I was asked to do the storytelling bit of the Brown-Foreman, Glendronnach whisky tasting event at the Rusacks last night. It is held in Room 116 which is the Old Tom Morris suite which has a huge balcony overlooking the 18th fairway of the Old course. It’s not a shabby position.
It was a beautiful evening and I was lucky to have a wonderful group of journalists who had been invited to see some of the Marine and Lawn outfits and I presume write about them. Which is not a bad gig all said. Sign me up next time please.
They were all delightful and attractive individuals and we were lucky to have the characterful Seamus with us, who is the manager of Rusacks. Also we were blessed with the lovely marketing ladies from Marine and Lawn and brilliant Szymon the sommelier who talked us through the whisky. It was all very good fun indeed. What nice people.
Rusacks really is the place now in St Andrews with this amazing location and very neat decor, stylish bars and restaurants and superb views. Add a very charismatic manager and some great staff and it’s hard to imagine many better places to stay. And if you are a golfer well … well, tip-top!
Now to get a wee bit serious though. I am doing pretty ok on my sober journey and can easily go into situations like last night and not drink. Indeed I have not drunk in over 5 weeks. However I will be honest that there is a lingering something saying I can do this in certain situations. It was partly spurred by reading Alastair Campbell’s article about his issues. He had been sober for 13 years and now admits to drinking sometimes under very controlled circumstances ie with his wife. And I kind of get this and am thinking about the same. This is not to say that I am not really enjoying feeling good mentally and physically and all that. Because I very much am. But as they say up here. He that will to Cupar maun to Cupar.
Anyway I told you I would be keeping you up to date with this. And I will. And veritably. That is a must with this issue and the absolute core of it.
Otherwise my tours have all been great fun and I have met some very good and interesting people. It’s a wonderful job. Yes I have rather landed on my feet here. But I can’t forget Alan Chalmers who has now sadly passed. He set up Eat/Walk tours about 15 years ago and gave me the opportunity to start my new career. He was a very good and gentle man. Thank you Alan.
Fare forward passengers.