Walking and talking in France
Six members represented the RLS Club on a dual-purpose journey to Grez-sur-Loing, where Stevenson met Fanny at the artists’ colony there south of Paris. Their objectives were (1) to follow RLS’s footsteps in a 25km anniversary hike through the Forest of Fontainebleau from Barbizon to Grez. Pat and Ian Gardiner, and Ian Nimmo joined 800 other walkers to successfully complete the mission. Three pipers and a drummer, kilts swinging, marched us out in style – and the kilties were all Frenchmen.
The second objective was to take part in the inaugural meeting of a French-led initiative to identify Stevenson trails throughout Europe and examine means to develop them. M. Thomas-Penette, director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, explained EC money could be available and offered us his advice. Rosemary Johnston and Grace Nimmo acted as interpreters and Mark Steeds and Fiona, from Bristol, spoke about the Long John Silver Trail. The two Ians led the Club delegation, and identified several RLS walking routes, including the Kidnapped Trail, the Ayrshire winter’s walk, House of Shaws to the Hawes Inn and around North Berwick and Cramond

Writing Competition to be discussed
The RLS Club is examining the possibility of a creative writing competition for Scottish schools in conjunction with Napier University. Committee member Gillean Arjat has produced a working paper with fellow committee member David Reid, both former teachers, after discussion with James Robertson, the distinguished Scottish novelist and currently writer in residence at Napier University, and Napier’s Professor Linda Dryden. The working guidelines have been completed. The competition would include both prose and poetry. If the competition goes ahead sponsorship will be sought.

Plan for statue of Stevenson the Boy
Stevenson’s happy memories of his grandfather’s Colinton manse and garden will be reflected in a statue of RLS as a boy in front of the old kirk at the end of a trail of plaques down the Long Steps. The plaques will carry lines from A Child’s Garden of Verses.

Committee Changes
There have been changes on the RLS Club Committee: Mr Ian Nimmo is handing over the organisation of Club events to committee members Mr Ian Gardiner and Dr Mitchell Manson. Ian will continue to edit the Newsletter and lend support wherever it is needed. Mrs Ailene Hunter has taken over as minutes secretary from Mrs Gillean Sommerville-Arjat.

A very special birthday cake
The specially-designed birthday cake to celebrate RLS’s 160 years created a talking point at our annual luncheon last November in the New Club. Most members gave it a cursory glance as they arrived, then moved on fooled. They thought it was a pile of displayed books. The masterpiece was the creation of the Edinburgh Cake Shop, who surpassed themselves. And the cake tasted as good as it looked.

Duncan is our youngest member
Duncan Nimmo (8), from Freuchie, has become the youngest member of the Robert Louis Stevenson Club.