The route to England was sudden - for me at least. As the eldest of five and having just finished 'O' Level's, leaving behind close friends & family seemed to be the wrong thing to do and yet, it was the right thing to do in so many ways. Employment, or the lack of it, was a major factor and I'm sure it was at the top of my parents list knowing the employment situation. My career choices then were minimal - Professional Footballer, Golfer or Bin Man; or working my way up to serve deep-fried Mars Bars at the local chippy. Yes you do get them!
Hello Billingham, ICI, the Forum and Ice Hockey. Ice Hockey? I never knew there was such a thing but soon became another sport I had to try. Adding to that, there were sea-side towns I could almost walk to and and of course, jobs. In no time I had the chance of three apprenticeships and plumbed for a Mechanical Fitter and the rest they say is history.
Apart from playing football and golf in Northern Lanarkshire, Sunday's were almost always trips to the Fife Coast 'an hour and a half's' drive away. The villages from crossing the Kincardin Bridge to St Andrews seemed like second homes. Their beaches, fishing harbours & coves I knew well and successive trips back there, have kept those memories alive. One place in particular was Aberdour who's silver sands faced east and blessed with the rising sun - when it wasn't raining! Hawkcraig Point, a rocky promontory separating Aberdours two bays once played host to seaplanes during the Second World War . A couple of bits of concrete are all that remains together with a ruined pier not far from here.
The light was fast changing and no sooner came then went as quick as the rain filled clouds moved up the Firth of Forth. Will I go back? Of course I will. Will anything have changed? Probably not except the wind, the rain, the light, the temperature...
Sony A7R11 & Canon 16-35 f4.