We are delighted to welcome you to Brooksby’s latest feature – the “Brooksby Blog”.
Since we first created Brooksby House from a tired old family house into a 5 Star Guest House, or as many guests say “a small boutique hotel”, we have greeted many guests to St Andrews from all over the world and have enjoyed making their stay a memorable one. We have made many friends in the process and have kept in touch with them. Over the winter we thought it would be nice to keep people informed of the goings-on at Brooksby and St Andrews through the modern medium of a blog. We also think it would be helpful to guests who have booked ahead as they can get a feel for us, Brooksby and St Andrews. Well that’s the theory at least. We hope you enjoy the Brooksby Blog.
15 March 2010 – Off and Running
After 5 months off here we are at the start of our 2010 season - where did those 5 months go!
Brooksby got its annual make over and we took advantage to do some external works however our grand plan for Little Brooksby – our own living quarters – hit the buffers. Plan B also has been shelved and now we are on Plan C. It will be nice when it’s finished as they say!!
We got off to a fabulous start with a great couple of golfers up from Kent on a special birthday golfing break. Booked by David’s wife he had to wait 13 months for his first experience of St Andrews and the Holy Grail that is The Old Course. David, another year older, and John his golfing buddy, thoroughly enjoyed their St Andrews golfing experience. David wrote to us with his thanks and a commitment to make a return visit to St Andrews and Brooksby.
Brooksby in Spring
Springtime has been later in coming this year; my it was a long, cold winter. Even the snowdrops at the famous Cambo Gardens just a few miles down the coast from us appeared later this year. The Spring flowers are appearing, braving their way into the open. Our lower garden is coloured by an array of snowdrops, crocuses and more besides. Spreading as nature intended they shelter under the protection of fruit and conifer trees making for a pleasant and inspiring view.
Springtime has been later in coming this year; my it was a long, cold winter. Even the snowdrops at the famous Cambo Gardens just a few miles down the coast from us appeared later this year. The Spring flowers are appearing, braving their way into the open. Our lower garden is coloured by an array of snowdrops, crocuses and more besides. Spreading as nature intended they shelter under the protection of fruit and conifer trees making for a pleasant and inspiring view.
22 March 2010 – Morag’s Wedding
What a great extended weekend – this was the first of our Exclusive Bookings of the year and a really special one as it was for the wedding of Morag and Ray. They visited us last March to test us out and at the end of their stay they booked Brooksby for their special day. With careful planning the wedding and the stay at Brooksby went extremely well. The wedding party enjoyed a nerve soothing glass of bubbly in our Drawing Room before heading to the church – incidentally the bride did get to the church on time and she looked wonderful. The wedding was held at St Salvator's Chapel
What a great extended weekend – this was the first of our Exclusive Bookings of the year and a really special one as it was for the wedding of Morag and Ray. They visited us last March to test us out and at the end of their stay they booked Brooksby for their special day. With careful planning the wedding and the stay at Brooksby went extremely well. The wedding party enjoyed a nerve soothing glass of bubbly in our Drawing Room before heading to the church – incidentally the bride did get to the church on time and she looked wonderful. The wedding was held at St Salvator's Chapel
A few days of keen and expectant teenagers with parents in tow from England, USA and Switzerland staying for the Open Day at St Andrews University. The weather could have been better but all were happy with what they saw and heard. These Open days are quite frequent and as parents with girls having gone to university (one at St Andrews) we know how important they are. As they said a good breakfast ahead of an active day helps.
31 March 2010 – British Summer Time – Can we turn back the clocks?
2.00am Sunday 28 March saw us move into “British Summer Time”. One hour less in bed was the least of its impact as Arctic conditions immediately swept into the UK affecting all parts. Snow, yes snow, has arrived which has caused the usual British media frenzy of news reports – just how do you survive in Canada, Sweden etc? In tandem with the heavy rain and snow, strong winds have caused damage across the UK and many roads and ferry services have been badly affected.
St Andrews having its own micro climate has faired better than most elsewhere in Scotland. We escaped the rain on Monday, even the wind was not too bad. All that changed overnight and Tuesday was a wash out for some golfers although a few hardy Austrians staying with us played the Old Course. In wild winds and rain they scored a 90. As a 7 handicap player Josef needed a big booming drive, a full 3 wood and a 9 iron to reach the 18th green! The day before his drive was 30 meters short of reaching the green – as the song says “What a difference a day makes – 24 little hours”.
Today the morning has started dry, even the wind level has reduced but it is still quite strong. Our golf party playing the Old Course today will be challenged although yesterday they benefited from playing the first 3 holes of the Old Course on a golf simulator while visiting a golf club manufacturer just outside of town. So today they really have no excuse for not getting a birdie, par, birdie on these 3 holes in real time play!
1 to 15 April – April Showers – what showers?
Already half way through the month, wow it does pass by so quickly! The old saying April Showers is a misnomer so far this April is concerned. St Andrews has had soon really great Spring weather, sunshine aplenty, with little by way of chilly winds.
Out walking about I took a few iconic photos of the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral – I hope you like them.
The Cathedral along side the the Rule Tower. The view from the Rule Tower offers a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of St Andrews. Remember to take your camera!!!
Guests have come from far and wide - a mix of golfers, holidaymakers, parents and prospective university students up for the St Andrews University Open Days. We welcomed newly weds from The Villages, Florida here for a golfing honeymoon in Scotland. Those pictures of them playing the Old Course and standing on the famous Swilken Bridge are to sit alongside their wedding photos.
Returning again for the second time were a mother and daughter from Clarkston. It is always nice to greet guests back to Brooksby and as before they thoroughly enjoyed their stay at Brooksby and St Andrews.
The pull of St Andrews is strong amongst many but more so with ex-St Andrews University students. This past weekend we had a lovely couple stay with us who first meet each other when at the University some years ago and who come back to St Andrews from time to time to reminisce. They enjoyed their first visit to Brooksby and left for home armed with goodies from the local fishmongers, cheese and bakery shops!!
In the past few days major events have happened that will impact on our lives!!
New Addition
First we have a new addition to the Beaton Family. No we are not Grandparents but the proud owners of a lovely new puppy, Pippa.
Pippa is a miniature long-haired dachshund. She is just 8 weeks old but already she displays a loving and friendly nature. She loves having fun and she is keeping us from wearying as we play with her day and night!!
Little Brooksby
After 4 years we are undertaking some refurbishment to our home next door to Brooksby. The joiners, plumbers and electricians are in and progressing well. We hope the works will finish before the end of the month so we will have a “new” home to enjoy.
