Post LEJOG Activities

After our celebratory dinner at the Seaview Hotel, I returned by taxi to the Castle Arms Inn for the evening. I woke early, had porridge and a full Scottish Breakfast with Black Pudding and Haggis and decided to cycle to Dunnet Head, the most northern most point of the U.K. Even though John O'Groats is considered the ending point for LEJOG, some cyclists believe you have not really completed the End to End until you have cycled to Dunnet Head. There was a brisk wind from the Northeast and it was overcast. After taking some photos, I then proceeded to Thurso to catch my train to Inverness. With it being Sunday, everything was closed in Thurso except a coffee shop by the river. I caught the 12:22 pm to Inverness and arrived early at 4:05 pm. Europecar was waiting for me and quickly loaded my bike. I rented a small commercial van, so I did not have to break down my bike. (it was also considerably less expensive than a car with hatchback). Then I headed south on the A9 to Bridge of Cally where I stayed for the evening. Had a nice steak dinner and woke at 5:00 a.m. to head to St. Andrews. It was overcast and a cool, windy morning. I arrived at St. Andrews at 6:30 a.m. and was the 10th to sign up for golf. The first 8 were able to play in the morning, but I was able to play in the afternoon. I spent the morning doing some sightseeing, buying souvenirs and having breakfast and lunch. I hit balls before my tee time at 2:30 p.m.

This really was the icing on the cake to my trip. The sun came out, the wind was up and St. Andrews was everything I hoped it would be. I hired a trainee caddie, David from the Lake District ( who was three weeks on the job). I was paired with three other gentlemen, one from San Diego, one from Australia and one from Bermuda. We all had a similar game which made it fun. The highlight was when one of them hit their drive on the 17th tee on top of the slate roof of the St. Andrews hotel and it came bobbling down like "mousetrap". We all had a great laugh. I was really proud of myself that I parred the 1st, 17th and 18th holes. I shot a 92. I of course had my photo taken on the bridge of the 18th fairway. After a pint in the Clubhouse, I said goodbye to St. Andrews at 7:50 p.m. and drove down to Edinburgh. I dropped the van off at Waverly station and took the Caledonian Clipper overnight train to London Euston that arrived at 7:15 a.m. I then cycled to the Park Grand Paddington where I had stayed on my arrival to England. I dropped my bags and then cycled my bike to the Bicycle Workshop for them to disassemble and pack up in my cycle travel case. I went back to the hotel, showered and then went souvenir/gift shopping until the late afternoon when I picked up my bike. The folks at the shop were very generous to donate $100 to the SS Eagle Fund. 

That evening I went to Leicester Square, had my last meal in the UK at an Italian Trattoria and called it a night. This morning I rose, packed and headed to Heathrow via Paddington Station to catch my 11:00 a.m. flight on Virgin Atlantic to Chicago. Then I take Southwest home to Jackson late this afternoon.

Once again, an incredible journey, meeting some wonderful people, experiencing all that the U.K. has to offer and having a great sense of achievement and contentment. 

Now back to reality and all that awaits.

I do plan to highlight the things I recommend and things I might have done differently in the near future to help those still contemplating the experience. Stay tuned.......

To all those reading, let's try and get that $20K goal met...almost there....please encourage friends to participate however small the contribution.

Again many thanks to all that have contributed to the charities in Simon's honor. Cheers for now.......

Birds that can be seen around Dunnet Head

The look back over the cliffs to the mainland from Dunnet Head

The view north overlooking the Orkney Islands from Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head Lighthouse in the background

Map showing the positioning of Dunnet Head

Entering St. Andrews

The 18th green at St. Andrews

The historic St. Andrews Cathedral

Downtown Alley

The Clubhouse

The view from the clubhouse to the city of St. Andrews..big University town

Yours truly teeing it up on the 1st tee

On the course looking back towards city

On the famous bridge in the 18th fairway..look at that perfect sky. It gave me goosebumps just thinking of all the golf legends that took the same walk. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club is the building to the left of me in the background.