"Do you fancy a game on Gullane 2 on Friday, I've got some pals up for the Calcutta Cup?"  The dulcet tones of Big Gav on the phone, he has just returned from scaling Kilimanjaro with Miss Scotland amongst others.  They had been raising awareness and money for Parkinsons, do have a look at the link and help if you can.  http://www.justgiving.com/biggavs50th.  I arrived at the appointed time for one of Mr Greer's bacon rolls; 8 of us and one tee time.  "No probs" says Gav, " Mooney doesn't play, he will just walk round, then we take it in turns to miss a hole, leaves 6 and we play pairs, alternate shots, three balls... see? No probs, lets go."  There were a few strange looks when we arrived on the tee.  "Duckie you're with Skinner, Starkie you're with Heggs, I'm with Hoover and Domed you're walking the first"  Oh and the pairs change every hole.  Hoover, who quite likes being in charge, is to keep score.  It worked!!  Great fun and really good way to get to know folk on an absolutely glorious East Lothian day.  We rounded the golf off with pie beans and chips helped down with a wee Guinness.  Marvellous.

Back to Aberlady and some work in the office before heading to Prestonfield House and the Sportsman's Charity Dinner, always a special occasion.  This was the 29th, I think I have missed two.  Its always good to catch up with so many old friends.  Good to see Archie again, the photographer from Scottish Field.  Stephen Carter GM of Cameron house was in good form, he really is a class operator.  I was the guest of Lorn McNeil, thank you Lorn. (See Lorn's site)  Lorn is a master at gathering interesting groups of individuals and this was no exception; great crack, great fun.  The evening was compared immaculately by Dougie Donnelly and the first speaker was Andrew Cotter the commentator.  He really does have a very relaxing voice,; he spoke well , very funny.  Gareth Chilcott was next and he is just Gareth, very amusing with great rugby tales.  I said hello to him during the meal, I well remember watching a game with him in the kitchen in the Edinburgh restaurant years ago.  I also asked Dougie and Wilson Hunter who was to do the auction to ignore any bids I may make in the auction.  I ended up in the Big House after the dinner and more catching up, good to see Jimmy Thomson.  Aberlady am ish.

Calcutta Cup day started chatting with a reviewer from the Sun and his partner.  They had had a very good time, I look forward to the piece.  Then off to the game!  Played well again but got Parked.....again!  Good to catch up with brothers Jim and Callan and even better to catch up with Callan's girlfriend Claire!

Now we wait for Sunday and Richard Bath's review of Ducks in tomorrow's Scotland on Sunday.  He is a very good journalist and writes pretty sensible stuff.  I wonder if I will think that tomorrow?  We only knew he had been when the picture desk at the Scotsman phoned up to arrange a time for a photographer to come down. We are also in the Herald I think, a travel piece.