Carradale

[The Scouder]

Not guilty of mougering about on the quay, mornish my friend.

I have to admit that I'm pretty decrepit now and so am generally at the mercy of the tide. However, there is not an ounce of self-pity in me - even arthritic scouders have their pride.

You're dead-on about the cold though! If I had the strength I would be slipping away somewhere warmer. Pity the swimming pool isn't open - as you say, some scouders have evolved and even at my advanced stage I reckon I could handle a couple of hours in a freshwater jacuzzi.....

[GarySutherland]

I was just out in the bay and it wasn't too bad. The water's quite chilly but the breeze is mild and the bright sunshine is so nice after the last few days of rain.

Cheers
Gary

[Bochan Mor]

Easy now Gary, you might just blow us all out the water! Your starting to sound a bit like the 2 old ring net fishermen relieving themselves over the side of the boat.

The first man turns to his fellow crewman and boastfully says: 'Aye the waters damn cauld the night.'

'Aye' says the other, 'And the grund is damned hard as well!'

Or maybe you were jeest smimming?

Either way, those two old rascals must have been hardened to the effects of the scouders, either that, or it was into winter. It brought a whole new meaning to 'The Wire' that the boats used to tow astern to feel for herring. They used to say that there were good wire men and not so good. Just as they used to say: 'There's fishermen, and those that are at the fishing' I expect its the same in the fields for Mornish and the boys.

As a wise old owl used to say to me: 'When you've harrowed what I've ploughed, then your fit to comment!' Even the Henhouse must have a pecking order. What say you Bubbly Jock?

[GarySutherland]

Swimming? Not likely! Not unless the boat sinks!

Cheers
Gary

[GarySutherland]

Just so you don't think it's anything posh, here's a picture of my little boat:

[Malky]

Just so you don't think it's anything posh, here's a picture of my little boat]

Hey Gary it is posh - it's got a steering wheel

Malky

[bubbly jock]

Och well bochan mor you know what it's like with the girls from the coop.
The pecking order changes by the hour just when one is established out comes Mrs Barnes and the top chick is bobbies dinner. Mind you there are days when I wonder why I bother to crow. Clucking and fighting and then all pals again and getting stuck in to the black slugs that are rampant just now My God you should see what the best lay past the last day (sorry layer) We all thought she had been at the colligleans. A bit early for them though. I am getting a wee bit past this cock of the walk lark No respect anymore from the young chicks. I think sometimes that the light at the end of the tunnel is the train coming. Nothings the same any more Och listen to me getting all maudlin I'll be wanting to take your hand next and take the long strut past that lovely shed, sorry shop,of wee omens into the water. Might meet garry in his nickel and dime basin with the wee pram wheel in his hand Ah well I'll see what the morrow brings. Know what you mean about these fishermen though, a pair of dopers and they think theyre the the skipper

bubbly

[GarySutherland]

Oi! You be nice now about my wee cockle-shell of a boat.

Besides, the last fish I caught was a Tench if my failing memory is correct.

Spent a pleasant hour or so this evening bobbing up and down in a kayak in Campbeltown Loch. Just had to sit there and admire the view for a while.

Cheers
Gary

[bubbly jock]

Ooooh Garry you should be told what floats about in Campbeltown loch besides boats and kayaks Big floaters that would sink one of the tupperware navy boys boat. Even dent the minesweeper itself
Just thought you would like to know

[mornish]

aye i dont fancy getting too close to what passes(passed water) for water in the toon loch these days!

[GarySutherland]

No way was I going to risk drinking any of the water, don't worry. If I'd gone in everything would have been shut-up tight till I got out again.

They made some of the schoolkids swim a bit though.

Gary

[The Scouder]

They made some of the schoolkids swim a bit though.

Gary

Aye, quite right! Put them back down the chimneys as well I say......

Seriously though, it's not much fun being a scouder in Campbeltown Loch, so I'll maybe have to head north to Waterfoot. Should be there by Sunday. Watch out for the burn in the burn Gary and remember to wash your hands before you answer a call of nature!

PS As for you Bochan Mor, beware! We all have our Achilles Heel. Superman has his Kryptonite and I believe your particular poison is still dried scouder stings unless you've undergone another mutation that's changed it all again. Check the shower gel, that's all I'm saying ...

[bubbly jock]

Garry

If the worst comes to the worst and you fall in before you can get all your orifices closed and you catch something, can I get your boat?

[GarySutherland]

Gerroff!

Gary

[Bochan Mor]

Aye Scouder paste was never a friend of mine. Some of the old Gallach Plotach used to make their own carageen curries from the stuff. Made my eyes puff up, never mind any other bits. I can smell scouders on a beach or a net from a hunner yards.

As a young bochan I used to take great delight in throwing boulders into them right enough. They always got their own back as they dropped down on you from the 'Scouder Block' when you hauled the net.

I cann't imagine Bubbly Jock or any other hen for that matter, managing to run the gauntlet between Hill Sixty and the Quay, without running into a fate worse than bochanitis.

In fact, if I was a gambling man, I would say that there would be ...... all but the feathers left by the time he reached Kilbrannan. He'd be much safer running up to the top of the hill and cutting down towards the style at the back of the Wheelhouse and stravaiging along the shore road.

Just noticed the photo of Gary in his boat in the Bay. Reminded me of Jim Daniels, the other infamous jelly fish of Kintyre.