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Travels with Bobby - Rattery Head and Back.

Paul Rutley

New Member
Saturn Obiter is a little play on the Saturn red colour of my Marco Polo. A stunning red with more black than orange. In the half light it’s steeps in the richness of a fading sunset. My real name is Paul, I hail near Falmouth where I have lived near 50 years, 22 at Mylor Harbour: so sailors out there, hail me.

My lovely wife should be here, she’ll always be with me as I journey through this adventure, though she will remain in her dementia home where she now resides.

I will be joined by Bobby Westie, who is 8, and probably a bit overweight! He prefers to ride my mobility scooter but I insist he walks and as onlookers say, he’s can tow me anywhere!

My wife and I (Di) are still members of St Mylor Church. We are committed, have been all our lives but never bible basher. I like visiting churches, attending services and recording facts that makes for interesting reading from war memorials to Saxon conversion to Christianity.

When we meet, as I hope we will, you’ll more than likely find me perambulating in a Hedgehog.
An apt Polio Society name for their best selling, folding electric wheelchair at a remarkable price
(see https://bpftrading.co.uk/thehedgehog/ ). It weighs just 45 kg, and stows easily in boot or van. I need mobility when out and about though I shall miss my off road Ranger,all terrain buggy, though I shall tow it to local rallies and west country camp sites.

During my perambulations I’ll be giving talks to service clubs and other interested bodies about the 1950’s polio epidemic; the development of orthotics and beating polio on a global scale. More importantly I'll be telling the story of the Sting it Left Behind for its Victims. That is PPS – Post Polio Syndrome. If you’re interested see https://britishpolio.org.uk/polio-and-post-polio-syndrome/post-polio-syndrome/

I’m keen to get this subject in front of health related organisations and raise its public profile on behalf of the Polio Society and it's members. Polio is virtually eradicated in the West yet the survivors of the 1950’s epidemic still suffer. Their numbers dwindle but they need recognition and support: there are believed to be 200,000 known UK survivors.

I said in my profile I have an ambition to visit the Inshore Waters Weather Stations named in the 12.50 am Shipping Forecast. I know the rhythm of their names by heart but find I’m asleep by the time they get back to Cape Wrath zzz! Rattery Head is my ambition; where my father was stationed during the war. Is it really so bleak as he said!!

I’m a member of 41 Club, for those who were in Round Table you'll know it as the Ex-Round Tabler’s Association. I look forward to meeting any tablers, ex or otherwise for a beer or two.

I am deputy assistant, to the assistant’s, apprentice for Devon and Cornwall and hope next year to be Area Councillor. It involves travel, socialising, service, informing and fund raising. Originally from Redruth 696 and now Redruth 41 Club, I was Cornwall’s Area Chairman 1990/91 I will be revisiting the then 18 Cornish Tables to find that spirit of camaraderie we so enjoyed in the 70’s to 90’s.

Finally I’d just like to say how delighted I am to be among the original members of this forum and a Marco Polo owner to boot. I look forward to reading and commenting on your posts and to putting in mine to record the Travels with Bobby - Rattery Head and Back (in more than a day)
 

Roy C

Active Member
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your personal story. It seems you've had more than your fair share of life challenges that you are turning into something positive and for the benefit of others. I hope this forum and its members can help you in some small way.
 

Paul Rutley

New Member
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your personal story. It seems you've had more than your fair share of life challenges that you are turning into something positive and for the benefit of others. I hope this forum and its members can help you in some small way.
Hello Roy, glad to hear from you and thank you for your comments. I shall look forward to meeting more of the forum and later in the week explore the posting in more detail
 

Paul Rutley

New Member
Hi Paul
I hope you and Bobby enjoy your travels and look forward to hearing about them
Welcome!
Kate, how nice to hear from you. Yes, I look forward to adding to them. My first stop is 3 nights at Abbey Wood, Kent, next month. It looks like a good place, especially for getting into town where I have an unscheduled appointment at St Thomas'. Sadly I have to leave Bobby at home to be looked after by friends, but at least I will have broken my duck! There seems so much to learn about the Marco that there should be a Master Class available.
 
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