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February 10, 2007
Neighbours
The best thing about living at #5 has been our neighbours. We're a quiet bunch on our end of the Park - Josh and I probably make the most noise which isn't a whole lot, considering that our favorite thing to do on Friday evening is to watch a film and go to bed.
This block was built by the Council back in the 40's. Some of the Park is still Council housing but most of it is now privately owned by those who benefited from Margaret Thatcher's decree that the tenants of Council housing had the right to purchase their flats.
Directly above us is Mrs B. Years ago she walked by the site where this block was being built and spit on the wall. "That way I knew it was really mine," she told me. They raised their children in the flat where J and I are now. Later they moved to the flat upstairs and bought it from the Council, thanks to the Iron Lady. Mrs B is a widow now and sorely missing her husband of 50-some years. I love to sit by her fire and listen to her stories about St Andrews during and after the wars. During those years she worked at one of the local banks - it was so cold they had to wear gloves to keep their fingers warm while counting the money.
And, just over and up from us, Mr and Mrs T. Pure Scot all the way to the core he is happiest when labouring over his garden and takes his whiskey with just a drop of water. She is an affectionate, caring and busy wife - eager to tell us all about the town of St Andrews and all that they have experienced here. Working at the Old Course means you meet lots of famous people and they have got some terrific stories. The best beef stew I have ever had was in their dining room.
In the midst of our sojourn in this country I am grateful to know those for whom St Andrews means comfort, home and family.
| By j and b | 12:54 PM
Comments
What a delightful entry, Bry!
Posted by: abigail at February 10, 2007 07:12 PM