"Auld Reekie" is the nickname for the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh and means Old Smokie which stems from the days of coal burning in the area. And it was Edinburgh that a number of ex-Royal Hong Kong Police (ex-RHKP) and Hong Kong Police (HKP) colleagues gathered to refresh acquaintances, reminisce and have a good time. Those attending consisted of some living in Edinburgh, others from the West Coast of Scotland and various places in England, one from Canada, one from Hong Kong and one from Australia.

The festivities started on the evening of March 12 with a few gathering in a pub in Broughton Street. Sensibly the night was not a long one to ensure everyone would be in fine fettle for the lunch the following day.

And so at 12 noon of March 13, 16 gathered in a café in Thistle Street for a sumptuous meal and copious wine.

And a fine lunch was had with great stories, laughing and joking and, overall, superb bonhomie. Jock Atkinson at 87 years of age was in great form as were Eric McCosh and Barrie Deegan who formed the senior trio. Many thanks must also go to Ian Seabourne and Iain Grant for the restaurant arrangements and organising the attendees.

Being sensible retirees, we were all still sober enough to have a photograph taken outside of the restaurant after the meal. From left to right in the photograph were Paul Collier, Jim McWhinnie, Jimmy McIlveen, Iain Grant, Eric McCosh, Ian Seabourne, Angus Stevenson-Hamilton, Billy Kirkhope, Jock Atkinson, Barry Deegan, Dave O-Brian, Jock Black, Gavin Brown, Barry Jones, John Carnochan and Mike Dowie.

After the photo session, most participants then adjourned to the Oxford Bar made famous by the Inspector Rebus Books by the Scottish novelist Ian Rankin. There Billy Kirkhope celebrated his birthday by treating those attending to a round of drinks. Thanks Billy. We then moved on with some managing to keep going till 1.30 am!

All in all it was a great get-together, enjoyed by everyone with great bonding and camaraderie, brought on by having been members of the RHKP/HKP, once again to the fore. Long may such bonding continue.

All attending want to take this opportunity to wish everyone associated with the RHKP/HKP good health and success with the traditional Edinburgh slang of "Lang mae your lums reek".