Irene

Today I visited my friend, Irene, in Crieff. Although it rained all day, I was enthralled by the autumnal splendour of Perthshire. It is such a beautiful county!

I first met Irene in the early 70s when we taught together at Gairbraid Primary School in Maryhill. At the time she was working full-time, busy mum of four school-aged boys with their various sporting activities, and she often had to drive her husband, John, to the airport before coming into school. I admired her so much.

She 'adopted' me as the daughter she never had, but went on to have four daughters-in-law of whom she is very fond, which says a lot for her! Now in her mid-80s she is still very much one of my treasured friends.