It’s the start of a ‘Birthday Extravaganza’ weekend. Don’s birthday is today and Dick’s tomorrow. Should be a good couple of days!
Plus, it’s laundry day for the first time in what seems forever – Woo hoo! We left our 2 bags with Catrina this morning and pop in for breakfast. Mary sticks with the usual fruit, yogurt, granola with croissant. Dick ops for poached eggs with a Lorne sausage.
Since it’s Don’s day, he gets to pick what we do today. Don and Joyce take an early walk and do some shopping. Dick and I walk down to the West Sands Beach where the opening scene from ‘Chariots of Fire’ was filmed, do a loop around the Old Course and wander town checking things out. Lunch is soup at Dunvegan’s.
We snagged an open slot on the ‘Himalayas’ putting course and meet up with Don & Joyce at the starter shack. The course is known popularly as the Himalayas due to what looks like buried volkswagens on the course. It’s really the ‘Saint Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club’ and sits between the Old Course and the West Sands Beach. The round is cold and windy. Really windy!
After a rousing match, Don and Joyce head for lunch and getting warm. We Smiths hit the golf shops looking for the elusive perfect cap. No luck.
We meet up later for a wee celebratory dram for Don’s birthday at Dunvegans, compliments of Al and Sue. Don & Joyce work their way back to the Yorkston, we stop at the Criterion in town for a pint. Sitting next to us is Neal Campbell, an older gentleman we learn is the concierge at the Golf Hotel and amateur historian. During our chat he gives us an intimate and fascinating history of St. Andrews.
Don’s pick for birthday dinner is at Playfairs on the main drag. Excellent steaks for all.
