Friday 7th August, 2015

I think I’ve told you about the “Big Stick” before.   This is our annual family golf contest which is played over a round on the Old Course, for the most part in decent humour which is not to say it is not intensely competitive, but usually a fair amount of kummel is involved too.  This year, and I think it counted against me, we teed off at 9.30am.  Instead of kummel we gobbled down bacon, egg and black pudding rolls on the first tee whilst fighting off some voracious and ferocious seagulls. 

 

Despite the attention of the birds, my drive down the first was quite majestic.  But that was pretty much the extent of my challenge this year and with Bob and my brother William also failing to trouble the scorers much, my father won comfortably.  My second shot was a miserably topped eight iron from 140 yards out, which like something out of the Dambusters, hopped over the Swilken Burn, onto the green.  Failing to capitalise on my good fortune, a repeated feature of my life, I proceeded to three putt.  Now I know not all of you are golfers so I’ll stop there before I lose you.  Suffice to say it went from bad to worse.  The thing is apart from the lack of alcohol – although that was sorted by a fine lunch afterwards with a delicious white Savigny Les Beaune and a bottle of Grand-Puy-Lacoste – I was a bit distracted by the fact I had managed to forget to bring up the coveted trophy we play for each year.  A beautiful, horn handled, shepherds crook with a silver plaque onto which is engraved the winners initials.  It was in pride of place in our sitting room – where I might add it has been for several years now – and, much to my father’s disappointment, there it remains as I failed to pack it in the car when we drove up north.  What an assiam. 

 

There was one notable success whilst up in Scotland that I’d like to share with you.  I havn’t mentioned my vegetable garden much recently.  To be honest, this year we have been plagued by black flies.  You may have noticed them.  The broad beans and artichokes were ok, but my peas have been disastrous.  Potatoes, beetroot, courgettes, fennel, kale, various herbs….nothing to write home about.  Raspberries have been in abundance however and I have been making copious quantities of jam.   You really need to try it.  It’s sooooo amazing.  I got this just wonderful email from my mother to whom I gave some:

 

“Your raspberry jam would definitely win a prize at the Cortachy Show xx” 

 

Sweet.