|
 . Early days of the ramble and our members are full of expectation |
 It was a welcome change to be able to drive comfortably four abreast and chat with each other. |
 The return journey and Cramond promenade has definitely lived up to our expectations. |
 Alex looks over the Forth towards Tom Farmer's private pile. Cheers |
It was a beautiful sunny morning when we arrived at Cramond car park in
preparation for our latest outing. It's always a pleasant experience when we
ramble along footpaths and through dense woodland, but Cramond promenade made a
very welcome change from that. The promenade is as wide as a main road and hugs
the foreshore along the southern edge of the river Forth. At most points we
could move comfortably five abreast giving our members the chance to chat and
exchange thoughts on the glorious views as we progressed eastward towards
Granton.
With the exception of one puncture which Bruce eventually managed
to fix the day was problem free. We were treated to clear views across the
river to Kinghorn in Fife and seawards towards the huge island in the mouth of
the river, which we were told belongs to Tom Farmer, one of Scotland's richest
entrepreneurs. Beyond that we could clearly see the Bass rock off North
Berwick. At one stage some of our more adventurous members considered the idea
of taking the causeway across to Cramond Island. Fortunately the incoming tide
prevented them from even trying which was probably a blessing in disguise.
We raised a lot of interest amongst the other users of the promenade, many
of whom were surprised to see so many smiling people on scooters and several of
them stopped us to ask who we were. When we reached the Granton end of the
promenade we all sat together for an enjoyable packed lunch and a chat before
retracing our outward journey back to the car park.
Every day out with the
Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers is a pleasure and the Cramond to Granton
promenade was definitely up to standard.
 Harperleas audit |
 Hamish and Angus with Joe |
FTDR is running a ramble for disabled people as part of the Fife Outdoor
Access Festival on 7 August 2010. Volunteers Jim, Joe, Jan, Bee and Helena plus
spaniels Hamish and Angus were out at the site yesterday to carry out a safety
and access audit. The sun blazed down on what must be one of the hottest days
of the year but, thankfully, there was a cool breeze blowing. Helena 's little
scooter managed the route with only minimal assistance on the slope near the
start, which has been eroded over the winter months. Hamish and Angus kept cool
in the reservoir - it's definitely a dog's life! If we are blessed with similar
weather for the festival it is not to be missed!
 Registration at the Nevis Centre |
 Manning the road crossing at Lochaber High |
Eight brave (or crazy) volunteers travelled to Fort William to act as
marshals at the Tennent Caledonian Challenge, a 54 mile 24 hour sponsored event
on the West Highland Way . On Friday evening they registered over 900 walkers
then met them at Checkpoint 1 at Lochaber High School on Saturday morning as
they logged in en route to Strathfillan, where the walk now finishes. Our
thanks to all who gave up their weekend and raised £1200 for the club.
Several committee volunteers manned an information stand at the '11th
Annual Curtis Motors Disability Awareness Day'. There were representatives from
a number of other local and national disability charities.
 History lesson |
 Looking for red squirrels |
Seven members of the committee took part in the Angus Glens Walking
Festival ramble around Crombie Country Park near Dundee . Two rangers led the
walk and gave a very interesting talk on the history of the area and the flora
and fauna in the park. The ramble will appear in the programme for 2011.
 With help from the hoist |
 Ready to board |
 Out on the loch |
|
Five members of FTDR responded to an invitation to go sailing on Loch
Ore with Sailability Scotland. The event was organised by Merrick Yates and
Neil Perry An increasing number of FTDR members are taking part in leisure
opportunities for disabled people including gliding and curling.
Following
the sailing visit, committee member, Leslie Barr, put a few lines together to
the tune 'I am sailing' and he offers his profuse apologies to Rod Stewart
especially for the second verse. The ditty also includes his experiences of
gliding, curling and of course rambling.
| We went sailing, five went sailing Our first time 'cross Loch Ore We were sailing on calm waters O for wind, a little more. We went gliding we were flying Like a bird across the sky We were gliding passing high clouds To be so high, to be free. We went sailing, we went sailing On Loch Ore , it was a dream We went gliding o'er Loch Leven Its waters, rough and serene. We went curling, we went curling On the ice at Kinross We went curling in our wheelchairs 'Throwing' stones with great cause. And above all else! We go rambling, we go rambling Round Loch Leven and Loch Ore In the hills and through the glens We look forward, 'let's explore!' |
Thanks to Leslie for his poetic efforts and we look forward to other
members following suit.
FTDR has been awarded £540 from the Mary Leishman Foundation to
cover the cost of appearing at the Scottish Mobility Roadshow at Ingliston in
September.
 Rhododendrons in bloom |
 Beautiful |
 Jim and Joyce |
|
FTDR members were out in force at Balbirnie Park , Markinch for the
first of two June rambles. Volunteer Jim Wyllie led the group around a
circuitous route in the park that took in the stone circle and the viewpoint
before reaching the picnic tables by the river. The park is well-known for its
rhododendron bushes, which were in full bloom. Members voted it one of the best
ever rambles.
 Leaving the marina |
 Multi use |
 Ladies who lunch - a few of our volunteers |
 Davie's boat |
Forth & Tay'S latest outing was to the Forth & Clyde Canal
starting at Auchinstarry Marina. Most unusually the bus arrived an hour early -
well done 'Harry the Bus' - giving members the perfect excuse to drop in to the
Boathouse Restaurant for a welcome coffee and a bacon roll before the start.
An icy blast blew along the canal as we crossed the road bridge to the
towpath. However, once in the shelter of the trees the temperature rose.
Numerous cyclists of all ages and abilities passed along the way. Fishermen
lined the canal side all along the route. Davie (from the social enterprise
'Unity Barges') accompanied us on his boat, Mytho. He kept everyone entertained
feeding the swans and taking photos. Two horses passed behind on the road
bridge at Craigmarloch. The canal and the towpath is truly multi use.
Stopping first at Kelvinhead picnic area for a quick cup of coffee and a
snack the group then turned back towards Auchinstarry. Three deer were spotted
in the fields on the return journey. The ramble finished with a lovely meal in
the Boathouse Restaurant where the staff made us very welcome.
 Admiring the bird life |
 First breakdown of the season |
 Lunch time |
 Stepping it out |
Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers began the new season in a baptism of
hailstones at Monikie Country Park. The park is midway between Monifieth and
Arbroath. Fortunately the hail was short lived and gave way to dry but bitterly
cold weather. There was a wonderful turn out of 49 people - 23 on scooters and
26 on foot plus twa' dugs. There were two new members including a young one of
22 years and a new volunteer - another youngster by our standards!
The main
feature of the country park is the two reservoirs which at one time supplied
the local population with 3 million gallons of fresh water a day. The combined
shore lines of the lochs, at around 2 miles long, are mainly on grass surface.
The elevation provided a wonderful panorama looking across to Tentsmuir Forrest
in Fife and the nearby Angus Hills. Spring was in the air with green shoots on
the trees and shrubs with some beautiful early wildflowers. The bird life on
the ponds included the flight of the heron while the woodland revealed a mother
red squirrel with her baby. One of the ramblers said that she was 'positively
euphoric!' and that is an excellent start to the season. After the cold which
at times bordered on freezing, a welcome coffee and cake was much appreciated
at the nearby Dobbie's garden centre.
 Gliding |
 Gliding |
It's official. Maria Duncan is MAD. She decided that for Christmas from
her family she would like money towards something special - so she chose to
have her first flight in a Glider plus 3 months trial membership of the local
gliding club - and all for £50
She waited all spring with baited
breath until the weather was a bit more settled, then 4 days after her 62nd
birthday she finally took to the air - all thanks to SGU Walking on Air -
Gliding for the Disabled based at Portmoak. Walking on Air is a charitable
organisation with a specially adapted glider and lots of fantastic volunteers
who love to fly and like to share the experience with others.
On the day,
Leslie, a fellow disabled rambler, curler, gliding enthusiast and adrenalin
junkie went along to take photographs. With her son boosting her moral and a
friend trying to make her see sense she eventually took to the air. It was
FANTASTIC and she is booked to go again next week!
You may have heard that
she was doing it as a sponsored event with all money raised going to Forth and
Tay Disabled Ramblers. The total has yet to be counted so there is still time
to give a donation should anyone wish to do so. Sincere thanks to anyone who
has already donated.
 Helena receiving the cheque |
FTDR has just received a generous cheque for £750 from the recent
disbursement of profits by the St Ninian's Charity Shop and Community Cafe
Trust. The newly refurbished cafe was officially opened on the same day that
the grants were made to eighteen local organisations.
 Local People Local Paths |
Paths for All, in partnership with FEVA (Forum for Environmental
Volunteering Activity), Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural
Heritage held a national networking conference for people involved with
community paths on Wednesday 24 March at SNH's Battleby Conference Centre.
The event consisted of workshops, presentations and networking
opportunities on fundraising, planning and project management, promotion,
innovative approaches to improving access and working in partnership.
Jan, Helena and Maria attended the event and manned a stand
highlighting the activities of Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers.
 Volunteers at FTDR's table |
 Chinese dancers |
 Swing yer pardner! |
|
During International Women's Week an event was held in Elmwood College ,
Cupar as part of the celebration of diversity of women in East Fife . Several
members of the Management Committee manned a stall in the Marketplace to raise
awareness of FTDR's activities. Throughout the day there were displays of
Chinese dancing, belly dancing, and Tai Ji. There were also workshops in craft
and cookery activities.
For the first time, two of our ramblers recently took part in the
Scottish Wheelchair Curling Championships in Aberdeen. Maria Duncan and Leslie
Barr are members of the Kinross Wheelchair Curling Club which was formed in
2001. They were part of a team of five which weathered very heavy snow before
arriving in Aberdeen in time for the event which featured 10 teams from Moray
in the north to Hamilton in the south. The winning team was 'Team GB' which
within a few days left for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. Although it had
been a few years since a Kinross team had participated in the Scottish
championships the members gave a very good account of themselves. The
photograph of Maria and Leslie clearly shows how much they enjo
yed the
experience of being part of a Championship where the camaraderie was quite
extraordinary.
 Maria and Leslie |
Two weeks after their visit to Aberdeen, they were on their way to the
internationally acclaimed Greenacres Rink near Howwood in Renfrewshire. They
were part of a team of six curlers competing in the exciting 'Friendship Cup'
for pairs and triples events. Leslie said 'participating in this sport at such
a level was just wonderful. We have much to learn and we have the appetite to
build on those experiences. Maria and I, along with the other team members are
looking forward to improved wheelchair curling performances based on regular
coaching.'
'Come and Try' sessions will take place in early autumn at
Kinross and advance notice will be given of the starting dates. This is open to
all who have serious mobility problems. The picture of June Greig (left),
Elspeth Harrison (in the wheelchair) and Maria Duncan (right) was taken at such
a session and shows much concentration and a desire to learn. Come and join the
club.
 June Greig, Elspeth Harrison and Maria Duncan |
2003, 2004,
2005, 2006,
2007, 2008,
2009