Sunday 11th August 2024

Alarm at 0800.  Got dressed and ventured over to the breakfast lounge. The offering was a substandard buffet, bacon, rubbery fried eggs, overcooked mushrooms etc. we ate and made our escape, packed our baggage in the boot, and drove off into Perth. Aki wanted postage stamps, so we parked up in Morrisons, then it was on to Dundee. Got caught out by poor signage which lead us past the V&A and on to the blinkin’ road bridge across the Tay. 

Had to find a suitable u-turn to get back over the bridge, eventually finding a parking space at Nethergate. Walked down to the V&A, which is very striking, sat on the riverside like some giant concrete cruise liner. Had coffee on the sun terrace overlooking the estuary, then wandered into town to find lunch. Ended up in the cafe at the McManus Museum, a rather splendid Gothic creation on the northern fringes of the town centre. Walked back to the car and headed for St Andrews. Nice drive through the Kingdom of Fife. Got to Hilary’s a little earlier than planned, intending to park on their driveway and walk back into town, but it was further than expected. We were rescued by Hilary and ushered into the large rear garden, and introduced to her 90 year old father, and her 18 year old daughter Pippa. We were later joined by husband Tim, and a fried Corinne, who’d driven over from Perth. 

We sat out back and chewed the fat until we were called to the kitchen for dinner…Hilary had done a huge pasta bake, which we helped ourselves to, with fruit and ice cream to follow. Retired to the sitting room afterward and told some theatrical tales, before preparing for bed. Kath and Aki shared a big double bed on the first floor, whilst I was billeted with young Igor (a school-friend of Hilary and Tim's son, Marcus) in the attic! Poor old Igor...hope I don't snore too much in the night!