All go here

It's been all go over the last week since Scott and Lucy arrived on Monday, followed by Mary and Brian on Tuesday. Scott and Lucy had arrived in London on Saturday and spent Sunday being tourists then went to see Lauren and Malcolm. Monday was a bit of a bummer for them though as their plane north was delayed by almost 2 hours, but eventually the welcoming party of me, Ross and Gary were able to greet them and drive them over to Banchory.

Mary and Brian checked in to the Tor-na-Coille mid-afternoon on Tuesday and I immediately whisked Brian and Scott off for an afternoon of beer drinking in the sunshine with my golf group at our monthly do at Ian Dring's Man Shed:

On Wednesday morning we went for coffee at the Unit next door:

In the afternoon it was golf at Banchory with my pals. Scott started nervously and Brian, likewise, struggled for a couple of holes but eventually they came on to their games. After the round was over, the plan was to gather on the golf club balcony with the others for a quick beer. First of all, Scott and Brian had to walk their clubs back to Arbor Court. Meawhile, I went through my usual procedure, utilising the trolley and battery room then putting my clubs in their locker.

The first part went OK and I stepped out of the trolley store and was about to lift my clubs when, all of a sudden, I heard a huge bang behind me - followed by the air outside filling with this black, acrid smoke then huge flames broke out just a couple of feet behind me through a glass door. I immediately abandoned my clubs and ran up the stairs shouting "fire, fire!". By this time, all the alarms were going and everyone evacuated the building. This was the scene I narrowly managed to escape from:

Brian and Scott arrived back at the club wondering what was happening - fire engines were arriving and smoke filled the air. I was somewhat shaken - but a beer might help, so we headed to the Legion and the terrace there.

Dinner had been arranged for 7 pm for 8 of us (Luca was working) so the 3 of us strolled down the lane to the Derbar, where we were eventually joined by Jo, Lucy, Mary, Ross & Gary. Here's the team photo:

Lucy's bestie, Lorna, came over on Thursday morning and she took Lucy away to Alford for most of the rest of the day. I had originally planned that Scott and I go for a bike ride but I was too tired after the previous day's events. We had been to the Inchmarlo driving range before golf on Wednesday and Scott then decided he would like to play the 9 hole course there, whilst I chilled.

Another golf challenge for Scott on Friday - we were off to St. Andrews to play the Eden course - an annual event for my golf group. This would be a whole new experience for Scott - links golf - fast, undulating greens and deep bunkers. Just like the day before, Scott's start wasn't the best but he settled down eventually and hit some booming drives on the back nine, topped by a terrific par at the tricky 14th hole:

Dinner for our golf group was at the Balgove Steak Barn.

Jo and Lucy had driven down to the Central Belt for a (late) long lunch with Dawn, then dinner at Julie's (after an adventurous near 2 hour drive from Dawn's!).

Jo and Lucy stayed at Mary and Brian's on Friday night then set off back to Banchory on Saturday morning. Gary, Scott and I had decided not to drive down to Perth to see Partick Thistle after all - we would instead go to the Aboyne Highland Games, but first we needed a car to get us there. Gary had left his car in Aberdeen and bussed through to Banchory so only 5 of us could go in our car. I think Jo was quietly pleased to opt out.

It was a brilliant, sunny afternoon at the Games - lots of activities happening at the same time - pipe bands, sword dancing, tug-of-wars, hammer throwing, track running, hill racing etc. Very entertaining:

Now today, Sunday, Barry and Helen will be arriving shortly. Bacon butties first then a cycle this afternoon, followed by dinner for 9 of us tonight in the Tor-na-Coille.