The City of Discovery........... — Steve Chivers Photography

For those of you who have read my most recent Blog, “Carpe Diem”, you will know that since our return to the UK and our life-change from being full-time expatriates, both Mrs. C and I have been determined not to miss any opportunity. Above all, we are enjoying the ability to have spontaneity in our life, rather than being governed by plane schedules and planning holidays and the simplest of trips six months in advance.

Needless to say, when our daughter Anna mentioned that we had been invited to Dundee, “The City of Discovery”, by Matthew’s parents, we immediately accepted. The last time we had visited Scotland was also one of our proudest moments, to be present at Anna’s graduation from Edinburgh University, so we were long overdue a return visit.

Anna simply said “leave all the arrangements to us, just turn up to our apartment in London on this date and everything will be taken care of “. So we were faced with spontaneity and being absolved of all responsibility. It seemed like a win / win to me!

Of course, arriving in London meant we had the pleasure of meeting up not only with Anna and Matthew but our son Simon and his partner Kitty. Collectively this meant a calorie fest and a great evening was had by all in China Town where we had an evening of “Double Duck”’. That is for another blog.

Suitably fed and watered, the next morning we headed for Kings Cross and the 10.04 a.m. to Glasgow. The six hours passed very quickly and comfortably. Matthew handled the catering via the on-board catering app and delivery service (a world with which I am distinctly unfamiliar) and there was a great deal of discussion as to what we would be doing during the next few days in Dundee. Anna seemed particularly concerned as to our ability to “keep up”?!

We were warmly welcomed at Dundee station by Matthew’s father Bruce, who was keen to give us a feel for Dundee. So we headed to the highest vantage point, the Dundee Law, which provided a fantastic view across Dundee, The River Tay with its famous road bridge and beyond in to Fife and the historic golfing location that is St. Andrews.

As the sun was setting we looked to the West and the approaching rain and storm clouds provided an ominous warning that the weather might be on the change. Prophetic words as four days later, following our departure, this part of Scotland would be subjected to the ravages of Storm Babet. We were literally in the eye of the hurricane.

Ominous clouds…Storm Babet knocking on our door.

Then it was off to Broughty Ferry to meet Matthew’s mum Janet and the two dogs, Isla and Teddy. Now Mrs. C is a little nervous around dogs but we needn’t have worried, Janet had these two beautiful golden retrievers fully trained and after their initial “enthusiasm”, we were accepted like a part of the family.

The handsome Teddy - favorites are not allowed but if they were, he would be mine

This was our first opportunity to meet Janet and Bruce but as they welcomed us in to their beautiful home it soon felt that we had known them for years.

That evening they took us for a meal at a country restaurant called The Lands of Loyal. We drank an aperitif in front of a roaring log fire in a baronial style lounge before partaking in a meal of Pheasant wrapped in filo pastry followed by Gressingham Duck with all the trimmings. As usual I was firmly in my happy place and once we returned home I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

A good job really as Janet and Bruce are very much outdoors people and the next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we drove about an hour or so in to the country side to Loch Lee for a “morning walk” and to exercise the dogs. Mrs. C and I were fully prepared and had our hiking boots and multiple layers as a shield against the crisp Scottish wind and the possibility of precipitation.

To capture it all I had the Leica SL2 and the 90 mm App Summicron SL. Not a compromise in terms of image quality but for this particular trip, knowing we would do a deal of walking, I wanted to keep everything lightweight and with a degree of weather sealing.

For those of you who have never visited Scotland it is truly a land of beauty and as we walked towards the Loch there was ample opportunity to flex the shutter muscle.

We then headed off along the banks of Loch Lee. Our target to reach a small white cottage at the end of the Loch. We aimed to take lunch in the woods above the cottage. Once again calories provided the motivation to crack on.

Our lunch destination - the woods behind the white cottage at Inchgrundle in the distance

Once we arrived at our initial target the scenery changed as we entered in to a beautiful wooded area.

The perfect spot for our lunch - Janet and Bruce with their trusty hounds

Having located the perfect spot for lunch, everyone was very relaxed and an opportunity for me to grab a few images of the team.

They even took one of me and my 50 layers of clothing! - A good boy scout is always prepared!

After delicious corned beef rolls (a personal favorite of mine), a steaming cup of Bruce’s speciality coffee and Janets über delicious date and walnut bread, we set off for a rather steep climb to our final destination above Loch Lee and what a view!

View from the top - the beautiful Loch Lee

Having walked for about two hours it was not lost on me that we also had another two hour walk back to the car and going down a mountain seems much harder than going up!

The walk back seemed a lot quicker, perhaps quietly pleased that we had “kept up”.

As we passed the far end of the Loch we came to a beautiful chapel, Kirk Lees, which dates back to 1803. It is still in use today and unbelievably in this day and age was open to welcome all those who pass by.

The beautiful church organ - built in Vermont USA in 1891.

What a fantastic day. Needless to say I was once again out for the count as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Next Morning Matthew had decided to show us around Dundee. Were first headed off to the V & A which would not only give us an excellent morning coffee but was also situated next to The Discovery, the ship which was captained by Lieutenant Robert Falcon Scott, better known as Scott of the Antarctic. I just loved the Juxtaposition of the modern V&A next to a ship which was built in 1901.

The V&A is definitely a destination for a future visit as we only had time to scratch the surface.

We then headed off in to Town which gave me an opportunity for a bit of street photography.

Giving Dundee the full Noctilux at F0.95

Desperate Dan - Fans of the now defunct “Dandy” comic magazine will recognize Dan who was the comic’s mascot

Fisher and Donaldson - Bakers with a 100 year history - by Appointment to The Royal Family of course

Regular readers will already have guessed that our morning adventure would end in calories. Fisher and Donaldson are a master bakers dating back 100 years. They maintain a royal Warrant and specialise in traditional baking, renowned for their fudge doughnut.

Our mission, which we chose to accept, was to buy some bridies, a meat filled type of pastie plus some steak and haggis pie for our lunch. Janet had been quite specific that we were not to linger and were to avoid the fudge doughnuts. I could see the conflict in Matthew’s eyes as he gazed longingly at them. A testament to his will-power and good boy that he is, he resisted temptation. A treat perhaps for our next visit?

On our arrival back home with our treats, Janet (clearly a fabulous cook) had casually prepared two types of home-made soup to accompany our savories and delicious fresh-baked scones for afters with home made Lemon curd. Deep joy!

Now Janet hails from nearby Arbroath so after lunch we decided to take a restorative walk along the Seaton Cliffs at Arbroath whilst attempting to walk off the calories we had consumed during luncheon (I am afraid to admit that yours truly consumed more than others).

The view of Arbroath from the cliff path

Pebble Skimming - Anna said it wasn’t a competition, but if it was, she won!

The beautiful Isla on Seaton Cliffs always willing to pose for the camera

After our bracing walk we drove back through town. Bruce suggested we lower the car windows and we immediately had that beautiful smell of the famous Arbroath Smokies. Arbroath is famous for its smoked haddock, another treat for a future visit.

Our final day had arrived and for me was to be a real treat. We drove across the Tay road bridge and headed towards the town of St. Andrews. Famous for its great University, stunning beach but above all, is the home of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, where I was hoping to obtain one of my bucket list photos.

Upon arrival in St. Andrews we parked next to the beach and headed off to give Teddy and Isla a run.

Following a good walk along the beach we then headed off to the home of golf.

I wanted a shot of the old clubhouse as seen across the 18th Green. As I took the image I could hear in my mind the commentary from the immortal Peter Aliss, “ just a chip and a putt and Steve Chivers will be presented with the gold medal and Claret Jug, as Champion Golfer 2023”. The stuff of dreams!

The 18th Hole with Club House in the background.

The Famous Rusacks Hotel, where many a glass of Bollinger has been supped

Rusack’s “Rock Weather Station” - it merits careful attention!

Then we came to a spot near the 18th Tee. The Famous Swilken Bridge where Open champions of the past have taken that special walk up to the 18th Green. This was the photo I wanted and what better than to be accompanied by my beautiful daughter Anna. A special memory with a very special girl. Do you think I look like a proud father? The only thing that was perhaps missing was for me to be holding the famous Claret Jug after having been crowned Champion Golfer. Well we are all allowed a dream aren’t we?

The Swilken Bridge with my beautiful daughter

Our thanks have to go to Janet and Bruce. Not only have they provided their wonderful son Matthew as a partner for Anna, but they were so kind and generous in welcoming us in to their home. We look forward to returning this hospitality and showing them the beautiful South West of England at the earliest opportunity.

Ah yes, you thought I had forgotten. Let us finish with a rather special “Bench of Contemplation”.

Warmest regards from Plymouth and see you all again soon.