We have been wanting to visit St Andrews for a while now, ever since hearing how lovely a town it was - and everything we heard proved true.
It was an hour forty drive from us in Glasgow and we timed it so that Sarah and Daniel were planning to go on the same day - their last day away before coming back.
We arrived at 11:30 and met the errant travellers in front of North Point Cafe - where Will and Kate would meet for coffee, according to their window.
We wandered down the opposite lane and visited the St Andrews castle, a ruin on the coast with stunning views and some interesting mining history. In 1546, Protestants took refuge in the castle and a siege was ordered by the Scottish regent. A mine was begun by the attackers but was successfully counter-mined by the defenders, both cutting through solid rock in the process. This was rediscovered in 1879 and can still be accessed today - though the entrance the attackers used has now been built over.
We meandered through the university, checked out the quad, and then went across the road to the Rav for lunch (interior pictured below).
We rescued a bee (I took it outside, Cameron fed it honey water) and then we found a truly glorious bookstore that is the stuff of dreams. They had ladders you could slide along and climb up (which I regret not doing - what was I thinking???), a cosy little fireplace, loads of nooks, signed copies, first editions, floor to ceiling shelves....it was joyous. We obviously bought a few things...
We meandered through the town, ducking in and out of shops as they took our fancy, picked up a coffee, and then ended up at the cathedral. Thanks to all our wanderings, we did miss the chance to go in but we peered over the fence, took a couple of arm-stretched-over-our-head shots, and carried on down a few more streets. Turns out we love a good nosey about the place, looking at homes, the architecture, peering in windows, admiring a life that's just that little bit different to our own.
And that was the day! By the time we'd had our fill of wanders, it was nearly 5, the perfect time to drive west towards Glasgow into the setting sun.
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