SUMMER LEAVE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 2, 28 September 1942, Page 6

SUMMER LEAVE

N.Z. Airman’s Visit To Scotland HOSPITABLE PEOPLE

A Wellington College old boy, now a member of the R.A.F., stationed “somewhere“near the British Isles,” who has been on summer leave in Scotland and England, writes to his father of his experiences as follows: — “At Glasgow I was able to inspect the marvellous shipbuilding yards on the Clyde, an industry that is surely playing its part in the big upset. Then 1 went on to Dundee and called- on Mr. and Mrs. , whose son is on the station with me. They insisted that I should stay for dinner. I bad grilled steak, potato chips, tinned peas, and, after that teacakes. I really did enjoy it. As you no doubt know rationing of food is very severe over here. Though the Scottish people are very hospitable, one doesn’t like eating up their rations, but they really insist and if you refuse become offended. . . . From Dundee I travelled by motorcoach through very ifleasant country. The road follows the sea all along, and one passes through Carnoustie, Montrose, and Stonehaven, all nice towns. Everywhere the growth is good, the countryside is green, and there are trees and ferns here and there. There are good farms all along the coast. “I left Aberdeen on Sunday night by bus, and after calling at Dundee, crossed the Tay by ferry and caught another bus for Anstruthbr. I arrived .at Mrs. ’s house, and was welcomed like a son. She made me feel at home, and didn't waste any time talking, but got a huge feed for me. I gave her my ration card. Mr. took me trout fishing, and gave me my first lessons in casting. We got nothing, but be got four the next night, small but tasty. One can read here till midnight, and we fished in daylight till II p.m. While staying with Mr. I was able to get two rounds of golf at St. Andrews, which is only 12 miles away. It is a fine course, beautiful greens, and plenty of ‘tiger country.’ The course is right on the coast. I also played a.round on the new course there. You would enjoy it, flat save for a few rises. I also managed to get two days’ golf at Elie, a pretty course, more hilly than St. Andrews, with long holes and lovely greens. There I was made very welcome by Mr. , who has a brother in Auckland. He told me they used New Zealand brown top grass seed on their greens. Because I came from New Zealand I was allowed to play a round free, which is a great privilege. A “I had a lot of calls to pay at Anstruther, where they treated me very well. . . • The Scottish are the most hospitable people in the world. After six days there I left for London. I met my cobber, Claude, at Edinburgh, and we travelled together. Had been with him at Wellington College 16 years ago. The heat in London was terrific. It is a very airless place, and I found the pavements very hard after the green paddocks. Then northward again to Glasgow and Oban. I was awav 18 days, and got back on a lovely day. All the boys were glad to see me back, and I got a pleasant surprise on being told that I had been promoted, double propeller and sparks—quite thrilled about it.”