Summer Outing: Saturday 28th August 2004
A comprehensive report of the event by our honorary associate member
Being neither an appreciator of whisky nor an aquaculturist, I was honoured when WASA President Charles McGurk invited to me attend this esteemed organisation’s inaugural summer outing – a day steaming on the Waverley, the world’s last remaining ocean-going paddle steamer.
The day began in none too promising fashion with an early start and a hangover (actually I don’t think I had sobered up at that point). However, the hangover was soon chased away by a Bloody Mary (BM) in the bar at Queen Street Station. It was towards the end of the first BM that our fellow day trippers arrived from Stirling and they soon joined us in the bar for another one. By this point, hangovers were well and truly banished back down the railway tracks.
11:01am: time for some refreshment in Queen St station! (left to right) the WASA president, treasurer, vice-president, & executive officer
The train journey to Helensburgh, from whence we were to embark upon our cruise, was uneventful, save for some “joker” who upon overhearing our plans informed us that the Waverley was unable to dock at Helensburgh and we would have to catch a bus to Kilcreggan. This
amusing fellow’s statement was soon proved to be a rather poor joke after a quick telephone call upon arrival at Helensburgh pier to the Waverley’s control room.
Train travel is such hungry work and without further ado we removed ourselves to the Palace chippy* – Helensburgh’s finest! It was here that we made an astonishing discovery – they had two chilled drawers full of grated cheese! This was as big a surprise to me as everyone else and I had spent 16 years of my life in Helensburgh! If only I had known – how different my life might have been? After several flashes of the drawers of cheese
(see below) it was off to eat our sausage/fish/haggis/whatever suppers and drink our Irn-Bru on the pier, in time-honoured Helensburgh teenager fashion.
The legendary drawers of cheese in the Palace, Helensburgh
All aboard: the voyage for WASA continues from Tighnabruaich!
The Waverley arrived on time; we boarded without further ado and promptly made our way to the bar. The selection of malts (according to those who know) at the bar was a little disappointing (absent?), however, President McGurk rescued the situation with his trusty hip-flask. I in the meantime contented myself with beer, the bottled Stella being particularly lukewarm.
A relaxing drink on-board
The cruise continued with stops at Dunoon, Rothesay and Tighnabruaich where we disembarked for an hour, which gave the whisky appreciators a chance to sample the range of single malts in the nearest hotel. Tasting notes were duly compiled, cigars were smoked and then it was back on board for the return to Helensburgh.
Our party soon annexed a corner of the bar area with a good view of the “band” and the “dance-floor” and we were soon joined by a party of rather raucous “ladies”. (Un)fortunately our travelling companions departed at Rothesay (I think) only to be replaced by an equally charming gaggle of women. More whisky and beer were consumed and enjoyed and before long it wasn’t just the Waverley that was steaming.
The band & dance-floor
All too soon we had arrived in Helensburgh and our day “doon the watter” was over. However, the fun wasn’t over yet and after a go on the dodgems, during which I repeatedly targeted two young neds (or chavs as I believe they are now known), we ambled in the direction of the station. As there was a wait until the next train we crossed the street to the Station Bar – a real old man’s pub that opens (apparently) at 6am. After several pints, several missed trains and several earnest discussions between Niall and some old boy whose seat we had stolen, we finally got on board the train back to Glasgow. Unfortunately, I can’t give you an accurate account of our return journey as my only memories of it are getting on the train and then being urged to wake up at Queen Street.
Time to disembark upon return to Helensburgh
Although the weather disappointed, I think all present would agree that the first ever WASA outing was a success and I look forward to being an honorary guest on many more such trips.
Steven R Baker Esq., BVMS, MRCVS
*chippy = Scottish term for a chip shop, i.e. purveyor of lipid-enriched deep-fried products
(Ed)