The main street of the handsome town of Hawick was lined with proud Georgian buildings. The river also looked beautiful, especially on a summer’s day like this. In the bright sunshine, the river bed looked like a glowing yellow cobbled road. The stones shone through the fresh water that tumbled down from the hills above town.

From the bridge, my nephew PMF threw a large leaf into the river. Then he leapt into the water himself, fully clothed.

‘What are you doing?’ I shouted.

‘Playing human Pooh sticks’ he answered.