Wee Dornoch. Wed Aug 28

Our view from living room. A misty, tea and scones kindof morning. 

And out over kitchen sink. 

Dornoch, on coast just south of Golspie, is sitting on Old Red Sandstone.  So is St. Andrews, two peninsulas down. 

Driving to our favorite walk in Golspie, it started raining. So we ducked into the Golspie Geological Society. 

Samples. When we saw the rain stop, we were off to....

The Big Burn!

Walking alongside the wee burn, excuse me, the BIG burn...

Such personality in the trees and nature. I didnt take many photos. Just enjoyed. 

Worked up an appetite.  Off to Coffee Bothy. 

Tony told me his recipe for Orkney Fudge Cheesecake. This is it. So simple. SO DELICIOUS. 

We eat so well over here. Brie and cranberry sauce on homemade light wholemeal roll. Today at Luigis, cheddar cheese souffle with side salad. Oh man. Gotta keep walking. 

Traveling light. Lots of black, scarves. 

All toiletries inclung hairbrush fit in hanging cloth Vera Bradley Bag.

Large black thin material zippered Kiplinger bag, with tote handles or crossbody handles for easy carry. Holds two plastic bags of groceries I have just discovered. Plus tiny LV crossbody bag for everyday here, holds tiny wallet, camera, glasses, lip goop, hair elastic and key. 

The carry-on (European sized) to beat all carry-ons. Tumi Tech. With dorky green Magellan's wrap on handle. 

Golf, hiking, great food, good books, Mike, and my IPAD. See you later....

Dornoch, Monday Aug 26

Mike getting ready to tee off. Sunny. 

Yes some people wear kilts here everyday.

Mike, Jay and Bruce on first green.

I walked. 

Picked wild blackberries along footpath, alongside Muriel.

Jay and Bruce ( from Winter Park as well) and Mike are happy, tired, ready for some fish and chips, turkey and mushroom pot pie, and turkey schnitzel.. followed by raspberry syllabub amd banana sticky toffee pudding with cream.. and some pints of Tennents. 

Back home with the day's goodies.

There's a collection of games here.

Saudi Monopoly anyone? 

Or Italian Clue? (Quedo?)

Wedding, and then to Dornoch! Sun Aug 25

We knew 3 people coming to this wedding... and had a blast. The Scots know how to celebrate. 

The Auld Kirk at St Monans, right on the sea, from 1300's originally. 

Everyone had hats. Or a fascinator.. a little feathery headband (remember that term from Will and Kates wedding?)

The two dads, waiting to throw rose petals on the bride and groom.

Hard to capture this. The 8 hour reception, yes 8 hour, was at the ruins of Lindores Abbey. With sets of 6 chairs sprinkled throughout the place. 

There was a marquis ( tent) for dinner and dancing. They did a 1 pound betting on length of best mans speech. 13.5 minutes, someone won 40 pounds.

A fascinator.

After the long lovely tables were cleared away, the Ceilidh started... Celtic dancing with a caller going through the steps. Amazingly fun, went on for 4 hours. Yes. Exhausting, invigorating, goes fast, so so fun. You take breaks and sit outside amongst the ruins. 

The next morning, off to Dornch. Four hour drive, through the Cairngorms.

Arriving into Sutherland.

Coming into town. Ahhhh! Looks welcoming. 

We are across from the Dornoch Cathedral on the Center Square. Mikes off golfing.

Good to be here!

St Andrews, Fri Aug 23

I rambled around  a bit in St Andrews. Here's the college, of William and Kate fame.

First tee at St Andrews. A spot of fog. Can BARELY see folks in fairway hitting their second shots. Hope everyone returns unscathed. 

See a familiar American brand logo hanging halway down on the right?

Anstruther, Thurs Aug 22

Look who popped in for breakfast! It's the father of the bride, toting a Personalized Diet Coke.

Off to Golf. Whiting's optimistic taking his sun glasses. 

The very same Dreel Burn.. had a lovely footpath alongside. Footpaths everywhere in UK.

How charming is this?  Anstruther is the quaint fishing village your mind pictures. 

Please note seaside motif.

Middle schoolers out for lunch recess, eating bags of crisps. 

"Seventh best Fish and Chips" shop in the World. 

English garden with character. 

He really really is teeing off  in a kilt. 

Nice walk on the Coastal Path towards Pittenweem before dinner. 

As is usual in Scotland, public footpaths follow along golf courses.