This story was started while we were visiting the Rosemarkie Caravan Site in July 2022.

The piece is in response to a Writers’ Circus challenge to write ‘a shaggy doggy story’.

There are dolphins most days at Chanonry Point which juts out into the Moray Firth.

Read on and learn what happened one day in July.

Fankle is a Scottish word, meaning ‘in a tangle’.

This piece was penned during quiet moments in April 2022 on Tenerife as celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary with our family. Our group comprised Margaret and me; Stuart and Debs with Matthew (11), Zac (19 months) Rory (3 months); and Craig and Lee with Ethan (8) and Drew (6).

Our accommodation and weather were perfect and we had a great time, a slice of Paradise!

The tale itself recounts parts of my life brought to mind when I think of the bikes I have owned and the adventures I enjoyed on them.

This backdrop also enabled me to add some family history as it came to mind while tapping away on my iPad, information which may be of interest to family and friends and, in later years, to our grandsons.

Many thanks to Margaret for proof reading this piece and guiding me to a better result.

This little tale was penned in response to a Writers’ Circus challenge set by me!

My topic was “anything suggested by listening to “Only in Sleep”.”

Here are two You Tube addresses.

https://youtu.be/fvPynMI6Umc

https://youtu.be/rGvh9weuDhE

The first is my favourite version, as referenced in the story.

The second I love because it is so atmospheric.

Try both, why don’t you!

Then read my tale, please.

This short story was written for Writers’ Circus, on the topic of ‘Snow’.

Reach for your tissues!

This story was written in response to a Writers’ Circus challenge on the theme of friendship.

Once I started tapping the keys, the story kept kept coming at me, relentlessly, and I was on track for submission on the due date of Tuesday 14 September 2021, the second Tuesday of the month.

However, its completion was delayed as an other tale took priority (see “Smugglers’ Cove”) which I posted to this website a few days ago.

The central idea of the Glee Club is based on fact. In the story the hero called Jimmy Shaw is based on an equally lovely man called Jimmy H who came to see me down through many years in business. He was a technical rep whose firm provided pumps and pressurising systems for buildings.

Some of you reading this may recognise Jimmy H, a man whose pockets were always filled with sweeties. As far as I knew him, Jimmy H was a non-smoker, teetotal and never once used foul language or the like. In my mind’s eye he was a true Christian gentleman. And yes, Jimmy H was indeed a BB Captain. I did not know him socially and know next to nothing of his family background.

However, before I knew him through business, I had met him several times during my time at the YF at Forsyth Memorial Congregational Church in Govanhill. Jimmy H was the star singer in a small Glee Club group who came to entertain our church audiences many times, singing a repertoire of songs old and new.

Now, please, I ask those who read this story to keep in mind that what you are reading is a work of fiction. Jimmy Shaw and his wife Irene and the other characters are from my imagination. Read on.