We spent way too much time at LAX sorting our “reservation without a ticket” problem, then ended up on a later flight in the seats we wanted, finally sipping pleasant drinks. No one wants to hear about those details except that I’m so glad I snagged luggage carts early, which made the eventual hurrying to “oversize luggage” so much easier when we were in a sudden rush to make our flight before it closed!

The layover in London gave us a chance to reflect on the last time we were here in early January on our way to Egypt. Then, there was a Christmas tree from the lower level all the way to the top. Then, there was a Harry Potter shop, where I spent lavishly. Now both are gone.

The Scotland leg took just an hour and a half, but coming in over the little farms and hedgerows is such a lovely sight. It was the kind of day that makes us love this place— a cerulean sky streaked with white clouds, flecks of golden light peeking through. When we landed and our luggage arrived (all pieces), we got our car and headed right for Karen’s Standing Stone Farmhouse to find no one home (!), but the door unlocked. We settled in, found Karen…big hugs and all kinds of welcome. It’s so nice here.

It was only 6 pm when a Scottish summer day was only half over, so we drove to the nearby small village for dinner and then around the countryside looking for Yester Castle. Instead of a castle, though, we found Castle Park Golf Course! After a lovely chat with the young starter, we took him up on his offer of a cart and drove around and drove the course. What a glorious time of day!  What beautifully manicured fairways. We would be playing here tomorrow if it weren’t for one impossible hole and very punishing rough. Instead, we’ll play a local favorite tomorrow.

So nice to be here. (Have I said that three times yet?) Good night.