Aug. 21 - Edinburgh to St. Andrews.....

Footnote to the Tattoo:  glad we went last night instead of today. Raining and chilly.  Would not want to be sitting in those seats in the rain.  Definitely purchase the seat cushions for 1#.  Will keep your tush high and dry!! 

Well, check another one off the ole "bucket list".  Walked the Swilken Bridge today.  Heard the ghosts of golfers past.  Could "see":  Bobby Jones, Slamming Sam, Arnie, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus (for all you Tiger fans, he still holds the record of most majors!!) Seve and yes, Tiger too.

Let's back up to the start of the day.  We left the hotel by 8 in a taxi to the railroad station.  We went to Waverly downtown but could have gone to Haymarket.  I was hoping to catch one of the non-stops instead of a local train.  No luck.  Our round trip ride cost us 37 GBP.  This included the bus ride from the train station in Leuchars to downtown St. Andrews.  The ride took us across the Forth bridge (could see the Forth of Firth bridge in the distance).  We also saw one of the HAL ships with dropped anchor and tenders on the move).  Our ride took us through many quiet little towns.  Some farmland areas.  A lot of baled hay.

We arrived in St. Andrews after an 80 min. train ride - with about 8 stops along the way!!!  My first glimpse:

After  a short walk we arrived at the R&A clubhouse.  Tried to get in - but not to happen.  Members only. But we did walk down the "road Hole" to the Swilken bridge.  In between golf groups, we got out there for our photo opts:

We wandered the town, did a little golf shopping, had lunch in the Champions Grill across from R&A with a view overlooking the R&A and coastline.

We took a late afternoon train back to the city in the hopes of wandering the Royal Mile for what is called the "Fringe" festivals.  Actually there were more people walking the Royal Mile than I have seen on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.  It did not take any time at all for the 4 of us to decide we were heading back to the hotel - pronto.

  It was just not quite our speed.  We spent the afternoon doing housekeeping chores getting ready to travel to London tomorrow to board the ship.  Herb is not feeling well. He pulled something in his back, so Vicky is doctoring him up in prep for the flight tomorrow.  Hopefully a little rest and using a porter willl fix him in no time.  Until after we board......will write from the beautiful Crown Princess tomorrow after our sail-a-way.

Here it is 8 p.m. and raining cats and dogs.  I feel for those watching the Tattoo tonight and of course, all those performers.  They say a show is never canceled.