Finn Run

Predictably the good weather couldn't last and the 1st October saw a return to autumn mists and rains. It was fairly mild in the morning and I got it mostly dry up in Perth, where I had headed in the company of Scott, Steve, who was over on a flying visit from Canada, and John Porter, a Fife education pal of Scott's. We had a good round on the North Inch municipal course, despite its rather soft condition and a very poor start. Steve and I won a close match by 1 hole, with me finishing off with putts of 15 feet, 20 feet (for a birdie 3) and a testy 6 footer on the last to secure the match. My driving was much better with some good straight belts, especially on the daunting 15th which had the River Tay for company all the way down the left side of the fairway.

As we left Perth the rain came on. John departed but the three of us set out on the road for Aviemore, where we were due to play the relatively new Spey Valley course in the afternoon. The rain got heavier as we reminisced on the road up until it was battering down so hard we were almost soaked getting from the car to the boot to the clubhouse. Course closed! A two hour drive for nought. We went into the adjoining hotel for some lunch, a bit of trivia on the machine then the long drive back again. The rain abated, but only very slightly, and a fog to boot meant early bad light so there was no way we could have got a round in there or elsewhere. Still, at least we had a good chat on the drive up and sown the A9.

On Sunday the rain was still tipping down. Sharon had called off her attempt to run the BUPA run in Edinburgh in the morning due to still recovering from her knee and hip problems, but she was determined to run with Finn in the afternoon Mini Run. And she was very glad she did. The rain went off and her and Finn joined hundreds of others at the start in Holyrood Park. I followed on with the remaining boys in support and we saw a beaming mother and child on several occasions as they made their way round the 1.5km course up Queens Drive and back via Holyrood and the Scottish Parliament. Finn did really well, didn't stop at all and was very pleased with himself. Sharon said it was wonderful, running in amongst all the children and parents. Finn duly got his medal and goodie-bag. Well done, the Finn Runner!