Ronnie Carr, who now lives in South Africa with his wife Eve, met up with Alexina Torrie (nee Morrison) at the end of April after putting out an appeal in the Mearns Leader to find her.

Alexina, who now lives in Perth, was alerted to the article by a family member who still lives locally, and the pair initially caught up via email before Ronnie arranged to come up to Scotland to see her while visiting family in England.

It was the early 1960s when the teenage Ronnie met Alexina while working in Stonehaven at an electrical substation. Alexina lived in Drumlithie but worked in Stonehaven at the restaurant below the bed and breakfast Ronnie was staying in.

Recalling the time they spent together, Ronnie said: "We started going out, fell in love and after a period of time became engaged. I was then transferred back to Liverpool, where my family lived."

After a motorcycle accident, Alexina made the journey down to visit Ronnie but on her return to Drumlithie broke up with him.

Ronnie said: "I have always wondered why and have questioned whether my father was in any way responsible as we were both so young."

He said it was the birth of his first grandson that re-awakened thoughts of his "first love" and made him wonder about the course her life had taken. At the end of April, Ronnie and Eve drove up to Perth from Chester, where they met Alexina for dinner.

Ronnie said: "I had wondered whether my father had anything to do with Alexina breaking up with me - well, it turns out that he did tell her that if she married me she would have to move to Liverpool! So my suspicions did have foundation.

"After dinner we met up with Alexina's son, Eddie, and walked to his house where we met his family over coffee. I had wondered if he would think I was totally mad wanting to meet up with his mum after all those years but they all took it in their stride and made us feel welcome."
The party met again the next day, visiting Alexina's home and looking at photos, before saying their goodbyes that evening.

Ronnie said: "Perth is a beautiful city and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Alexina is a warm and entertaining person and neither Eve nor I have any regrets about getting in touch with her. We have stayed in touch, via text messages in the UK, and by email since our return and - who knows? - we may meet up again in the future - hopefully not after as long a gap as the last time!"

Alexina said it was "lovely" to see Ronnie and Eve and wished them all the best.