At its meeting of 19th September the Rotary Club of Anstruther was entertained in intriguing fashion by club member Findlay McLaren, who spoke of a journey on his motorcycle. But this was no ordinary journey; it was the illustrated story of a voyage from his home to Rome - following Roman roads as closely as possible.

We heard something of the Roman conquest of Britain, with mention of Bellie, the site of two possible Roman camps. Then of known roads in Perthshire and on to Trimontium; the name of a Roman fort at Newstead, near Melrose.

Hadrian’s Wall was crossed on the A68 and then on to York. Ermine Street led to Lincoln, the Great North Road to London, then Watling Street, Chatham, Canterbury, Hyde and through the channel tunnel to France.

Findlay visited war graves on the Somme and then on through Rheims, with some nights being spent under canvas. Memories of holidays in France were stirred by views of the enormously long straight roads - and then, was it in Etang sur la Rue? – Findlay’s discovery of a ‘Pizza Hut’ innovation – a machine that dispenses hot, ready to eat pizzas! Apparently very good with the local wine.

Often following the compass for direction, we passed Cannes, the Corniche D’Or and Alpine roads that barely seemed to be clinging to the hillside – little more than a (very narrow) shelf!

And finally to Italy with Roman signposts indicating directions to all points of the Empire.

The journey there took eleven days and, including the return, covered 4,283.7 miles. What a fabulous journey.

Following questions a warm vote of thanks was proposed by Eric Dewhirst.