A Prius did it again!  Our golf clubs and bags all fit in that little car and Valek from Pasadena Taxi did a great job. At LAX, we noticed how busy Bradley was today in comparison with last year when we went to Antarctica, and we felt like the only people in the terminal. You could’ve roller-skated through the place! Today the place was bustling. And they’ve rebuilt and redecorated! Upstairs was gorgeous. We shopped at Gucci and Burberry. I looked at a Gucci scarf the modelled a classic Burberry bucket hat ($450), then quietly walked away while a silent film played against the wall. Poetic…

British Air was terrific. We were cozy and comfy from the moment we sat down. The food was delicious and after a movie, we both slept all the way to London, where we changed plans to Edinburgh. Everything was by retina id so all we had to do was place our passports on the scanner and we were in. This made London immigration as easy as looking in the mirror! Our luggage did its own thing. We read and napped on the plane to Edinburgh and were fairly fresh on arrival—and ready for golf!

But first, the luggage. On previous trips, we watched for golf clubs and often guessed from the look of the other passengers that we were the only golfers aboard, until golf bag after golf bag started coming. This time, I pulled off two suitcases and one set of clubs, thinking we’d be first out. But wait, wait, wait, and no yellow bag…. Soon everyone was gone except us. And the missing bag was mine. 

We bought SIM cards for our phones and started tracking the air tag. Yep. Yellow bag hadn’t made the transfer and was still in London. Nothing to do, but get the car, (extremely easy this year) and drive to East Lothain. At the Standingstone (with a real standingstone in the garden!) Karen was just coming in from the horses in the pasture by the road as we arrived. Soon it was big hugs and, “So glad to see you!” and, “How have you been?” 

After tea and quite a bit of talk, we decided that there was still enough time to play our first game—so off we went up the road to Gifford GC, a charming 9-hole course with stone bridges and a burn (river) running through it. No rental clubs available, but they did have a bag of beat-up thrift store clubs that I was free to pick from. I found a 60 degree and a putter, both off brands and very old, but good enough. I did all right using clubs from John’s bag and kept the borrowed clubs for short game work. We had a delightful game in overcast weather with a bit of sun peeping out. Scotland skies are the best!

After dinner at the Goblin Ha’ just down the street, we went back home to party with Karen and Anne, give them birthday gifts and cards— and follow with lots of wine and laughter.  Fun times with old friends. Clubs tomorrow? Stay tuned. Good night. Patti