This story has some tenuous links to the TV programme of the same name. The characters, while real, have protected their real identity in so far as they have assumed names.
In the beginning 'Compo' and 'Slim Boy' would go on fishing trips to the Lochgilphead area. The fact that they were going fishing was just an excuse to get away from work. 'Slim Boy' had the added incentive of a wife and four kids. The first visit was the only time they actually went fishing. After getting some advice from Donnie and 'John the Post' in the Comm Bar the night before, they drove the old road from Furnace to Inverary and stopped at a lovely little hamlet called Kenmore on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here they spent an idyllic day fishing amidst beautiful scenery and lovely summer weather.
On the first visit they stayed in a B & B in the town. Later visits would see them camp in the caravan site which was nice and handy for the town centre. At first they would camp using a tent belonging to 'Compo', but later 'Fergus Ma Van' became the preferred accommodation. Though the fishing was not always on the agenda, the pubs were. The Victoria, The Stag, The Argyll and The Comm Bar - though not necessarily in that order. The Stag Hotel was a favourite on a Sunday night with some musical entertainment being provided in the lounge. The Comm, however, was epecially friendly and welcoming and became very much a base on these excursions. 'John the Post', 'Mr P.', 'Wee Angus', Donnie, David and many more, became good friends.
In time 'Davie Diesel' was added to the party, and the threesome, a tent and 'Fergus Ma Van', became familiar in the area. Because of work commitments it was not always a case of all three going off together. Fishing was always on the agenda although somehow they never ever got round to actually setting up the rods. On one occasion, the threesome were subject to an interrogation by the local 'Hamish McBeth' (polis to you or I), who believed he was on the trail of poachers. He had taken note of the fishing gear in the back of 'Fergus' at Bellanoch Bridge and thought that they were about to fish the River Add illegally (heaven forbid!). It took a little bit of convincing and persuading to make him see otherwise. Fishing, after this, eventually took a back seat and walking and cycling became the preferred pastime. The Crinan Canal and the roads across the Moine Mor provided ideal cycling terrain for three such unfit individuals. The weather always seemed to be ideal and great use was made of local pubs to replenish valuable lost fluids. Cycling around the area, drinking and getting up to childish nonsense became the order of the day. The Crinan Hotel, The Kilmartin Inn and The Horseshoe Inn became favourite watering holes. The comparison of these adventures with the popular TV programme "The Last Of The Summer Wine" was one day alluded to and the sobriquet stuck.
'Davie Diesel' did not keep the best of health but he always looked forward to his trips away to Lochgilphead. Perhaps it was the presence of 'The Bum' who worked in a local hostelry. She had been given this nickname on a previous visit - for the best of reasons!. We do know that 'Davie Diesel' was fair taken by 'The Bum' but it was never known if he ever asked her out. His health began to fail, and whilst recovering from a difficult triple by-pass operation, 'Davie Diesel' sadly passed away.
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