Representation, Backpacks and Final Thoughts on Visit to Scotland.

Back to clear skies but a colder Portugal after two weeks in a warm, dry Scotland

I am far away from the coal face of those digging on behalf of us displaced Zimbabwean farmers, known colloquially as Title Deed Holders (TDHs). In saying that, this week I received a couple of calls and texts that stirred my interest more so than the usual diatribe often found on the social media channels used by us ‘lost’ Zimbabwean farmers. The discussion was about who best represents us in the future and how. The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), traditionally, due more to its role before the farm invasions than presently, has continued to be viewed by the majority as our flag carriers. But as the years have progressed, there has been a growing awareness that having those who represent the active farmers, the few remaining from the yore, and the new farmers, legal or illegal, there is a clear conflict. This has been recognised by the Government and utilised on their own behalf to the fullest in maintaining the inertia in relation to settling the compensation issue in a transparent and substantive manner. Unfortunately, some past leaders of the CFU and people of influence from our midst, gained by self-promotion with Government, have aided and abetted this situation to the extent that ‘any deal’, no matter how unfair, is being accepted by the needy. This is all repetitive. But, what is important is now to try and remove this conflict, which is also recognised by the present CFU leadership and those sensible amongst us, and do so in a manner that the Government is forced to negotiate with whatever entity that would represent us for the sole purpose of compensation. I took the time to read previous ARAC chairman’s annual reports and even there they promote paying your subscription to the CFU as it reduces the cost of inputs.

“You may not recognise it, but the reality is that the CFU has demonstrably reduced the increased costs of many of your inputs, and this saving is perhaps as high as 20 times the cost of your subscription to the Union.” - Patrick Ashton Chairman of ARAC  in his 2020 annual report  

These cost reductions are of no use to us, the TDHs, unless I am gravely mistaken. They are only of use to those still farming. You cannot ask for a subscription and then not represent them to the best of your ability. That would not be very ethical. Is there a contradiction here? I am also led to believe the CFU has survived through these tough times with funds provided to it through ARAC. As the number of new farmers increases and the reliance on the ARAC subscriptions diminishes, our voice can only be weakened further within the present CFU. Now here is the tricky bit, how do you convince the Government that ARAC or whatever organisation (even the CFU) represents us and not the new farmers.

“The Government, I am sure, is ecstatic that the CFU represents both the TDHs and the new farmers. Even more so as the strength of the voice of the new farmers through subscription increases in the CFU as the TDH voice diminishes both in numbers and wealth.” - Peter McSporran.

The change of emphasis and the creation of the entity, even if it is a simple role change, will be difficult, not least because of divisions within our own organisations. But I say we have to bite the bullet, and it would appear there is recognition at present for this need. It should be done now. There is plenty to talk about, but not too much talking, though, as action is urgently required.

When I left Scotland some fifty-plus years ago only hikers and soldiers carried backpacks. Nowadays, it seems the vast majority of people from every walk of life do so, from the very young, barely walking, to the very old, just able to still walk. I sat at my apartment window in Edinburgh and started counting. In the morning it can be as many as four out of five carry backpacks. What the hell is in them, I wondered. When I was young, school books were carried in a satchel, business papers in briefcases, women's personal effects and money in a handbag and finally groceries in a shopping bag or basket. All of these have given way to backpacks. When I asked the question, I was told it would probably be gym kit, a change of clothes, or even a raincoat. From what I saw, few on the street looked like they attended the gym, at least not seriously, the clothes worn in the workplace would have shamed a working man in my day, and with no visible sign of umbrellas, unlikely to be raincoats. 

“My final thought was that backpacks are a symbol of purpose, what purpose I do not know, but it is important to carry one on your back even if it is empty. Without one you will be thought purposeless.” - Peter McSporran

Gardening is like farming; we want rain, but it brings disease. Me the day after our return.

Scotland is a beautiful country with unique scenery. Its lochs, rivers, islands and wildlife are second to none in Western Europe. The problem is that every summer, these natural features attract huge numbers of visitors, making travel even in early summer difficult as the infrastructure, especially the roads, cannot cope and even deteriorate. Infrastructure looks old and tired wherever you look. It is not just the roads, the ferries and rail systems are spoken very disparagingly by locals, and no doubt visitors, with the ferries to the Hebrides being so antiquated and scarce, many of the businesses geared to cater for visitors find themselves with empty beds and tables despite full bookings. As for transport, we hired a car for our trips to Argyll and Northumberland, the one to the west from a hire company in western Edinburgh, the one to the south east from eastern Edinburgh; we had neither the courage nor the will to drive through the congestion of Edinburgh. Mind you, it is still a far cry from the likes of Accra or Kampala. For travel within the city, we used Uber and found the service efficient and reasonable. The drivers did complain that there were too many Ubers on the road in Edinburgh and said they were increasing all the time. As we only had two actual Scottish drivers in the many Ubers used, those complaining were some of the new making up the now too many. In fact, the couple of Polish drivers we chatted to were extremely critical and considering returning to Poland. Despite all this, they make a living. Mind you they can work up to eighteen hours a day. They are allowed to drive for twelve hours and then required to take a break, enforced if necessary, and then after six hours, the twelve hours are reset. I think I would be a Zombie if I drove around a city for eighteen hours, despite a six-hour break, on a daily basis. I am sure some of these new Britons do, as conversation can sometimes be a grunt in reply to a question. It may be a language problem?

€8 each with olives, bread, soup, drinks(bottomless wine) and main course. Not fancy but cheap and tasty

Last week, I spoke about the cost of everything, including drinks, food, transport, and groceries. Today, on our first full day home, we went to our local restaurant and had a three-course meal with bread and olives as an appetiser, bottomless wine carafe and coffee for two at a cost less than most main courses in Edinburgh. Of course, you can get cheaper food in Scotland where you order on your phone, no helpful waiter or waitress, no advice on the meal of the day or even the soup, just fill in your requirements on the App. and wait for your number to be called. The common training at those establishments is how to change reasonable ingredients into overcooked cardboard covered in the atrocious house sauce, whether you want it or not. As I left most establishments my common phrase was not thank you for the food and service but a mutter to those with me, “I never want to go back there again.” I must give credit where it is due, and the Nando's on Lothian Road served excellent fresh, hot (both oven and chilli) chicken and corn on the cob. We went back three times.

“We live in a world where appearance is expected to be rewarded, let alone any offer of service, good or bad.” - Peter McSporran 

Rozanne and Jane are looking over the fence at a new arrival at Goswick

The last few days of our trip were spent in Northumberland, in England, near Berwick on Tweed, an area that does not really know if it is Scottish or English and where the people speak English with a Scottish twang. We were visiting our friend Jane Crossman, the late great, renowned Sally Sandeman’s sister, who, with Sally, joined me on my many ‘Born Again Bachelor’ escapades of the late ‘90s. She is now the matriarch of the Crossman family of Lindisfarne. She is a wonderful host and beknownst to me, but unbeknownst to Lady Daphne Powell, she organised a surprise for Daphne, a stay that coincided with our visit. It was so wonderful to catch up with my old friend and ex-cattle manager. Daphne is now almost blind and suffers great pain from a deteriorating spine, but despite this, she gets around, this time ably assisted by her daughter Catherine. A couple of late nights regaling each other with stories of our past and common friends. Sadly, we also discussed some of our loyal staff who also suffered at the hands of the war vets and in doing so lost their livelihoods and homes when they were forcibly removed from our farms. As is true of Daphne, who had to make a quick exit from her Mede cottage for her safety. This did not dampen our spirits completely, and we were spoiled with excellent home-cooked dry-cured beef and salt marsh lamb meals prepared by Jane. Why can restaurants not duplicate the excellence of good country fare? 

Lady Daphne and I are reminiscing about the past with drink to hand

“I left with the question, will I ever see Daphne again? Who knows, neither of us are getting any younger, nor is our health at its best but life never fails to surprise.” - Peter McSporran

Scottish people are friendly by nature and remain so as are some of the new Scots, although not great at conversation. The weather was great, and catching up with friends and family was a real joy, considering this time last year I thought I would never see the country of my birth again. Would I ever return there to live? I hope not. I prefer the even more friendly people of Portugal, light traffic on the highways and cheap, good home-style cooking served by friendly human waiters happy to remember your order without the need of an App. Significantly, they do not automatically add the service charge; it is paid on merit, not as a due.

Disclaimer: Copyright Peter McSporran. The content in this blog represents my personal views and does not reflect corporate entities.