this nearly was mine (instrumental)

This nearly was mine because I got into the art history programme at the University of St Andrews.

Obviously I didn't take the spot.

And I felt a little sick about that after seeing the town.

Because officially it is The Most Beautiful Place I Have Ever Been.

Get off the bus and hit the High Street.


[It's] under some construction.


So you'll have to mind the mess.


But all sorrows are less with bread.


And kilts.


I read dead Russian authors volumes at a time.

I write everything down, except what's on my mind.


Knowledge not meant for mortal fools.

Tore a page of my heart.


Don't forget you are in a college town.


And across the street, this funny building.


What could it be ?


Only the entrance to the most ancient Scottish university.


And the hallowed halls of St Mary's College.

Founded 1538.

And a bunch of pictures of it...

Shall we continue with our tour of colleges ?
They are scattered around town.


In front of Madras College, the ruins of Blackfriars.


Only a vaulted apse of the friary remains.


Blackfriars & Madras College.


Madras College is actually a secondary school,
and not associated with the University.


Back on College Street and on to more schools.




Heart St Andrews.


St Salvator's College.


Enter the quad.


Kilt outside college chapel.


College chapel; medieval; closed, sadly.


St Salvator's Hall.


Or: Where Kate Met Wills.


Failed attempt to photograph lounge.


And on North Street.


Where Kate Met Wills (for coffee).


Looking down North Street;
Cathedral ruins in the distance.


And here we are.


Gorgg.


It's not every day you see a ruined cathedral.


So you'll have to excuse the million pictures.


Just scroll down.


And enjoy.


I did.


Skies perfectly blue.


Cathedrals in my heart.


Square Tower and St Rule's Tower.


St Rule's Tower, part of an early church that
predated the cathedral; around eleventh century or so.


It is very tall.


You can climb it; it's terrifying.


But le view's worth it.

Over the ruins and out to sea.


That's enough, cathedral.


I'm going back to the water/ been landlocked too long.


And I went down to the seawall.


That's when I knew, knew they never got you.


We live in a beautiful world.


Yeah we do, yeah we do.


St Andrews is swooping seagulls and sea salt air.


I like the coastal cities.


It's like living on a working [harbour], the coastline is glittering.


Boats.


Catch.


Enchanter.


Seafood shack.


Rose III.


Looking back towards harbour.


Drove me like a magnet, to the sea, to the sea, yeah.


Because Maryland girls are like mermaids;
we can't go too long without water.


Rolled-up jeans and sea water;
I believe in the sand beneath my toes.


The beach gives a feeling, an earthy feeling.


I believe in the faith that grows.


In this moment now, capture it, remember it.


I tore myself away from East Sands.


I had another piece of business to attend to.


It was this.


Cathedral and castle ruins ? St Andrews, you're spoiling me.


You may enter.


Seemingly waiting for the time/
When the castle walls would all fall down.


Yes, it was a strain on her/
Watching her castles fall down.


The Hall {or what's left of it}.


Coastal erosion & steep cliff thistles.


Castle beach down below.


St Andrews Castle was a royal residence.


James, Duke of Rothesay, the eldest son and heir
of James V and Marie de Guise, was born here.
He also died here, just one month shy of his first birthday, in 1541.


He was buried at Holyrood, in the same vault as Madeleine de Valois,
James V's favourite first wife. Diss to Mama Marie.


Down some dark stairs.


To the scariest dungeon ever. That floods during high tide.
It's like out of Pirates or something. Felt haunted.


So I got out of there fast and went to the Scores.


And a wee sampling of St Andrews doors.


Absolute fave.


<3.


Pink door love.


Rose bush love.


A St Andrews house for baby sister.


And a little house for me; for sale; seafront.
CAN I WIN THE LOTTERY PLEASE.


Call Me; St Andrews Version.


Other side of town and the Links.


Which means golfers.


But I Do Not Care About Golf.
I just want the beach.


D'you want to go to the seaside {again} ?


West Sands.


Give me summer.


YES.


I turned around and the water was closing, all around me.


I wanted the [sea] to cover over me.


I wanna sink slowly, without getting wet.


And I'll walk on water, ha, every chance I get.


If you've never stared off into the distance, then your life is a shame.


Cross the water.


And home through the town.


Lade Braes Lane.


Last stop Hope Street, right before the bus station.


To peek into No. 13a.
Or: Chez Wills & Kate.


Yeah it's probably good I didn't go to school here.
Beach bum that I am, I'd never have gotten any work done.
xx