Sluggish

We had an excellent meal at Dunvalanree last night with most of us concentrating on the wonderful seafood - scallops,crab, monkfish, salmon and sea bass. Although not good on the waistline, the sweets were to die for! Great company with Alan and Alyson a marvellous host and chef team.

After a full day and plenty of good food and wine we all turned in relatively early in order to make the most of the next day.

#2 son was keen for a rematch at the golf and we were on the course for the back of 8 o'clock with his girlfriend C joining him for the walk and a few practice shots. We both played pretty well, but I was seriously out-gunned and he won easily by 4 holes.

After replenishing our energy levels with coffee and toast #2 son, S, busied himself on his iPhone working out a hilly 7 mile route for a run. He is currently in training for the Tough Mudder challenge being held at Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate, Dumfriesshire on 14 July. I began to wonder if I could make the 7 miles with him, although it would be a lot harder than my usual 4 or 5 miles on the flat to the beach and back. 20 years ago it would have been a dawdle, but could I keep up with S on the hills and last few miles? Only one way to find out!

The first mile was OK and I was relieved when S indicated he wanted to stop for a minute to stretch off his leg muscles. this gave me a chance to run/ walk to the top of the first steep hll where I could stop and get my breath back while I waited for him. As the miles went on it got harder with the longest hill still to come. Half way up it, when I was breathing heavily, S announced he would need to stop at the top for a comfort break. Boy was I relieved (no pun intended!) as this gave me another chance to get my breath back! From there on it was mostly downhill or flat and the going was OK although I was conscious S was running slightly below his training pace, having probably taken pity on me.

I suggested we sprinted the last couple of hundred yards to the house and S took off. I put my foot on the accelerator, but nothing happened. My turbo was either knackered or I was out of fuel! I just felt sluggish and ready to stop.

It was one of those poignant moments in time when you become more conscious of your age. Time I think to hand over the sporting baton torch to the next generation!

Today's blip is courtesy of C who took this shot of 4 inch long slug at the edge of the 5th green on the golf course. Reckon I should at least be able to outpace him for a few years yet!

Thank you S & C for your wonderful company over the weekend and sharing lots of memorable moments with us. Next time we will catch some fish big enough to eat!