Fore!

Looking across the Firth to Edinburgh
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We had recently acquired a new car. Well, new is perhaps a bit of a porky. It was a 1998 Renault Scenic. A Mummobile. We got it as a runaround for Jane. It was now the chance to give it a bit of a run. St Andrews was a couple of hours north of Edinburgh and seeing a beautiful day in front of us we decided to go for it.

Crossing the bridge over the Forth of Firth, or is that Firth of Forth, i can never remember we proceeded to follow the coastal route around Fife all the way up to St Andrews. Stopping at a couple of beaches along the way the view back across to Edinburgh was stupendous. The air was clear and you could literally see for miles. Jack got a bit of a runaround and we had a nice cuppa as well as a bacon roll (how very British) before we set off again. Villages worth mentioning are Elie and Anstruther - very picturesque.

Just sitting there overlooking the ocean with the outline of the castle and abbey in the distance...

Back to St Andrews
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Driving into the ancient city of St Andrews, however, and we knew we were somewhere special. It has an air about it similar to Edinburgh. I couldn't put my finger on it but it could have been the smell of money. Or unwashed students, i don't know. Parking up we had a stroll down the main street, passing the University and through the old city gate.

I had spied an old abbey in the distance though, so we had to go check it out. it was starting to get a bit windy and cold so Jane and Jack stayed in the car whilst i did my thing. Parking near the ruinous Castle i walked along the beautiful coast overlooking said castle until i got to the abbey itself. Located in a lovely spot it is a very photogenic ruin indeed. Once again cursing Henry VIII for the Dissolution (every time i see a ruined abbey in the UK i hail abuse at that fat old bastard) i made my way through some winding streets until finding the car along with Jane and Jack.

Nearby was the famous old golf course which makes St Andrews world reknown in many peoples eyes. I have vowed to play a round one day, but i hear the wait is long. The nearby beachfront was lovely. Being able to drive right up to the beach itself eclipses any beach in Western Australia, in my opinion. Hot weather doesn't make a beach - i never swim in the ocean anyway! Just sitting there overlooking the ocean with the outline of the castle and abbey in the distance reveals a wonderful view. One of the best i reckon.

There was still time to make a slow drive through the rest of the town. Students, students everywhere. It gives the town a certain youthful buzz however, and who am i to knock students, being an old one myself.

A very pleasurable day was complete by driving home and getting caught in a traffic jam. Oh well, at least the car made it OK.