Page 125 - Microsoft Word - Guiding light final version 0839 1106.doc

When I arrived at the quayside about twenty minutes before departure, I saw the ship slowly edging away from the jetty! I yelled frantically at the passengers who were out on deck and a crew member was alerted to assist me on board. My suitcase was heaved over the side and I was helped via the nearest aperture – the galley – into the ship. A loud cheer went up as I made it safely on board. Phew.
We returned by coach to the ship one evening and were looking forward as usual to our excellent dinner. After the guests had gone to their cabins, one of the senior members of the crew asked to speak to us guides urgently. He looked tense and anxious. What could have happened? Apparently the head chef had walked out and there was ‘nae’ dinner to be had that evening! Panic. Emergency. Think on your feet! We called the local pub to see if they could cater for about 16 hungry folk. All well. We then announced over the PA that we had a surprise for them this evening. For a change, we were going to have dinner at the local pub. They were delighted and enjoyed their evening.’
Train adventures
‘Various luxury train companies operate in Scotland and provide wonderful excursions for visitors. However, these private trains run on a tight schedule and, in the event of any delay, service trains have priority. This particular day we were heading from Edinburgh Waverley to Oban. As the journey progressed, various hold-ups occurred on the line and, as we neared Oban, it became clear that we were not going to arrive in time to catch the ferry to Mull. I urged our head guide to speak to the train manager to make a PA announcement to that effect. We guides, in the meantime, would come up with some alternative plans for our guests! ‘Think on your feet!’ For reasons which I have never understood, the train manager was unwilling to break the bad news to the 200 guests enjoying their lunch on the train. As the train pulled into the station, we saw, to our horror, our ferry slowly steaming its way out of the port. My heart sank. We quickly devised plans for walks, shopping or to take the next ferry to Mull and return on the same boat (due to tight train departure times). I have never felt so stressed in my life as I watched the guests slowly making their way along the platform where we had arranged to meet them for further instructions. One of the guides has a very loud penetrating voice and I grabbed her and said: ‘Davina, you have come into your own today. Here is where your voice will be vital! Get up on that park bench and deliver the news!’ More and more passengers arrived off the train and, as the guide’s announcement filtered through, there were angry outbursts and demands for a refund of their outlay. The news had to be repeated over and over again until all the guests had left the train. My urge was to escape as soon as possible out of here! I gathered a group together to climb up to Craig’s Folly above the town. What a relief it was to be out of that pressure cooker!’
Cancellation and chaos
‘We were heading for Oban in two coaches to catch the ferry to Mull. On reaching Craignure, our passengers disembarked on foot and then boarded our waiting coaches at the end of the pier. Our next stop was across the other side of the island at Fionniphort for the short ferry crossing to Iona. As we waited for the passengers, we were informed that the ferry to Iona had been CANCELLED, due to strong cross-currents and winds! Cancelled? Oh no! This meant our whole day had to be re-arranged but to do what? A visit to Iona Abbey had been arranged, followed by lunch in one of the island’s hotels. When I gave my colleague the bad news, he turned a deathly white with panic. He wanted to about-turn immediately and head back to the mainland on the next ferry. I disagreed. Frantic phone calls ensued; first to our tour manager who agreed with me that we should stay on Mull; second, to cancel the lunch on Iona and third, to book a different lunch venue on Mull at short notice to accommodate 40 people! The last task was not easy but we eventually persuaded the Mishnish in Tobermory to cater for us as best they could. Phew.
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