On the Road Again

Well we were up nice and early this morning, we had a lovely breakfast before heading off from St Andrews for our big road trip down south.




Our first stop of the day was at the Wallace Monument in Stirling, we got here at 9am right in time for opening, we walked up the hill and then walked all 246 steps to the top, was good there were not many people ahead of us as it made getting to the top so much easier. The view from the top was great.



















We stopped at Stirling Castle and had a walk around the Castle grounds, and through the rooms including the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, the Bowling Green garden which is just beautiful and so colourful with all the flowers in bloom.



Next on our list for stops was at Troon, where we had a quick look at the golf course and went to the Pro Shop.


We stopped in on some old friends of mine Jim and Ruth from Maybole, Ayrshire on our way back to Sheerness, spent a couple of hours catching up and chatting, had a lovely time with them, then we were back on the road.

It was a huge trip home, we didn't get back until 12.15am all totally knackered but in good spirits and ready for a huge sleep. Andrew really did a wonderful job with all the driving, when we set off this morning I don't think we truly had any idea of the hours it would take to get back to Thompsie's house.

Searching for Nessy

Today we headed to Loch Ness, wow what a drive that was about 3 ½ hours but the scenery was nothing short of spectacular, driving through the Highlands was just beautiful, saw loads of Highland Cows and sheep in the hills.

We went through Inverness on our way too, when we arrived we headed straight to Urquart Castle, which must have been beautiful in its day. The ruins were amazing and you could really get a sense of it from there.

Well we got a beautiful day in the weather was once again beautiful, we did travel through a bit of rain through the Highlands but the sun sure was shining at Loch Ness.

We searched for Nessy but alas we could not find the Water Horse, Bella tried so hard, we took loads of photos. We went down to the water and Bella had a closer look and put her hand in and sang out to her too.

We stopped at the visitors centre and had a look around, bought some souvineers and went and grabbed some lunch, we found a spot on the way back to Inverness and stopped and watched the water while we had a late lunch.

Had a good trip back, stopped and had a closer look at some Highland Cows on the way back, I love them they are adorable, almost huggable even.

Golfing at The Old Course

Today Andrew was up very very early 4.50am to try his luck at getting a game on the Old Course, seems it was his lucky day/destiny to be here today as he was able to get on around 8.00am, he rang me at 8.30 as he was walking I think it was to the 2^nd hole, just past our room on the 17^th. Gave him a wave and took a picture of him on his way.

He had a wonderful day, was so lucky weather wise as today the sun is shining on St Andrews, temperature is about 23 deg, absolutely glorious, could just about have broken out the shorts, definititely short sleave weather here today

Bella and I had a lie in and went for a leisurely breakfast in the Sands restaurant. Then we did the hotel quiz they have for kids, bit like a treasure hunt, was lots of fun and we learnt lots about the hotel and golf history while we were exploring.

We met up with Andrew while we were finishing and joined him and his golf partners at the Jigger for a drink and lunch. He had a wonderful time and was smiling from ear to ear. He had a great round and hit a 79, which be was rapt with.

After lunch we went to the spa and had a swim, and enjoyed use of the spa and whirlpool, wow it was unreal.

We decided to go for a drive to Carnoustie to check out the golf course as you do. The course was really nice, and well the town was just a town, not as picturesque as St Andrews is.

Drove home through Dundee and somewhere between there and St Andrews, the Proclaimers were on the radio singing, “ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more,so very cool to hear that driving back.

Now I did hear a funny saying on the radio also, still can’t work it out. THANK CRUNCHY ITS FRIDAY. I have no idea what it means but it did make me laugh.