Dangerous when wet

“I remember as a young lad exploring at Dundee harbour with my pals, along the Esplanade and at Broughty Ferry. We learned how dangerously slippery the approaches to the water were. Steep steps leading down to the harbour were particularly dangerous, with no handrail and one side open to the drop below.

“Strolling round a picturesque harbour in Spain with my wife years ago, I saw a delivery man leave his light van on a slope near the harbour wall and enter a nearby shop.

“Then I noticed the van beginning to move. I stepped quickly forward and, putting my hand on the bonnet, braced myself to stop the van rolling forward into the harbour. My wife turned round and wondered what on earth I was doing leaning against a van.

“Just then, the Spanish driver returned, glanced at me, grinned, climbed into the van and drove off. He had apparently failed to realise that I had saved his van from toppling into the harbour. It was fortunate for him – and me – that it was a small, light van.

“Quaysides, slipways and harbour walls are not the safest places to manoeuvre vehicles!”