Fish & Chips and Golf

Actual date of this event: 26 August

About a week and a half ago, Luke and I discussed taking a weekend trip this weekend since it was Luke's Friday off. We chose to come to Aberdeen because we wanted to travel, so why would we sit at home on a 3 day weekend? Just silliness! Well, I did a bit of research and we concluded that going away for the weekend was not going to happen. England & Wales had a bank holiday Monday, so all of the bed and breakfasts were practically booked. And any flights to another city were way too expensive on such short notice. So we decided to take a day trip to St Andrews on Saturday since it is only a 2 hour drive away. I had asked an old acquaintance of mine, who is from Fife, what we must do while visiting. He gave me a long list of things and I am grateful for that because it made my job easier! Thanks, Roy!

We woke up around 7 in the morning, had our coffee and breakfast and we were on the road by 8:30. The weather did not look too great, but it didn't matter to us. We had our rain jackets and that's all we needed. Laine and Jonathan decided to come meet us, so we took separate vehicles in case we wanted to do separate things. Our first mission was to arrive in Anstruther (driving through and then about 20 minutes south of St Andrews) around 11, so we could explore the town a little bit before lunch. Luke and I arrived an hour earlier than we expected (I guess Google Maps doesn't think Americans drive fast in other countries). First thing we had to do was go to the bathroom. Coffee and then taking a road trip in the country where you cannot stop to go to the bathroom was not a superb idea. Well, we find a bathroom across from the coffee shop, and oh no! It is 30P to pee. Sigh. Well, whatever.

What is the purpose of an admissions ticket to pee?

Now, whats next? Oh yes, let's get more coffee!

We walked around the town which is a super cute town with some unique and colorful buildings, and some creeks, churches, pubs and restaurants.

sea shell decor on a building

It was getting closer to lunch, so we made our way back to the main drag, so we could check out the harbor and pier. It was super windy and a little bit chilly, but no biggie.

We met up with Laine and Jonathan for lunch at Anstruther Fish Bar. This place apparently has the World's Best Fish & Chips. Well actually, they HAD the best but haven't won the award since 2009. What's up with that, Anstruther!??

The inside has the look and feel of a diner

Left: breaded fish (less oily)
Right: battered fish (more yummy)

At the end of the meal, you pay at an ice cream bar. Just cruel. So we had to get some of that!

Chocolate Hazelnut. I could have eaten 5 of those!

It was now time to head to St Andrews where we will visit the oldest golf course... St Andrews Links... where golf was born. When we arrived in St Andrews, we found some parking where we were limited to two hours due to a parking metre. We ran into the St Andrews Cathedral ruins while walking. This thing was massive! In the 1300's it was the largest building in the country.

half of the entrance wall was missing

me standing on part of the altar

cemetery surrounding the church

The Cathedral and cemetery were right on the water

We still had a little bit of time on the parking metre, so we walked around on some side streets. This was picturesque Europe. This is exactly what I pictured before I arrived in Europe. Quaint buildings with colroful doors as tall as me. Loved it!

We ran into the St Andrews Castle located along the sea, but decided that going to see the golf course was more important, so we just passed it by since there was an entry fee.

We also ran into a museum. Free, you say? Yes, I think we will check it out. We found a rooftop terrace that had amazing views of the sea, and we could see the golf course in the distance.

We had very little time left for parking, so we went back to the car - we arrived on the minute our time expired. Score! We drove not even a mile to the golf course, so we could park at the club house. I am no golf pro and I am apparently not allowed to be on a golf course because I dont know what a pin is, but it was a super neat feeling being surrounded by the history of the place.

clubhouse

putting and chipping green

profile pic!

Old Course Hotel

Luke hearts this pic

We walked over to the Swilcan Bridge, which is a historical marker on the course, to take some pics.

Along our walk, we saw tons of places that were "Members Only"... who do these people think they are? You mean you dont want Luke running around like an idiot in your establishment? I see where you are coming from.

Luke signed us in the guest book

We got the hint that it was about that time to be done because we finally began to feel the sprinkles. We could see a storm coming from a distance, and we were not about to get stuck in it. I guess we will come back in a few decades when it is Luke's turn on the course.

RANDOM FACT:
There are 7 courses at St Andrews Links.
The Old Course has been alive since the early 1400's. In 1457, golf was banned in Scotland because too much golf was being played which took away from archery practice. Says Wikipedia, of course.

Old Course is the skinny green one in the center

-Debbie-