This year we attended the first round of the British Open at Turnberry, on the Ayrshire coast, southwest of Glasgow. (The officials do not let spectators bring phones or cameras onto the course, so we had to reenact the key moments on the pitch and putt course near our Edinburgh flat.) It was a lot of fun. Thursday was a lovely, sunny day, and the course was beautiful. We camped at the par 3 #6 and saw a bunch of big names come through, including Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas, Justin Leonard, Vijay Singh, Darren Clarke. Then we went to the par [View Full Entry]

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After our narrow gauge train ride with views of the Sound of Mull and a brief respite in the Torosay Castle gardens near Craignure (pop. 200) we headed south to Bunessan (pop. 150) and our B&B (Ardtun House). The drive is only about 31 miles in distance but you might be surprised how much time it takes to travel on single track roads, even in such a remote area. Oncoming local cars, pop up sheeps, cow herds and the occasional but very large tour bus can slow you down quite a bit. I had to control myself not to dart from [View Full Entry]

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On Thursday we took a ferry from Oban to a town called Craignure on the island of Mull. In Craignure we went to take a train to Torosay Castle and Gardens. So at the station we got the tickets and went to the platform and expected to get on a regular train but no! The train was like a one at an amusement park: it was small and was very slow. (Mom forgot to mention that it was a narrow gauge). We got off at the end of the train ride at Torosay and saw the train driver drive the steam [View Full Entry]

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Our plan was to overnight in Oban, take the car ferry to the Isle of Mull, and in two 1/2 days drive south and take short boat trips to Iona and Staffa, and then drive north to Tobermory and see everything else on Mull. Ambitious yes! Driving a manual shift, on the motorway, while seated in the passenger side of the car, heading in the opposite direction from 'usual' was going to be a challenge, but Michael had a full stomach and was wearing his motion bands so we headed out of Edinburgh after Dave's class on Wednesday (8th) - approximately [View Full Entry]

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These are pictures of some cars we saw during our travels in Scotland. [View Full Entry]

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Here are some sights around Edinburgh... [View Full Entry]

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A mostly "word-for-word" note from DogBoys-- Maria: Izzy's been doing well. She's been eating fine and having fun in playgroup with some good adult "role models." She went on the hike yesterday and did very well. All the dogs have been coming in late morning around 11 am or so to cool down in the kennel in the air conditioning. In the afternoons there are either arts and crafts activities or small group seminars. Izzy's choices have been "Chew Toys: Friend or Foe?", "Does NO really mean no?", "How do I, the dream ego, act in my dreams?" and "Finding Your [View Full Entry]

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Today, Dave and I walked to Haymarket Rail Station, while Jack and Michael figured out the bus route there. We all took the train to Leuchars and then the short bus ride to St. Andrew's city center. Had a yummy lunch at an outdoor cafe and then split up. Maria walked the streets and looked at the shops; found the cathedral and castle ruins. The men went to the Himalayas course which is a natural grass, hilly, challenging option at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (for those who have not been born into wealth). We met up and had a [View Full Entry]

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We arrived at Manchester airport on Saturday and took the train north to rainy, cool and damp Edinburgh. Our Bruntsfield apartment is really lovely and spacious and is located next to many shops and restaurants. After taking care of the essentials (bus passes and groceries) we had time for golf at one of the several nearby parks- one with a pitch and putt golf course is just 5 minutes walk away. On Monday, the boys and I went to the Hermitage golf course (12 holes, pars 3,4,5). On Tuesday we played soccer in Prince's Street Garden with some local chaps (Sammy, [View Full Entry]

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After packing Izzy off to DogBoys Dog Ranch for her summer camp, we flew from Austin into Atlanta where Grandpa John greeted us and drove us back to Savannah Lakes (McCormick, SC). He and Grandma Mary live in a lovely house in a very peaceful setting of lob lolly pines on a quiet lake. We watched tiny hummingbirds, colorful goldfinches and a large woodpecker eat from the many feeders outside on their deck. Some geese and goslings live on the lake and a small fox lives in their woods. It was so nice not having to BE anywhere. We were quite [View Full Entry]

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