A ghost, an angel or just a great guy?

So, like I fool, I drove into flood water late on Saturday night and, needless to say, got stuck in what looked like a lake, beneath a bridge.

Other, less foolish, drivers, took one look at my stranded car and U-turned but, as I sat trying in vain to restart the engine and contemplating a long night, a young man waded out of the darkness, in wellies and shorts.

After a few words (he sounded German or maybe Dutch) he started pushing and, miraculously, the engine caught, and I managed to get out of it. He must have been absolutely drenched but, after getting going, I couldn’t risk stopping to thank him.

I don’t know if he was ghost, an angel or just a Good Samaritan willing to help a random stranger but what a great guy. What an absolutely great guy.

M Alexander, Glasgow

Art of delusion

Every night on the news we hear about record-breaking temperatures and the worst-ever fires and floods all across the world.

How long are we going to carry on sticking our heads in the sand about climate change?

Diane Pender, Perth

For peat’s sake

Further to you report raising concern about distillers’ depleting peat reserves on the Isle of Islay. The recipe for whisky is believed to have been carried to the Hebrides by Irish monks. It’s odd to think of modern Scottish distilling as a successful by-product of those long distant missionary endeavours.

I spent a memorable year as a young GP on Islay. There seemed to be rather an abundance of peat when travelling the 10 miles from Port Ellen to Islay Hospital in Bowmore.

The island economy is very dependent on whiskey distilling and related tourism. Is it wise to let the predictions of climate modellers dictate every political or economic decision?

Dr T J Hardy, Belfast

The cost of medals

Do we really think the millions given to our athletes so they can win a few Olympic medals every four years is worth it? I don’t. Give it to youth clubs or build community pitches instead.

The amount of lottery money given to Team GB is ridiculous. The rowing team, most of them from very privileged backgrounds, got more than £20million! For what? Janet Buchan, by email

Royal’s long summer

And here was me thinking that Sarah Ferguson being invited to Balmoral this summer was the start of a process which would see her and Prince Andrew shortly remarrying, thus bringing him back in from the cold as the “good man” she keeps saying he is.

I can’t see that happening now. Judi Martin, Maryculter

Getting the needle

The article by Prof Stuart Blume on vaccines might have mentioned the invention of the hypodermic syringe by Dr Alexander Wood, born in Cupar, Fife, in 1845.

Its fine bore needle was based on the hollow nature of a bee’s sting. Jim Adamson, by email