Two Tickets to Tobermory Isle of Mull

 
  

 

            





             Two Tickets To Tobermory
What was in this oversize wicker hamper ? I was leaning to the side like the leaning tower of Pisa to help me take the weight at my side. It felt like  a rhinoceros could be in it.  "Head for the Guards Van."
 I could hardly hear my Dad over the incessant din of Glasgow's Central Station. "Train for Oban?" The stoker seemed to ignore us but without turning from piling coal "Aye" was the brisk reply. The pungent smell of train grease and  burning coal remains a captured memory to this day. The steam was slowly hissing from the funnel when we hoisted the hideous hamper with it's secrets into place. We run up the carriages, found one empty,twisted the brass handle and grabbing the poles and rods from me. We sat at the windows on the dark cushioned bench seats across from one another. As the guard waved his flag the iron horse blasted it's goodbye whistle. Soon the ratadada,ratadada,ratadada rhythm of wheel on rail carried us northwest.
It was c1952 I was in my early teens. My hands  were still red and wrinkled from the Rhino but I soon forgot them as we both tucked into homemade sandwiches and hot tea.
At Oban it was de'ja'vu. Running,doubling up hands, then my call, "change hands"as we limped from the railway station around the bay toward the ferry dock. 

 


As we rested I glanced up at McCaig's Folly as it was known then. It overlooked the bay. I knew it took John McCaig five years to build the unfinished home for his family and then he run out of money. He left money in his will to have it completed by his family but they never did. Was that the Folly? 
I had work to do, which was no laughing matter but my Dad had that sense of bonhomie he knew it was tough on me but we made it. Destination Tobermory,I felt like a frontiersman heading for the unknown.  
The hamper was loaded by dock hands along with other cargo. This included a small herd of cattle to be dropped off at Salen on the way. It was not long before the Luftwaffe seagulls attacked the last of our food. Time to take cover.
The bay was surreal,I felt we had just sailed over the Spanish galleon reputed to have sunk while taking shelter following their Armada routed in1588. A fisher man's row of homes overlooked the bay,a few fishing boats in the harbour and repair garage at the end of the sea front where Dad had words. I never saw where the Rhino went.We must have walked for miles passing Loch Frisa on the quiet country road leading to the hamlet of Dervaig. Thankfully the campsite was in view, overlooking Loch Torr.
We were met by my dad's friend, his gleaming silver 500cc Triumph motor bike and...... the Rhino. I was quick to open the hamper which revealed a cornucopia of tinned foods, cups plates, pots,potatoes,waders, wellington boots,fishing bags and a very large Bell tent with guy ropes, pegs and a mallet. Now I understood why the burden was so great.
I am reminded of the countless amount of baggage we carry around with us causing depression,anxiety,guilt complexes all sorts of mental illnesses. 
There may be some who have decided to amputate God from their lives, but I find great comfort from knowing that the love of God abides in me and I pray exudes from me. Don't let your burden kill you,or your past/present follies deter you. Reach out to the Father who knows and appreciates your situation.

Keep right on to the end of the road
Keep right on to the end
If the way be long 
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on round the bend
Though your tired and weary
Still journey on
Till you come to your happy abode
Where all you love 
And been dreaming of
Will be there 
at the end of the road.
                                        Sir Harry Lauder 

Thanks for taking the time to read this rather long Blog.