September 6 - Day 19

Woke to partly cloudy back at Atholl Drive. Nice to have some time to wake slowly and not have bags out the door, showered, dressed and have breakfast very early in the morning.  Start to rediscover our souvenirs and repacking suitcases to see how we will make it all fit.  Planned the clothes very well and seem to have plenty to end the trip in London without doing more than a wash out a couple things.  In London no one knows us nor do they care, so clothes will be okay but at the end of the line.  Nice breakfast with bacon botties.  McLean made a run for fresh rolls made only in Glasgow and we added cooked bacon, very good.  Fresh strawberries likely grown in Fife on farms we passed.  Chuck trying to fit into a borrowed dress jacket and golf shoes, it looks like he may be able to use McLean’s!  We are surprised.  Re the jacket, it fits as long as he doesn’t breathe, eat or try to button it.  What he does for golf.  The course he is going to on Tuesday requires jacket and tie for admittance.  So it looks he’s been able to piece it together with friends’ help.

Took some time out and did email and took another nap after breakfast.  The colds are under control but still present.  Mid afternoon drive down to Troon, town to the west of Glasgow on the Atlantic Ocean. We can clearly see the Isle of Aran and Ailsa rock.  The dome shaped huge rock sits out in the water all by itself. This is the island where the only granite used for curling stones is mined. No one lives out there.  Troon is known for golf courses and golf links (courses on the water), 6 in total in town and we passed four on the way down. Turnberry is just in the next community, a world famous links.  We arrive at the Ferguson daughter’s house. We get to meet Sheena, her husband Neil and two of the three grandsons, all young men going to college.  We have a lovely visit and leave in full sun to drive around Troon a bit and then stop on the way home at the Glasgow Gailes, a golf course and club that McLean belongs to.  A lovely old red sandstone building with a beautiful dark wood ornate beamed ceiling.  The hallways are lined with old oak lockers with members’ names written on brass plaques.  We have the place to ourselves and have a light supper and enjoy the sunny views over the course.  Back to the house for winding down and then to bed.  We have an early morning ferry to the Isle of Aran tomorrow.  Fingers crossed that we will have good weather.  We have been extremely lucky so far.  Heard from Seth, all is good at home. He is staying down for the weekend and now we know why.  The temps are in the 90’s and he doesn’t have AC.  This heat will speed up the last of the tomatoes, hoping we still have a few when we reach home.  Brenna and Zach’s house is moving forward.  There are some items that must be dealt with in the house condition before the loan will go through.  They feel strongly it will all work out! Nighty night.