Kelso Closed Shock. Stops Golf

For relief from the grinding mindlessly boring slog of sorting out the Small House in Duns, Huttonian went off to the Putton Mill Driving Range-11/2 miles from Duns, 11 from Hutton. An additional reason for moving? It reminded me of Dubai. No not the Disneyland Towers of Fantasy but the heat; 75F in Berwickshire feels like 100F in Dubai and just as humid. I used to play on our own Embassy Course (designed by me since you ask*) long before the present water guzzling tracks were laid and 9 holes in July was more than enough. Here hitting 50 balls in the blazing sunshine-tees not shaded from the south - was an effort and I was glad to stop having emptied my basket. As I was leaving a couple arrived, both with sets of clubs. I warned them of the heat and the danger of blood boiling if exposed to the sun too long-we travellers pick up a thing or two in a world weary way. Why were they not on a proper course with shady trees, babbling cool brooks etc? All closed they said. Competitions at the Hirsel and Duns (MPBUI) and not only was the course closed at Kelso so was the town-in a state of armed siege familiar to visitors to the Green Zone in Baghdad and the West Bank. Apparently the Duke of Buccleuch, who owns most of the joint had a family wedding and Princes Harry and William were in attendance so the Fuzz and sealed the place off (So that is why Fishwick Special Branch has canceled week end leave-I was wondering)

When I mentioned the need to protect senior members of the Royal Family from local threats -eg BLF ** or FTMN*** the couple expressed some sympathy for the Republican movement and went off to get broiled.

And I went off for some Ice cream; washed down with a very cold beer

Can't do that in Hutton

* It cost £1 to build. Follow that Mr Trump
** Berwickshire Libeation Front
*** Free the Merse. Now!

(The image is of the Duke's modest country pad)

Labels: Driving range, Duke of Buccleuch Fishwick Special Branch, Golf iin Dubai, Putton Mill

  ¶ 12:39 PM