Our journey down to Gleneagles on Friday was smooth enough, although we didn't risk Cairn o' Mount, having heard the stories of the 20 motorists who got stuck near the top on Thursday and had to be rescued. Black ice was the danger - we still haven't had any snow here in Banchory, although the Angus hills were white as was most of Perthshire.
Golf at Gleneagles was out of the question. Our host, Keith Gray, had booked a tee time on the PGA Centenary course, where they had recently played the Ryder Cup, but there was so much snow there, that the courses were closed all week. Plan B was for Keith and I to go for a cycle round the estate, using the two mountain bikes each lodge had, but that was out of the question too.
Despite the weather interventions, we had a really nice time. We arrived about noon and Annette had prepared a lunch of soup and sannies for us, after which we all headed off for the superb leisure complex. The main pool was amazingly quiet, as was the separate Adults section, where Jo was delighted to be able to get 20 lengths in.
The main pool has an outdoor section, which is pretty cool - literally, overhead anyway. We followed that with a beer in the main hotel bar, where we spotted Bill Beaumont, ex England rugby captain - and a former team captain on Question of Sport. There was lots of stuff going on in the hotel, including a Jersey Boys theme night.
Keith and Annette's son, Ross, was also staying in the (3-bedroom) villa with his wife Susie. They had dinner in the Dormy House and who should be at the next table, but former First Minister, Alex Salmond.
We had dinner in the relatively casual Deseo restaurant, where we were able to pick our steaks and seafood from the butchers' and fishmongers' slabs.
On Saturday morning, after breakfast, Jo and I took a wander round the estate. It was a nice, but cold, morning and it also gave me a chance to ensure I had got rid of the last of the alcohol from last night. With Scotland's new drink-driving restrictions now in place, you can't be too careful.
Our walk took in the Dormy House, where there was still loads of memorabilia etc from the Ryder Cup, including this display cabinet, with signatures of the players:
The hotel too is still bedecked with Ryder Cup stuff, including the famous fish tank full of yellow and blue fish only - the European colours:
Here's Jo and I outside the hotel:
There was a Craft Fair in the hotel and there we bought our weekend meals - fish pie for Saturday and Scallops for Sunday. Driving home, we went through Auchterarder, which must have the longest High St. in Scotland. Cairn o' Mount was well gritted and it was safe for us to go over the top.
I met Colin for our usual early Saturday evening beer and footy. On the way there, I thought St. Columba's Church was nicely lit and stood out - a little spooky perhaps:
It thawed overnight so I decided to go for a cycle on Sunday morning, and also do a pub survey at the Learney Arms, Torphins. I got a text from Jo when I got there, telling me I'd locked her out of the house - again! I hot-footed it back, taking the main roads - something I normally avoid - but when I got home, Jo wasn't there. Perhaps she went to Tease, or to Ross', or perhaps Anne's? None of these were correct - she'd walked to Morrison's to place our order for Xmas turkey.
Come 5 pm, I suggested we should go for a walk round Banchory and do the local pub surveys. We started at the furthest point - Scott Skinner's - and worked back from there to the Legion, Burnett and, finally, the Douglas. Job done - now just the database to update - and, of course, the rest of Deeside to do as well.
Monday morning has started nice and bright, but the temperature has dropped again and the black ice is back. Hope it doesn't disrupt this afternoon's cycle too much.
Tomorrow is my final Board meeting, when I officially tender my resignation as a Director of the various companies. Just 4 days work left for me now.
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