The fifth meeting of the season took place on Zoom on Tuesday 14th January 2025. Our January meeting always takes place on online – Scottish winters are unpredictable and as our speakers can travel a distance, Zoom is a good option to avoid unnecessary journeys. Nothing wrong with attending the meeting in your onesie and a bonny jumper to hide the evidence!
Our speaker for the evening was a retired Aberdeen GP, Peter Fogiel. Peter has a special interest in trains and is a member of a group of rail enthusiasts who make yearly visits to the USA to feed their passion for trains.
Peter’s talk focussed on a trip he made in 2008 as a medic on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, which runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, and covers 5772 miles with the journey taking approximately six days to complete.
His presentation began with some stunning photographs of the interior of Russia’s most luxurious train including the dining car and cocktail lounge. He also took many pictures of the train’s recognised stopping points along the route, and of particular interest to our group were the pictures of a visit to a Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia and a lunch stop in a Yurt, with traditional music and dancing.
Peter explained the necessary medical equipment he was required to bring on the trip and the safe storage of drugs which may have been required on the journey.
During the trip, Peter met and cared for passengers from USA, Portugal, Canada, Australia, Chile, Scotland and New Zealand. He was accompanied on the train by his wife who is a nurse however, she was there as a passenger and not an assistant. Peter and his wife are still in touch to this day with people they met on their trip.
Unfortunately, the presentation was cut short due to internet connectivity. It is hoped that Peter will be able to join us soon in-person at our usual venue of the Panmure Arms Hotel, Edzell, to conclude his presentation on his fascinating experience on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
We are friendly group of women who are keen to attract new members to our club. We have a very active group of accomplished knitters and sewers of squares and blankets, and if you can spare some time and would be interested in knitting squares or sewing knitted squares into blankets for those less fortunate, please contact us at innerwheeldistrict1@outlook.com
Denise Donald
Club Correspondent
