A good night’s rest and a misty morning. We woke up and gathered in the kitchen as the smell of bacon and sausage wafted up the stairs. It’s a big group, and they like their breakfast.
We split into two groups today. The V’s left for Stirling, to see the castle and the animal park, and the rest of us went off to golf.
First course on the tour was Western Gailes. It’s a Scottish links style course that’s truly difficult and more popular with the British than Troon or Turnberry. It hasn’t been Americanized yet, and that’s just how we like it.
It’s a modest clubhouse that faces the Firth of Clyde. The wind blows, the rain stings, the gorse is tall and eats balls (just ask Michael) and the caddies have been there for a lifetime. 
Paul won the round by 4 strokes and had a real taste of golf in its truest tradition. We came in, had a beautiful lunch and our first Sticky Toffee Pudding. I’m truly sorry I didn’t photograph it, but we ate it very quickly and with gusto!
We came back to the manse, after a detour to Royal Troon, and collapsed for a bit. Seven miles of walking in the Scottish rain and sticky toffee pudding did us in.
Another post will show the Vacirca’s at play at the Animal Park and Stirling Castle, but we call met for dinner at “The Blair” in Kilwinning.
A beautiful little restaurant very close by (down a rural track that we’re getting very good at driving on). As soon as we all arrived, the place cleared out — was it something we said? Who cared, the food and staff were terrific!
No one make a pie crust like the British! We are all back in bed once again, dreaming of sticky toffee pudding…….
Civilized Cross Many Countries 