With some foresight, no group activities were planned for today, the day "after", until well into the afternoon. This gave those that had imbibed a bit too much the night before some time to recovery and recuperate. Jacqui needed a bit more time than Lars, so Lars headed down for breakfast just before 9 AM and met up with a few of the others also having a leisurely breakfast.
Everyone had their own activities sorted out and Lars went out to explore the town. Part of the time I joined up with Olaf and Steffi and at other times we went our own way. We first wandered down Market Street turning into City Road and ending up at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. The streets are empty this morning - it is like the place shut down. It is only when we get to the golf club that we see some activity. Many of the players taking part in the Open starting tomorrow are getting in a few practice rounds. We try not to disturb them too much!!!
At this point Lars heads off to take a look at the golf museum. They actually have quite an extensive set of displays and it gives a good overview of the game and it's history. It takes longer than expected to meander one's way through the snaking halls.
From here, Lars walks back down the length of the town to the ruin of a castle and cathedral. Other than the golf, the two other main attractions in town are ruins. But very nice ones to wander through. Lars takes most of the time to wander around the grounds of the former cathedral. There is very little of it left, but they have done a good jobs trying to convey a sense of the grandness of the original building.
As usual with these places, some of the most interesting things to check out are the tombstones - it is fascinating to get a glimpse into the lives of these people who lived so long ago - when they were born and when they died, how big was their family, maybe even where they came from and what they did. And some of the carvings are very elaborate and intricate.
After a few minutes of laying back on the grass and contemplating life in this tranquil surroundings, it is time to head back to the hotel to see what Jacqui is up to. She is doing well and up and about. It is time for lunch, so we decide to go buy a few sandwiches and snacks and head back to the cathedral grounds for a picnic lunch. It is a great spot and the weather (other than for the brisk wind) is cooperating.
Soon it was time to head back to the hotel - we had to get ready for the one activity that was planned for the day. Namely afternoon tea at the St. Andrews Golf Hotel. we all meet at the lobby of our little hotel and walk over to the Golf Hotel. We pretty much have the whole front room to ourselves and we take the liberty of re-arranging all the tables and chairs so that we can all sit down together in a big circle.
At first they bring out these big trays and bring them around to serve everyone, but soon we persuade them to leave the trays with the food on a side table and we will go and help ourselves. Much more relaxed and effective. We spend about two hours having our tea and we all stuff ourselves - we do not need much for dinner after that.
After our very filling tea, some head back to the hotel and others decide to go for a short walk around town. We head over to the golf course and check out what is happening there. It is a pleasant, but cool and brisk, evening and we stroll around the 18th hole and watch some of the golfers practice for the Open. Many are practicing their sand shots, trying to get out of the deep bunkers.
As it starts to get too cold, we slowly start to make our way back to the hotel. Once back there, everyone has decided that it is time to go out for a bite and a pint. We have the usual problem - finding a place for a group of our size and that will allow a young child.
In the end, we split up into two groups. The one group decides that solid food is more important and go and get take-away pizza. The second group has less need for solid nourishment and decides to go for the liquid one and finds a pub where we can all squeeze around one table. As usual, one pint (or one bottle of white wine) turns into a second and then a third. We have a very good time in there.
But soon we must head back to the hotel. On the way back, we decide to pick up some fish and chips and bring back to the hotel with us. We join the others in the lounge, and eat our fried food and wash it down with some more wine. Once again the hotel is kind enough to let us use their lounge and consume our own food and wine.
When we retire for the evening, we say our goodbyes to the Norwegian contingent. They will be getting up very early in the morning (like 2 or 3 AM). Once back in our room, we spend some time packing our bags (as per one of the usual rules of traveling, the longer you stay in one place, the longer it takes to re-pack).