Was it 'scotch mist' on the Clyde or just my double-glazed eyes.
Take me back to
HUGH CURRIE'S page please.
I'd heard of people seeing pink elephants and all that, (only
heard about them mind you!), but this was so different.
Was Erskine hospital providing sight AND sound !
There had been a wee bit of a celebration in the ward
the previous night and I had taken the precaution of ensuring that I had a wee dram at my bedside for the morning 'cure'
(medicinal purposes only you understand!).
I raised my glass, tilted, The Beatles sang 'we all live in a yellow submarine' on the radio as I glanced out of the window to the River Clyde.
HELP!, there sailing silently past in front of my eyes, was a
GIGANTIC YELLOW KETTLE !
Help ma boab! what was happening? Had Nessie come to offer the friendly natives of Glasgow a cuppa?
'Don't be so silly' thought I, 'how would she boil it?'
My 'high temperature symptoms' were now heading
into overdrive. 'Surely an old soldier such as I would have left TWO drams for medicinal purposes!
Panic rapidly descended upon me. Give me pink elephants like everybody else, I don't want yellow kettles (singing or otherwise), just let me have a plain old-fashioned pink elephant, PLEASE!
My mind was racing. How many tea-bags would they
require to make a good 'cuppa', and how many cups would be dispersed?
Surely Irn-Bru would be unhappy at any attempt to hi-jack the position of our second national drink? I mean, this kettle must be made from REAL girders!
The 'Laird o Coocaddens' having a tea-party to rival Boston?
HELP! Whits happening tae me? I should have stuck to milk last night! I needed help urgently!
Suddenly, Sisters voice boomed, 'Come and see the
big kettle lads, built in Port Glasgow and heading up the river to the Glasgow Garden Festival'.
What a relief! Is that why Sisters do all that training ? Pure magic, so they are. I was 'cured' instantly!
The kettle WAS real and was to be one of the exhibits at the festival.
This all happened in 1988, but to this day, I take my 'cure' with my back to the window!
For those interested in visiting the 'yellow kettle',head for PortGlasgow.
Hugh Currie, Invernairn Ward.