Sunday, July 7

While we were reviewing all of our brochures, we discovered there was a Scottish Game Fair at the Scone Palace - today was the last day of a weekend event. The Scone Palace is the place Scottish kings were crowned. It was closed today because of the fair, but since it is only just past Perth, we expect to return later. This fair was not to be confused with Scottish Games. We're talking about animals and shooting, fishing, hunting, and trapping. It was a perfect place for all of the Gongaware cousins to visit. Lots of clothes, and fishing rods, guns, etc. to buy. It took about an hour to get there, but only the first 20 mins was a small country road. Earlier, Linda had asked me why I always rented such small cars. She thought it was because of price, which is a consideration, but there are not big  differences. No, the real reason is because I know I'm going to need to drive down small roads and streets and small is good.

We pulled into the grassy lot to  park and paid our 2 pounds. Like parking at a county fair. Then after walking over to the gate, about 5 mins. we paid 17 pounds each to enter. That's with a 1 pound discount for being a senior. Wow!! Its not cheap over here. We were  hungry by now so we headed straight for the first set of vendors we came upon. Linda had a venison burger and I had a long hot dog that they called brockwurst. We're standing, trying to eat the meat without biting into any of the roll and keeping the mustard off of our clothes. We also had french fries that were called french fries. When we were almost finished we found half of a picnic table and had a little chat with the family on the other side. Everyone we have encountered so far have been friendly and willing to help us if we had questions. Well-behaved dogs everywhere. There were all sizes - dachshunds, sheep dogs, tiny things, whippets and greyhounds. We have seen whippets in Blackpool and now here. We hardly ever see them in the States. They are a reasonable size and very calm and friendly and good with kids. Nice dogs.

We walked aimlessly around the kiosks and the areas where shows or demonstrations were: clay shooting, fly fishing, training dogs to herd geese or grouse or ducks with long necks (not sure, we're not duck people), a parade of antique British cars and woodies, an obstacle course where you were able to drive a Range Rover over steep embankments, rutted gullies and other obstacles, and owl and falcon training. Nothing was unique, but it all felt very Scottish. We stopped to share a pint of local beer. Before we left, we were hungry again. We stopped at a vendor who advertised traditional Scottish street food and we shared a beef burger topped with haggis and whisky relish. Two servings of haggis in two days. Everyone has always made fun of it, but we like it - both of us. It does have an odd smell, but its good tasting.

About 50 mins to drive back to the resort. We thought we might be in time to catch the end of the Wimbledon men's final, but Andy Murray had already won by 6:00. Boy, there are some happy Scots here. The first time since 1936 that a Brit has won the tournament and a Scot to boot.

By the way, I wore shorts and a short sleeve shirt and was very comfortable all day. Really good weather.