Menootnaboot; St Andrews Pt 2

In case you missed it, go to Part One here.

I think I mentioned other rooms and displays that I might share, but actually find there are only a couple of photos, so will keep them for a Tuesday post. Leaving the Wardlaw, I found the day continued dry, although Kathleen's heavy breathing was still making itself felt. I walked southward, past the castle...

...and up around the cliffside walk. As I did so, the phone rang. It was my good pal, Aitch, checking on my location and that I was okay, what with the storm and all. Just as we were about to get into a good gabble, Kathleen blew just that bit extra hard. All I can say is that I am mighty glad for the wrought iron fencing on the leeward side, which prevented me from being pushed over the 60-foot drop... I kid not. There was the briefest moment of 😱, and maybe a bit of 🤬, definitely a bit of 😬. I found the nearest bench and plonked myself down. Kathleen was relentless even then, buffeting my back (and everyone else walking the path). Aitch and I had our catch-up natter, and then I gritted my teeth again as I worked my way toward the cathedral ruins.

That's all you're getting just now... the rest will appear in a Tuesday post a few weeks from now. I need space here for the rest of it!

From here, I looped back in the direction of the van, wandering along North Street. I thought this view of St Salvator's Chapel was rather appealing. Oh, in case that plaque is catching anyone's eye, you can read about it here.

Moving on, I went past the old cinema (called New Cinema...???), which has been bought and is to be redeveloped. Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake, aka T-Squared, are involved. I glanced down toward the library, which was looking very busy. 

Toddling further along and then back down toward the car park, I passed a monument to some martyrs—a different lot from those over at Bishop's Wood. Here are some info boards for those who are keen on such things, followed by the beauty shot of the monument, including the bandstand.

By this time, it was two in the arvo, and I hadn't had any sustenance or fluids since brekky. I was too far away from the Cheese Toastie place (next time!), so I headed back to Grey and made my own. I have to admit that getting inside and shutting the door on Kathleen was a blessed relief. I had about worn myself out not just by having been walking about for over four hours, but from battling her rage. The Rolls-later is a wonderful support to my being able to do such things, but it is also a bit like my high-sided van in the wind... it acts like a sail. I decided to simply watch from my window for the rest of the Sunday. I had paid the parking fees via the phone app so I could relax - and I did. A couple of times in the night I did wonder if Kathleen was going to lift The Grey right off the tarmac, but as I am reporting to you now, it is fair to assume she failed.

By Monday morning, she'd run out of puff somewhat. It was still very windy, but not the gale force of the previous day. It was also very, very sunny, despite single-figure temps. That did improve, a little. I didn't have to rush in the morning as the ticket was valid until nine o'clock. I had been thinking I needed to move on down the coast, but it was such a glorious day I was reluctant. Besides, I hadn't yet set foot on the famous West Sands. I drove around the edge of The Course to the somewhat informal parking spot near The Dook, another food shack, where I had planned to bag a brekky roll, giving up on the idea of actually crossing the dunes as the Rolls-later would definitely sink its wheels and I rather feared I might get sand-papered.

In an instant that all changed. There was another wee hut, previously missing notice, that had a big blue sign on it. Beach Wheelchairs, Free.

I stood and stared at this for a moment. As did a fellow who was perhaps wondering what I was looking at. What a good idea, I said aloud. He agreed. I also wondered aloud whether it might be possible they also had beach rollators. "Ask them," said he. "I will!"

Janet opened up as I came through the door. I was given such a warm welcome, and oh yes, there was a rollator. WOOOOHHOOOOOO!!!

Formalities were completed and I was off. Look at that gnarly beast! What was even better, as I crossed over the hump of the dunes and down the other side... I was on the leeward and protected from Kathleen's bite. It was positively balmy. I walked about two-thirds of the length of the beach and then that same distance back. I stopped and chatted with the ranger who was collecting errant poles from the dunes, and he informed me the sands stretch all but two kilometres, so that means I approximated two and a half km in my round trip. I returned to the hut feeling like my head might be split in half with the smile on my face!!!

I took a photo of Janet - on the left - and the other lady present (whose name, I fear, completely escapes me now). 

You can't quite make out the bottom line there, but these accessibility enablers are funded by The Hamish Foundation - named for a famous St Andrews cat. Janet insisted I be photographed, too...

Honestly, it is hard to convey the sheer joy of that experience. I discussed with the ladies about making a donation. They did not have electronic means, so I could only leave them the tiny amount I had in cash on my person. Neither of them mentioned that there is a Just Giving page (despite my mentioning to them, as I had to the Strathkinness Woodlands Trust, that use of a 70... number would save them having to safeguard cash). It was only on looking up the site link I gave you above, that I discovered the donations page myself - and dropped in an amount I felt was deserved. Truly, the elation felt from that sandy walk was priceless.

NOW DEAR READERS, A SPECIAL REQUEST. I know that a few of you will appreciate and understand what this meant to me. Moving to the use of a rolling aid for walking last year was the best thing I did for myself in a long time (well, that and the van!), for I was finally properly moving again, albeit at fractions of the distances I once undertook. But even my Rolls-later, super-dupery model though it be, was unable to cope with the shifting sands that had first to be negotiated and would definitely have clogged up from the wet sand, too. The chance to walk those sands with these purpose-built wheels changed my day. WOULD YOU CONSIDER ADDING A SMALL AMOUNT TO THE GIVING PAGE? I would definitely use this service again on another visit, and of course, many others have and will benefit from the freedom these units provide. There is no compulsion; it is simply a small personal request from one who can vouch for the validity of this charity. 

I celebrated by going to Dook and - it now being nearer lunchtime than breakfast - celebrated with their vegetarian Keralan curry pastie... OMG, it may not look great, but tasted fantastic!

While I was traversing the strand, the phone rang (yes, another alfresco call!)—this time, it was Mac1, wondering if I might consider going down to Edinburgh that very evening instead of the next day. As it happened, I had been thinking of that as an option anyway, so I agreed readily. 

...tbc...