David McLean's thoughts, incorporating Life Is a Journey.

The tall and majestic peak of Ben Lomond, the most southerly munro in Scotland, sits on the east side of "the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond". There are many mountains and lochs in Scotland, but none that surpass, or share the sentiment, or romantic overtones of this beautiful area, just a few short miles to the north of the city of Glasgow. The Ben and Loch have been the subject of numerous songs and poems over many years, and a visit to the shores of Loch Lomond, with an uninterrupted view of the neck and shoulders of this tourist attraction, will show why.

We all have our favourite places to visit, and this is one of mine. It doesn't matter that the view is the same, time after time, or that the weather is rain, hail or shine, it still draws me back, and to the same place at Duck Bay. As a family, we have picnicked there, played games, paddled and swam in the icy cold waters, yes even in summer! We walked the shores, ate in one of the local restaurants, and yes even climbed all the way to the peak of the Ben, over 3,000 feet up a long and winding track. Our children learned to walk there, and felt the first rush of cold water, as they sat in a rock pool of one of the many small tributaries feeding the main body of water. In the days before we had a car of our own, we would borrow one from one of our 'better off' relations and pile in as many as we could, and still close the doors (those were the days before seat belts, and passenger limits which exist today). Those were happy and carefree times, and perhaps made the foundation for happy family experiences, which in hindsight would become the reason for going back, even though my own family are grown with children of their own now. I suppose it's a way to try to relive, or reclaim a part of a bygone time.

"Making memories, out of gardens, from each tiny seed we'd sow" ... taken from a family poem written in warm reflection of a Granda who didn't have much to give, except his time and love. Oh well, when it comes to making memories, some things just don't change!