while. It's nearly twenty years since Dad finally retired and nearly five since his coffin was piped aboard for his final journey. It still doesn't seem right not to go down to the throbbing engine room for a mug of tea. On the return journey the wind had got up. I was the only person scampering around on deck dodging the waves, leaning into the roll of the ship, breathing deep, gleeful. It's in the blood.