Last Days in Glenrothes and Our First at Day at Blair

We enjoyed a trip to Falkland Castle and gardens. We were joined by a group of scouts from Texas, Kenya, and Japan. All of us were hosted by John Somerville. Add a few Scottish scouts and we were a group of 92 that day. After the castle we headed off to St. Andrews where the boys engaged in one of their favorite pastimes, shopping. Some of the boys have a real gift for it.

Jack and I walked the town, something we had to coax the boys to do, when we saw them. Scott and Adam took offense when I purchased a golf beret, as they were no longer able to comment about my lack of hair. Thanks to Bruce, whose sister-in-law works there, Jack and I had the opportunity to visit the clubhouse at St. Andrews. This was a rare honor that was achieved by Jack’s elevation to the highest levels of IBM management. Sorry, no pictures can be taken in the clubhouse.

After St. Andrews we headed out to the, now not so secret, Secret Bunker. The boys enjoyed the tour and did even more shopping. Adam is into itching powder, a fair warning to his family. Several of the boys were tired and tried to crash on the bunks in the bunker. We finished our tour with trip to Anstruther and a fish and chips dinner. The boys seemed to like it, nothing but clean plates could be seen. They all asked why the fish back home was not as good?

Our parting from Glenrothes the next morning was difficult. Many of the boys and their host families had a hard time saying goodbye. We almost lost David Rose to his family, who want him back, and Jeff’s new mom, who didn’t want to bring him to the bus. He calls her “mom” all the time.

We arrived at Blair and the boys settled into their sub-camps. They are in Morrison, Stuart, and MacDonald. They boys in Stuart, Robin’s patrol, have the honor of being along side of Susan, my Scottish daughter. If there is anyone who can make their experience fun, funny, or wild it is she. Jeff and Scott have resumed the friendships started at the Ceilidh earlier. The opening ceremony was very nice with a musically enhanced fireworks display. Jack is working with the events crew and commented that the fact that the music timed so perfectly with the fireworks was strictly by accident.

Enjoy the pictures and remember that email sent to this web site will be distributed to the boys daily.

We started at the Castle and then headed for the gardens. We even managed to get almost everyone together for a group shot.