A Dream Come True!

When we made the decision to move to London we knew that we would make a trip north to Scotland for Chris to play golf.  The good news was that my parents and brother also wanted to join us.  That meant fellow golfers for Chris to check out the courses with and someone for Reed and I to do some sightseeing with while the men-folk played golf!

The ultimate dream for probably every golfer is to play golf at the Old Course at St. Andrews.  Unfortunately, it costs a FORTUNE to actually schedule a tee time at St. Andrews Old Course.  You basically have to pay them all the money you have and give them your right arm, lol!  They do, however, run a lottery system where you can put your name in a lottery for the next day of play.  Based on the number of lottery spots available, I think they probably actually set most of their tee times that way.  Chris, Dad and Marc's first opportunity to play the Old Course was on Thursday.  When the lottery results were revealed it was no dice.  Bummer!  I was very sad and nervous that this might mean that they wouldn't get to play the course which happened to be the most important one of the trip.  Well, my friends, that dream was realized for both my husband and my brother (my Dad has been fortunate to have played the Old Course before)!  On Thursday afternoon as my mom and I shopped through the streets of Edinburgh, we pulled up the lottery results to find their names!   We were so ecstatic!  I am sure our elation on the sidewalk was a little odd to passersby, but we were pumped and weren't even going to be playing!

While the boys played Turnberry, Carnoustie, Kings Barns and the Old Course, my mom and I did some exploring.  We saw most of Edinburgh and also tagged along to St. Andrews to do some more sightseeing.  It was an awesome trip!  I am certain that the men had more fun than we did, even playing in 20 mph winds, but it was still worth it.  I would certainly go back again and I know Chris would.  Scotland is beautiful!  I highly recommend it to anyone!

The Kew House Bed & Breakfast where we stayed in Edinburgh.  It was a super nice place with super nice owners.  I don't think we could have chosen any better.

Edinburgh Castle

The Scott Monument is a Victorian monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.

The Balmoral Hotel, one of the two historically swank hotels in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh reminded me a little bit of San Francisco with the streets sloping down toward the water.  Edinburgh is not as close to the water though.

Reed dipping his fry in my curry dish, lol!

We got rained on a bit the first day, but we got rewarded with this beautiful double rainbow.

Donaldson's College in Edinburgh that is currently for sale.  They are going to development it into condos or a resort.  I vote resort!  I want to stay there!

The North Sea and cliffs in St. Andrews.

When I see this I sing "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"!  Very cool!  Looking over the 1st hole tee box and the 18th green.

Getting a little practice in before their round started.

Unfortunately, it started raining on them right before they teed off.  Thankfully, it stopped!

Dad on the 1st tee.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Here I go singing again.  Chris on the 1st tee at St. Andrews.

And, of course, my brother deserves a little song too on the 1st tee.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!  What an awesome experience for all three of them!

Reed loved it too.  He begged to "watch the golf"!

THE Bridge on the 18th.

One of the many infamous bunkers.

In the home stretch!

Marc deliberating on his putt.

Go in, go in, go in!  I was screaming on the inside!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!  This place makes me sing!  Do I need to mention that again?!?!?  So exciting!

18th Green

After their round!

With the Royal and Ancient!

While Chris, my dad and brother played at the Old Course, Reed and I toured the small little town of St. Andrews.  My mom was feeling under the weather so she missed sightseeing in St. Andrews, but we did drive around it so she got to check it out the quick way.  It was a cute little town!

St. Andrews Cathedral ruins.  After seeing this, I have determined that ruins are much cooler to me than things that are completely intact.  I think it helps to imagine it being used oh so long ago when it looks like this.  I may be weird and the only one who thinks this but that's okay!

So very cool!  You could actually see where the pillars used to stand when inside the cathedral.

St. Andrews Castle, another cool sight for me!

Check back later for the rest of our sightseeing in Edinburgh!  We certainly saw a lot!!