Blogs from Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Whilst up in Scotland visiting the in laws before we start our travels abroad we had a day trip to Culzean castle. This beautiful esatate is owned by the national trust for Scotland (English national trust membership works here too). The house has been renovated to a very high standard with the original features restored. We were fortunate to arrive in time for a free guided tour. The castle is beside the sea and we spent hours walking around the extensive grounds, looking at the walled garden and pottering along the sea front. Expensive if you’re not a national trust member but well worth the visit.... read more

After a great little cruise around Stranraer and a great night out with the boys from Norn, the Fernhill Hotel proved to be the anchor for a great weekend - away destination. Usually this applies to those living in Glasgow or somewhere to the north. We, as golfers wrapping up a tour to Scotland, found it to be a friendly, small, St Francis-like village, with friendly folks who included a member of the Auchterlonie family - Laurie" Auchterlonie was a Scottish professional golfer, a native of St Andrews. In 1902, representing the Glen View Club, he won the eighth U.S. Open at Garden City Golf Club in Garden City, New York. Wikipedia His granddaughter was our host for dinner and breakfast and she was a spendid breath of fresh air. In 1985 at The Old Course ... read more

Today was special, really special as we teed off at the home of the 1st Open Championship. Prestwick is not Muirfield...there is not a course much more low-key, yet, a very proper feel when you enter. Oh, its still a jacket and tie environment and the locker room reaks of history with names that cover generations of royals and higherarchy. The course opens with a par-4 that embarassed former Open Champion, Sandy Lyle, as he launched his drive onto the railroad tracks when returning for the 150 year tribute. Lee Trevino was there and so was amateur champion, Harvey Ward. Prestwick is the history of golf and the course has stood the test of time. They say they dont have the infrastructure to host another Open, as the last champion, Jim Barnes, was awarded the Claret ... read more

Well, it would seem that I utterly failed on the blog my way around South America plan! Never mind. Life in Caracas all got a bit much and a bit mental over the last 6 months and writing about it like this didn't really occur to me...friends and family at home were freaking out enough as it is, I'd say. So, here I am, back in Blighty, about to start another new chapter. There's a song in Idina Menzel's new show (If/Then - saw it on Broadway - LOVED IT) called 'Always Starting Over'...fantastic lyrics. Heehee. Anyway. The last 6-8 months have been 'big decision' making time. Started the year with a 'what am I doing with my life?' type of head space, which was fine. I decided that I was ready for the next stage ... read more

Since we'd mentioned some time ago that we've never been to Glasgow and would like to, Ian and Glenis arranged a two-day "short break". In pursuit of both families' Scottish heritages, we made the trip across on Monday a kind of pilgrimage to Alloway, near Ayr - the birthplace of Scotland's celebrated poet, Robert Burns. Unfortunately the day was wet and rather chilly, but we had a pleasant drive across the north of England, roughly along the line of Hadrian's Wall, into Scotland at Gretna, and north-west through Dumfries and Galloway. Lunch in a sweet and friendly little tea room at Auldgirth, then on to Alloway. We spent a pleasant afternoon at the two major sites. First was the carefully restored and maintained cottage where The Bard was born in 1759, consisting of connected byre and ... read more