Day trippers thankful for islanders’ kindness

A visitor to Colonsay is feeling thankful for the kindness of strangers on the island after his glasses that went missing for three weeks were returned to the mainland.

Brian Steven and wife Agnes were on a longplanned trip to the island from Knapdale last month when his glasses went missing after a walk on the strip of causeway sand connecting Colonsay to neighbouring Oronsay at low tide.

Agnes explained: ‘It had been long planned - to do the Wednesday round trip on the CalMac ferry from Kennacraig via Islay, to Colonsay for lunch and a 12-mile walk to the linked tidal “island” of Oronsay - then back home to Kintyre by 11pm.

‘Previous efforts had failed but all conspired for us last month, including a miracle last-minute fix for the MV Hebridean Isles’ malfunctioning bilge pump, to make it happen.

‘And in the wettest Argyll month for decades, the sun shone.

‘The ferry trip was sensational, the CalMac breakfast superb, the scenery magnificent.

‘And the hike to Oronsay beyond all expectations, just sublime - a perfect day indeed.

‘But then, my husband’s specs had “gone”, all pockets and unlikely personal places searched in vain.

‘Many people will have had that sinking feeling following the familiar refrain: “I’ve lost my glasses!” – and when the woe extends to a recently acquired, very expensive pair of prescription varifocal lens and high-end frames, the pain can be exacerbated.’

Torn whether to risk the rising tide to retrace their steps, Brian turned to asking passing locals if they had noticed a pair of glasses on the ground - including island artist Jane Rose, who they had met earlier on their day trip.

Agnes explained how the glasses found their way back to Knapdale.

She explained: ‘Jane Rose was taking her dog for a walk and like her fellow islanders, promised to keep a look out. Jane added that if she found them, she would hand them into the post office.

Three weeks or so later, on a wet Wednesday morning we were watching the Hebridean Isles sail out of West Loch Tarbert on her weekly journey, and Brian suddenly remembered Jane’s promise about the post office.

‘Emma, from the post office on Colonsay, answered, saying: “Yes, we have your specs, Jane Rose handed them in and we’ve been waiting to hear from you”.

‘We wanted to share our thanks to Colonsay’s fantastic residents, especially Jane Rose and Emma at the post office.’