Where's Derek?

Derek going forth to the Forth Bridge

Derek Adams, our intrepid 80 year-young church steward, is now in Scotland on the third leg of his trek round the coast of Britain. The map shows his progress to date.

He is raising funds for the NHS. the RNLI and British Heart Foundation. If you would like to contribute, click here for his Just Giving page.

Derek's wife Sue keeps his Facebook followers informed with her regular updates. Here is her latest blog.

Episode 7, Leg 3, March 25th – 27th.

Good evening all...(Hands up if you remember that introduction.) I hope that you have all had a good weekend. Our Wanderer had a good one I think combining walking, with socialising and exploring places of interest.

Saturday March 25th saw him cross the Forth Bridge, to Inverkeithing. Then on foot where possible, and by bus when not, made his way to Anstruther. ON his way there he was impressed to see two different WW1 VC heroes honoured by having their names on their town/village signs. They were John Mcauley at Kinghorn, and Robert Dunshire at Buckhaven. What a lovely idea.

He then crossed the Tay Bridge into Dundee. The original Tay Bridge, which carried trains was demolished by high winds in 1879, all passengers on the train that had been crossing at the time perished. Some say that this is where the expression "a botch job" originated as the man who designed the bridge , Thomas Bouch was blamed for the inadequate construction of the bridge.
Dundee is famous for "Jute, Jam and Journalism".....and cake, I would add.

Sunday, March 26th
Derek set off from his accommodation which was about 2 miles out of the centre of Dundee amid snow flurries, in search of a Church. He followed the sound of bells and arrived at St Paul's Cathedral Episcopal Church, where again he was given a warm Scottish welcome. It was a Communion service, with a large choir, and "lots of singing." Lots of chatting, coffee and Dundee cake followed the service, before he continued on his way.

He walked to Broughty Ferry , and said that small oil rigs are towed here for maintenance. This is what I have written down...but is that feasible? Doesn't sound right to me, but he will be asleep by now, so I can t phone and check with him. Anyway on his way he heard a band playing and saw a man wearing RNLI uniform and told Derek that they were having an Open Day. Sure enough the sun came out, there were about 200 hundred people gathered around the Station, and on the beach, including a couple of dozen Hell's Angels, lots of lovely bubbly people, including Helen and granddaughter, and lots more cake! The RNLI staff worked out that Derek has now covered 880 miles since he set off in Lee on the Solent. Not bad for an old 'un.

Monday, March 27th.
Back along the coast to St Andrews, skirting round the golf course. They didn't charge him, thankfully. He was told th.at it is £350 per person per round. Of course you have to be a member to be able to play at all – I can't imagine what the membership cost is!Derek then walked by RAF Leuchars, where his brother Keith served, then back across the Tay Bridge and into Dundee.

He spent time in Dundee looking at places of interest, and statues, including one to honour it's claim to fame re journalism, feturing Desperate Dan, his dog Dawg, and MInnie the Minx.
Another flash back to the 50's! On that note I will sign off for tonight. Good night all.