Lazy Sundays...in the Sun

Sunday 12th September 2010

Well, it was a leisurely start, after a busy Saturday... 8- 30 a.m. rising, chukky eggs, solidiers and coffee... followed by the sunday paper... and the sun was shinng !

Kate and Wayne arrived at 12- 30 p.m., and after brief chats we all went into St Andrews for lunch.

We went to Littlejohns cafe bar http://www.littlejohns.co.uk/St%20Andrews.html where Kate had the largest 'Prawn cocktail' I've ever seen in my life, almost a goldfish bowl full

Then it was off to a great Gelateria for ice creams ...in a cone this time !

before 4 p.m. mass at St James churchhttp://www.saint-andrews.co.uk/Tour/scores.htm

before a walk back to the campsite, Wally ....

and updating my blog....took hours !!

I'm moving tomorrow off further up the coast around Montrose...

I'll be in touch !!

The Day they don't forget...but, don't always Remember !?

Saturday 11th September 2010

Well, up really early this morning ! I had piles of presents and cards to open, before I set off for the 06 50 a.m. bus ! So, at 5-45 a.m. I was opening the piles of things that people had either given me before I set off, or sent to Kate's for her to give me - Thank You, a great start to my 56th Birthday !

Unfortunatley the 'good weather' forecast didn't seem very accurate...the rain was bouncing down outside ! Undeterred I got ready, had breakfast, found a small brolly, and set off, catching the bus, just before 7 a.m. into St Andrews, from where I walked to the Park and ride area, causing some amusement as I told them I had a park and ride ticket..but no car !

Anyway I set off, on the first bus of the day, shortly after 7 -40 a.m....wow, I'm going to be early ...don't count your chickens ! The bus got near to the airbase at Leuchars before getting stuck in a traffic jam, not moving for 25 minutes, but it didn't matter it was raining really hard outside, and warm and dry on the bus ! We all stopped where we were.

Eventually they sent us another way, arriving on a waterlogged air base, just as the rain eased, and almost stopped.

As I went through security, I caused a bit of a stir...

toilet roll,sun tan lotion,brolly and shorts ! I'm surprised they let me in..

Kate was already hard at work, and the texts were flashing into my phone with good wishes.. Wayne met me, and we celebrated after the Spitfire, with a good Bacon buttie !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11271391

We viewed all the static displays, and made our way towards the tower, where Kate had our 'chairs for the day' - well done Kate ! Interspersed with calls from Grandsons Tristan and Lincoln singing 'Happy Birthday' almost drowning out the airplanes !

It was then an improving weather pattern, whilst me and Wayne sat on our chairs watching the displays, which came thick and fast...far too many to mention....but the Vulcan arrived,displayed and landed- brilliant !

The base had filled with people, the sun shone hot and windy, a long but thrilling day...

until 5-30 p.m. when the flying had finished, and we made our way to Kate's room..and a welcome beer !, and hot bath, luvverly... and out of the bath just in time for my other grandsons Ethan and Elijah to also ring and sing 'Happy Birthday' - far more melodious than their Dad ! - thanks boys.

Kate had finished work, and we all got changed quickly ( well, apart from Kate !) and we managed to get the 'last' Park and Ride bus of the day, back to St Andrews, and to a great meal at http://www.nahm-jim.co.uk/ followed by a drink at a rather loud bar...and home to Wally, just before midnight, just like Cinderella...quickly nodding off.

Thanks everyone for a great Birthday, presents,cards,calls, messages

all very much appreciated !

Bomber, what Bomber ? - Oh you mean that one ?

Friday 10th September 2010

Up bright and early, to a cloudy, black looking sky...

however, undaunted, I put my wet weather gear on, and cycled the 9 miles to Leuchars airbase, to view the incoming planes, and practice routines of the day....and view the landing of the Vulcan bomber http://www.vulcantothesky.org/ after all, I had all the 'secret' information ! - didn't I ?

Well, when I got to the favoured viewing spot at the end of the runway, in a farmers field ,there were already hundreds of people there, the cold wet weather not deterring them !

Having parked my bike along the fence, and got a good spot on the top of the hill, I found that...all the 'plane spotters' had my 'secret information'some showing me the copies, still with the RAF Leuchars crest on it !!

Anyway, although cold and wet, it was a good morning, and the crowd swelled looking forward to the Vulcan landing around 1 p.m.....

Shortly before 12-30 p.m. Kate rang saying the Vulan had been delayed to 5 p.m. 'ish... and they changed the runway direction ,so my spot wasn't as good as earlier...although I could still see landings using my new binoculars.

I then took advice from some of the 'spotters' and rode my bike to the top of the landing runway, onto the rocks at the sea/beach end of the runway, so continued getting great views of the landings, and as the afternoon became sunnier, the practice displays... but the 'big event' was still awaited...

and the sun/wind was hotter, and burning my delicate skin.

And , as you may guess...around 5-30 p.m. I got the call, the Vulcan wasn't landing today, and all the action had 'finished' for the day !

Drat, but I'd had a good day, watching,waiting and sunning...although I was starvin' as I had not taken much grub !

So rode back to Kate's block, and met up with her and Wayne, who, wonderful son in law that he is, offerred to give me a lift home in his car, with the bike in the boot ! Thanks Wayne, I wasn't looking forward to the hill !

So it was back to Wally, via a chippy in St Andrews for a real 'Scottish fish supper', and early night, ready for the long day ahead on the 'morrow !'