Well I am up and having a coffee and a wee bit of chilli cheese and have a few hours at hand so, and ergo, here we go.
This could be an oh so random post by the way, kind of Kurt Vonnegut style and go with the flow stuff. I have been musing over the title of a book which is germinating in my head and it’s called ‘I am Callen Duck’. It’s an odd title indeed for sure and you would have to know about the specific circumstances that lead to it and indeed know Callen Duck but that’s not going to happen so I will leave you in suspense until you buy a copy at my Edinburgh Festival book signing.
But oh what a pace this summer has sped? One moment the stirrings of spring and then a few budding roses and now the intimations of the fall. Time is a strange old fish. And I am one also I suppose. But I am now allowed to be as I slip into the tidings of old age. Toad as I maybe.
I have had great fun tour guiding this year and again am meeting the most wonderful people week in week out. It’s a blessing.
Today I add another string to my bow by commencing my first Edinburgh castle tour with Castle Tours run by Alistair who is a top chap. An alumni of Moray House we have a few things in common with the old teaching background and the tours obviously. Will be interesting to see how this goes but hopefully it will give me some work over the winter which would be a bonus.
Meanwhile I am growing ever more fond of St Andrews and it’s the people that are making it a lot for me. It’s such a small friendly place and it’s buzzing as always. I hung out in Taste yesterday on a rare day off and met Scottie the awesome Kiwi guy who is great value and then I chatted to Yan the owner, who is a splendid and very decent chap. I walked up town after and saw and talked to Dean Banks proudly holding the floor at Amber his new St Andrews restaurant on South Street. It looks amazing and I think will do very well in the location. Later I bumped into his awesome right hand man Rory who runs the show. After that I went for a swim in the sea at Castle Sands and chatted to the effervescent Poppy, the very fun Greek lady Gatty researcher (seals I think like Mr Duck) who is a Taste afficiando like me. It’s all great fun and there is such energy in this wee toun. So many cool people
But keep positive everyone. Good people stick together and we will prevail. Be nice, smile, be a bit silly at times, take a wee risk, wave at a dog, be sober mostly, enjoy your health and try not to 3 putt or duff your chips or hit your drive into a bush.